Splash Mountain to become Princess and the Frog ride

[SierraT]

For the record, I support the change in POTC only because I like Pirate Redd as a character. I think she should headline the new POTC movies. I am not sure I like the use of "We want's the rum!" I had no problem with the premise, even if I think the reason they changed it was a bit silly.

I know people realize pirates in general weren’t the kindest folks and while the changes in pirates didn’t bother me, I saw it primarily as an advertisement for the Depp franchise. We all still like going on the ride, though we still miss the skull warning us of the hill. That said, the historical atrocities of the real life pirates really isn’t Disney friendly at all. These were real people who murdered women and children, had slaves and slave trade, and pillaged villages. Why is the Pirate ride not dismantled? Well, because, it’s a ride in a theme park and most people recognize it’s not real life. I bet if we thought about it more than a minute, pretty much every ride in Disney World could be picked apart and destroyed because of some offensive content or offensive past.

I’m guessing a lot of younger families don’t care about Splash Mountain just like they don’t realize Test Track used to be World of Motion. I have much larger concerns as well, however, it’s part of the nostalgia I will miss and I guess that’s just part of life and Disney evolving to meet the expectations of the younger generation(s). Heck, even my own kids call it “Disney nostalgia pandering“ and they are probably right (stinks to get old). I was there before they opened the original Splash in Florida and have such fond memories of that time. Still, I know Disney will make it a great ride if they need to change it and I’m certainly not losing sleep over it, but it’s ok for people to be disappointed about the change.

 

[JaxDad]

Lots of kids - mine included like the "dumb shooting game thing". Why - in Frontierland - would or should they get rid of that?

Because people are "triggered."

(I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself.)

 

[SaintsManiac]

Lots of kids - mine included like the "dumb shooting game thing". Why - in Frontierland - would or should they get rid of that?

Because I think it’s a waste of space? I mean cool your kids like it, but I’m allowed to think it’s dumb.

 

[Krandor]

And the Br-er Rabbit triumphs over the Br'er Fox is that offensive? I personally find it offensive our culture wants us to forget about slavery by erasing all possible images, stories or mention of it. Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it...

Nobldy wants to erase all images and stories of slavary... only those that romanticize it and make it seem "not all that bad" and that don't show a proper picture of what it was like.

 

[adam.adbe]

And the Br-er Rabbit triumphs over the Br'er Fox is that offensive? I personally find it offensive our culture wants us to forget about slavery by erasing all possible images, stories or mention of it. Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it...

You're seriously going to pitch Splash Mountain as an important chance to teach our young? That's the water-hill you want to die on?

 

[Mit88]

As a child of the 80s/90s, I absolutely fell in love with Figment (and later Skippy from Alien Encounter pre-show). I had to have all the merch I could get my hands on and I still remember the moment we finally found Skippy in one of the stores in Tomorrowland (before each store carried nearly the same thing).

Imagineers don’t need the IP crutch. They can create characters and stories that children and adults latch onto.

Its harder now than its ever been to take the risk on an original idea. HM and PotC would not be built or beloved if it were built in 2020. People clamor for original movies, and then no one goes to see them and then they complain every movie is based on an IP. The average guest doesn’t want to be bothered with anything original. We do. We would love more original characters like figment, or orange bird. Or rides like Haunted Mansion. But kids are more entrenched in their phones than having an active imagination.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Wait, what's super racist about the Country Bear Jamboree?

One of the bears is named Liver Lips which is a derogatory term. From the vaudeville era, an insulting or derogatory description of someone, taken from their facial features.

 

[mickey0624]

You're seriously going to pitch Splash Mountain as an important chance to teach our young? That's the water-hill you want to die on?

Yeah I agree on that one....that was really a ridiculous stretch

 

[PortMickey]

Yeah, but only because the original version still exists at WDW. I'd be cool if they were only doing this at DL.

I think Tokyo Disneyland is keeping their Splash Mountain.

 

[SaintsManiac]

One of the bears is named Liver Lips which is a derogatory term. From the vaudeville era, an insulting or derogatory description of someone, taken from their facial features.

Wow I had no idea.

 

[adam.adbe]

Its harder now than its ever been to take the risk on an original idea. HM and PotC would not be built or beloved if it were built in 2020. People clamor for original movies, and then no one goes to see them and then they complain every movie is based on an IP. The average guest doesn’t want to be bothered with anything original. We do. We would love more original characters like figment, or orange bird. Or rides like Haunted Mansion. But kids are more entrenched in their phones than having an active imagination.

The weird thing about greater choice is how it pretty much always ends up with greater homogenization at the center of the bell-curve.

 

[RapunzelIsMyHomeGirl]

I’m not sure they were ever “pro-racist”, and there were I’m sure some people, and probably still are in the company that are that type of evil. But the company as a whole? I dont think it was ever in their ideology that they were running a “pro-racist” company

"In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist."
This is a really good read for anyone who is hearing the term "anti-racist" for the first time. The article is form the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture:
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/being-antiracist

 

[BrianL]

I'm only partway through reading this thread.
PatF is prob my fave princess movie, and Tiana is my fave princess. I would *love* to see more of her in the parks, and I really hope they put her restaurant somewhere now that Reflexions isn't happening.

That being said, my brother brought up a point. Like you said, the original Br'er stories are folktales. They're based on trickster tales from Africa, and Br'er Rabbit is a folk hero (representing slaves who overcome adversity using their wits). While the Song of the South may have "problematic" elements, supposedly it is the live action parts that are controversial. The ride doesn't feature any of the live action parts (the live action parts are a vehicle for the folktales to be told). The ride focuses on the actual tales of Br'er Rabbit, which originally come from Black storytellers.
As much as I like PatF, the original story is European, recorded by the Brothers Grimm. Is there a better way to change Splash to incorporate stories with Black origins, rather than shoehorn in an IP simply because it features Black characters (forgetting that the story is European)?

Yes, you get what I'm saying there. They could rework things to fit a better narrative - admitting that there are issues surrounding the original material but not dismissing it outright.

 

[Krandor]

Its harder now than its ever been to take the risk on an original idea. HM and PotC would not be built or beloved if it were built in 2020. People clamor for original movies, and then no one goes to see them and then they complain every movie is based on an IP. The average guest doesn’t want to be bothered with anything original. We do. We would love more original characters like figment, or orange bird. Or rides like Haunted Mansion. But kids are more entrenched in their phones than having an active imagination.

It is interesting. People say they are tired of reboots and sequels but look at what is in the top 5-10 at the box office week in and week out. Reboots and sequels and yes I put the MCU in that category - a new MCU movie still counts as a sequel (and I LOVE the MCU so not taking a shot). it is all about nostalia.. the same nostolgia that makes people not want Splash changes is the same nostolgia that makes people want to see a sequell to their favorite movie (i can't wait for Bill & Ted 3) or what to see their favorite movie come alive in the parks.

 

[rteetz]

One of the bears is named Liver Lips which is a derogatory term. From the vaudeville era, an insulting or derogatory description of someone, taken from their facial features.

You learn something new every day.

I absolutely love Country Bear Jamboree. If they need to change it I am fine with that. I would hate to see it go though.

 

[BrianL]

I think Tokyo Disneyland is keeping their Splash Mountain.

Oh yeah, they do have one. It's all in Japanese though, but the weirdest thing about it is that the track is mirrored. It's great though. Everything at TDR is great. I want to go back so badly!

 

[Lisa R]

So let’s say there was no petition and no nationwide movement right now and disney announced this. Would it still be an agenda? This change really isn’t that much different from Maelstrom becoming Frozen. Epcot purists didn’t like that one.

Yes - it would - and everyone knows it. There is no other reason that they would change a hugely popular ride that they just released 30th anniversary merchandise on it last year...

 

[tarak]

One of the bears is named Liver Lips which is a derogatory term. From the vaudeville era, an insulting or derogatory description of someone, taken from their facial features.

Yikes - I had no idea.

 

[Krandor]

The weird thing about greater choice is how it pretty much always ends up with greater homogenization at the center of the bell-curve.

At the end of the day the center of the bell curve is where you get the most eyeballs and from that the most money. The broader the appeal the more money you make and that is the goal at the end of the day.

 

[SaintsManiac]

You learn something new every day.

I absolutely love Country Bear Jamboree. If they need to change it I am fine with that. I would hate to see it go though.

Big Al is a BIG DEAL in my house. I feel awful now.