Orlando, Florida – Walt Disney Studios has faced backlash from thousands of upset fans who have criticized the company’s decision to rebrand the popular Splash Mountain ride in response to calls for greater cultural sensitivity. The ride, originally based on the controversial film Song of the South, has been transformed into a new attraction inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Song of the South, the movie that served as the basis for the Splash Mountain ride, has been the subject of criticism for its portrayal of black Americans in the post-slavery era. The film, which features Disney’s first Black character, is the only movie in Disney’s catalog to be retired due to concerns related to racial depictions.
The new attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, is set to open to the public on June 28 in Orlando, Florida, and at a later date in Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Despite the changes, Tokyo Disneyland plans to keep the original Splash Mountain ride intact.
Following the racial reckoning of 2020, sparked by the murder of George Floyd, Disney’s decision to rebrand the ride was met with both praise and criticism. Supporters of the change commended the company for addressing concerns about the ride’s appropriateness, while critics argued that the transformation was unnecessary.
Members of a Facebook group dedicated to Splash Mountain expressed their disappointment and frustration over the rebranding, with some questioning the need for the change and accusing Disney of giving in to a vocal minority. Some members even called for a boycott of Disney in response to the decision.
Despite the backlash, Laura Harris, the great-great granddaughter of the author of the stories that inspired the original Splash Mountain, expressed surprise at the level of passion surrounding the ride. She defended the new attraction based on The Princess and the Frog, urging people not to dismiss it without giving it a chance.
As discussions continue around the transformation of Splash Mountain and the introduction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disney remains at the center of a debate on cultural sensitivity and the portrayal of race in popular culture. The rebranding of the iconic ride reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing and addressing problematic depictions in media.