The iconic Disney ride, Splash Mountain will become ”Tiana’s bayou Adventure” in 2024 at both Disneyland in California and at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida, in a makeover based on 2009’s The Princess and the Frog.
As Disney prepares to close the Disney World location on 23 January 2023 in order to facilitate the change, it’s produced a teaser of a new scene from the forthcoming re-theming, which features characters specifically created for the attraction.
Alongside Princess Tiana, Naveen and the alligator Louis, guests will travel through the bayou as they prepare to host a Mardi Gras celebration and listen to music inspired by songs from the fan-favourite film.
“It feels like they may have a bigger role to play in this story … but we’ll just have to wait and see on that one,” Disney’s releases teases.
News of the revamp follows a petition urging Disney to change the theme.
The petition read in part: “Disney parks should be a home for all to enjoy regardless of race, age, whatever your background may be . . . While the ride is considered a beloved classic, its history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film Song of the South. There is a huge need for diversity in the parks and this could help fill that need.”
