JamesG
06-26-2020, 03:21 PM
Disney Announces Major Change to Splash Mountain
by Fran Pallotta, CNN Business News
June 25, 2020
Splash Mountain — one of Disney's most popular rides — will be "completely reimagined," the company announced on Thursday.
The log flume ride — which is based on the controversial 1946 film Song of the South — will be re-themed to star the characters from the 2009 animated film The Princess and the Frog, which features Disney's first Black princess.
Splash Mountain has been a mainstay at Disney parks since its creation in 1989. The new changes to the ride will be implemented at Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida.
The move comes amid fans urging Disney to re-theme Splash Mountain because of the racial stereotypes from the film it is based upon.
Song of the South — which is best known for the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" — has long been criticized for its stereotypical and offensive portrayals of African Americans as well as a romanticized view of the antebellum South.
Disney says the new Splash Mountain concept is "inclusive" and "one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by."
"It speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year," Disney said on Thursday.
Disney added that the new ride — which the company has been working on since last year — will pick up the story of The Princess and the Frog after "the final kiss" and will join Princess Tiana and her trumpet-playing alligator Louis "on a musical adventure."
It will feature "some of the powerful music from the film as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance."
"Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what's really important," Disney said on Thursday.
"It's a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou."
Disney did not give a date for the new Splash Mountain, but noted that "conceptual design work is well underway."
"Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the attraction transformation can begin," the company said.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/media/splash-mountain-disney/index.html
by Fran Pallotta, CNN Business News
June 25, 2020
Splash Mountain — one of Disney's most popular rides — will be "completely reimagined," the company announced on Thursday.
The log flume ride — which is based on the controversial 1946 film Song of the South — will be re-themed to star the characters from the 2009 animated film The Princess and the Frog, which features Disney's first Black princess.
Splash Mountain has been a mainstay at Disney parks since its creation in 1989. The new changes to the ride will be implemented at Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida.
The move comes amid fans urging Disney to re-theme Splash Mountain because of the racial stereotypes from the film it is based upon.
Song of the South — which is best known for the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" — has long been criticized for its stereotypical and offensive portrayals of African Americans as well as a romanticized view of the antebellum South.
Disney says the new Splash Mountain concept is "inclusive" and "one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by."
"It speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year," Disney said on Thursday.
Disney added that the new ride — which the company has been working on since last year — will pick up the story of The Princess and the Frog after "the final kiss" and will join Princess Tiana and her trumpet-playing alligator Louis "on a musical adventure."
It will feature "some of the powerful music from the film as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance."
"Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what's really important," Disney said on Thursday.
"It's a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou."
Disney did not give a date for the new Splash Mountain, but noted that "conceptual design work is well underway."
"Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the attraction transformation can begin," the company said.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/media/splash-mountain-disney/index.html