Splash Mountain re-theme announced

[Phil12]

In Song of the South, Uncle Remus is magical. His stories come to life - literally, according to the movie's ending. He reminded me of my own grandfather, and yes, I'm white. James Baskett was superb in the film, and now he'll be deleted - despite the fact that he was given an honorary Oscar. That's right. The first black male to win an Oscar will be forgotten thanks to people who think they're anti-racist. Oh the irony...

The "Magical Negro" is a racist trope created by white people:

Magical Negro - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[No Name]

Keep in mind that this is the same company that fired James Gunn before rehiring him. They sometimes react quicker than they think.

^ This. Wouldn't it be better to keep the attraction and have themed signage throughout the queue teaching the background of the original source material? Just a thought.

Drawing attention to it would worsen the issue imo.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Tony is being polite. The ride changes are already designed.

So... then they *did* have this planned out a year ago?

 

[MuteSuperstar]

I'm wondering what kind of changes will be made to the exterior. I haven't seen PATF but the exterior as it stands sure doesn't seem to fit with the general aesthetic.

 

[Tony Perkis]

@BigDlover Man your little “field day” vibe is driving me up the wall...

Take a break from here.

 

[champdisney]

I am aware of the definition of an adaptation. Doesn’t mean it excuses them.

How do you find that inexcusable and not James Gunn’s tweets?

We’re talking about books way before our time. Your argument is invalid.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Keep in mind that this is the same company that fired James Gunn before rehiring him. They sometimes react quicker than they think.


Drawing attention to it would worsen the issue imo.

What Song of the South did was exponentially worse than anything James Gunn tweeted.

 

[Kate F]

Take a break from here.

Give me a suggestion on where to go

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

OLC spokesperson says in this article "We are considering how to respond in Japan."

So Splash is not entirely safe in Tokyo, but this sounds fairly non-committal to me. Hopefully it stays this way.

アトラクションの題材変更　米ディズニー、黒人描写で - ライブドアニュース

アトラクション「スプラッシュ・マウンテン」の入り口付近に展示される、映画「南部の唄」のキャラクター＝2007年3月、米フロリダ州（AP＝共同）【ニューヨーク共同】米ウォルト・ディズニーは25日、米カリフォル

news.livedoor.com

 

[Captain Neo]

wasn't Uncle Remus the first African American to win an Oscar? and arent the storires that inspired Splash Mountain folktales from the black community?

Seems like a made up controversy by some keyboard warriors just to start trouble

 

[Tony Perkis]

How do you find that inexcusable and not James Gunn’s tweets?

We’re talking about books way before our time. Your argument is invalid.

No, because I understand the difference between jokes and earnest efforts.

 

[BigDlover]

I'm wondering what kind of changes will be made to the exterior. I haven't seen PATF but the exterior as it stands sure doesn't seem to fit with the general aesthetic.

The majority of the movie takes places in a bayou setting. It fits perfectly.

 

[No Name]

What Song of the South did was exponentially worse than anything James Gunn tweeted.

Splash Mountain is not Song of the South. Just like you are not your great grandmother.

 

[comics101]

No, you’re not the only one. I can remember the exact moment I fell in love with wdw. It was my first trip, and I was in the line for Splash Mountain, my first time. You know the little birdhouses that hang over the outdoor part of the queue? I saw that and heard the sound effects coming from it and I couldn’t believe the level of detail and charm. Needless to say, the ride itself blew my mind. There are too many wonderful details to count: the jumping fish ; Poppy, Pansy and Petunia, the bees magically buzzing around the beehives. I said it before: the ride is a work of art and it’s tragic to lose it.

I love everything about this post. I share similar memories.

 

[Tony Perkis]

wasn't Uncle Remus the first African American to win an Oscar? and arent the storires that inspired Splash Mountain folktales from the black community?

Seems like a made up controversy by some keyboard warriors just to start trouble

Hattie McDaniel.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Give me a suggestion on where to go

YouTube, and look up Defunctland.

 

[Kate F]

YouTube, and look up Defunctland.

I’ve seen that video, yes

 

[Brer Oswald]

I didn’t say there was anything problematic with the character design.

I said that due to the identical character design of the main three characters, “Splash Mountain” is clearly an adaptation of Walt Disney’s Song of the South.

Sure. It’s only sensical that they’d use a previous design they created for the Brer characters. The fact that the ride takes non offensive aspects from an offensive wasn’t the problem. Why we suddenly made it one, I have no idea.

The problem is that Disney coward in fear in regards to showing the movie with proper commentary, like they did with the Mickey shorts. Dumbo and Peter Pan won’t be going anywhere because we can watch those films and critique them ourselves. Pan will definitely get the Native America scene changed up, but the ride will stay. Had those films have been banned for their depictions of minorities, the rides would have the exact same fate as Splash.

 

[tirian]

I'm sorry but SotS is not a vehicle for telling African-American folktales. Most ppl have never seen the movie. Why, because Disney hasn't released it in over 35 yrs because of the controversy surrounding it. If African American heritage, culture and history is hinging on a over 70 yo movie then we have bigger issues. There is a long list of relevant books, writings, films and museums that present the culture in a more relevant and informative way.

Well then, it could have been a starting point.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I feel a Pocahontas theme would have fit the area better instead of Princess. Maybe time to rename Frontierland too?

Disney made a good faith effort to diversify their heroines with Pocahontas. And it was a swing and miss. Lot's of problems with the story. I'm just super surprised that Pocahontas gets such a big (and inexplicable) scene in Fantasia. Other than that, she's usually just 'there' out of context of the movie. And that song.

Wouldn't be surprised if down the road Pocohantas gets 'retired.' But that will be up to American Indians to tell Disney to keep or retire her. On one hand, she represents the people and is a hero. OTOH, the historical treatment is... bad.