Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[Brer Panther]

They’ve literally never brushed off PatF. Ever. But that’s what you want to believe.

Do you really think I'm making this up? Did you not see Disney's reaction to The Princess and the Frog underperforming? It's the reason they renamed "Rapunzel" Tangled. It's the reason they decided that hand-drawn animated films were dangerous. I am not making any of this up. If they really thought the film was financially successful enough to warrant an attraction in Disney's eyes, it wouldn't have taken them an entire decade to give it one. They cancelled an Atlantis attraction after THAT film flopped, after all.

And if Tiana's already been well-represented in the parks, why is it so necessary that they retheme Splash Mountain to her movie? They're just using the movie as a weapon against the Brers.

 

[Ghost93]

And if Tiana's already been well-represented in the parks, why is it so necessary that they retheme Splash Mountain to her movie? They're just using the movie as a weapon against the Brers.

While Disney's main aim is to get rid of SOTS, the company doesn't really want to mention Song of the South and draw more attention to it. The company certainly doesn't want to say out loud "we made a racist ride" even though that's what some of the higher-ups think.

So by using PatF, the company in its press releases could say the change was simply about being more "inclusive," whereas if they had used something like Robin Hood or A Goofy Movie they wouldn't be able to use the "inclusive" excuse and instead would have to more bluntly say "we just want to get rid of Song of the South."

I'm glad PatF was chosen for the retheming because the movie is well suited for a water ride. I just hope they get the budget to do it justice.

 

[Rich T]

I mean, it’s a fair opinion and feeling you have. I won’t take that away from you.

But I love what they did

That’s cool. Myself, I would have brought back the ultra-terrifying witch-jumps-out-around-every-corner WDW opening day version.

 

[Brer Panther]

While Disney's main aim is to get rid of SOTS, the company doesn't really want to mention Song of the South and draw more attention to it. The company certainly doesn't want to say out loud "we made a racist ride" even though that's what some of the higher-ups think.

Didn't Chapek do that, though? Come out and claim that Song of the South had "happy slaves" in it, or something?

 

[Ghost93]

Didn't Chapek do that, though? Come out and claim that Song of the South had "happy slaves" in it, or something?

In an interview, yes. But all of the press releases, promotional materials, and videos about the retheme don't mention SotS but just talk about the importance of inclusion.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Do you really think I'm making this up? Did you not see Disney's reaction to The Princess and the Frog underperforming? It's the reason they renamed "Rapunzel" Tangled. It's the reason they decided that hand-drawn animated films were dangerous. I am not making any of this up. If they really thought the film was financially successful enough to warrant an attraction in Disney's eyes, it wouldn't have taken them an entire decade to give it one. They cancelled an Atlantis attraction after THAT film flopped, after all.

And if Tiana's already been well-represented in the parks, why is it so necessary that they retheme Splash Mountain to her movie? They're just using the movie as a weapon against the Brers.

You are making it up, specifically the part about Disney “brushing off” PatF. Despite the film’s performance at the box office, they’ve never cast it to the side. If they did, Tiana, Naveen, and Dr. Facilier wouldn’t be walking around the park as they do now, Tiana wouldn’t have gotten her own float in Soundsational, Tiana and Naveen wouldn’t have gotten their own float in Magic Happens, Tiana wouldn’t have closed out MatMM, I would have never seen a bunch of little girls dolled up in Tiana dresses, and so on. You know who they have brushed off? Eilonwy. One could argue Merida as well.

Your second question has been answered many, many times. The Brers aren’t real people. They’ll be fine, but they’re indeed going away. You don’t have to like it, but that’s what’s happening. Get your last rides in while you can and say your goodbyes to the Brer animatronics and figurines before they’re gone. The characters will still exist in history and will not be killed off entirely, I promise.

 

[TP2000]

I hope we get the Tiana's Palace restaurant in addition to the Splash Mountain retheme. With the Disney Plus Tiana series coming out next year, I think there will be a major push for the Tiana character.

Good! Tiana's Palace restaurant should have opened where French Market is in 2010, or 2012 at the latest due to the Club 33 expansion on the second floor.

But they shuffled Tiana down into the Second Tier of Princesses and never gave her the New Orleans Square restaurant she should have had all along. Instead they're giving her a log ride in 2024? Okay.

At least the music from her movie will remain some of the best Disney has done in the last 20 years or so!

 

[MisterPenguin]

Do you really think I'm making this up? Did you not see Disney's reaction to The Princess and the Frog underperforming? It's the reason they renamed "Rapunzel" Tangled.

Well, that didn't work. Tangled lost more money in the theatrical window than TPatF.

 

[D.Silentu]

Tiana's Palace restaurant should have opened where French Market is in 2010, or 2012 at the latest due to the Club 33 expansion on the second floor.

Presuming that they will synergize by opening a Tiana's Palace restaurant, I would agree that the French Market space is the only space that should be considered. As other's have pointed out, it already has the benefit of a stage for entertainment. However, in contrast to the film it should not become a table service establishment. New Orleans Square has enough of them at present. Remodeling, which ought to be necessary anyway, could expand the seating area, but given that the new identity would lend itself to character walk arounds, no seven foot alligators please!

 

[Disney Irish]

Personally I still think the idea of turning Hungry Bear into Tiana's Palace makes the most sense.

 

[D.Silentu]

You're right, it does make sense in a lot of ways, but I can't endorse it due to the risk of losing those quiet evenings by the river, dimly lit be faux lantern. I'd be sorry to see the atmosphere at the Hungry Bear change.

 

[Brer Panther]

You are making it up, specifically the part about Disney “brushing off” PatF. Despite the film’s performance at the box office, they’ve never cast it to the side. If they did, Tiana, Naveen, and Dr. Facilier wouldn’t be walking around the park as they do now, Tiana wouldn’t have gotten her own float in Soundsational, Tiana and Naveen wouldn’t have gotten their own float in Magic Happens, Tiana wouldn’t have closed out MatMM, I would have never seen a bunch of little girls dolled up in Tiana dresses, and so on. You know who they have brushed off? Eilonwy. One could argue Merida as well.

The only reason they use Tiana, Naveen etc. in shows and parades at the parks is because she's a princess. If she weren't, they wouldn't be acknowledging the film any more than they acknowledge Bolt or Meet the Robinsons. They still dubbed its underperformance proof that hand drawn animated films are dangerous.

If it was such a big success beloved by the company, why did it take them AN ENTIRE DECADE to finally give it an attraction?

The Brers aren’t real people.

By that logic, why should we care about Tiana getting an attraction? She's not a real person, why does she "deserve" an attraction?

The characters will still exist in history

Well, then Disney's plan to rid themselves of Song of the South being a thing will be a massive failure. Retheming Splash Mountain won't stop Song of the South from existing.

 

[Ghost93]

Well, then Disney's plan to rid themselves of Song of the South being a thing will be a massive failure. Retheming Splash Mountain won't stop Song of the South from existing.

I think the idea is that Disney will no longer promote or actively profit off of any elements of the movie.

When the movie becomes public domain in the 2040s (assuming the world hasn't ended by that point), people will be able to access it and view it as the historical artifact that it is (technically, they can already do that if they know where to look). But SotS's days as a moneymaker for Disney are over. It hasn't been released theatrically since 1986, and overseas they stopped selling VHS copies of the film in 2000. The last time it aired on television overseas was in 2006. The Sing Along Songs VHS and DVDs containing songs from the film are no longer being made. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah — which was once neck and neck with "When You Wish Upon A Star" as the company's theme song — is being removed from circulation. Brer Rabbit comics and picture books haven't been sold in the U.S. in decades. Brer Rabbit merchandise is no longer being made. And once Splash Mountain shuts down, I would imagine the Brer characters will completely disappear from the parks.

So Song of the South will always exist, but it is no longer part of the modern Disney culture.

 

[Ghost93]

If it was such a big success beloved by the company, why did it take them AN ENTIRE DECADE to finally give it an attraction?

It took Disney 43 years to give Song of the South an attraction. Well, 34, since Disney didn't even have a park until 1955. Still, that's way longer than the 11 years it took for Disney to announce a PatF ride.

Toy Story didn't get a land until roughly two decades after the first film came out. Sometimes Disney likes to wait and see if an IP will stand the test of time. SOTS obviously hasn't stood the test of time, but in the 80s — when the project was greenlit — it had two successful theatrical re-releases that made Disney think it was okay to build a ride off of the movie.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The only reason they use Tiana, Naveen etc. in shows and parades at the parks is because she's a princess. If she weren't, they wouldn't be acknowledging the film any more than they acknowledge Bolt or Meet the Robinsons. They still dubbed its underperformance proof that hand drawn animated films are dangerous.

If it was such a big success beloved by the company, why did it take them AN ENTIRE DECADE to finally give it an attraction?

By that logic, why should we care about Tiana getting an attraction? She's not a real person, why does she "deserve" an attraction?

Well, then Disney's plan to rid themselves of Song of the South being a thing will be a massive failure. Retheming Splash Mountain won't stop Song of the South from existing.

Believe what you want. Whatever helps you cope. The fact is Disney has not cast PatF to the side and they’ve been profiting off of it for many years now. The time it takes for the DLR to get a ride based on a movie is not directly linked to the movie’s success. You know this.

I made that “not real” comment because of your choice to use the word “weapon” in regards to this situation. Just seems a bit much, but that’s just me. You don’t have to care about anything. Get your last rides in.

Regarding your last paragraph, I know. We know.
Disney doesn’t care, though, and Splash is still scheduled to close.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The only reason they use Tiana, Naveen etc. in shows and parades at the parks is because she's a princess. If she weren't, they wouldn't be acknowledging the film any more than they acknowledge Bolt or Meet the Robinsons.

So, they only acknowledge Rapunzel, whose movie lost more money than PatF because she's a princess?

And if being a princess is the only reason she's acknowledge, then why do they acknowledge Ralph, or characters from Zootopia, or the increasing presence of characters from Encanto, or characters from Toy Story, or Monsters, Inc, or Cars?

And why do they acknowledge Facilier, so often separate from Tiana? He's not a Princess.

BTW, they tend to promote all princesses that are part of the Disney Princess Brand, because the whole purpose of the collective brand is for synergistic cross promotion. Disney is always marketing.

If it was such a big success beloved by the company, why did it take them AN ENTIRE DECADE to finally give it an attraction?

It took 60 years to get Mickey a ride. I guess he's not a big success beloved by the company if he had to wait so long.

Well, then Disney's plan to rid themselves of Song of the South being a thing will be a massive failure. Retheming Splash Mountain won't stop Song of the South from existing.

You're right. It won't stop the movie or book from existing.

So?

Disney isn't erasing history any more than Mike Fink is erased from history because there are no more Mike Fink Keel Boats. Disney isn't putting up an attraction that says SotS never existed.

People have a right to stop talking about their Ex's.

 

[Ghost93]

BTW, they tend to promote all princesses that are part of the Disney Princess Brand, because the whole purpose of the collective brand is for synergistic cross promotion. Disney is always marketing.

Even within the princess brand, Tiana has gotten a lot more attention in the parks than Aurora, Pocahontas, Mulan and Merida have. She's far from the least popular Disney Princess.

 

[Brer Panther]

The fact is Disney has not cast PatF to the side and they’ve been profiting off of it for many years now.

You don't think it's a little hypocritical that they dub the movie not profitable enough to continue making hand-drawn animated movies, but they're still going to build a ride based on it?

You're acting like Disney has always treated The Princess and the Frog the same way they treated Frozen, parading it around as though it was the best movie ever and devoting multiple attractions and events to it. I don't recall them ever treating it as anything more than another Disney Princess movie until 2020.

Disney doesn’t care, though, and Splash is still scheduled to close.

Doesn't mean I have to like it.

And if being a princess is the only reason she's acknowledge, then why do they acknowledge Ralph, or characters from Zootopia, or the increasing presence of characters from Encanto, or characters from Toy Story, or Monsters, Inc, or Cars?

Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Cars all made money. In Disney's eyes, they're a profitable franchise. Also, Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, and Encanto don't have actual attractions.

And why do they acknowledge Facilier, so often separate from Tiana? He's not a Princess.

Why do they acknowledge Ursula, so often separate from Ariel? She's not a Princess, but she's a major character in a movie about a Princess. Same goes for Facilier.

It took 60 years to get Mickey a ride. I guess he's not a big success beloved by the company if he had to wait so long.

Mickey's ride is based on the 2013 Paul Rudish shorts. And it's not even a very good ride.

Plus, it didn't take that long for Mickey to get an ATTRACTION, nor was Mickey or any of his productions brushed off as a flop by Disney, convincing them that hand-drawn animated films were dangerous.

You're right. It won't stop the movie or book from existing.

So?

Disney isn't putting up an attraction that says SotS never existed.

I thought the whole point of this retheme was so that Disney could free themselves from Song of the South being a thing. Pro-rethemers have used that justification in this very thread before.

 

[EagleScout610]

Happy 33 Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah Years Splash!

 

[Californian Elitist]

You don't think it's a little hypocritical that they dub the movie not profitable enough to continue making hand-drawn animated movies, but they're still going to build a ride based on it?

You're acting like Disney has always treated The Princess and the Frog the same way they treated Frozen, parading it around as though it was the best movie ever and devoting multiple attractions and events to it. I don't recall them ever treating it as anything more than another Disney Princess movie until 2020.

Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Cars all made money. In Disney's eyes, they're a profitable franchise. Also, Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, and Encanto don't have actual attractions.

Why do they acknowledge Ursula, so often separate from Ariel? She's not a Princess, but she's a major character in a movie about a Princess. Same goes for Facilier.

Mickey's ride is based on the 2013 Paul Rudish shorts. And it's not even a very good ride.

Plus, it didn't take that long for Mickey to get an ATTRACTION, nor was Mickey or any of his productions brushed off as a flop by Disney, convincing them that hand-drawn animated films were dangerous.

I thought the whole point of this retheme was so that Disney could free themselves from Song of the South being a thing. Pro-rethemers have used that justification in this very thread before.

…?

I’m going to step away from this conversation with you now. “Hypocritical…” Once again, your diction is a bit much. Disney is not a hypocrite for using their films as based for attractions in their parks (unless it’s SotS). What?

Not sure why you’re bringing Frozen into this. I’ve already proven my point, which is that Disney has been profiting off of PatF, both inside and outside the parks, for years.

No one said you have to like it. Oh, and there’s literally only been one or two “pro-rethemers” in this very thread, and they haven’t posted in months.

Have a good Sunday on Disneyland’s 67th birthday.