NEWS
Petition Calls For Splash Mountain Theme Changed to ‘Princess and the Frog’
Source: Disney Parks
Some Disney fans are calling for a change to Splash Mountain, urging Disney to change the ride’s theme.
According to TODAY, an online petition is asking Disney to re-theme the ride to The Princess and the Frog, the 2009 movie featuring Tiana, Disney’s first black princess.
“There is a huge need for diversity in the parks and this could help fill that need,” TODAY reports the petition as stating. “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.”
“The framing of the ride is such that it could be easily changed to tell the story of Tiana while not compromising too much of the ride/costing a fortune in remodeling for Disney. This change could kill two birds with one stone, remove the offensive stereotypical theming the ride currently has and bring a much needed diversity to the parks.”
Splash Mountain’s current theme is based on the 1946 movie Song of the South, which some critics call one of Disney’s most racist films.
“While the rides storyline is not an exact version of the movies plot line it is derivative from it, the characters, the songs and locations are all main features of the ride,” the online petition reads. “Disney has removed Song of the South from its library, refusing to share it on DVD or their streaming services. The best next step to remove all traces of this racist movie would be to re-theme Splash Mountain into a Princess and the Frog themed ride.”
