Splash Mountain takes on theme of ‘The Princess and the Frog’ due to racist depictions in ‘Song of the South’
May 4, 2021
By Valentina Novak
Editor
The Disney Parks announced in June of 2020 that it would be creating a new theme for its popular Splash Mountain ride. The ride was inspired by the movie “Song of the South,” which includes a Black plantation laborer named Uncle Remus who tells stories to a young white boy.
Many people have previously recognized the deeper meaning of the movie that should not be featured as a ride, but have not gone through with the idea.
A petition was posted on Change.org which called for a redesign of Splash Mountain at the Disney Parks located in California, Florida and Japan. The petition received more than 20,000 signatures. However, the change was not confirmed for the Disney Park located in Tokyo, Japan.
Bob Iger, former CEO of Disney, said the animatronics featured in the ride are not appropriate for modern day. He also said “Song of South” will not be included on the Disney+ streaming platform. The NAACP has also disapproved of the movie because it dangerously glorifies pictures of slavery. Disney will be redirecting the theme to “The Princess and the Frog,” a film featuring Disney’s first Black princess.
Junior Kaiya Cocliff said she is happy that corporations are listening to what the public has to say.
“Seeing that a corporation as big as Disney is listening and changing something about their park because of racist features makes me feel very hopeful that other corporations can change,” Cocliff said.
She said the theme parks will receive satisfied responses from the public as a result of the change.
“It will definitely have positive feedback from the ones who actually do care about making a change and minimizing racism,” Cocliff said. “I give Disney a lot of respect for this change that they’re going to make, and I think it’s very responsible of them as a big corporation to recognize the mistake they made with this ride and listen to the petition that was made.”
The new ride will be nine minutes long and focus on Princess Tiana and Louis, the trumpet-playing alligator on their way to a Mardi Gras Concert. The Disney witter account posted a picture of what the ride will look like, featuring mystical caverns and bright colors.
Junior Emma Rodrigues said she was not surprised to hear the news about Disney’s plan to redesign Splash Mountain.
“Disney has had its problems throughout the years regarding racism and misogyny in their rides and films,” Rodrigues said.
She said this change will allow younger audiences to get more joy from the ride.
“More people will be able to enjoy the ride not only because it is used with racism will be removed but also because it will be more enjoyable for the children since the redesign will follow ‘The Princess and the Frog’ which children are more likely to know than ‘The Song of the South,’” Rodrigues said. “The children will be able to connect with it better than the original.”
“Seeing that a corporation as big as Disney is listening and changing something about their park because of racist features makes me feel very hopeful that other corporations can change.”
Although many Disney fans are excited to see this drastic change coming soon, there still are a lot of people who do not believe changing the theme of Splash Mountain is necessary. When Disney announced the big news along with an illustration of what the ride may look like, some fans complained this change was an overreaction to “Song of the South” and should therefore be kept, while also adding a new “The Princess and the Frog” ride.
Nevertheless, a lot of people are pleased to see the newer movie receiving attention because it is an influential and beautiful film.
Future Business Leaders of America co-advisor and personal finance teacher Mrs. Jankowski said she was surprised Disney originally chose “Song of the South” to represent the ride.
“[It] had been known to be a racist movie,” Jankowski said. “[Redesigning] was something they had to do because it’s the right thing to do,” Jankowski said.
Jankowski said Disney has significant meaning in her life.
“I am very invested in Disney, I have attended the parks many times in both California and in Florida. I love them both although they are different. I am also invested through stocks and things like that for years now,” Jankowski said.
She said she is very interested in how the theme parks will rebuild the ride to reflect the theme of “The Princess and the Frog.”
“I’m excited to see it myself because it is going to take place in the Louisiana Bayou. Disney always gives such a good experience on the ride. You really feel like you are there,” Jankowski said. “Also, the princess in that movie was the first Black princess in Disney, so I think that was a great choice.”
