Splash Mountian, a famous ride in Disney parks closed for good on January 23 2023 due to featuring characters from a 1946 Disney film that included racist stereotypes. Splash Mountian has been in operation in Disneyland since 1989 and in Disneyworld since 1992, making it more than thirty years old! Splash Mountian is based on the film “Song of the South” which is a 1946 American live-action/animated musical produced by Walt Disney. This musical is about a seven-year-old named Johnny who is visiting his grandma’s plantation. While Johnny is on the plantation he becomes friends with Uncle Remus who is an elderly worker on the plantation and Uncle Remus tells him stories about the adventures of animals. This musical has not been available in any form for 33 years because of its racist imagery which gave the impression of a good master-slave relationship. The removal of Splash Mountain was decided in June 2020 just after the death of George Floyd as protests sparked a push for brands to look into anything that could imply racist messages. 

You might ask what Splash Mountian will be replaced with. Well, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take its place and is expected to open towards the end of 2024. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is based on one of the famous Disney princess movies, “The Princess and the Frog.” This ride will take you on an adventure inspired by the movie and its characters which will pick up where the story left off. Tiana was Disney’s first black princess so adding this ride will add a more diverse approach to the park. Adding a ride with a black, well-respected character will make up for the racist stereotypes of the last ride in its place. 

Even though many are upset about the removal of Splash Mountian, one of the most popular and well-known rides at Disney parks, many also respect the decision to remove a ride that portrayed racist stereotypes and replace it with a ride that adds a little more diversity to the parks. What do you think about Disney removing Splash Mountian from its parks?