Slash Mountain is being redesigned at Disney World!
In case you haven’t heard, Splash Mountain at Disney World recently went through a redesign after many members of the community made note of the somewhat insensitive nature of part of its theme. The attraction has always been a classic, but this has been heralded as a good change because it not only shows solidarity but also allows for a more modern design.
If you’re planning to go on an Orlando vacation, then Splash Mountain should definitely be one of your destinations. What should you expect from the redesign and how will this affect the park in general? Let’s explore both of these questions, along with diving into some history of the ride, the expected reopening date, and how crowds are expected to look once the ride’s new look is complete.
What the Ride’s All About
Splash Mountain at Disney World has always been one of the theme park’s most popular rides. Located in Frontierland, it’s a very straightforward attraction – guests board a log together and ride through a classic landscape while music plays. Most of the ride is a relaxing jaunt, with some small dips here and there, and then ending with an exhilarating 50-foot drop. Along the way, you’re presented with a series of animatronic animals who talk and sing, including the famous Brer Fox. It’s a very fun ride and definitely stands out at the park, which is why it’s continued to be popular.
Goodbye Controversial Ride
The ride is a lot of fun, but it’s also been steeped in controversy. This actually isn’t anything new. The ride’s theme has been met with jeers since its inception. This is because it’s based on a very controversial film called Song of the South, which has been criticized for decades as perpetuating stereotypical racist tropes. It’s because of these tropes that Disney has never released the movie on video or DVD in the U.S. and won’t be adding it to their Disney+ streaming service. Due to increased pressure as the United States takes stock of racist representations throughout the country, Disney has finally decided to redesign the entire ride.
Hello Princess and the Frog
The redesign of Splash Mountain at Disney World will be based on the 2009 Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog. As Disney has done multiple times in the past, this is a retelling of a classic story. This movie is especially notable for two reasons. The smaller reason is because it was done with cel animation during a time when computer animated films had taken over. The biggest reason why the movie was such a big deal, though, is because the main character Tiana was the first Black princess in Disney’s long line of famous princesses. The movie lends itself to a water ride, so between the theme of the film and the civil unrest based on race relations that we’ve been seeing, changing its theme to celebrate The Princess and the Frog simply makes sense.
Just in Time for Mardi Gras
The movie takes place in New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou, which will serve as the backdrop for the ride’s redesign. The story of the ride will begin by picking up where the movie left off and will follow Princess Tiana and her alligator friend Louis as guests make their way on a musical adventure. The structure of the ride, including the dips and drops, aren’t expected to change, but the experience will be something completely new. Disney has scheduled the redesign to be completed in time for Mardi Gras which will be taking place on February 25th in 2021, which is the perfect date for this particular attraction.
Potential Crowds for the Redesign
As we said above, Splash Mountain at Disney World has always been a popular attraction at the park. Since it hasn’t been completely redesigned since its construction so many decades ago, guests will definitely be curious. More importantly to millions of people, the ride will actually exist as a symbol for the changing landscape across America. Plus, by the time Mardi Gras comes around, the pandemic should be over or at least under much better control and people will be more likely to venture out again. This means that you can probably expect heavy crowds at the attraction once the redesign is in full effect and for a while after that.
Contact World Class VIP for a Splash Mountain Adventure
Splash Mountain at Disney World is already an awesome ride, but it’s even better when you have World Class VIP their side. Our Disney VIP tour guides will help reduce your time spent in line, book Disney hotel reservations, discover new food, find your favorite characters, keep your personal belongings secure, and other perks. If you have questions concerning our VIP experience or would like a private Disney VIP tour quote, call (407) 236-1098 today.