Last Date for Disneyland's Splash Mountain Revealed

A salt mine?

Question, are there donkeys in the salt mine, and has anyone checked where they came from?

I was watching this film yesterday with my daughter. I actually think there is quite a bit of potential there for this to be an amazing update. The movie has several appealing characters and songs that I think will fit nicely. I feel like there is much ado being made about salt mine premise that will make perfect sense when it’s completed. I’ll always love Splash Mountain, but for me the only real bummer about this transformation is having to wait to ride it again. Count me as excited

it's great that they're building new figures for this update, but every time I read "salt mine" I do a double take.

This doesn't give me any more comfort that this retheme will be any good. However, I will give WDI the benefit of the doubt in the hopes that they come up with a narrative that works with the existing ride as they're obviously not making any changes given a maximum 18-month timeline.

FWIW, I still feel strongly that any application of this IP MUST include Dr. Facillier, and not using him here would be a HUGE mistake.

Glad I got on it last time at Disneyland and hopeful this new overlay works nicely.

@Russel, I totally agree about Dr. Facillier. I want to hear Keith David's mellifluous baritone booming through the speakers on the final lift hill.

I do hope they are able to semi-replicate the Ratatouille ride experience in Paris, which exits into a restaurant. Pulsing in the smell of delicious beignets without the ability to purchase them (at least in WDW) seems like a Geneva convention violation.

Virtue signaling

To me, going all in on this IP is still a mystery. It didn't produce big box office numbers and it didn't save 2D animation which it hoped to do. On the flip side, thank god it isn't themed to Marvel which seems to be the future of all Disney entertainment.

This would mark Jenifer Lewis's second DLR contribution, as she also voices Flo in Radiator Springs Racers.

The press release also mentioned a few other characters from the original movie (Eudora, Charlotte, Big Daddy), so I'm thinking they are going to try to fit in as much as possible.

@Sarah, it makes sense for DL, as it fits the New Orleans theme perfectly. MK, not so much. But as a retheme, they can use a bit of a general "cheat", as the IP can be tied to "Disney Princess". (Which outside of Elsa / Frozen...is usually bigger than any singular character)

I always thought Pocahontas would be a good theme (Just around the river bend), but I think POTF will work.

I'm just looking forward to some (hopefully) new state of the art animatronics!

Still campaigning for them to send the old animatronics back to Tomorrowland and revive America Sings. Beats having a DVC lounge.

Not surprised by the date, as if they want any chance of opening the new ride before the end of 2024, May's probably the latest it can go down. Personally, I think it would have made more sense to keep it open through the summer and bump the reopening to 2025, but I guess Disney doesn't see it that way. Either way, glad I went in December to get a few last rides on it. I'm still not sold on the refurb, with nothing Disney releases regarding it making it look any more appealing to me. Hopefully it winds up being better than expected, but I'd be lying if I didn't say my confidence in Disney delivering right now is fairly low.

Oh look, Keith found a new phrase to go with his constant use of “woke”. How adorable!

You might want to look up the definition of “virtue”. You’ll probably be stunned to find out what it really means.

Many are thinking it, I’m the one to say it, and you can’t deny it, it’s virtue signaling.

Grandstanding virtue signaling

I already shed my tears over the FL version closing. Maybe I should have bottled those to sell on eBay.

TheOldCream, let’s get into it.
What in particular is EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC about the Song of the South? Which scenes or characters? Did you see the movie? Is it the portrayals, mannerisms, and/or vernacular of black characters portrayed by black actors set in the Reconstruction Era of the South? Is it any different than the portrayals, mannerisms, and/or vernacular of black characters portrayed by black actors set during the Civil War like in the movie Glory? Is there a difference between the two? How could one be considered extremely problematic and the other not? Both movies offer plenty of lessons to be learned using the same type of characterizations around the same time of US history. What’s the difference?

don't you get tired of asking bad faith questions on a theme park website

Oh, but this theme park website tasks me to ask these good faith questions because of the many misrepresentations and false one eye closed, slanted interpretations about theme park subjects, such as the removal of Splash Mountain and Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah by Disney altogether.

I’m still sad and disappointed about this. I’ll miss Splash Mountain. It’s always been one of my favorite Disney rides. I know there was talks about changing the attraction prior to 2020. However, I still feel if “cancel culture” didn’t happen…it would have stayed as is. But I hope Princess and the Frog will be a nice addition.

@ Timbo, you're 100% correct...the climate expedited the change, however it was always an "awkward topic" for Disney. The film never came out of the vault & Disney stated it never will. They were able to side step / avoid "real" controversy over it, but there were questions & comments back in the 80's before it even opened.

@Keith, the film itself has ALWAYS been controversial. The were protest & scandal when it opened in 1947. There were picket lines at theaters & countless newspaper articles citing issues.

I've seen the film a few times, most recently a few years ago. I'm guessing many people may not have actually ever actually seen it, and are assuming the film is an out horrible, terrible, racist movie. In reality, it's not...and taken within context, fits in that the of films about the Civil War (Gone With the Wind)

However, it can be seen as very problematic because of its portrayal of the Reconstructive Era. The film is "supposed" to be set after the Civil war, but the year isn't listed in the film, (so there was talk of a "happy view of slavery".) Following Gone With The Wind, many movies of that era, gave a rosier view of Civil & post Civil War & lives of African Americans that were slaves.

Along with the portrayals of the characters during that time...it's definitely something Disney would want to erase from the public consciousness. Splash Mountain was the final public reminder of that.

The reasons they are changing it now are obviously, but I suspect they are happy just to not have to address it as much anymore.

Song of the South has never been released on VHS, DVD or Blu Ray in the states. Aside from a couple of theatrical rereleases it has long been swept under the rug here. Long before cancel culture became a thing. If anything, the attraction was a way to salvage the animated characters and songs for an audience that was largely unaware of their origins. But no, Disney didn’t just wake up and recently realize that the movie was problematic.

@Sarah apparently Disney isn't opposed to utilizing an IP even if the box-office numbers aren't as magical, look to Tron

@Theoldcream, let him be, he has deeper issues (racial and inclusive) that won't be resolved within these post

@Jay R, absolutely, it was always an “awkward topic” for Disney…there’s no doubt about that. The climate 100% expedited the change. Even though there were concerns about the ride years back, if everything with “cancel culture” didn’t exist…I guarantee Splash Mountain would still be around for years to come.

Even though people had questions and concerns over the ride as far back as the 80’s…Disney still went along with the ride anyway. The ride lasted for over 30 years. Disney felt pressure to make a change, due to the culture, and backlash as of late. If Disney didn’t feel pressured.

I honestly feel Splash Mountain would have stood the test of time. I don’t think Disney would have gotten rid of it, without feeling pressure, and the whole “cancel culture” phenomenon. It’s been one of Disney’s most popular attractions for years. It’s always a long wait. Why change otherwise? It was one of Disney’s biggest attractions for over 30 years. I’m 100% certain they would not have changed the attraction without “cancel culture.”

sxcymike, nope

Robert keep up the effort America Sings would be great !!!!

@Timbo, I agree it would've most likely stayed the same, BUT the clock was always ticking in the background. When Pirates had some scenes changed a few years earlier during the MeToo era, it was only a matter of time before Splash Mountain was on the chopping block.

Disney capitalized on the changing tide. Even if they WANTED to change it before (And I'm not even saying the statement that was released that said this was in the works before 2020), they would've had to address the elephant in the room & they have done everything to NOT to talk about Song of The South.

Ultimately, Disney would've been able to weather any "cancel culture", but they definitely got ahead of the curve.

The "politics" behind the change seem to get more of a reaction that the actual retheme...because the ride layout, mountain structure, and famous drop are all staying put. They aren't tearing it down, it's a retheme. The ride will still get those same long lines. It's still going to be a water ride in a log.

The "reasoning" behind it is what's causing the story...but I don't think it hurts the Disney brand at all.

The social climate gave them an out, and they took it.

Reposted because I accident it deleted my original.

So you have a problem with Disney course correcting on a ride that is based on a film that, even by standards from decades ago, is EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC in its portrayal of black people in the antebellum south? Do I have that correct?

This is the biggest problem I have with conservatives like you. If you have no problem with “Song of the South” and what it represents, then I wish you would just come out and say “As a white male, heck no I don’t have a problem with the film and its grossly offensive portrayal of former black slaves. Nor do I have any issue with the ride that is based off it.”

But instead of just having the guts to say it straight out, you throw around meaningless buzz phrases like “virtual signaling” as if that makes your support for such an awful position more justifiable.

Gee…….it’s almost like you know that your position is inherently wrong and will rightfully open you up to scorn and criticism if you out right and say it, so you instead candy coat it to try and make you seem more palatable to others.

Here’s a tip: if something you believe isn’t something you feel you can openly and honestly share out of fear of the backlash you’ll receive, so you use fancy euphemism to try and disguise it, chances are it’s a pretty terrible belief and you really should reevaluate it.

@Jay R, I agree with what you’re saying. Disney changed scenes in Pirates, with the Me Too movement. So it was a matter of time until Splash was addressed. But, to be honest, I don’t think Disney really cared. They felt they needed to retheme the ride, in order to appease others during the current “cancel culture” movement.

I agree, Disney got ahead of the curve. I agree also that it doesn’t hurt the Disney brand. The social movement definitely gave them a way out. But without the current movement, I don’t feel Disney would have made the move. It definitely pressured them into expediting the ride faster than they would have.

@Keith If I have to explain to you the issues of “Song of the South” that have dogged it almost since its inception, then it only reinforces how utterly ignorant your position on it is. And the fact you compare a film that presents a happy and cleaned up version of post slavery antebellum south to a film like “Glory”, that showed men fighting and dying for the right to be free, only takes that ignorance to new depths.

You are, quite frankly, a raging bigot. You know it, I know it, and most posters on here know it, only they’re too polite to flat out say it. And all the buzzwords like “woke” and “virtue signaling” you drop, nor the bad faith arguments in the world you constantly attempt to make, doesn’t change that fact.

BTW- that bad faith technique you’re so fond of is what is known as “sea lioning” where someone, relying heavily on feigned politeness and innocence, attempts to sound like the “reasonable one” while arguing what is by any rational definition an unreasonable position.

The sad part though, is that you’re not even very good at it. I’ve gotten in debates with your fellow conservatives who are WAY better sea lioners than you’ll probably ever be and, even though I still believe their positions are nuts, at least I can respect the skill of their craft. Whereas you’re more like a little kid fingerprinting.

TheOldCream, have you seen the Song of the South? It’s not as cleaned up as you claim it to be. Wait a minute, is your argument based on other people’s arguments that also haven’t seen the movie. Why would you take such a rigid stance if you haven’t seen the movie?
You really don’t have any tolerance for those that disagree with you. As you’ve made clear, any position outside of your own is irrational and unreasonable. As long as you’re projecting, why don’t you also let everyone know what a pompous a$$ you are.

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!
Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's "actch'll"
Everything is "satisfactch'll"
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!
Yes, sir
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!
Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's "actch'll"
Everything is "satisfactch'll"
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, feeling this way!
Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It is the truth, it's "actch'll", hm?
Where is that bluebird?
Everything is "satisfactch'll"
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!

What a problematic song. It deserved to be canceled.

Honestly, thirty years with no changes at all is an eternity for a Disney attraction so time was always ticking on this.

People who complain about virtue signaling are incapable of understanding that other people actually have virtues. They think everyone is as cynical and amoral as they are, so they must be faking it. It’s a sad way to excuse their own shortcomings by pretending that their own obvious vices are really virtues.

Normal, decent people don’t care if something as trivial as a theme park ride is reskinned to make it more inclusive for folks that don’t look like them. Normal, decent people think, “Hey, this may not make a difference to me, but I’ll still get the same ride experience and others might enjoy it more now. I’m not the center of the universe.”

Where as people like Keith are reduced to posting the entire lyrics to “Zip-a-dee-do-dah” as “proof” that SOTS is a wonderful classic that gives a fair and realistic perspective of what it must have been like to be a black person the Civil War south.

I feel a little bad, I mean I think the guy is disgusting, but I think I might have actually broken his brain with him defending his bigotry this time.

Oh well, such is life.

Yup, you’re a pompous a$$. And since you haven’t actually seen the Song of the South but continue to argue despite this, you’re also a tool. The prejudice and bigotry are in fact with you, TheOldCream.

This is just a sop for "woke" nuts, who haven't even seen Song of the South and have no clue. The movie is buried forever, isn't that enough?

The source material is irrelevant at this point. The ride is a cute little story about funny animals. Is someone going to say, with a straight face, that that's racist?

The average park visitor couldn't give a crap about the source material. However, they will and should care that a beloved ride is closed for (at least) 18 months, just to put in an inferior retheme. What a raw deal (especially on a hot day -- this is the only water ride at the MK!). I sincerely hope that Disney gets a TON of complaints about that.

I loved Splash Mountain, and I'm sure this pointless replacement will be a big, fat disappointment. A salt mine?? Are you kidding me?

P.S.: All the concept art I've seen so far looks like s--t.

@Still a fan: Golly, life sure is tough, isn’t it?

Man, If you lose your mind like this over a ride re theming, I hate to imaging how you’re going to deal with it when you’re hit with a major life tragedy.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess you’re a white male. So your opinion of what is and what isn’t racist to the black community really doesn’t mean very much.

I’ll also repeat for your benefit, anyone who uses “woke” as a pejorative is pretty much an idiot.

Good luck keeping your widdle facey wacey cool until the ride reopens.

And now race baiting. The prejudice and bigotry are squarely with you, TheOldCream.
Anyone else want to toe the line? Unfortunately your de facto proxy has proven just how unworthy he truly is. The first prerequisite is that you have actually seen the Song of the South?