Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[Californian Elitist]

I don't recall seeing any rumors floating around that Splash Mountain was going to be rethemed before June 2020. Nobody mentioned it on this site.

Not every one of the DLR’s plans end up being mentioned here on this website prior to being announced.

 

[_caleb]

From 2018:

There was an idea on Theme Park University that SM could be rethemed to The Princess and the Frog because of its controversial origin that is Song of the South.

A year ago I'd never have considered this a possibility, but now--Considering what's happening to PoC and What's already happened at DCA--I'm predicting Splash Mtn. will be rethemed, renamed, tied to a more popular IP, and presented to the public as a brand new ride. And Disney will pretend Brer Rabbit and crew never existed. Consider this:

1) Disney knows Splash Mtn.'s origin IP is (deserved or not) a ticking grenade of potential social media disaster. All it would take is one slow news week and the next thing you know #RacistRabbitRide is all over CNN.
2) Nothing at DL is sacred. That's been made quite clear.

So what would Splash Mtn. become? I've got 3 possible makeovers in mind...

#1 (Least likely): ZOOTOPIA LUMBERMILL MYSTERY CHASE. Hey--they're critters, right?
#2 (More likely) POOH STICKS.
#3 (Most likely) EWOK RIVER RUSH: A STAR WARS ADVENTURE. As SW expands to gobble up the entirety of Critter Country.

I'm calling it, and I predict it'll happen within 5 years. Maybe not based around one of my 3 guesses, but definitely a total erasure of any ties to Song of the South. What do you think?

 

[Brer Panther]

Okay, okay, okay. You've made your point. But none of those ideas were posted on Twitter and gained as much publicity and traction as Chambers' idea did.

This also doesn't change the fact that Disney initially brushed off The Princess and the Frog as a flop. And now they're suddenly retheming a popular E-Ticket to it?

 

[EagleScout610]

I don't recall seeing any rumors floating around that Splash Mountain was going to be rethemed before June 2020. Nobody mentioned it on this site.

Given the controversy over Song Of the South, is it really any surprise they'd take their chance last year to announce a redo?

 

[CaptinEO]

Okay, okay, okay. You've made your point. But none of those ideas were posted on Twitter and gained as much publicity and traction as Chambers' idea did.

This also doesn't change the fact that Disney initially brushed off The Princess and the Frog as a flop. And now they're suddenly retheming a popular E-Ticket to it?

It definitely was a flop and Disney hasn't revisited 2D animation since.

 

[Brer Panther]

Given the controversy over Song Of the South, is it really any surprise they'd take their chance last year to announce a redo?

That's what I'm saying. The retheme announcement was in response to people demanding the ride be rethemed.

It definitely was a flop and Disney hasn't revisited 2D animation since.

Even if it wasn't technically a flop, Disney still treated it as one. For them to do that, ignore it for a decade, and then suddenly use it as a weapon against Brer Rabbit feels incredibly hypocritical.

 

[EagleScout610]

That's what I'm saying. The retheme announcement was in response to people demanding the ride be rethemed.

Or...it was the fact Disney had been trying to distance themselves from the movie for years and are taking their best chance to act.

 

[Brer Panther]

Y'know, all this pointing out that the idea of a Princess and the Frog retheme of Splash Mountain has been suggested before has just shown this wasn't a particularly creative idea when Frederick Chambers suggested it, so it makes no sense why his idea would suddenly get so much publicity and spark petitions.

 

[CaptinEO]

Even if it wasn't technically a flop, Disney still treated it as one. For them to do that, ignore it for a decade, and then suddenly use it as a weapon against Brer Rabbit feels incredibly hypocritical.

They most likely wanted a ride with an African American protoganist, and current Disney only bases rides on movies now, so Princess and the Frog was their only choice.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

They most likely wanted a ride with an African American protoganist, and current Disney only bases rides on movies now, so Princess and the Frog was their only choice.

That in itself says a lot.

 

[_caleb]

I'm STILL hoping that Disney comes to recognize the value of creating new park IP that they develop and promote on Disney+. Cheaper and less risky than a feature film, and avoids the "shoehorning" effect.

I am sure WDI is aware of all the concerns that have been voiced in this thread. Lots of people are sad about losing the Bre'r theme, and nobody wants a poor overlay. Some people will really like Princess and the Frog as a theme, others will need to be convinced. What remains to be seen is whether or not they care enough to take these things into consideration.

 

[PiratesMansion]

It definitely was a flop and Disney hasn't revisited 2D animation since.

They also did the 2011 Winnie the Pooh movie, which was an even bigger flop, perhaps due to Pooh fatigue, definitely due to choosing to release it at the same time as the last Harry Potter movie.

 

[CaptinEO]

They also did the 2011 Winnie the Pooh movie, which was an even bigger flop, perhaps due to Pooh fatigue, definitely due to choosing to release it at the same time as the last Harry Potter movie.

You are right, forgot about this one.

 

[EagleScout610]

You are right, forgot about this one.

I remember Pooh 2011 promos were everywhere my first time at Disney. Dang I'm old

 

[CaptinEO]

I remember Pooh 2011 promos were everywhere my first time at Disney. Dang I'm old

I remember Pocohontas promos my first visit, now I'm feeling really old.

 

[Brer Panther]

I am sure WDI is aware of all the concerns that have been voiced in this thread. Lots of people are sad about losing the Bre'r theme, and nobody wants a poor overlay. Some people will really like Princess and the Frog as a theme, others will need to be convinced. What remains to be seen is whether or not they care enough to take these things into consideration.

Call me pessimistic, but I doubt it.

 

[EagleScout610]

Call me pessimistic, but I doubt it.

I'm sure Disney is aware people will be upset to lose Classic Splash. Same as Great Movie, Ellen, DCA Tower....

 

[Animaniac93-98]

They also did the 2011 Winnie the Pooh movie, which was an even bigger flop, perhaps due to Pooh fatigue, definitely due to choosing to release it at the same time as the last Harry Potter movie.

That'll go down as one of the worst decisions in Disney movie history.

No doubt the guy who made that call still got a promotion or golden parachute.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The most interesting thing about Frog Mardi Gras Queen Mountain is that Tony Baxter is apparently involved. It's been a while since he did anything but go on rides in a rare sighting at Disneyland, or podcasts.

 

[EagleScout610]

The most interesting thing about Frog Mardi Gras Queen Mountain is that Tony Baxter is apparently involved. It's been a while since he did anything but go on rides in a rare sighting at Disneyland, or podcasts.

Tony was there for name value