The Rides They are A-Changin' | Splash Mountain to be Re-Themed to Princess and the Frog
Splash Mountain will officially cease to exist come January 2023, as it is being re-imagined to a Princess and the Frog inspired attraction at the Disney Parks.
Come gather 'round, people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
And you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the [rides] they are a-changin'
Wow. This hits home, right? Bob Dylan coming in with a huge splash with these slightly altered lyrics! It’s crazy how relevant these words from a song originally recorded in 1964 still ring true today; maybe even more-so when it comes to the state of the Disney parks across the globe.
IP’s lose popularity as generations pass, new technologies arise, and theme parks evolve and adapt to the times. Through all of this, the company that I trust more than any other to always roll with the tide and adapt incredibly well has, and will be, The Walt Disney Corporation. Walt Disney said it himself “Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
“Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
Changes Coming to the Disney Parks
With last week’s major announcement of a Splash Mountain re-imagining to center around The Princess and the Frog at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland; fans of the parks voiced their opinions loudly on social media.
The current social and racial issues that have come to the center stage of the mainstream media sparked many online petitions to re-theme Splash Mountain in this exact manner.
Do I feel these petitions influenced Disney in any regard? I doubt it, but the announcement certainly comes at the right time for the company.
Now I know this probably almost feels like old news at this point, but I have taken a few days to fully digest the fact that one of my absolute favorite rides at Walt Disney World will be gone forever soon enough.
To the average Disney-park goer, the surface of Splash Mountain presents no issues. It is an enjoyable, bright flume ride with memorable music that will damn-well be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Though when you dive down further, the waters of the ride run deep into Disney’s darkest moment in the company’s nearly 100 year history.
The Dark History of Splash Mountain
It says a lot when any entertainment company essentially tries to burry a movie from the public eye, and that is exactly what Disney has done, and continues to attempt to do, with Song of the South; the source material for the characters and music of Splash Mountain.
For those who are not familiar with Song of the South, it is a live-action/animation hybrid musical, originally released in 1946, and based on the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris. The story takes place in Southern Georgia in the Post-Civil War era after the abolition of slavery. The protagonist is a plantation worker, Uncle Remus, who tells the stories of Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear.
Even in 1946 the film was flooded with controversy, although it did win an Academy Award for Best Original Song (“Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”), which has become a Disney Anthem of sorts, and acts as the theme song of Splash Mountain in its current state. Though as time has gone on, the film becomes more dated and offensive with every passing year.
Disney has never released Song of the South on any form of Home Media (VHS, DVD, Blue Ray or Digital) in the United States, and probably never will.
There are plenty of bootleg copies that can be found online, and I have watched the film this way to gain a better understanding. Anyone who has seen the film can probably agree that there is a reason Disney has this film locked away in the metaphorical Vault.
The social media reaction for the Splash Mountain re-theme was mixed amidst the announcement, with many takes ranging from high praise to major disgust to pretty much everything in between.
The Perfect Fit for a New Generation of Disney Park Fans
Princess and the Frog is long overdue for a Disney Parks attraction. It is such a wonderful film with amazing music, lovable characters, and great morals. Lest we forget the stunning showcase of hand drawn animation?
Artist Rendering of the new Splash Mountain Re-Imagining. Photo Credit: Disney
Quite frankly, this movie fits perfectly into the ride system that Splash Mountain uses. The bayou setting and lush greenery will blend so nicely into its location at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
What’s really exciting is that the new ride will focus on events after the end of the film, which in turn means human characters rather than frogs! That’s a win in my book.
There are so many opportunities for this to be great. I am particularly excited for the potential of a black lit, totally wild and terrifying Dr. Facilier sequence at some point in the ride because that is just almost too perfect not to include.
Think about that daunting “bum bum bum bum… Are you ready?” chanting as you descend into a room of darkness to be welcomed by the Shadow Man, or as you climb to the very peak of the mountain. Either way I have chills just thinking about it.
And you bet your soaking butt that “Gonna Take You There” aka “Goin’Down the Bayou” is going to be stuck in your head for hours after getting off of this new ride!
Man, the music alone has me so amped for this change.
Splash Mountain is an Iconic Fan-Favorite and Disney Park Staple
Though with all that said, Splash Mountain is my second favorite ride at Walt Disney World behind only Expedition Everest, so believe me, I am definitely sad that one of my favorite rides is going to change forever, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I’ve seen too many posts and tweets from people in the Disney community claiming that any negative takes on the re-imagining stem from some sort of racism strictly due to the connotation of the ride’s current source material.
Sadly, there are some that reflect this mindset for sure, but to say that all do is quite a stretch. Whether it be the characters, music, experiences or memories; everyone has different attachments to certain things when it comes to the Disney Parks. I’m not one to judge if you are sad that one of your favorite rides is being changed. I am right there with you.
Get Your Wallets Ready
Though my reason for sadness is probably the most real take on the internet right now, and I haven’t seen anyone else really talking about it.
Think of the FastPasses (ugh, RIP), people! Get ready for that ($) Genie+ ($) up charge.
I personally always attempted to snag a mid-day FastPass+ reservation for Splash Mountain, especially when I had a trip planned during the excessively hot Florida summer months.
Gone are those days. Now the parks prioritize gussets who pay to guarantee a ride on the most popular attractions.
Once this ride is re-imagined to Princess and the Frog this is going to become every family’s top Genie+ reservation.
Yes, I know, the new Tron coaster will be the main E-Ticket attraction of Magic Kingdom, but the flume ride system allows for enjoyment to guests of all ages, or at least those that meet a certain height requirement.
