Splash Mountain re-theme announced

[The_Jobu]

You can still do this via Youtube.

Oh yeah, that's exactly the same experience as sharing a treasured memory together in person. Come on now...

 

[Brer Panther]

Remember when people actually liked Splash Mountain? I rewatched ride-through videos of both versions this morning and didn't see anything racist about either one. I'm not arguing that Song of the South isn't racist and problematic, but I don't think the RIDE is.

I would just really like to know how in the hell South Park has survived longer than Splash Mountain in today’s environment.

What about Family Guy? That show gleefully partakes in offensive stereotypes and racist jokes. Disney isn't doing anything about THAT, nor do I see anybody complaining.

Are they erasing Splash Mountain from existence? No more pins, characters, plushies, merch either?

All signs point to "yes".

* Little Mermaid (Lack of Diversity/Fat-Shaming)

I distinctively remember hearing some people claim Sebastian is an offensive stereotype, too, so there's that.

Oh, and Disneyland's Mr. Toad is definitely going to be closed now, too. A ride ending with you going to that dark, firery place isn't politically correct.

Heck, as popular as Figment is with park goers, I wouldn't be surprised to see them change the Imagination Pavilion theme to Inside Out when the time comes (although I really hope they prove me wrong on that).

Journey Into Imagination With Figment remaining unchanged is likely the only thing keeping them from removing Figment entirely and theming the ride after Inside Out. Disney is too cowardly to do a ride not based on a pre-existing IP nowadays.

No one is clamoring to get rid of the Dumbo or Peter Pan rides. Despite the racism it shows towards African and Native Americans in their movies.

Give them time.

I don't see them keeping any of the actual AA's. They're not proportioned to fit the designs of animals or humans from the movie (unless that's not something the imagineers care about). Even if they were reskinned. My guess is MAYBE half a dozen or so new human AA's (and for Louis) if we're lucky. But most animals likely to not be animatronics, instead basic or static figures akin to most of the Little Mermaid characters. And given the people involved and recent trends, much of the physical scenery will probably be gutted and replaced with video screens.

I'm fully convinced they're doing to trash the animatronics. They did it to the Universe of Energy and Great Movie Ride animatronics, I wouldn't put it past them.

Someone mentioned last night (I forget who, it's all a big blur) that Mickey shorts with insensitive material don't cause a need to "Cancel Mickey" because that wasn't the only short ever created. That isn't the only thing Mickey is known for. Characters and material change and grow over time, I think that's quite obvious. The difference with the SotS characters... is that they don't have a redemption arc. What they're known for is the only thing they're known for within the Disney IP.

I'd argue that Splash Mountain could be considered the characters' redemption arc. As others have pointed out, none of the racist elements from the film are in the ride (even the dialect and slang was toned down, I've noticed) - much like how none of the racist elements from the Mickey Mouse shorts that are being brought up are in other Mickey Mouse productions.

One more thing - the complaints likely aren't going to stop when they retheme the ride. I've seen people complain about The Princess and the Frog being racist, even though I personally don't think it is. They're likely going to start calling Louis an offensive caricature like what some on-board with the change have said about the Brers.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

You can still do this via Youtube. Also, the ride will still be there in a slightly different format.

You can explain it to the next generations

Wait, why would Youtube allow for videos to be posted of Splash Mountain? It's a racist, disgusting, offensive travesty of a ride. Once the re-theme is done, or God willing MUCH sooner, all videos of Splash Mountain on Youtube and everywhere else should be purged so as to not offend anyone.

- end sarcasm

 

[bryanfze55]

Why is everything always "virtue signaling?" I know it's a buzz word that gets repeated a lot. I find the term to be inherently dismissive. It's just a way of disparaging something without dealing with it.

Who decides what's genuine and what's "virtue signaling"? You I guess.

Virtue signaling can be genuine. Some people genuinely believe it is a virtuous endeavor to ensure nobody can ever be offended, never ever.

 

[JGamer]

While I was initially surprised at the news, I actually have no issues about the retheming. There is no question the Walt Disney Company is doing this for money. They value the money they know taking this sort of stand will attract. If you don't agree with them taking this stand, don't go. It is really simple. You may no longer be the demographic they care about anymore. Get over it.

 

[The_Jobu]

Why is everything always "virtue signaling?" I know it's a buzz word that gets repeated a lot. I find the term to be inherently dismissive. It's just a way of disparaging something without dealing with it.

Who decides what's genuine and what's "virtue signaling"? You I guess.

Who decides what's offensive? You I guess.

Wow, this is fun! Now I know why you do it.

 

[The March Hare]

But again... should rides always stay the same? Should the parks never change?

Absolutely the parks and rides should change. Star Wars Galaxy's Edge should have a soul and represent characters and stories people relate to. The Ghost of Stitch's Great Escape should be made an attraction again that fits the theme of Tomorrowland, and can even have a relevant IP tied in to exit through the gift shop. The final scene in CoP should be made to incorporate 2020s smart home technologies. Kali River Rapids can not be neglected and be made timeless and relevant. Up! a Great Bird Adventure should be made legitimate again. Dinoland USA should be plussed. POFQ should have Tiana's Place and incorporate PATF throughout the resort. World Showcase should expand and include new non-Western countries.

Plenty of examples of ways I would appreciate TWDC changing WDW.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

That's the rub. The ride is harmless and completely unoffensive. If people need to see themselves exactly to enjoy a theme park, they should ask for a new ride to be built, not take away a favourite to do it on the cheap.

Again... because it not offensive to you. Thats it?

Also... on the cheap. Need I remind you that Splash is full of recycled animatronics

 

[MadMax11]

I've never seen "Princess and the Frog", so I definitely need to. I've heard great things about it. I enjoyed Splash Mountain, but I'm fine with the change. I'd rather err towards not offending people and inclusion...even when it's about something more meaningful than a theme park attraction.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

You can still do this via Youtube. Also, the ride will still be there in a slightly different format.

You can explain it to the next generations

You obviously do not get it.

 

[lebeau]

Do you think the Disney executives woke up one day, and thought “Splash Mountain is an unpopular attraction, how can we re-theme it to attract guests to that area?”

Or,are they replying to current loud social media outrage, proving how woke they are, with a surface level showing by sticking a princess on one of their already most popular attractions?

What difference does it make?

You're making my point for me.

Of course we have the ability to evaluate the merits of others' complaints without walking in their shoes. Judges do it every day.

Earlier, the opposite was said in this thread, in defense of the initial anti-Splash Mountain complainers.

I see it differently.

I'm guessing you're not a judge. This is not a courtroom.

I go back to my point. You don't see the difference? I find that disturbing.

 

[Bill in Atlanta]

The problem is that someone, somewhere, can always find a way to be "offended" by just about anything. I have Scottish heritage and sorry but the beloved Princess Merida is a stereotype. If you loved that character how would you feel about me and tens of thousands of others bending Disney and forcing them to remove her and all Brave merchandise from the parks and from the MK Fireworks show? Or maybe I have dwarfism and do the same to 7 Dwarfs Mine train and all references to the dwarfs? What if I'm Nepalese and find the representation in Animal Kingdom offensive and petition for an entire re-theme of that area?

Sometimes you will be offended. Life isn't always fair and equal. There are much, MUCH more important things we could be doing to help poor communities to have a better future than doing a re-theme on Splash Mountain.

How about Disney take the $50 million from this re-theme and put it towards the devastated urban school systems that need it so desperately? Most people calling for this re-theme as a hugely important thing are playing a game and don't really care about helping anyone.

Go find something better to do than destroy mostly harmless entertainment attractions that many MILLIONS more people have enjoyed than have been offended by. That is, if you really care about people so much...

Could not agree more. Very well put.

 

[The_Jobu]

Again... because it not offensive to you. Thats it?

Also... on the cheap. Need I remind you that Splash is full of recycled animatronics

Tell me what's offensive about Splash Mountain. Go ahead. I dare you. And dont bring up the movie it's "based on", that's not what is being changed.

Yeah, recycled animatronics on an entirely new ride system. Come on now...

 

[lebeau]

The problem is that someone, somewhere, can always find a way to be "offended" by just about anything. I have Scottish heritage and sorry but the beloved Princess Merida is a stereotype. If you loved that character how would you feel about me and tens of thousands of others bending Disney and forcing them to remove her and all Brave merchandise from the parks and from the MK Fireworks show? Or maybe I have dwarfism and do the same to 7 Dwarfs Mine train and all references to the dwarfs? What if I'm Nepalese and find the representation in Animal Kingdom offensive and petition for an entire re-theme of that area?

Sometimes you will be offended. Life isn't always fair and equal. There are much, MUCH more important things we could be doing to help poor communities to have a better future than doing a re-theme on Splash Mountain.

How about Disney take the $50 million from this re-theme and put it towards the devastated urban school systems that need it so desperately? Most people calling for this re-theme as a hugely important thing are playing a game and don't really care about helping anyone.

Go find something better to do than destroy mostly harmless entertainment attractions that many MILLIONS more people have enjoyed than have been offended by. That is, if you really care about people so much...

Walt Disney Co. Pledges $5M To Social Justice Nonprofits Starting With $2M To NAACP

 

[21stamps]

By removing ALL of the older attractions, Disney is removing things that allow parents to share pieces of their own childhood with their children in a meaningful, tangible way outside of stories and photographs. For children, a parent telling them "when I was a kid" stories are just that - they are intangible stories and difficult to imagine. Bring those stories to life in a tangible experience, and not only do adults have a connection to them, but they create a space in which they can connect with their children in ways that aren't usually possible. There is a lot to be said for something when a parent can say to their child "you know, the first time I rode this, I was only 10!"

Well said!
Oh my goodness, we don’t usually agree on much... but your post is exactly my thoughts too
.

 

[Bill in Atlanta]

I see it differently.

I'm guessing you're not a judge. This is not a courtroom.

I go back to my point. You don't see the difference? I find that disturbing.

Of course I see the difference. We agree that a person can use logic to evaluate the complaints of others.

 

[lebeau]

That's the rub. The ride is harmless and completely unoffensive. If people need to see themselves exactly to enjoy a theme park, they should ask for a new ride to be built, not take away a favourite to do it on the cheap.

No matter how many times you and others repeat that you did not find the ride offensive, it won't change the fact that others felt differently.

This thread would be a lot shorter if people would grasp that point.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Well said!
Oh my goodness, we don’t usually agree on much... but your post is exactly my thoughts too
.

That's twice today!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

No matter how many times you and others repeat that you did not find the ride offensive, it won't change the fact that others felt differently.

This thread would be a lot shorter if people would grasp that point.

empathy is seriously lacking in this thread.

 

[getdislove]

Welp i’m leaving now! Just wanted to make a few points. if you left this thread bc of me, you can come back now. sorry for the integration!