“Splash Mountain”, the iconic Disney attraction, closes permanently

This Sunday will be the last day that Splash Mountain opens to the public, a 30-year-old attraction located in the Magic Kingdom (Florida) theme park that follows the misadventures of various characters from the criticized animated film “Song of the South” (Song of the South), 1946.

Disney’s iconic Splash Mountain attraction, whose racial stereotypes sparked controversy in 2020, will permanently close next Monday in Florida (USA) and in its place an “immersive experience” will be presented inspired by the movie “The Princess and el sapo” and in New Orleans culture, the company said.

This Sunday will be the last day that Splash Mountain opens to the public, the 30-year-old attraction located in the Magic Kingdom (Florida) theme park that follows the misadventures of various characters from the criticized animated film “Song of the South” (Song of the South), 1946.

The attraction takes guests on a log ride through a southern swamp, following the misadventures of characters played by an African-American storyteller, Uncle Remus, who works on a plantation in the southern United States. The film has been accused of painting an embellished portrayal of slavery, prompting critics of the attraction to demand its removal in 2020 amid global protests for racial justice.

(Photo: Website disneyworld.disney.go.com)

Following calls to remove the attraction, and following worldwide racial protests that led to the death in 2020 of African-American George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer, Disney announced that year that it would transform Splash Mountain into the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction.

The new attraction, scheduled to open in 2024, is based on “The Princess and the Frog,” a 2009 film featuring Disney’s first black princess, Tiana.

The Princess and the Frog (AP)

“At Tiana’s Bayou Adventure you will join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis during the Mardi Gras season, as they prepare to throw a unique celebration for the people of New Orleans,” details on the Disney parks blog. Carmen Smith, the company’s vice president of creative development.

“This new scene is the exciting moment where you first fall into the swamp and meet some new friends and family,” he adds about the narrative of the new attraction.

“Tiana is a modern, courageous and empowered woman, who does not hesitate to pursue her dreams and never loses sight of what is important. It’s a great story with a strong character set in New Orleans and the Louisiana region,” the company said.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in 2024 and is a “whimsical attraction”, describes the Disney blog, and is inspired by the animated children’s musical “The Princess and the Frog”, by directors John Musker and Ron Clements.

This is not the first time that Disney has had to make modifications to its attractions to be more in keeping with the times. In 2017, Disneyland’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” game was changed due to certain sexist moments that were shown during the experience, such as the scene where a pirate chases a woman inside a house.

(With information from EFE)

Keep reading:

Minutes of panic at Disney Orlando: one of the Splash Mountain boats sank with passengers on boardThousands ask Disney to change the theme of the “Splash Mountain” attraction, based on “Song of the South”, a film described as racistAnd so it was How Disney princesses and Mickey Mouse joined the culture wars

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