Splash Mountain — one of Disney’s most popular rides — will be “completely reimagined.” The log flume ride — which is based on the controversial 1946 film Song of the South — isn’t going anywhere. Instead, it 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. The film is so controversial that Disney has locked it away for decades — even keeping it off of Disney+.
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