![]() In 2016, Frozen Ever After replaced the longstanding Epcot boat ride Maelstrom by utilizing its predecessor’s same structure and track layout. In fact, Frozen even followed a similar pattern as what The Princess and the Frog will pursue. They’ve each left their mark throughout Disney’s theme parks worldwide, the ultimate seal of approval any Disney film could hope for as being beloved by its audience. At the period’s arguable peak were a string of powerhouse fairytales: The Princess and the Frog (2009), Tangled (2010), and Frozen (2013). We at Rotoscopers have long been covering the evolving legacy of the Disney Revival, the era of Walt Disney Animation Studios roughly defined by 2007 through present day. I am incredibly proud to see this work continue to move forward with great support from leadership across Disney.” Because we consider ourselves constant learners, we go to great lengths to research and engage cultural advisors and other experts to help guide us along the way. It’s important that our guests be able to see themselves in the experiences we create. Imagineering President Bob Weis even told D23 that Disney has “explored many new themes in the past,” inviting speculation for which ideas were considered and abandoned before this one.Ĭarmen Smith, Creative Development and Inclusive Strategies Executive at Imagineering, said, “We continually evaluate opportunities to enhance and elevate experiences for our guests. Disney said in its announcement that the project has been in development for a year, confirmed on Twitter by Imagineering Lighting Designer Maria Mondloch. The news comes just weeks after a viral Twitter thread from user considered a similar idea. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.” In the announcement post, Michael Ramirez, Disneyland Public Relations Director, remarked that “the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. While Splash Mountain distanced itself from the more directly problematic aspects of the movie (Bassett declares its completion as the Imagineers having “solved a complex logistical puzzle”), the ride still carried baggage from its heritage that recent events in a nationwide movement of racial justice have put into greater awareness. The film is known for its controversial representation of African-Americans, and has not been made viewable by Disney in several decades. In the Disney+ docuseries The Imagineering Story, narrator Angela Bassett describes Splash Mountain‘s creation as “challenging,” sharing how the Imagineers were tasked to “theme the interior of a mountain with characters from an old, problematic film named Song of the South.” The 1946 movie was adapted from stories written by Joel Chandler Harris in 1880 that had origins in African folklore. Splash Mountain opened in California in 1989 and Florida in 1992. They do not indicate scenes to be featured in the attraction, though their vivid imagery and their likeness to existing set pieces in Splash Mountain certainly lend the imagination to some potential ride sequences.) (Note: With the exception of the official concept art above, visuals in this article are curated from screen grabs from the film, not provided by Disney. A reservation system is in place for ticketing in order to maintain a safe capacity. For California, that was initially July 17, but is now postponed to a date yet to be determined. There is no announced timeframe for the transformation, though guests can continue to experience the current version of Splash Mountain upon the parks’ reopening following quarantine. Scott Trowbridge, the Imagineer who helmed the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge expansions on both coasts, is also involved in the Princess and the Frog project according to his Twitter. I look forward to being a part of a new adventure in Disney magic and fun.” Baxter said, “The attraction will be one to be proud of. The Imagineers are giving us the Princess and the Frog Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”ĭisney Legend Tony Baxter, the Imagineer who created Splash Mountain, will come out of retirement to be an advisor on the re-imagining, as reported by The Orange Country Register. In the same announcement post, Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana, Disney’s first African-American princess, said, “It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon.
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