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!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
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!
I LOVE Princess and the Frog. I think it is exciting that Disney is going to revamp Splash Mtn to reflect this movie. One thing I didn’t see in all of the comments, however, is the fact that the clever rabbit/ bested fox scenario from Song of the South is based on African myths and stories. Because we don’t pay attention to history, we often misconstrue the message and perceive something as being demeaning when it is not. Disney had the foresight to make a movie that featured a classic African folktale and used a black man to narrate the movie–at a time when few blacks were given an opportunity in Hollywood. I’m good with the change, but people should know that Brer Rabbit is not rooted in racism.
That’s exactly my impression- because I read the books as a child.
It seems as though someone has said the movie is racist and everyone goes along with that but hasn’t seen the movie/read the books to draw their own conclusions.
Silly and unnecessary to satisfy a mob.
I’ve spent most of my day reminiscing on old pictures featuring what my friends have dubbed “The Point,” our signature pose we would attempt to hold as long as possible as our log began its descent down Chickapin Hill. Why is a 24-year-old man such as myself wallowing in his emotions and drowning in nostalgia? Because Splash Mountain encapsulated the very essence of the joy I feel when at the Disney parks. Aside from the ride being the unanimous favorite of my friend group, Splash Mountain always represented something more — it became synonymous with good times, laughter, adventure, and the care-free days of our youth. It taught us the importance of finding our “Laughin’ Place,” and it served as an ever-present reminder that the best of times are often right on the other side of life’s hardest falls.
Splash Mountain was a perfect ride built on a deeply imperfect premise. Ultimately, this premise ended up being its demise — and for good reason. Recent times have brought race relations and the importance of diversity, representation, and inclusion to the forefront of the world stage. I absolutely applaud Disney for standing up and doing the right thing, regardless of the criticism and backlash they have already begun, and almost certainly will continue to receive. The Princess and the Frog deserves a marquee attraction in the parks. Princess Tiana is more than worthy of the spotlight, and her rightful place upon the throne atop Splash Mountain will undoubtedly inspire young African-American girls for generations to come.
The thing about the Disney parks is that they aren’t made for me, nor are they museums fixed on a specific moment in time. They are for the youth, and they will continue to create millions of magical, awe-inspiring moments for this demographic until long after I’m gone. Because of this, it is only right that they fulfill Walt’s promise when he said (and I paraphrase) that they will never be finished or complete; they will continue to evolve to be more in line with the times, with what hope and fantasy mean to the youth of today and tomorrow. With this in mind, I will step aside, continue to cherish and celebrate the memories I was lucky enough to make on Splash Mountain, and look forward to bringing the magic that is Disney to my own children someday.
Rest easy, Br’er Rabbit. Glad you found your Laughin’ Place. Thanks for showing me mine.
This was beautifully written.
A lovely and thoughtful point of view.
Wow. I don’t know how that could have been said any better.
The only thing I have to add is that SM has always been problematic in the “How do I explain this to my kid” category. “Look, Mama! Bunny! Can we watch that movie?” “Uh, no.” If we can’t defend sonething to the kids, it’s probably time for it to go.
Splash mountain is my favourite ride and you have put into words exactly what I have been feeling since hearing the news. I am grateful, hopeful and excited. Thank you
After reading through just a fraction of the comments here, I just have to say: bless you, Tom, for having to wade through these.
And for those of you that are “tired” and “fatigued” from all of this “political nonsense”–maybe, just maybe, this is just a tiny sampling of what it’s like to experience racism every day. Whether or not you think Splash Mountain in of itself is racist, it draws from racist and outdated source material. That is an indisputable fact. If I owned a cafe and David Duke came in and ordered a coffee, I wouldn’t display a picture commemorating the event on my wall, even if the act of ordering a coffee isn’t inherently racist.
And racism aside, it’s an old, boring movie. Some things are good *and* problematic, and Song of the South is only one of those. It makes perfect sense that Disneyland would want to update it with a fresher, more relevant IP anyway. Even Walt said Disneyland shouldn’t remain frozen in time.
Heather47, nowhere in my post did I say that young African American women shouldn’t have a ride.
Tom, thanks for the article! Splash Mountain was one of my favorite rides, but I also love Princess and the Frog (and its amazing soundtrack). I am excited and hopeful that Disney really does this one well! I’d always dreamed that Disneyland would retheme Splash to a Muppets ride (starting of course with Kermit stringing his banjo and ending with the whole cast singing Rainbow Adventure) whole bulldozing Pooh’s Hunny Hunt (IMO the weakest version of that ride in all the parks) to make a Princess and the Frog water ride… so I was sort of close, just underestimated everyone else’s Muppet-fever.
Wondered if you had any thoughts on the fit of this ride in Disney World? The New Orleans Square link is an easy one for DL but what sort of modifications / differences might the WDW version have?
At first, I was upset when I read about this – Splash Mountain is a really fun ride and my family loves it. But after a few minutes of thinking about it some more, I think the Tiana/bayou theme – with the indoor/dark parts, the river, the paddle boat – could work so well with what’s already there, I think it could be really lovely and just work. In fact, it seems SO fitting that I almost wonder if this had been a plan in the works even back when they created the movie, as a way to honorably phase out the ride’s connection (however indirect) to a dark history that it just can never be totally separated from. I just hope that they do it really well so it’s more on par with 7 dwarf mine train & Na’vi River journey than Frozen Ever After – which is just so Meh for me. The whole area is such a key part of the park, I gotta think they will.
Simply I feel Princess Tiana deserves a place and very fitting to be where all other princesses are Magic Kingdom. Near Tom sawyer is fitting.
Splash Mountain has always been a family favorite as have stories from Uncle Remis maybe Animal Kingdom would of been a better fit for those animals. Magic Kingdom as always said princess to me. Excited for a fresh story. A truly beautiful story of Love and courage! Also one of my favorite princess stories very inspirational!!
Princesses belong in fantasy land not frontier land. They are fixing something that isn’t broken. Doesn’t make any sense. Racism should not be tolerated but I don’t see it in this attraction at all.
You can change things, Disney, and everyonelse. But you cannot change history. I feel bad about a lot of things that have happened, but you can’t change the past. We have the future to look forward to.
Good thing the ride won’t be floating through a giant library, flinging books into a shredder, then. Changing a theme park ride is not changing history.
@brighter one of the best answers I’ve seen all day. As a librarian I love it!! 🙂
I’m here for it! I love splash mountain and I love the princess and the frog movie.
Some things should be left alon
Jungle cruise splas mountain haunted mansion carosel of progress
Does anyone really ride for the undertones?
Pretty sure we ride it for nostalgia and the final drop and most people probally couldnt tell you much else about the ride
If you want political overtones dont ride
I also am upset that Disney is bowing down to commands. You did say the princess is courageous etc but did not mention Afro American. Let’s not hide all the facts. Disney also is changing history. Children do not care about songs, names etc. .
Very sad to see Disney change. Next will be Huck Fin etc.
This is my ultimate favorite Disney ride! It is so nostalgic for me and for my kids! It is not only for the older generation. The songs in the ride is my happy place Zippity do dah to be removed???!!! No please no. I’m all for a princess and the frog ride But please not my songs. how do you do it’s nothing like what they did to pirates. I didn’t mind that at all. Because the songs didn’t change. Yo ho yo hi a pirates life for me! My second favorite ride. You can try and justify this all you want, but honestly hit me right in my gut. Because this is not a refurb. This is talking away one of the best. If not the best classic, typical , the essence of Disney ride. It’s a shame. A shame.
I usually don’t like it when Disney opportunistically rethemes an attraction to a more “hip” property (like turning Tower of Terror into a Guardians of the Galaxy ride), but in this case, it doesn’t feel cynical at all.
They obviously didn’t choose The Princess and the Frog for the sake of synergy (the movie came out 11 years ago and wasn’t an overwhelming success at the box office). Instead, they picked it because it’s an IP that actually fits the ride’s location (especially in Disneyland). This is one IP ride retheming I can actually get behind.
Time for me to vent. I am furious and saddened by this change!!! Splash Mountain is my favorite attraction of all time and a major reason why I got to Disney Parks. I like Princess and the Frog movie but not nearly enough to replace a beloved park attraction. I cannot believe they gave into the frivolous mob who will never be satisfied. I’ve been putting up with silly price increases, up-charges, removal of beloved EPCOT Center era attractions and replaced with duds/motion sickness short duration rides, shoving Star Wars, Marvel, and Frozen into everything, real world intrusions of ABC and ESPN advertising, bland resort refurbishments, ruining Pirates of Caribbean attraction with Jack Sparrow and Red Pirates additions, and allowance overcrowding. Although Country Bears, Tiki Room and Thunder Mountain remain for the time being, removal of Splash Mountain maybe the last straw. I will likely cancel my US Disney park plans going forward, either sell or use my DVC points for future trips to Tokyo Disneyland where they seem to care more nostalgia and building high quality attractions and shows.
Hear Hear!!
“Song of the South is a classic film and I actually have it on DVD. (Disney doesn’t sell it any more but I got it at Jefferson Davis’ home in Mississippi)”
The author purchased SotS while voluntarily visiting Jefferson Davis’ home. Nothing else really needs to be said.
Thank you for some of the most thoughtful commentary I’ve seen today. I only wish other people took time to really weigh their thoughts and emotions AND dig deep to have empathy for others before posting their predictable screeds against this change.
And you’re right about the last classically animated Disney film: It is beautiful! I’m happy to see the last film from that art form get some real presence in the parks. Those images and scenes will make a gorgeous ride. I’m sure you’ve seen “Mickey & the Magical Map” at DL and thus know that “Dig a Little Deeper” can be a banger finale.
The only question that matters is will they allow a section be devoted to Dr. Facilier and his friends from the other side wonderfully scaring kids like Ursula does on the Little Mermaid ride!
I’m hoping this means beignets will come to the MK!
Yes yes yes! All of this. And please oh please let us get mickey shaped beignets in MK
following
There are so many problems with your comment. Being of an older generation doesn’t mean the things you celebrate are good and kind and pure. Instead of being annoyed that you’re missing out why don’t you consider the flip side and think about what this change will mean to so many people who will ride it.
>> As someone who has never experienced the ill effects of systemic racism and oppression
As far as this goes, it’s not that systemic racism hurts some of us and leaves others untouched, but rather that systemic racism hurts *all* of us. We would all be better off without it, and it touches all of us deeply and in ways we may not immediately perceive.
(Thanks for your excellent blogging.)