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Topics: Disneyland, Disney, US News
Callum Jones
Topics: Disneyland, Disney, US News
Those hoping to have one last splash at one of Disney's most famous rides don't have long to do so, as the company has announced a date for the ride's permanent closure at its California park.
Earlier this year, Splash Mountain at Disney World Florida was shuttered, as the entertainment giant aimed to move away from criticism that the ride promoted 'racial stereotypes'.
Now, the same ride in Disneyland California will follow suit in closing the historic attraction that has been a part of Disney theme parks for many years.
While it has been a popular ride among visitors, Splash Mountain has been branded as racist by some folks recently.
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The Splash Mountain theme is based off the 1946 musical Song of the South, which sees riders board a log flume to follow Br'er Rabbit to his 'laughing place', though they are constantly pursued by Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox.
Along the way, classic Disney songs including 'Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah' play in the background, before the ride ends with a five-storey drop that gets you rather soaked indeed.
Sounds rather fun doesn't it? But Song of the South - the musical the ride is based off - has never been released on DVD.
Even Disney CEO Bob Iger has branded the ride 'offensive' in the past, so it's no surprise it is on the way out.
The film features an elderly Black man known as Uncle Remus, who tells African American tales to white children being cared for by Black servants.
Many have voiced concerns that the film - and subsequently ride - portrays racist stereotypes of African Americans in the post-Civil War south.
Now, the Disney California version of Splash Mountain will shut for good on 31 May, which comes after the ride in Florida brought down its shutters on 23 January.
However, the rides are set to reopen in late 2024 with an entirely new theme of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
Yes, the new ride will bring Disney theme park visitors into the world of The Princess and the Frog, with some of the film's original cast members actually returning to voice lines for the attraction.
Anika Noni Rose will return to voice Tiana, Bruno Campos will reprise the role of Naveen and Michael-Leon Wooley will voice Louis.
Not only that, but a new restaurant will also be opening to coincide with the ride, with Tiana's Palace set to open in 2024 as well.