Splash Mountain Will Change to Princess and the Frog--WILL OPEN 7/11 as Splash

[igrsod]

I'm an adult woman and I'm sick of all the princess stuff!

I don't see Princess and the Frog as an overly "princessy" movie.

 

[FCDub]

The act?

Because I don't like a movie?

Sour grapes

 

[NewGuyHere]

I just hate the timing. We are mentally exhausted.

Do it two years ago or two years from now, that’s fine. Then we can go around with first world problems, believing it’s a big deal. Its also terrible timing for people to travel for one last ride which I do think fans deserve even if the change is warranted.

But stop. Just stop. We are all exhausted and many have no idea when we can or will want to return at all. And that’s not even our biggest worry right now, not even close.

Well said. Splash is one of the most popular rides in Disney World, regardless of when you re-themed it there would be mixed opinions. But right now is not the time, it's just adding more tension on an already tense situation.

 

[TropicalDIS]

You need to see the movie.... it is great. Fun music, artful animation... comedy, suspense, tears... all the makings of a great Disney film.

I assume it’s on Disney+?

 

[Tonyz]

Sour grapes

Ok...

 

[igrsod]

I’m extremely concerned about this - the music is so iconic. They can’t just get rid of it.

I think we’re going to see a big backlash.

I don't think you will see that big of a backlash to be honest. Most people haven't seen SotS, especially kids. Times have changed. PatF is more current and recognizable.
As well, there are some great tunes in that movie to use in the ride. Sure to become a family favourite I'm sure.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

How do you figure. People that were scared of the drop or just did not want to get wet are now going to set aside those reservations and jump aboard? The theme of Splash Mountain kept absolutely no one off the ride.

Funny you mentioned that because my 30 year old sister who hates getting wet actually texted me when the news broke and said “This might actually get me back on Splash.”

I think Princess & the Frog could also attract kids who were too scared to ride Splash. Kids love Princess & the Frog - kids see the big drop and many back out because they’re too scared and they have no idea what’s inside. If it’s Princess & the Frog themed vs. something they don’t know?

And, it’s something fresh & new.

The waits will be long even though people say there will be huge backlash. Most of those people will end up going on it because their kids want to, etc. Or because they want to go on a fun ride.

 

[Orion Nebula]

I don't think you will see that big of a backlash to be honest. Most people haven't seen SotS, especially kids. Times have changed. PatF is more current and recognizable.
As well, there are some great tunes in that movie to use in the ride. Sure to become a family favourite I'm sure.

100% agree, the only people who are going to be back lashing are those on "forums". No one will be holding signs outside protesting or even boycotting it. The ride is going to be packed.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I don't see Princess and the Frog as an overly "princessy" movie.

Probably because she doesn’t start the movie as a princess or have any expectation of becoming a princess (because the guy she falls in love with is a frog and they get married after they have failed to get him turned back to a human with a princess’ kiss).

Also, she spends most of the film in frog form, which is not exactly royal.

The prince she marries is poor. Because he married her for love rather than an heiress for money, they’re going to live “normal” lives, not be whisked away to live happily ever after in a palace.

I love Tiana’s self-reliance and excellent work ethic. She’s an excellent role model in a way that’s not preachy.

 

[SMRT-1]

I assume it’s on Disney+?

Yes. It's also currently on Netflix.

 

[T-rox]

can we get a tiana's place restaurant?!?! also to anyone who has never been in the bayou, it's just a different kind of frontier. Very soggy and humid

 

[Nick Richardson]

So excited about this!!

 

[DLandgirlie]

This is great news! Super excited about this!!!
The song zippity doo da will never be erased, imo. It's a classic. Buuuuut...
This transformation is perfect...going down the bayou, going down the bayou!
Now we just need a Tiana restaurant themed in NOS, and I'll be throwing my money at Disney, once again, in 2021!

 

[Nick Richardson]

I would like it even more if the re themed the diamond horseshoe to be Tiana's place

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I'm an adult woman and I'm sick of all the princess stuff!

Have you seen the movie?

Probably because she doesn’t start the movie as a princess or have any expectation of becoming a princess (because the guy she falls in love with is a frog and they get married after they have failed to get him turned back to a human with a princess’ kiss).

Also, she spends most of the film in frog form, which is not exactly royal.

The prince she marries is poor. Because he married her for love rather than an heiress for money, they’re going to live “normal” lives, not be whisked away to live happily ever after in a palace.

I love Tiana’s self-reliance and excellent work ethic. She’s an excellent role model in a way that’s not preachy.

Could not have said it better myself. It has such a good story and message. And plenty of Disney magic too. That music ...

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

You need to see the movie.... it is great. Fun music, artful animation... comedy, suspense, tears... all the makings of a great Disney film.

Yes, it's the last traditionally animated, hand-drawn film. It's so beautiful and refreshing after Disney+ viewings of the sameness of "Tangled" and "Frozen" computer animation (and the oft-cited sameness of the faces of those movies' three princesses).
Like someone upthread noted, it's both a 21st-century Disney film and a throwback at the same time.

I'm still getting more excited at the hope that Facilier will give us a memorable moment on the ride.

 

[mister morrow]

i’m 19 and grew up riding splash mountain and absolutely adored the ride, however i am extremely excited and eager to see what disney will do with this princess and the frog ride, especially with POC imagineers leading the project!

i know a lot of you may be upset because you saw your kids ride, love splash mountain, and made tons of memories, but it is perhaps long overdue for a refurbishment. while the ride is not explicitly racist, the story behind the ride reeks of racism and ignorance that should not be ignored.

i doubt they will be immediately closing splash mountain, so you probably will have more than enough time to get your last ride in

 

[MyDearMinnie]

I'm on board with the change since Splash Mountain has never been high on my favorites list; however I completely understand why people are upset.

I agree with some others in thinking that Pocahontas would have been a better thematic fit for being in Frontierland. That being said, there are other rides at WDW that don't perfectly fit the theme of the land they're in (i.e. Tomorrowland Speedway isn't particularly "technological" or "futuristic", and Monsters Inc Laugh Floor should definitely have been in Hollywood Studios instead, IMO).

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

I'm not going to lie. I'm disappointed and conflicted. It's my favorite ride. I do hope they find another home for Br'er Fox, Bear, and Rabbit. Even if it is just in merchandise and a nod to them somewhere in the park. I really hope they don't pull the characters from the parks though. I love it when the Br'ers pop up around Frontierland every now and again. I'd love is someone is able to post one of those 360 YouTube versions of the ride before it goes.

I do love princess and the frog though. I just hope they keep the integrity of the ride, using animatronics instead of screens and keeping the length. I would hate for the drop to be shortened to make it more appealing for young riders, just because it's now a princess ride.

I have to agree with previous posters though. I don't believe this has been in the works for the last year. Just like I don't believe the glitch with the park passes didn't happen, cause I lived it that catastrophe on Monday. I feel like this is just Disney responding to the current climate.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I have precisely zero confidence that Disney will do justice to this overhaul. We’ll be left with substantially cut budgets and a series of screens in lieu of AAs.

I don't think this will be the case. They didn't use that many screens when they remade Maelstrom into the Frozen ride. I fully expect them to use the new kinds of animatronics with the projected faces for Tiana and other characters who are in human form, and probably some projections for the *Spoiler Alert*

shadows that whisk away Dr. Facilier in the end?

I also think there will be a significant amount of PR pressure to not give the impression of redoing this ride on the cheap.