Splash Mountain re-theme announced

[Brer Oswald]

I wish they had extracted the animated sequences from Song of the South and created a documentary-style framing for them, acknowledging the problematic nature of the original film and discussing the stories' origins.

Like you, I would hate to see the Haunted Mansion overhauled, though I'd have no objections to the removal of the hanging man.

They did air them separately on the Disneyland TV show. But that would’ve been nice. I hope that one day, at the very least, they release the animated segments. It’d be amazing if they also did new ones, maybe as a hand drawn animated film, although I’m not holding my breath.

The music and characters are so remarkable. The original stories and their origins are so important. It’s just such a disappointment to lose it all simply because the first adaptation didn’t get everything right.

 

[LittleBuford]

Disagree. The person specified on the Facebook group how they would spend the money. Please don't make false allegations against people who are trying to save a ride that many of us love. We need all the help we can get!

Do you mean these reasons?

1) To show the Walt Disney World Company that people do not want Splash Mountain to change

2) Donations will be used to get politicians and lobbying firms to persuade Disney that Splash Mountain should be kept as is.

(These are from the original GoFundMe page; perhaps they've been updated.)

 

[manmythlegend]

Do you mean these reasons?

1) To show the Walt Disney World Company that people do not want Splash Mountain to change

2) Donations will be used to get politicians and lobbying firms to persuade Disney that Splash Mountain should be kept as is.

(These are from the original GoFundMe page; perhaps they've been updated.)

There was an addition of a possible billboard purchase that was suggested in the FB group. Don't have the funds for it yet but would be nice if it got there.

Whether you think that will change Disney's mind is irrelevant. The point is to try. Nothing in life has ever been accomplished without trying.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

There was an addition of a possible billboard purchase that was suggested in the FB group. Don't have the funds for it yet but would be nice if it got there.

Whether you think that will change Disney's mind is irrelevant. The point is to try. Nothing in life has ever been accomplished without trying.

Depending on the location, that would be between $1,000-$15,000 per month just for the billboard space...that doesn't include production of whatever goes on the billboard.

 

[manmythlegend]

Depending on the location, that would be between $1,000-$15,000 per month just for the billboard space...that doesn't include production of whatever goes on the billboard.

That's true.

 

[LittleBuford]

Whether you think that will change Disney's mind is irrelevant. The point is to try. Nothing in life has ever been accomplished without trying.

If it makes you feel better, I suppose it's money well spent (from your perspective). I personally would like to see the campaign shut down and everyone who donated to it refunded.

 

[Brer Oswald]

You're just saying that because you hate Splash Mountain and consider it racist. I distinctively remember that you were one of the users claiming that.

No I’m pretty sure they didn’t. Said they liked the ride, but they understand and accept the change.

Also there’s this.

I wish they had extracted the animated sequences from Song of the South and created a documentary-style framing for them, acknowledging the problematic nature of the original film and discussing the stories' origins.

Like you, I would hate to see the Haunted Mansion overhauled, though I'd have no objections to the removal of the hanging man.

 

[LittleBuford]

You're just saying that because you hate Splash Mountain and consider it racist. I distinctively remember that you were one of the users claiming that.

Your memory is playing tricks on you, then, because that isn't remotely my position:

As a huge Splash Mountain fan, I’m personally very sad that I won’t get to ride it again, but I’m trying to remain openminded and optimistic for the retheme. Plus it bears remembering that even the original concept was born of necessity when the Imagineers had to find a use for all the animatronic animals from America Sings.

I too feel (or at least felt) that Splash Mountain is sufficiently divorced from Song of the South to pass muster, but I can see why some feel differently and am trying to understand rather than simply dismiss their concerns.

My opposition to the GoFundMe campaign is based purely on the fact that it's a pointless waste of money.

 

[LittleBuford]

No I’m pretty sure they didn’t. Said they liked the ride, but they understand and accept the change.

Also there’s this.

Thank you!

 

[Brer Panther]

Your memory is playing tricks on you, then, because that isn't remotely my position:





My opposition to the GoFundMe campaign is based purely on the fact that it's a pointless waste of money.

Ah, yes, I do seem to have mis-remembered. Sorry about that.

 

[DubyooDeeDubyoo]

I wish people would stop treating this news like the Antifa Supersoldiers are pulling down Splash Mountain. Disney has probably had open discussions about the ride for a decade now. Bob seemed clearly tired of fielding the recurring neverending questions about SOTS at shareholder meetings, and the ride's merchandise doesn't sell a lot unless "Disney's forbidden past" becomes a hot topic and collectors/scalpers hoard them for a few weeks, probably before trying to return it.

The main difference is that this went from something they'd try to slide under APs noses at D23 Expo and hope nobody howled at SOTS's last remaining legacy fading away, to something they yelled out as loud as they could before they even have any concrete plans. Part of that is wanting to head off royalty suits etc, as we all know over the past 30 years companies have gotten ever more sensitive about actually acting on public feedback because someone could claim intellectual rights to it, they probably saw this campaign calling for them to do something they wanted to do and basically headed it off.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just an anecdotal:

I was in a hallmark today...and had a nice muffled chat with the ladies working.

They release their Christmas ornaments in July (which I have far too many since 1985) and I mentioned that the one released this year of Mickey Mouse with a crank xylophone that plays “zip a dee doo dah” would be a hot item due to Disney eliminating splash.

Guess what? Hallmark - not known to be “liberal” at all - sent out a directive this week to PULL the ornament before sale and return them.

I was surprised/not surprised at all.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Just an anecdotal:

I was in a hallmark today...and had a nice muffled chat with the ladies working.

They release their Christmas ornaments in July (which I have far too many since 1985) and I mentioned that the one released this year of Mickey Mouse with a crank xylophone that plays “zip a dee doo dah” would be a hot item due to Disney eliminating splash.

Guess what? Hallmark - not known to be “liberal” at all - sent out a directive this week to PULL the ornament before sale and return them.

I was surprised/not surprised at all.

That’s so damn sad. The best Disney song there was. A song of pure joy and celebration turned into a “symbol of hate” by ignorant people. This is the stuff that has me feeling absolutely depressed and hopeless. Not the ride going away.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That’s so damn sad. The best Disney song there was. A song of pure joy and celebration turned into a “symbol of hate” by ignorant people. This is the stuff that has me feeling absolutely depressed and hopeless. Not the ride going away.

I can’t believe it...my favorite ride. Ever

And a song that was just joy. Sung by animals.
No malice in it.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

Is it worth spending all sorts of discussive energy on something like this when we have this thpe of atrocity happening??

The suspect is TWELVE YEARS OLD. This is the type of racism that needs to be addressed. Splash can and perhaps should be discussed, but HAS to be #12,457 on the list.

What was posted is horrendous and so ugly as to defy description.

Redirect Notice

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Is it worth spending all sorts of discussive energy on something like this when we have this thpe of atrocity happening??

The suspect is TWELVE YEARS OLD. This is the type of racism that needs to be addressed. Splash can and perhaps should be discussed, but HAS to be #12,457 on the list.

What was posted is horrendous and so ugly as to defy description.

Redirect Notice

This is what you want to outrage about?

How about one of the most respected doctors in the country/world...who’s saved millions of lives working for the US government for 40 years...is about to be “fired” by an absolute idiot during a health crisis.

...or...this is a splash mountain thread and there are other places for this type of stuff?

You pick.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

This is what you want to outrage about?

How about one of the most respected doctors in the country/world...who’s saved millions of lives working for the US government for 40 years...is about to be “fired” by an absolute idiot during a health crisis.

...or...this is a splash mountain thread and there are other places for this type of stuff?

You pick.

Not sure I follow your thinking. This thread is about Splash and the changes being made, using racism as the catalyst for the change. I have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Is it worth spending all sorts of discussive energy on something like this when we have this thpe of atrocity happening??

The suspect is TWELVE YEARS OLD. This is the type of racism that needs to be addressed. Splash can and perhaps should be discussed, but HAS to be #12,457 on the list.

What was posted is horrendous and so ugly as to defy description.

Redirect Notice

The topic here is Splash Mountain, so while what you posted is awful (worse than this), it’s not the topic and nobody should be shamed for talking about Splash Mountain.

Splash wasn’t racist. It was wrongly weaponized for a movement, and I think Disney should’ve waited to announce it to avoid taking steam out of the actual issues.

Prior to this fiasco, majority of my mind was on the fight against actual racism. I know it’s selfish, but Splash Mountain is my rock of inspiration. It and it’s contents are a very big part of who I am, and they bring me up when I’m feeling at my lowest. I can’t help people or fight the good fight if I’m not mentally in the game.

Now most of my energy is spent worrying about keeping myself in a good mental spot, which is rather difficult knowing my rock is destroyed.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Not sure I follow your thinking. This thread is about Splash and the changes being made, using racism as the catalyst for the change. I have no idea what you are talking about.

What you posted is completely unrelated.

Not good...but unrelated.

So since that’s where we were going...I put something very important and unrelated.

I’ll meet you at the bar and we’ll discuss. I’m the tall guy

 

[Ben_since_1971]

I think it is related. Arguing about Splash is or isn’t is stupid. The kind of systemic racism indicative of what this kid did and where he learned that it’s ok is what should be discussed. FWIW - I am against the retheme. Other than that - I am out of this thread.