The Song of the South, Splash Mountain has been one of Disney’s most iconic rides since its creation in 1989. One of the most expensive attractions built by Walt Disney Imagineers, Splash Mountain is located in Critter Country at Disneyland park.
Released in 1946, Song of the South features the Oscar-winning song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” and follows a young boy who visits his grandmother’s plantation during the end of the Civil War. Deemed highly controversial for toting racist depictions of African Americans and glossing over the topic of slavery, Disney has kept official Disneyland reopening date has yet to be revealed, the park is taking steps to ensure the plunging log ride will feature a new look.
Today, Disney revealed that The Princess and the Frog will be the new theme for the Splash Mountain ride. Released in 2009, The Princess in the Frog is an animated fairy tale that featured Disney’s first Black princess. Overseen by Disney’s top Imagineers, the refresh of Splash Mountain will have a story that takes place after "the final kiss" from the movie. The log ride journey will take guests through a spellbinding tour as they head to a Mardi Gras concert. The Princess and the Frog changes will take place at California's Disneyland Park and Florida’s Walt Disney World.
According to Disney, the groundwork for the revamped ride is well underway and Imagineers have expressed excitement at the important renovations. The senior creative producer of the project, Charita Carter, shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures.” It's unclear as of yet when the changes will be implemented, especially considering the parks are still closed or in the process of reopening. Hopefully new information about this renovation will be made available in the coming months.
Since its conception in the 1920s, the Walt Disney Company appears to promote nobility, honesty, and integrity. These values have been integral in the theme parks and Disney’s blockbuster films. Refreshing Splash Mountain to reflect the moralistic principles at the core of The Princess the Frog is a step forward, but there's still work to be done. Perhaps the reimagining of Splash Mountain will lead to conversations on a rethink of other Jungle Cruise. Princess Tiana moving into Splash Mountain could create a more exciting experience for guests to visit the Disneyland theme park.
Source: Disney
