Splash Mountain re-theme announced

[Father Robinson]

I actually have known of people to be offended by the voodoo in PATF because of their religion. I personally think that is extreme but how should this issue be handled in the re-theme, if at all?

It can't be handled. Just the mere fact that it exists in the film and someone finds it offensive should be enough to scrap the idea. Racism is perceived in SotS, not portrayed, yet even though not a shred exists in the ride, the notion that its perception is in the film the ride represents the ride is being reimagined. So point is, if it offends someone these days, it's not safe.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

There is almost no chance this is true. Pixar Pier cost well north of double that amount. The project is likely not even at the point where budgets are actually solidified. If anything, the very early announcement could be a way to shoot for the moon.

Almost always easier to shoot for the moon and scale a project cost back than the opposite. I know fans see it as a bait and switch but thats just how the game is played sometimes.

 

[spresso81]

Disney is an international corporation based in America that has historically supported western ideals and promulgated mythos supportive of individual responsibility towards morality. Disney has no responsibility to respond to any social pressures, but may do so in order to gain more capital or prevent loss of capital. Disney should and does follow certain principals that guide its actions, rather than relenting to changing mob mentality. I know of not one single person who has ever gone to Walt Disney World and determined that they would not ride Splash Mountain due to its alleged offensiveness. Not one. However, Disney has made a shrewd decision to modify the ride during a time when it will gain liberal clout for doing so, at a time when it needs liberal clout for its local Disneyland Resort which is facing significant scrutiny in its very liberal location. It likewise makes this decision knowing that princess merchandise sells more than Br'er Rabbit.

If Disney cared one iota about African Americans, they wouldn't have engaged in Chinese racist propaganda to shrink John Boyega on their advertisements. They never apologized. If Disney cared one iota about African Americans, they would invite inner city youth into their parks as part of some goodwill campaign to help children see a better option. If Disney cared one bit about oppressed minorities, they'd speak out against the concentration camps of China were millions are held in a system similar to the Russian gulags.

They don't do those things because they don't actually care. They do care about taking up liberal causes in the United States because they want pro-China administrations that keep products cheap due to quasi slave labor. And the twitterazi fall for it every single time.

Pro you make some great points here. Appeasement is never a good strategy especially when used in a way that actually will not help anybody it is aimed at (African American social justice issues will not suddenly disappear because we do not join Brer Rabbit on his journey).

It will ultimately be very ironic if China nationalizes the Shanghai and Hong Kong parks after Disney has bent over backwards to put aside many of China’s labor, human rights and labor issues. If so, most of the people that put Disney is this place would have already left and profited off of these long term bad decisions.

 

[Speedy71]

Let's hope WDI is able to come up with a decent plot for the retheme. I think we'll be disappointed if the story is "find all of Tiana's friends and tell them about the Mardi Gras party".

Given Disney's track record recently. It'll be exactly that.

 

[gmajew]

@marni1971 so does this decision mean frontierland will get a makeover? Since Princess & the Frog does not fit at all in this area of the park!!! No way do people change my mind on that one.... So is thunder and country bears days numbered?

 

[gmajew]

Almost always easier to shoot for the moon and scale a project cost back than the opposite. I know fans see it as a bait and switch but thats just how the game is played sometimes.

This project has to blow people out of the water to get so many to love it or be happy with the replacement.... This cannot be done on the cheap it has to set a new level of design and project for people to forget one of the best rides of all time...

 

[21stamps]

I'm glad you're looking at criticism of the Princess and the Frog. I think that's a valid concern and worth discussing. As with all stories (including Song of the South), there are different factors that we should consider. For example, the intent of the creators vs. the effect of the film (I don't think Disney filmmakers were trying to promote racism, but I do think the film perpetuates racist ideas).

We should also consider how the film is received by audiences. In the case of Princess and the Frog, the film was an attempt to create a story that featured African American characters in a way African Americans could identify with while also appealing to the mass-market. In that regard, it seems to have been successful. Building on that success (of creating something that connects with an audience), it makes sense to me that Disney would choose it as a replacement/overlay for Splash Mountain.

Also, thematically, it probably won't take as much work to fit the style.

I'm all for discussion about the merits of the film!

So it’s just popular opinion of the time? I feel that 99% of Disney Princesses fit into a sexist stereotype.. Do we accept that because the princess is black?

See how weird this gets when we over analyze a ride or attraction?

 

[HoustonHorn]

Some people are offended by robots though, so that wouldn't work either. It would have to be an empty park with nothing, not even a grain of dirt or sand.

I'm offended by Nothing.

 

[Speedy71]

I can't believe people aren't up in arms that Princess Tiana is getting the refurb treatment. The paste-on, half-***, re-decorate treatment.
Shouldn't she be getting the state of the art new ride? Wouldn't that be more of a statement from Walt Disney?

Shhhhhh.....That's not Woke enough.

 

[Father Robinson]

can you see how these kinds of changes can result in a better experience for all?

Or at least recognize that Disney is trying to sell access to its art and being associated with racism is dangerous to their business.

No. I can't see how losing a beloved attraction because Disney caved and gave in to the (small group of) complainers, makes everyone happy.

And if Disney truly wants to not be associated with racism of any kind, like others have pointed out, they're a long way away from that.

 

[Speedy71]

I can choose not to support something (racism) while concurrently enjoying something else (a MK ride) on its solitary merits.

Many things in life are connected to things that are unpleasant in our past; it is whether or not one chooses to inherently - and perpetually - dwell on the unpleasant so much so that we will be stuck in a constant cancel culture.

But I can respect your opinion.

 

[DryerLintFan]

The biggest outrage in all of this is that if they had to retheme Splash, they couldn't base it on the greatest (and most egregiously underrepresented at WDW) Disney movie of all time. By which, of course, I mean The Emperor's New Groove.

I think you mean to say Oliver and Company?

I mean, the whole going under ground and finding a watery place plays well into Atlantis....

 

[orlandogal22]

Indeed. And my concern is what will come next. And there *will* be a next.

 

[WDWTrojan]

@marni1971 so does this decision mean frontierland will get a makeover? Since Princess & the Frog does not fit at all in this area of the park!!! No way do people change my mind on that one.... So is thunder and country bears days numbered?

Did Splash Mountain fit in Frontierland when you really think about it?

 

[_caleb]

Disney doesn't respond based on percentages of guest feedback. Disney responds based on money. Period.

Right. But how does Disney determine what changes will make money or cause them to miss out on making money? And I was asking for your opinion, if you don’t mind sharing- what public response do you think Disney should take seriously (as a threat to their revenue stream)?

 

[Joel]

It will ultimately be very ironic if China nationalizes the Shanghai and Hong Kong parks after Disney has bent over backwards to put aside many of China’s labor, human rights and labor issues.

I won't have the least bit of sympathy for Disney if this happens. It would be the ultimate "you get what you deserve" moment.

 

[_caleb]

No. I can't see how losing a beloved attraction because Disney caved and gave in to the (small group of) complainers, makes everyone happy.

And if Disney truly wants to not be associated with racism of any kind, like others have pointed out, they're a long way away from that.

You keep saying that Disney is caving to a small group of complainers. What makes you think it’s a small group?

 

[Sparksfly]

Am I missing where it says when this will be done?

 

[orlandogal22]

You keep saying that Disney is caving to a small group of complainers. What makes you think it’s a small group?

I would think if Splash Mountain was routinely exhibiting very very low wait times - a practical walk-on, I could then concur a larger group would be driving this initiative.

But that's not the case.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

Breaking News!
Rafiki from the hit show "The Lion King" has been fired from his position after a previous insensitive quote from the 90's resurfaced on the internet.