My my how things are a changin’. Looks like this project is moving swiftly in California. The Japanese still aren’t on-board, so that means there was no money for the project at WDW, just Disneyland’s... until they delayed / cancelled 3 other projects. That’s right, I’m sorry to report that there now is money for this project on both coasts.
An internal inclusion group at Disney is rapidly becoming known as “the diversity police” and they are quite well supported by Bob Iger. This group is able to outweigh any and all budget shortcomings by re-directing funds. They can basically touch anything that could be construed as outdated or racially insensitive. I foresee this as a short lived group, but they will clean up almost everything while they’re around. If it is even remotely offensive to any population, it will get looked at and most likely changed. (except in Japan’s OLC, where they have no power)
As for Splash Mountain, the timeline remains to be seen, but multiple groups inside and outside of WDI have already begun the long process of actually creating content for the attraction. (Content = Final product to end up in the ride) So, despite Japan’s best efforts, this is happening now. The only thing that could stop it in its tracks is the departure of Bob Iger... as it seems Bob Chapek isn’t nearly onboard with this as much as Iger is. We’ll see what happens in January.
