ToplineSplash Mountain, Walt Disney World's and Disneyland's ride, is expected to stay open for theforeseeable future despite Disney stating last summer that it would be rethemed. A Disney executive stated Wednesday that it would take a long time for the controversial ride, Song of the South to be completely redesigned.Splash Mountain in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista Florida. Charles Sykes/Invision/APThe Key FactsAfter the last summer's racial justice protests, Disney announced that it would replace the Splash Mountain log flume ride imagery with a new material ride based upon The Princess and the Frog. Although the company stated that the ride reimagining was underway since 2019, it did not provide a timeline or indicate when Splash Mountain would be closed. However, the park still allows guests to use the ride in both locations. Vice president of Magic Kingdom Park Walt Disney World, Melissa Valiquette told the Orlando Sentinel that the ride reimagining was ongoing since 2019. However, the company did not give a timeline for when Splash Mountain would close or a renovated version. Disney has not responded to a request to comment. Valiquette stated that the new Princess and the Frog attraction has been a success and will be cherished by guests for many generations to come.Important QuoteValiquette stated that our guests will have to trust us for a while because we promise to not let them down. We are going to deliver a fantastic attraction.Important BackgroundSplash Mountain is a Disney park's most loved ride since its opening in Disneyland in 1989, and Walt Disney World in 1992. Disney also pulled Song of the South out of circulation in 1992. The 1946 film, which was released in theaters in 1986, has been criticised for romanticizing race relations in post-Civil War South. The film has not been available on home video in the United States. Fans of the attraction have been buying merchandise after Disney announced that the ride would be removed. Although Splash Mountain remains open in the parks' parks, Disney has taken other steps to remove Song of the South from their theme parks. For example, it removed the background music loop of Zip-a-dee doo-dah. Splash Mountain's replacement is part a wider diversity and inclusion initiative at Disneys parks to address offensive material in its theme parks. Walt Disney World and Disneyland also retooled Jungle Cruise to address negative depictions of Native Americans.Continue readingPODCAST: Magic Kingdom Vice President dishes on new fireworks show and 50 golden statues, as well as revamping Splash Mountain (Orlando Sentinel).Disney to Remove the Controversial South Theme from Splash Mountain RidesDisney's Splash Mountain Based on Controversial Song of The SouthSells Out Prior To Makeover (Forbes).Disney To Overhaul Jungle Cruise Ride After Criticisms Of Racism (Forbes)
