Disney fans say one of the most popular rides needs to be updated.
Splash Mountain, a ride inspired by the film “Song of the South,” is a major attraction at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California.
“Song of the South” is a 1946 film considered by many to be the studio’s most racist, criticized for its stereotypes of black people and its apparent nostalgic view of the antebellum South. The film is best known for the song“Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”
Several petitions have popped up recently calling for Disney to remove all mentions of the movie from the ride. While the ride’s storyline is not an exact depiction of the movie, it features characters including Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear.
Fans have even offered a solution to re-theme the ride. One fan took to Twitter to showcase his concept for the “Princess and the Frog” theme, and others created and signed a Change.org petition. Over 2,000 people have signed the petition as of Wednesday.
The call for change comes as many are confronting their own biases and potential racist histories.
Disney has decided to keep the movie “Song of the South” in the vault, not releasing it on Disney+, due to the criticisms of racism.
Source: NY Post.
Photo Credit: Getty Images.