Splash Mountain to become Princess and the Frog ride

[BrianL]

Actually the "Song of the South characters" are not IP-- most of them from the ride were reused from a previous attraction. That's why they chose Song of the South.

Plus, the characters of Br'er Rabbit etc. are public domain.

 

[BrianL]

I hope that they do a better job than they did with the Maelstrom->Frozen remake.

I actually really liked FEA so it gives me some hope.

I would still be okay if this were only at DLR, like the TOT change. WDW version is the superior version anyway (in both cases).

 

[Keetchino]

Ugh I hate to see a classic go! I loved Splash Mountain as is. That being said, if they feel the need to re-theme, I would’ve thought Pocahontas would make more sense. I mean, she literally canoes over a waterfall during the movie! Also, it would fit better in the Critter Country theme. If they want to put in a Princess and the Frog somewhere, why not take over Tom Sawyer Island and have a whole mini land dedicated to it? Princess and the Frog fits right in with Disneyland’s New Orleans square, it could work in Disney World too. Tiana could have a whole meet and greet area built right in too! Perfect spot for a beignet stand, and maybe even a sit down restaurant (I think we all know which one would be perfect )

 

[andyman8]

I associated Splash with Tom Sawyer island, and that "frontier" wasn't the old west. Mix of Tennessee / Mississippi River frontier time period and old west, but still a frontier nonetheless. Nothing Frontier about New Orleans, which is why if Liberty Square was near there it would flow much better.

So how does BTMRR fit it into that? Or Pecos Bill? Ultimately, it’s an aesthetic and this updated attraction should fit into that aesthetic. It’s a mix, and so who’s to say that mix can’t be altered or added to successfully. And again, Guardians in FW (or excuse me World Discovery), Finding Nemo in Dinoland, ignoring strict theming in favor of profitable IPs is not a new trend and a direction that the current management of TWDC has undertaken for years at this point. I have a hard time drawing the line here.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

my absolute favorite ride

sad to see this.

anyone actually believe they've been "working on this for over a year"

Not only is it likely it's been worked on for over a year, it's likely it's been discussed much longer than that. They're taking an attraction that's themed with a movie that our kids and grandkids will never see and will never relate to, and are replacing it with a theme and music they know. This was going to be somewhat controversial whenever they did it - it's time for the change.

I know it won't be seen as a direct correlation, but I remember the first time we saw the new fireworks after hating Disney for removing Wishes. Then 2/3rds of the way through the first new show, we heard all the kids singing the songs WE were not familiar with - and that's when we realized how good it was to change things up for the upcoming generations. And funny - we no longer miss Wishes that much, and we've learned many new songs! The ride will likely be very similar with the iconic drop - just different characters, different story, and newer music. We'll miss Splash, but will be looking forward to the change.

 

[RamblingMad]

What? I can’t wrap my head around this one. Wouldn’t Moana be a better fit?

 

[BrianL]

Ugh I hate to see a classic go! I loved Splash Mountain as is. That being said, if they feel the need to re-theme, I would’ve thought Pocahontas would make more sense. I mean, she literally canoes over a waterfall during the movie! Also, it would fit better in the Critter Country theme. If they want to put in a Princess and the Frog somewhere, why not take over Tom Sawyer Island and have a whole mini land dedicated to it? Princess and the Frog fits right in with Disneyland’s New Orleans square, it could work in Disney World too. Tiana could have a whole meet and greet area built right in too! Perfect spot for a beignet stand, and maybe even a sit down restaurant (I think we all know which one would be perfect )

Actually, Pocahontas would work pretty well at MK. It's a bit amazing she's never had a ride. I feel like that movie is pretty popular, more popular than The Princess and the Frog.

 

[Tonyz]

Little did I know that Splash Mountain was the source of all our racial issues.

Now that they rethemed it I'm sure things will be much better for everyone.

 

[rockpiece]

I figured Disney would want one of their most popular rides to be running for their 50th. There is no way that can happen now.

 

[FCDub]

Little did I know that Splash Mountain was the source of all our racial issues.

Now that they rethemed it I'm sure things will be much better for everyone.

Maybe take a breather from this thread if this is so emotionally damaging to you?

 

[andyman8]

Also worth noting that this announcement came from Disneyland PR, which means the decision to announce it today either came from DLR management or (more likely) Burbank. Can’t imagine why they’d want to change the subject right now...

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

The comments on the twitter disgust me. It’s all the trolls who are calling everyone a racist if they don’t like this move. Most of those people wouldn’t even go to a Disney park or care about Disney. Yet they control this narrative that is sickening.

“ anyone who disagrees is a racist etc etc “

It’s truly disgusting. Not to mention they look 16 years old in their photos.

Splash mountain is iconic and children don’t see racism in a theme park ride, nor do the millions upon millions who ride it.

I wouldn’t care about the change if people weren’t claiming victory right now and calling Disney racist. That’s why I don’t like these changes. It’s not to be different. It’s to satisfy trolls who enjoy seeing things erased cause they go down the line of everything that they deem offensive, without caring whatsoever about some one else’s opinion

Either way. I hope it turns out nice and is iconic in the future but I’m gonna miss the rides I grew up on as a kid and enjoyed just cause they are fun.

 

[sara_s]

Wow this thread got ugly fast.

 

[rteetz]

What? I can’t wrap my head around this one. Wouldn’t Moana be a better fit?

How so?

 

[Spaceguy55]

tick...tick..tick

 

[Hummingbird]

I'm probably not going to read through this thread because I would like to not have to ignore people on this board.

But I am going to say, this makes me very very happy. I can finally ride Splash again (I haven't in a long time once I found out about the movie and all). Also, I love the the PF movie and the music is great so hopefully some of it gets incorporated into the ride.

 

[rteetz]

Folks remember to be civil. Disney said they have been working on this for a while which seems true. Usually concept art doesn’t just get made overnight.

 

[JacknSally]

Yeah lots of mountains in New Orleans. Makes complete sense to have a log flume ride that drops you down a mountain themed to Princess and the Frog.

But hey we will get yet another re-skinned princess based ride in WDW. Lord knows we need another one of those.

It's a "mountain" now but doesn't that mean it will be a "mountain" after it's rethemed. There can still be a drop without it being a mountain.

I'd much rather Tiana get a brand new dedicated ride, but I always expected she'd get a rethemed attraction if she got anything, or maybe a more permanent fixture on the Mark Twain riverboat. I'm also tired of them just retheming attractions to princess IP (I was not and still am not a fan of FEA) but I'm very happy Tiana is finally getting some love.

 

[RamblingMad]

How so?

There’s far more water in Moana, and it’s a water ride.

 

[BrianL]

Not only is it likely it's been worked on for over a year, it's likely it's been discussed much longer than that. They're taking an attraction that's themed with a movie that our kids and grandkids will never see and will never relate to, and are replacing it with a theme and music they know. This was going to be somewhat controversial whenever they did it - it's time for the change.

I know it won't be seen as a direct correlation, but I remember the first time we saw the new fireworks after hating Disney for removing Wishes. Then 2/3rds of the way through the first new show, we heard all the kids singing the songs WE were not familiar with - and that's when we realized how good it was to change things up for the upcoming generations. And funny - we no longer miss Wishes that much, and we've learned many new songs! The ride will likely be very similar with the iconic drop - just different characters, different story, and newer music. We'll miss Splash, but will be looking forward to the change.

But attractions don't have to be based on movies at all. Many parks fans grow to love the original ideas and songs just as much as those from movies. It really doesn't matter if the movie falls to obscurity. I still say they should turn it around, make an animated film called Spalsh Mountain, tell the story of ride using a more modern sensibility and soem great Aftican American voice actors, update the ride internals as needed, and then you have an instant IP connection.