Tiana’s Bayou Adventure dives into Disneyland as Splash Mountain waves goodbye
Splash Mountain will transform into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
May 24, 2023
In a move towards greater inclusivity and representation, Disney has announced plans to re-theme its popular Splash Mountain ride by the end of May at both Disneyland and Disney World, transforming it into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The decision was made in response to criticism over the ride’s association with the 1946 film Song of the South, which has long been criticized for its racial insensitivity. The new theme will instead feature the beloved character Tiana from the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take guests on a musical journey through the Louisiana bayou, with animatronic figures of characters from the film such as Tiana, Louis the Alligator, and Ray theFirefly.Theridewillculminatein a Mardi Gras celebration, complete with a performance by Tiana herself.
I’m very excited about the whole re-theme. I think it will be a good and exciting change and I really love the movie so I’m very excited for it to come to life.
— Sophia Trapsi ’24
The decision to re-theme Splash Mountain was met with overwhelming support from fans and critics alike, who saw it as a long overdue step towards greater diversity in Disney’s parks. The change is part of a larger effort by the company to promote diversity and inclusivity.
James Peakes ’24 stated, “I haven’t seen Song of the South, but what I think is cool is the main voice actor was one of the first Black actors to win an Oscar, so it’s disappointing that that movie is going to fall into irrelevance because his legacy might be falling into irrelevance as well.”
He added, “I love the Princess and the Frog movie. The art in the movie, the songs in the movie, and the storyline is really cool. I think it deserves to have more recognition in Disneyland.”
On the contrary, Sophia Trapsi ’24 said, “I’m very excited about the whole re-theme. I think it will be a good and exciting change and I really love the movie so I’m very excited for it to come to life.”
While some fans were initially resistant to the idea, Disney has been quick to reassure that the ride’s classic log flume format will remain intact, with only the theme and storyline updated. This ensures that fans can still enjoy the thrilling ride experience while also supporting a more inclusive park environment.
By featuring a beloved character from a more recent and diverse film, commitment to reflecting the that everyone feels welcome the company hopes this shows a commitment to reflecting the diverse world and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued at their parks.
