Is Splash Mountain racist? Some Disney fans say it’s time to change ride’s theme

A beloved Disney theme park ride is themed after one of the company’s most racist films, fans say. They’re demanding a change.

As protests around the world have broken out after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died on Memorial Day after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes, people are calling for change in areas beyond police reform.

Fans are calling on Disney to revamp Splash Mountain and get rid of any problematic or racist stereotypes coming from the “Song of the South” theme.

“The classic log flume ride Splash Mountain is featured in Disneyland, Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland,” a Change.org petition said. “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.”

History of the ride

The Walt Disney Company unveiled Splash Mountain with its “Song of the South” theme in 1989 at Disneyland and 1992 in Walt Disney World. When it came to the inception for Splash Mountain’s theme, there weren’t many Disney box-office smashes that weren’t already incorporated into the parks.

“Song of the South” was released in 1946 and became one of the top grossing movies in the 1940s. ”Pinocchio,” “Peter Pan” and “Cinderella” were other Disney films that were among the highest grossing films in their decades but already had a presences at Walt Disney parks.

In order to drum up excitement for Splash Mountain’s debut, “Song of the South” was re-released to theaters in 1986 to the tune of $17,659,346 at domestic box offices, which made it the 53rd highest grossing movie of the year, according to IMDB.

The film, however, is said to be one of Disney’s most controversial. It’s set in the Reconstruction-era American South as the Civil War and slavery just ended, and it has received much criticism, Indie Wire reported. The NAACP slammed the movie after its release and said it “helps to perpetuate a dangerously glorified picture of slavery.”

The company has distanced itself from the movie almost entirely in more recent years — except when it comes to the Splash Mountain ride.

“You quickly join the adventures of Brer Rabbit as he leaves his home and is pursued by Brer Fox and Brer Bear,” Disney Parks said in a blog post about the ride on the 30th anniversary of its opening “The attraction features iconic songs, including ‘How Do You Do?’, ‘The Laughin’ Place’ and the Academy Award‐winning ‘Zip‐A-Dee‐Doo‐Dah.’”

Calling for change

Those characters and songs all come from the controversial movie, and fans are saying it’s time for change.

The petition has garnered more than 3,000 signatures as of Wednesday evening. People on social media have also demanded the ride be changed. Many fans have said remaking the ride after “The Princess and the Frog” would be preferred.

“There is a huge need for diversity in the parks and this could help fill that need,” the petition said. “Princess and the Frog is a beloved princess movie but has very little representation in the parks. Tiana could be one of the first princesses with a thrill ride, as well as giving her a much deserved place in the parks.”

This wouldn’t be the first time Disney has changed a ride to ditch controversial depictions.

In 2017, Disney ditched the “bridal auction” scene of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride at DIsney parks where pirates were seen auctioning off captive women, McClatchy News reported.

The scene of the ride sparked criticism for being sexist, according to McClatchy News. A sign that read “Auction: Take a wench for a bride” was changed to “Auction: Surrender yer loot.”

“We believe the time is right to turn the page to a new story in this scene, consistent with the humorous, adventurous spirit of the attraction,” Suzi Brown, Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, said in a 2017 statement.

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Is Splash Mountain racist? Some Disney fans say it’s time to change ride’s theme."