My heart is broken over this. I understand why they did it. I'm sure the change will be done very well. This was such a beloved attraction, and a few weeks of outcry erased it. It feels like they are trying to erase their history; the movie, music, characters are now all gone. I stand by my initial point in saying they should have put things in context; tell people who James Baskett was, explain the controveies of the film, but also explain how he was awarded an Oscar for his performance and how he wasn't even allowed to attend Opening Night, these things are important.
The ride needed work, and I know the Imagineers will do well and make something great. However, to me this feels like another monument being torn down by the mob.