Splash Mountain Will Be Rethemed to Princess & Frog
Disney has officially announced that Splash Mountain will be re-themed to Princess and the Frog at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. (Tokyo Disneyland will retain its Brer characters from Song of the South, at least for now.) In this post, we’ll cover the news, share concept art, and offer some commentary.
Per Disney Parks Blog, the attraction’s theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, The Princess and the Frog. The new-look ride will pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure — featuring some of the powerful music from the film — as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.
Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou. In 1966, Walt himself opened New Orleans Square when it became the first new “land” added to Disneyland park, so it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of “The Princess and the Frog” to our parks.
While the timing may seem suspect, Disney indicates that this isn’t an impulsive reaction to recent headlines and petitions that have gained traction. Walt Disney Imagineering states that it has actively been working on a Splash Mountain retheme for some time, with a specific focus on The Princess and the Frog for the past year.
Here’s a look at the concept art:
Here’s more on the Splash Mountain overhaul from the Disney Parks Blog, including quotes from Imagineers and the voices of characters from The Princess and the Frog…
The voice of Princess Tiana and Tony Award-winning actress, Anika Noni Rose, shared, “It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”
Per Disney Parks Blog, the approach to retheming or “plussing” attractions begins with Imagineers asking the question: how can we build upon or elevate the experience and tell a fresh, relevant story? It’s a continuous process that Imagineers are deeply passionate about.
And with this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive — one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.
Senior Creative Producer Charita Carter at Walt Disney Imagineering will helm the project, having previously been one of the leads on development of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Carter shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures. I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”
Disney Legend and former Imagineer Tony Baxter, who designed the original Splash Mountain, will also be brought out of retirement to serve as a creative designer on the new Princess and the Frog attraction. “Following conversations with Imagineering’s leaders about the new attraction’s scope and resources, I had a great sense of reassurance — the attraction will be one to be proud of, bringing to life places, characters and music from the animated classic The Princess and the Frog…I look forward to being a part of a new adventure in Disney magic and fun!” said Baxter about the overhaul.
Imagineer Scott Trowbridge, lead on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, also tweeted out that he’s “been stealth working on this for quite a while and happy to finally share!” The involvement of this trio of Imagineers definitely reassures us about the overhaul.
For Imagineers, change is rooted in a tradition set by Walt Disney who encouraged new innovations, new ideas, new scenes and current storytelling. And the experiences they create can be enjoyed by guests who visit our parks from all over the world.
As part of the creative development process, conceptual design work is well underway and Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the transformation can start to take shape. (At present, the current incarnation of Splash Mountain is scheduled to reopen when Walt Disney World and Disneyland reopen.)
Our Commentary
As far as commentary goes, this is an understandably delicate topic. We mostly take Disney at its word here that the plans to retheme Splash Mountain were set in motion over a year ago, but we’d imagine those were nonetheless accelerated in light of recent events. (Especially given that Disney is pumping the brakes on other projects while moving forward with this.)
Nevertheless, given what Disney has done with Tower of Terror, Great Movie Ride, and other attractions based on non-Disney or “outdated” intellectual property, it’s not a huge leap that Disney would want to retheme Splash Mountain to a modern film for the sake of synergy. It probably was an inevitability that Splash Mountain would change at some point, so perhaps the timing here is totally coincidental.
Nevertheless, this change is undoubtedly going to be controversial and spawn a ton of debate, most of it wholly unproductive. It’s also a topic that, frankly, I’m not sure I’m the best person to address.
In our Pirates of the Caribbean Redhead Auction Scene Debate post from a few years ago, I did opt to put “my entire head into the hornet’s nest” wading into what I felt was an interesting topic that pertains to the intersection of art, history, evolving cultural norms, and more.
It’s a different topic, but the same story here. Much of what was written there can be applied to today’s Splash Mountain news. While theme parks are art, they cannot be re-contextualized the same way other entertainment can. There are some practical realities that must be considered and concessions that must be made given their functional purpose.
There’s more fluidity to theme parks than other art; things must be updated because the primary purpose is simply entertainment and not education or enlightenment. (Refer to that prior post for more commentary along those lines.)
Where Splash Mountain deviates from Pirates of the Caribbean is in what’s directly being depicted in each. The argument in the case of Pirates of the Caribbean was that it glamorized human trafficking and sex slavery, while showcasing the subjugation of women.
Splash Mountain is different in the sense that when it was built, the attraction was consciously removed from its controversial source material (even back in the late-1980s when the ride was in development, Disney realized Song of the South was problematic). What’s depicted in Splash Mountain is subtle, subliminal, and indirect.
That’s where my comfort level in addressing this particular topic ends.
As someone who has never experienced the ill effects of systemic racism and oppression, I feel like it’s not really my place to offer a value judgment on how Splash Mountain does or does not impact other guests. I don’t know what it’s like to experience the world as a person of color.
Moreover, while I value my own nostalgia and iconic aspects of classic and iconic Disney attractions, the right course of action is to err on the side of not reinforcing racism, and instead fostering a more inclusive Disney experience.
From my perspective, this is simply a matter of conceding my personal blind spots and being willing to admit “I don’t really know” how Splash Mountain might negatively effect other guests.
Sadly, that side of the debate is going to overshadow the reality (or at least my subjective but strong opinion) that The Princess and the Frog is one of the Walt Disney Animation Studio’s most underrated films, and it has been criminally underrepresented at Walt Disney World and Disneyland for years. (See our Tiana’s Place Restaurant Review for a look at how excellent a Princess and the Frog experience can be.)
Not only is Princess and the Frog a great film with memorable characters, catchy music, and a compelling story–it’s visually gorgeous. I can’t think of a more beautiful animated film that Disney has made in the last two decades.
This is an odd comparison, but it reminds me somewhat of Avatar in terms of the film’s visuals (except Princess and the Frog is actually good). Pandora ended up being a stunning theme park setting, and we’d except the same to hold true here–except the Princess and the Frog attraction will also have the excellent aforementioned music, characters, etc. and not just pretty visuals.
When I’m envisioning this new Princess and the Frog attraction in my head, it’s a longer version of Na’vi River Journey with a drop at the end, better music, and more varied settings. The same subdued vibe and impressionistic scenery, but hopefully with more dimensional set design, Audio Animatronics, and just more well-rounded overall.
Our main concern at this point is Disney allocating the proper time and budget to let Imagineering deliver a thoughtful, deliberate, and quality re-theming of the attraction. Our fear is that the attraction will be a ham-fisted overlay that doesn’t do its source material justice.
However, we’re willing to wait and see, withholding judgment for now. The concept art looks promising, and if the end result is a lavish and inventive Princess and the Frog attraction, that’s something we can most definitely get behind. Here’s hoping that Imagineering delivers and totally reinvents the iconic attraction!
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of Splash Mountain being rethemed to Princess and the Frog? Excited for Tiana and friends to finally have their own attraction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, or will you be sad to see the Brer Critters vacate the Briar Patch? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Yuck! I love the music and animals in Splash (though the animatronics do need lots of care-maybe one reason they want to change as they have been ignored for years). Kay and Joyce are right-you have to continue to teach history. The less of it people know, the more it repeats itself. I grew up with this ride knowing it was loosely based on a racist movie but loving the ride which isn’t and it made me think about what’s bad and what’s good. Overlaying the flat Louisiana bayous on the “mountain” and falls of Splash will be jarring, a truly bad makeover. Give Tiana her own ride and stop being so cheap Disney (even if you have to wait a few years..let this bad idea die quietly as others mentioned).
Splash Mountain is My FAVORITE Ride in all of WDW. I love it. I am sad in some respects to see it change, but on the otherhand I agree it’s time for an overhaul – it’s outdated. I’m just surprised that they are halting other projects to start this one.
I do hope they take the time and money to make it great and not just “a ham-fisted overlay that doesn’t do its source material justice”
Excellent!!! When we were last at Disney a couple of years ago, I had to have a long discussion with my daughter about how yes, these were Disney characters, but that no, she couldn’t watch the movie. It just doesn’t make sense to have a ride or attraction for this any longer. And Tiana is long overdue for something of her own. Kudos to Disney!
Thrilled with this news. I LOVE PatF. As for it being a response to the recent events going on, I highly doubt that. Disney has known for decades that SotS has serious problems in the context of present day; so much so that it doesn’t even appear on Disney+, warning about offensive outdated cultural depictions or otherwise. The announcement timing may be a strategic move but not the update to the ride.
This news makes me and my family so sad!
When I first heard about it I was prepared to be upset, but…too cool. I shifted my perspective in about 3 seconds. Told my daughter, got the same mixed reaction in the same span of time. Glad to hear they’re already working on it!
Yes, this was my reaction, too!
This is such a wonderful decision! I love Splash Mountain but I am totally okay with never riding that Song of the South-themed attraction again. I will miss it and I will have my memories and we will all have a bajillion YouTube videos of it and that’s that. The world moves on, and raises more and more people up as it does.
Anyone who prioritizes a log flume ride theme over their Black friends, neighbors, colleagues, and the thousands of Black cast members at Disney parks, just don’t go. Disney won’t miss you and those of us who aren’t racists won’t miss you in the parks either. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@ Michael, So if we don’t support changing it we are automatically racists? Well, aren’t you full of yourself? How about anyone who can’t handle everything in the world not being about them, is narcissistic? And as the “world moves on” all I see are more and more people getting hurt, not being “raised up”. I don’t know what news channels you’ve been watching, but its not exactly utopia out there buddy. Newsflash, human trafficking still exists today. Not every person who suffers from bondage and tyranny suffered years ago, there is plenty of it today, right now. So people who want a ride to stay the same are not choosing racism, they simply like what millions of people and children still like and have liked for decades – country characters and catchy music – what’s so horrid about that? Not one thing.
I’m absolutely devastated. Splash mountain is probably my favourite ride out of everything before 2015 (apart from Indiana Jones Adventure, but cmon, that’s just unfairly amazing). But I’ll try to keep an open mind and I really hope the replacement is as amazing as the various other new rides rolled out in the past 5 years.
It’s funny, I didnt feel this way about Tower of Terror being rethemed in DCA. What gives?
At some point in time they need to learn to say NO. Leave things alone. When my daughter was little we took her on this ride and it was one of her favorites. She sang the cute song all day. I’m disappointed in Disney.
In general, I love the idea of the re-theming!
I don’t mind so much losing the beer characters. I personally never had issues with the ride, but I can certainly understand that it is problematic for some guests, and my attachment to them isn’t big enough for me to miss them terribly since the ride itself with stay.
That said, I hope they will find a way to keep the name or incorporate it somewhere. It’s hard to imagine a WDW trip without a visit to Splash Mountain.
Likewise, I hope they will find somewhere else to incorporate “Zip-a-dee-do-dah” and “How Do You Do”. I love those songs and they are such a quintessential part of any WDW trip for me.
I love the idea of rethemeing Splash Mountain! I completely agree that The Princess and the Frog needs more recognition. I can only imagine how beautiful Splash Mountain will be, especially if they incorporate the fireflies! Tiana has a beautiful soul and the world needs more of that!
I meant to make my own post earlier instead of reply – oops!
https://www.change.org/p/everyone-to-save-splash-mountain-and-keep-it-as-it-is-in-magic-kingdom-and-disneyland This one has more supporters than the one to change it at the moment.
While I’m a little sad from a point of nostalgia, I think the retheming is on point with today’s world and will be incredible when it’s finished! Princess and the Frog deserves the spotlight! My only worry is that Princess and the Frog is not very “frontier”. I love the different lands in MK and hope they can blend it in well enough with the rest of frontierland’s atmosphere.
Sorry I didn’t mean to reply to your comment! Meant to post as new! oops!
@Jennifer, not a problem. Hope you have a great day!
I am reminded that the movie was controversial and many inside urged Walt not to make the film. Disney was hesitant to make this the theme as they knew it could be questionable thirty years ago. I can imagine over the last few years they began exploring options to re-theme it and now was the right time to release the news.
I love the movie Princess and the Frog so I’m looking forward to this. Can’t wait to see it/ride it when it’s all done!
I’m thrilled with this change! I’ve been saying for years that it would be awesome to retheme for Princess and the Frog. To those of us that have not experienced the world as a black person it’s easy to be like what’s the big deal it never meant anything bad to me but it has to many and I’m glad Disney is moving to making their parks more welcome to all.
One of the worst decisions Disney has made with regard to its parks. My kids actually sing zip a dee doo da after riding this and the story is so fun and whimsical with birds chirping etc. We’ve never seen the movie and never knew there was any racism depicted in this ride at all. Next, they will mess with Big Thunder Mountain because coal fired trains pollute or the west was won by destroying Native Americans. We all need to chill…
Give Tiana her own, new attraction. She deserves it. Don’t mess with what works and has created countless memories that now cannot be relived.
This is a terrible waste of money. Just maintain the existing animatronics.
You are spot on about Big Thunder Mountain. If anyone looks hard enough, they can find something “wrong” with just about anything they choose to. It’s madness.
Splash Mountain is my favorite ride. When I was at Disney in February, it was closed for repairs. I go to Disney for an escape from the real world. When I enter the front gates, I leave my problems & worries behind even if it’s only for a day. The songs, the characters, and the water ride were just happy & upbeat. I agree with leaving Splash Mountain as it is & building a new ride or themed area for Tiana.
And If people find something wrong it should absolutely be changed. Why cling to the racist white supremacist past and present?
Risking negative replies, I just never “got” the story behind Splash Mountain. The ride seems old and tired to me. I am thrilled to see new theming, and I loved Princess and the Frog. Yay!
I agree!
Agree!
I couldn’t agree more! I skipped the thing altogether our last few trips. It was cute the first time but certainly not worth the outrage its update is creating, IMHO.
I hear Jiminy Kimmel is getting a new ride too.
Flight Of The Hypocrite.
Could be at Universal.
I am so excited as I *love* the movie. This makes the ride much more relevant to today. Other rides were ‘reimagined’, I was sad when it happened to Tower of Terror, but it ended up fun. This will be good too.
Well Done!
Yes and WDW, please do not mess with ToT at HWS either. Another iconic attraction (one of my kids absolute favorite of ALL the attractions) that should remain and be maintained for ages to come. “Reimagining” is lazy. Develop new attractions.
Relevant to what, exactly? No, this is dumb.
Splash Mountain is 100% about the music and characters. My kids and I NEVER EVER knew about the movie until recently when the Cancel Culture kicked into high gear. I remember singing the song during our 8th grade class play and did not know it was considered a racist movie. So I searched high and low to find the movie to watch for myself and loved the movie. In the end LOVE prevailed!! Cancel Culture doesn’t understand how LOVE prevails over evil. If you wipe out our countries history you wipe out the struggle of good vs evil and in the case of slavery etc LOVE and righteousness prevailed and many gave their blood in a war for this to happen. Remember, All gave some but some gave all. I used the ride and the movie to teach my children a valuable lesson that cancel culture seeks to erase. I love the Princess and the Frog. I think it is a great movie that teaches perseverance and to never give up your dreams. But to replace Splash Mountain with it is just wrong… I love Disney, I’ll continue to go and enjoy. I don’t engage in boycotts, they are in and of themselves a tool that cancel culture started and use to shame others or a brand. It’s all very sad and disheartening to see all this public outrage over false misguided pretense.
Massive ignorance resulting from at least three decades of dumbing down the schools and only glossing over history.
That is a perfect response. I am finding it hard to believe in this particular coincidence. When people are just falling over themselves to give perceived social wokeness because they do not look at facts and only follow their feelings. Manipulation by our very biased media is making this whole mess that people are over reacting to. Disney does not want to appear to give preference over one group or another but they bend their policies to the loudest group out there. Fear should not govern logic or policy. I grew up with this ride and love it as is. I hope the ride gives us another Fantasy ride and not a social warrior story. I do not go to the parks to think about social issues but to escape the world around me.
I agree 100%!
I will miss riding down then hearing zipadeedoodah…. and seeing the boat. Times change, its a decision made by Disney. Im not angry or upset, Im not super happy either – Im in the ‘whatever’ category. It is just a ride. In the end it will still be a fun ride! I wasn’t sure about GOG taking over TOT in DCA, but OMG it is one of my most fave rides at any Disney park – I love what they did with it!!!
So let the imagineers do their thing – they will come through on this one. I just hope they keep the big paddle boat at the end and put new characters on it – would hate to see that go! I think Princess & The Frog ties in well to the NOLA theme – do I think its a good ‘splash’ ride theme? Not really – but Disney is getting a lot of public pressure. I see it more of a family dark ride like Mermaid or Nemo – and this would have been better as maybe Moana or something more water based, but Moana doesn’t tie into NOLA well……
To me there are WAY bigger problems in the world than to worry about re-theming of a ride. Id just be happy to be able to go back to Disney right now! Living in Canada, the border is going to be shut for a good long while – so if you get to be in Disney be happy you can even be there!
This makes my blood boil. Splash Mountian is my favorite ride and there is NOTHING racist about it at all. The fact that they would pander to SJW who more than likely don’t even go to Disney is shameful. I’m so disappointed in the direction WDW is heading. Princess and the Frog should have its own attraction, leave Splash Mountain alone!!
Totally agree!
I totally agree!
I feel the same way!
I agree 100%!
Michael Eisner is more Disney that Iger could ever be. Eisner commissioned Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, built classic rides like Splash Mountain, and created a golden age of animation.
Iger is a great business man and very skilled at walking a politically correct line. The guy is amazing to hear speak and has boosted the stock price of Disney by orders of magnitude.
Unfortunately, he has taken beloved franchises and turned them into cheap frills – just look at Star Wars. He will continue to turn the Theme Parks into a crowd-pleasing money factory until all the magic is gone.
@Joseph Oliver: Not to blow a hole in your “Eisner understood Disney and Iger is just PC” theory, but Eisner is the one who ordered Song of the South into “the vault,” never to be seen again, in the first place. He also insisted that Splash Mountain contain no human characters or any references whatsoever to Uncle Remus.