Disney Announces Replacement for ‘Controversial’ Splash Mountain to Open in June
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Disney has officially announced it will be opening a new ride called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World in Orlando on June 28.
The Details: The ride, based on the 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog," will replace Disney’s popular Splash Mountain ride that closed in January 2023. Opened in 1992, Splash Mountain came under fire online in June 2020 for being based on the 1946 movie “Song of the South” which has long been accused of including racist tropes regarding the post-Civil War South.
For Context: The ride will open almost exactly four years after Disney announced it would be rebranding Splash Mountain in light of the criticism.
Key Quote: In a press release, Disney wrote, “Music is at the heart of New Orleans, and guests will be tapping their toes all throughout the attraction” to “Zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban music authentic to the region of New Orleans.”
How The Media Covered It: Fox Business (Lean Right bias) described the ride as “woke” in the preview on its homepage and included context that Splash Mountain broke records on its last day of operation in 2023 with wait times near four hours. USA Today (Lean Left bias) did not include this context, but noted that a core part of the backlash in 2020 was an online petition that received over 21,000 signatures. Local outlets like the Orlando Sentinel (Center bias) and Spectrum News Orlando steered clear of noting any culture war controversies.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Splash Mountain's replacement, will open at Disney World in June
“People gonna come here from everywhere, and I'm almost there.”
Tiana’s prescient lyrics are about to become a reality at Walt Disney World.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open June 28 at the Florida resort, Disney announced Sunday during Disney Songbook night on ABC’s “American Idol.”
The opening date is almost exactly four years after Disney first announced that it would be replacing Splash Mountain with a story inspired by “The Princess and the Frog.”
The reimagining is also underway at Disneyland in California, which will open its Tiana Bayou Adventure later this year.
Here’s what travelers...
From the Center
Disney confirms opening day of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
It’s finally OK to sing “Almost There” when it comes to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the new ride coming to Walt Disney World. The opening day for the log ride, an attraction taking the place of Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, will be June 28.
Disney announced that during “American Idol” on Sunday night, although news had slipped out earlier in the day via an official Disney website’s online post that was removed.
The short reveal by “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest came after a performance of “Dig a Little Deeper” by Jenifer Lewis, who...
From the Right
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opening date set for Walt Disney World
Disney is asking guests to "drop on in" this summer after officially announcing the opening date of Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World.
The ride, which was formerly Splash Mountain, will begin taking guests on a "musical adventure" at Orlando's Magic Kingdom on June 28, Disney announced Sunday.
The new attraction features "dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a foot-tapping soundtrack, and a celebration where everyone’s welcome," according to a press release.
Princess Tiana from the 2009 "Princess and the Frog" movie will be joined by characters Mama Odie, Louis and "adorable critters"...
AllSides Picks
May 28th, 2024
May 28th, 2024
Discuss & Debate race and racism
LGBTQIA+: Author Talk & Living Room Conversation
June 11 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET Living Room ConversationsMore News about Culture from the Left, Center and Right
From the Left
From the Center
From the Right
