Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[GoneForGood]

Am I the only southerner discussing this? Literally sitting on my porch where *Br'er Rabbit* could hop by any minute. To understand the race issues in the south is to begin to understand the issues with these characters

Black and Louisianan, very close to NOLA too.

Not that I speak for anyone else but myself.

 

[Inspired Figment]

I forgot to mention that if anything, the Brers remind me of poor white Southerners, similar to the Country Bears.

Mhm, Infact, we all know the reason Br’er Rabbit was placed in that area besides the fact that they used America Sings figures and the animal theme fit. It’s the simple fact that Marc Davis designed all 3 sets of the characters. The Br’ers, Country Bears, and the America Sings cast. Hence why it fits so well.

 

[Kate F]

What about all the people offended by the accents in PatF? Does that not matter because it’s not in the vault? I’ve seen several complaints about it. But it doesn’t matter I suppose.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I guess the Br'er characters are white? They are voiced by African American actors tho.

These dialects are much more African American than they are poor white people (like the rowdy kids who torment Johnny in the live action sequences)

I’d say the dialects are pretty tame in comparison to other cartoons I’ve seen with much more obvious representations African American caricatures. They’re not overly dramatic.

 

[Roger_the_pianist]

I don't agree. The dialects are pretty crazy and not that far removed from other now banned cartoons.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Am I the only southerner discussing this? Literally sitting on my porch where *Br'er Rabbit* could hop by any minute. To understand the race issues in the south is to begin to understand the issues with these characters

I’m from the West, California to be specific, but I’m African American. I’ve also studied many topics regarding African American history, culture, and racial relations in the United States throughout my studies in college.

I can speak on this topic.

 

[Kate F]

I’ve seen comparisons of Br’er Fox to Eddie Murphy. Do we have to cancel Donkey and Mushu now?

 

[Roger_the_pianist]

But apparently, from a documentary on Song of the South, the original script was far worse.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Am I the only southerner discussing this? Literally sitting on my porch where *Br'er Rabbit* could hop by any minute. To understand the race issues in the south is to begin to understand the issues with these characters

Are you admitting that there are African Americans walking by your Southern home who speak an AAVE dialect similarly to Brer Rabbit? Because if you are, then my point is proven in that the dialect used in the film is not overly dramatic.

 

[Roger_the_pianist]

I respect all of the dialogues here. Personally, I think the ride carries over the problems presented by the source material in the film. If the film was a problem (even at the time the ride was created) I can't help but wonder what they were thinking, and how they thought it would age well.

 

[Inspired Figment]

I respect all of the dialogues here. Personally, I think the ride carries over the problems presented by the source material in the film. If the film was a problem (even at the time the ride was created) I can't help but wonder what they were thinking, and how they thought it would age well.

They were thinking they fixed enough/all the problems with the source material in the film to have the Br’er Rabbit tales be the focus of the ride. Thus why it’s aged well & was so popular all these years. The stories worked much better in this medium than the film clearly. Even with those not familiar with the Br’er Rabbit tales or Song of the South beforehand.

 

[Roger_the_pianist]

Are you admitting that there are African Americans walking by your Southern home who speak an AAVE dialect similarly to Brer Rabbit? Because if you are, then my point is proven in that the dialect used in the film is not overly dramatic.

No, I meant that an actual rabbit could hop by at any moment. But I do live in the area that this film and ride are meant to represent.

 

[Brer Panther]

I can also see a lot of angry parents of small children given the height requirement and ride’s roughness for a layover.

Well, you could say the same thing about Splash Mountain, too, couldn't you?

(And ouch … didn’t realize my opinions were that salty on these parts lol)

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply your opinions were salty.

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

Well, you could say the same thing about Splash Mountain, too, couldn't you?

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply your opinions were salty.

Splash, yes! But it’s not as “rough” per se. I also think the ride itself could be tamed down if the wetness is controlled.

Reportedly there are rumors that may be the case. Not a fan of losing that element either.

And no need to apologize.

 

[SplashGhost]

As someone from the south, I much rather be represented by Brer Rabbit in the parks than Mater. Brer Rabbit comes across as a friendly, intelligent, and positive southern representation whereas Mater is just crude, stupid, annoying, and obnoxious.

The stereotypes in Cars Land are vastly more exaggerated and stereotypical than anything in Splash Mountain. Ramone, Mater, and Luigi are pretty extreme and obvious stereotypes. I'm not asking or wanting anything in Cars Land to be changed, just stating that if someone is offended by Splash for stereotypes, they should be way more offended by Cars Land.

 

[celluloid]

As someone from the south, I much rather be represented by Brer Rabbit in the parks than Mater. Brer Rabbit comes across as a friendly, intelligent, and positive southern representation whereas Mater is just crude, stupid, annoying, and obnoxious.

The stereotypes in Cars Land are vastly more exaggerated and stereotypical than anything in Splash Mountain. Ramone, Mater, and Luigi are pretty extreme and obvious stereotypes. I'm not asking or wanting anything in Cars Land to be changed, just stating that if someone is offended by Splash for stereotypes, they should be way more offended by Cars Land.

Or the fact that Disney owns and continues to produce and profit from The Simpsons and Family Guy just for more examples.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

In the grand scheme of things - the overall picture - the ride is about a rabbit leaving home to find his laughing place.

The change is a win win for management. They get to look good for the media and say they're BoLd and BrAvE when in reality they just want yet another IP implementation.

The arguments we're having and the points we're making.. its honestly sad. Its something that could've been completely avoided. Disney management is cancer to the parks IMO.

 

[CaptinEO]

What is a goal for Splash Mountain fans? The retheme be canceled? More merchandise and presence for the Br'er characters? Tiana never seen on that side of the park again?

Yes, if you are familiar with Disney history there have always been passionate fan campaigns to save rides such as the Submarines, Horizons, Mr Toad, Country Bears, etc. It never seems to quite work out but we did get the Submarines resurrected as well as Captain EO.

At one point Eisner was trying to put the muppets as a replacement for Mr Lincoln and Stitch into Space Mountain. This kind of backlash can work, although not always.

Recently Disney was trying to do a Woody Overlay to the Country Bears, when the rumor leaked out press was so bad that the retheme was cancelled.

Nothing against Tiana besides the movie being boring (so is Song of the South though), she can have a brand new ride anywhere though as far as I'm concerned.

 

[CaptinEO]

As someone from the south, I much rather be represented by Brer Rabbit in the parks than Mater. Brer Rabbit comes across as a friendly, intelligent, and positive southern representation whereas Mater is just crude, stupid, annoying, and obnoxious.

The stereotypes in Cars Land are vastly more exaggerated and stereotypical than anything in Splash Mountain. Ramone, Mater, and Luigi are pretty extreme and obvious stereotypes. I'm not asking or wanting anything in Cars Land to be changed, just stating that if someone is offended by Splash for stereotypes, they should be way more offended by Cars Land.

Thank you, been saying this about Cars from the start. Their only personality is stereotypes. You have the redneck, hippie, black car, mexican car, italian car. It's a hall of stereotypes. You even have girl cars flashing their headlights at McQueen in the start of the movie.

 

[el_super]

The stereotypes in Cars Land are vastly more exaggerated and stereotypical than anything in Splash Mountain. Ramone, Mater, and Luigi are pretty extreme and obvious stereotypes. I'm not asking or wanting anything in Cars Land to be changed, just stating that if someone is offended by Splash for stereotypes, they should be way more offended by Cars Land.

There is still a significant difference between them though: For Cars, members of those communities were available to participate and discuss how the depictions came across. Ramone and Mater were both centered around personalities that came from those communities and represented those communities.

The depiction of Brer Rabbit in Song of the South (and then Splash Mountain) was made without any input from the community he is meant to represent. That is a big part of the problem: appropriation.

Certainly, not everyone is comfortable with the depictions in CARS or Racers, but giving a community a voice to determine how they should be represented, even if they don't all agree, is still miles better than dictating to them how they should be represented.

In the grand scheme of things - the overall picture - the ride is about a rabbit leaving home to find his laughing place.

In the grand scheme of things, the ride is about telling someone that they shouldn't bother trying to leave their "home" because trouble will find them. An attempt to escape to a better life is immediately threatened and proven to be folly. You will ultimately be happier if you stay in your place, where you are meant to be.

It's not a great story at all. But it sure is colorful.