People are asking Disney to replace 'Song of the South' characters in Splash Mountain with those from 'The Princess and the Frog'

• People are calling on Disney to redesign its Splash Mountain log-flume rides in Disney World, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland theme parks.
• A Change.org petition urging Disney to change the ride started early last week has surpassed its goal of 10,000 signatures.
• Critics argue that while the ride itself is not inherently racist, the characters seen throughout were first created for Disney's 1946 film "Song of the South."
• Disney executives have previously addressed the movie's racist plot and imagery, and the film has not been made available to stream on Disney Plus.
• People say Disney should re-theme the ride as a "Princess and the Frog"-themed attraction rather than remove it completely.

Disney fans are calling on the theme-park giant to update a classic ride found at Disney World, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland.

Early last week, Disney fan Alex O. began a Change.org petition that calls on Disney parks to replace Splash Mountain's current theme with an overlay inspired by "The Princess and the Frog." The petition argues that while the ride is loved by many fans, its "history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film 'Song of the South.'"

"There is a huge need for diversity in the parks, and this could help fill that need," the petition says. "'Princess and the Frog' is a beloved princess movie, but has very little representation in the parks."

The petition acknowledges that although the ride is not an exact replica of the 1946 film — which is set on a plantation and follows "a black former slave who lives happily on his former white master's plantation," as Insider's Abby Monteil previously noted — the attraction's characters, songs, and settings are all taken from the movie.

"Disney has removed 'Song of the South' from its library, refusing to share it on DVD or their streaming services," the petition says. "The best next step to remove all traces of this racist movie would be to re-theme Splash Mountain into a 'Princess and the Frog'-themed ride."

After this article was first published on June 11, a note was added to the petition by its creator, Alex O., who said they did not expect to receive so many signatures; it has surpassed its goal of 10,000 signatures. They also added that they had received some criticism in response to their petition, and agreed that there "are more pressing matters in the world currently."

"This is just a log ride in a theme park — a beloved one, yes — but at the end of the day, it's just a ride. There are more pressing matters in the world currently," the petition now says. "If you're here to hurl mean comments, your energy would be much better spent doing something else more productive — there are plenty of petitions on this site and plenty of foundations that need support right now."

Splash Mountain is a log-flume ride filled with characters from Disney's 1946 film 'Song of the South'

On Disney World's website, Splash Mountain is described as a "hare-raising ride" that brings parkgoers through "a colorful Southern bayou." Riders follow character Br'er Rabbit on his search for his "laughing place," as he runs away from his enemies Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox.

"Glide by over 100 adorable audio-animatronic geese, frogs, raccoons, possums, bees, alligators and other down-home critters as they sing classic Disney ditties, including 'Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah' and 'Ev'rybody's Got a Laughing Place,'" the ride's description says.

Though the film is not mentioned during the ride, or on the Disney World and Disneyland websites, it is noted on Tokyo Disneyland's website, and Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear were first created for "Song of the South." Songs heard throughout Splash Mountain, including "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" and "Ev'rybody's Got a Laughing Place," were also created for the film.

Disney executives have previously addressed criticism of the film, which has not been made available to stream on Disney Plus. In March, for example, former Disney CEO Bob Iger told shareholders that the movie is "not appropriate in today's world," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

"I've felt as long as I was CEO that 'Song of the South,' even with a disclaimer, was just not appropriate in today's world," Iger told Disney shareholders. "It's actually true with some of the other things we've made as well."

Some Disney fans believe the ride could easily be transitioned into a 'Princess and the Frog'-themed attraction

In addition to the petition, people on Twitter have shared their ideas for how the ride could be updated.

Many have argued that a "Princess and the Frog" theme would be a perfect transition, while others suggested "The Emperor's New Groove" also deserves a ride.

Writer and comedian Eileen Mary O'Connell, on the other hand, said "The Goofy Movie" could provide new inspiration for the ride.

Representatives for Disney World, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

UPDATE: June 18, 2020: This article was originally published on June 11 and has been updated to include new comments from petition creator Alex O. and to provide new information on the petition, which has now surpassed its original goal of 10,000 signatures.

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