The Walt Disney Company has announced that they are to reimagine Splash Mountain in both of their United States Disney theme parks. The new attraction will be based on the 2009 film The Princess and the frog. It will replace the 30-year-old attraction based on the controversial movie Song of the South. In light of the state of affairs of the country right now, Disney has been some backlash because of the attraction even to the creation of online petitions being created.
“The retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today,” according to a statement posted to the Disney Parks Blog. “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.” There has not been a date as to when this will happen, and both attractions in both parks will continue the current theme when the parks reopen.
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Walt Disney Imagineering said they have been working on a concept for changing the attraction for a while now. They had settled on the Princess and the frog last summer. Imagineering will get to work immediately with digital scans of the attractions and track layout system. The makeover will be led by senior creative producer Charita Carter who is also the lead for MIckey and Minnies Runaway Railway. “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures,” Carter said in a statement. “I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”
Splash Mountain was created by Disney legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter over 30 years ago and was very innovative at its time. Some exciting news is that Tony Baxter will be on board as a creative advisor for the new project. “The attraction will be one to be proud of,” Baxter said in a statement. “I look forward to being a part of a new adventure in Disney magic and fun.” The new rethemed attraction will be the continuation of the Princess and the Frog story. It will follow Princess Tiana and Louis the alligator as they prepare for a Mardi Gras performance.
“It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized,” actress Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana in the film, said in a statement. “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.”
What are thoughts on the reimagination of this beloved Disney attraction? I absolutely love and completely stand behind it 100 percent. Good on you, Disney!
Source: Disney Parks Blog
