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Disney's Splash Mountain to be rethemed to The Princess and the Frog

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Splash Mountain — one of Disney's most popular but problematic rides — will be "completely reimagined," the company announced on Thursday.

The log flume ride — which is based on the controversial 1946 film "Song of the South" — isn't going anywhere. Instead, it will be rethemed to star the characters from the 2009 animated film, "The Princess and the Frog," which features Disney's first Black princess.

The move comes amid fans urging Disney to retheme Splash Mountain because of the racial stereotypes from the film it is based upon. "Song of the South" — which is best known for the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" — has long been criticized for its stereotypical and offensive portrayals of African Americans as well as a romanticized view of the antebellum South. The film is so controversial that Disney has locked it away for decades — even keeping it off the extensive library of its new streaming service, Disney+.

The new Splash Mountain concept is described as "inclusive" and "one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by."
"It speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year," Disney said on Thursday.

Disney added that the new ride — which the company has been working on since last year — will pick up the story of "Princess and the Frog" after "the final kiss" and will join Princess Tiana and her trumpet-playing alligator Louis "on a musical adventure." It will feature "some of the powerful music from the film as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance."

"Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what's really important," Disney said on Thursday. "It's a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou."

Disney did not give a date for the new Splash Mountain, but noted that "conceptual design work is well underway."

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It's kind of sad to let go of the original, but even when discounting the undertones of it, it was outdated anyway. Those characters bare little relevance to modern audiences beyond the ride, the animatronics (while iconic) were kind of on their last legs, and it was time for something new. Walt Disney was never afraid to can a ride and redo it because he always wanted the parks to feel up to date so honestly I say do it. 

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