With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
Disneyland's Ditching 'Song Of The South' Splash Mountain Theme For 'Princess And The Frog'
Concept art for the Princess and the Frog reimagining of Splash Mountain. (Courtesy Disney)
()
Splash Mountain has long been criticized for using characters and music from the widely criticized Song of the South. It's a movie that's so problematic and buried deep in the Disney vault that you can't buy a legal copy of it or stream it, even on Disney+. Yet Disney still decided to theme its popular log ride around it — Splash Mountain opened in 1989.
Following new attention around Black representation, though, Disney announced Thursday that they're revamping the ride and changing the theme to The Princess and the Frog. That movie features Disney's first Black princess, Tiana.
More than 20,000 fans signed an online petition encouraging the change, even before it was announced — though almost 35,000 fans signed another petition to keep things the same. While Disney is moving forward with the change, they do still plan to reopen Splash Mountain under its current theme when Disneyland reopens.
READ THE FULL STORY:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence.
Best of LAist