• Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Header image

MyNewsLA.comLogo

Breaking news for greater Los Angeles and Orange County

Menu

Skip to content
  • Crime
  • Government
  • Business
  • Education
  • Hollywood
  • Life
  • OC
  • Riverside
  • Weather
  • Three Arrested Following Pursuit from Koreatown to North Hollywood
  • `Nomadland,' `The Crown' Emerge As Big Winners At Golden Globes
  • Two Men Shot In Palmdale, Shooter Remains At Large
  • Killer Amazon Truck: Two Dead Drivers, Two Deputies With Major Injuries In Jurupa Valley
  • `Nomadland,' `The Crown' Emerge As Big Winners At Golden Globes

Home » Hollywood » This Article

Disney’s Splash Mountain To Undergo Renovation Following Criticism

Posted by Contributing Editor on June 25, 2020 in Hollywood | Leave a response
Share this article:
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Splash Mountain, the flume ride at Disneyland and at Walt Disney World in Florida, will be re-designed in honor of the film “The Princess and the Frog,” following criticism of the racist undertones of the movie on which the ride is currently based, officials announced Thursday.

The ride has come under scrutiny in light of recent nationwide protests against police brutality and in support of racial equality. Splash Mountain is based on the 1946 animated film “Song of the South,” which has been criticized for racist undertones and stereotyping of Black characters.

While not commenting directly on the criticism, Disney officials on Thursday proclaimed the ride will be “reimagined” and themed after the 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog,” which introduced Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana.

“Tiana is a modern, courageous and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important,” Disneyland public relations director Michael Ramirez wrote in an announcement about the change. “It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou.”

An exact timeline for the changeover hasn’t been announced. Ramirez said “conceptual design work is well underway.”

Stars who lent their voices to “The Princess and the Frog” issued statements praising plans for the ride.

“It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized,” actress Anika Noni Rose, who voiced the princess in the film, said. “As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon.”

Actress Jenifer Lewis, who voiced Mama Odie, also spoke out.

“The image of Mama Odie, in the fairy godmother role, truly reflected the New Orleans Black bayou tradition of the revered wise woman,” she said. “I am thrilled that `The Princess and The Frog’ is being honored for the joy it has brought to millions of Disney fans.”

Like this story? Don’t miss any breaking news from MyNewsLA.com. Sign up here for your free newsletter.

 

Disneyland remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The park had planned to begin a phased reopening on July 17, but officials announced Wednesday those plans were being delayed due to a delay in state reopening guidelines. Some unionized Disneyland workers have been protesting the planned reopening, saying they felt it was still too soon amid the continuing pandemic.

Disney’s Splash Mountain To Undergo Renovation Following Criticism was last modified: June 25th, 2020 by Contributing Editor

>> Want to read more stories like this? Get our Free Daily Newsletters Here!

Follow us:
Facebooktwitterrss
Posted in Hollywood | Tagged criticism, Disney's, Mountain, renovation, Splash, Undergo

Advertisement

Get The Latest News by Email!

Sign up here for our free newsletters. We’ll send you the latest headlines every morning and every weekday afternoon.

 
FORECAST FOR LOS ANGELES
52°
Clear
Feels like: 52°F
Wind: 1mph NW
Humidity: 23%
Pressure: 30.22"Hg
UV index: 0
MonTueWed
75/48°F
79/48°F
63/48°F
Weather forecast Los Angeles, California ▸

Most Popular Today

  • Horrific Crash Kills Two, Hospitalizes Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy: Amazon Delivery Van In Jurupa Valley Tragedy 8,200 views
  • 4 Injured—One Critically—in Head-On Crash in Perris 6,600 views
  • Two Dead in Jurupa Valley Crash Involving Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy 2,600 views
  • Daddy Molests 18-Month-Old Son, Films It All With Girlfriend’s Help In Desert Hot Springs? Pair Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ 2,600 views
  • Homeless Woman Raped, Then Found Dead On Pomona Street: Homeless Suspect Says ‘Not Guilty’ 2,600 views

©2021 CalNews Inc.

Menu

  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service