By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
A new attraction featuring Disney's first Black princess is set to open at the company’s theme parks in Florida and California. This new ride replaces a former attraction based on a film widely criticized for its racist content.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Storyline Update: Tiana's Bayou Adventure updates the storyline of Tiana from the 2009 animated film "The Princess and the Frog."
Location: The ride occupies the space previously held by Splash Mountain, which was themed around the 1946 movie "Song of the South," known for its racist depictions of African Americans and plantation life.
Features: It retains the log flume style of Splash Mountain but introduces new music, scenery, and animatronic characters inspired by "The Princess and the Frog," set in 1920s New Orleans.
Opening Dates: The ride opens later this month at Walt Disney World in Florida and later this year at Disneyland in California.
Significance and Impact
Representation: "For little Black girls, Tiana has meant a lot. When a little child can see somebody who looks like them, that matters," said Neal Lester, an English professor at Arizona State University who has written about Tiana.
Background and Announcement
Transformation Announcement: Disney announced the transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in June 2020, following social justice protests ignited by George Floyd's death in police custody.
Pre existing Plans: Disney stated that the change had been planned prior to these events, but it coincided with a broader reassessment of brands amid global protests.
"Song of the South" Controversy
Film Details: "Song of the South" blends live action, cartoons, and music, and features a Black man working on a plantation telling fables to a white boy.
Criticism: The film has been criticized for its racist stereotypes and has not been released in theaters for decades nor is it available on Disney(+).
Disney's Historical Criticisms
Other Films: Disney has faced criticism for racial stereotypes in other classic films, including:
The crow characters in "Dumbo" (1941)
King Louie in "The Jungle Book" (1967)
Native American depictions in "Peter Pan" (1953)
Siamese cats in "Lady and the Tramp" (1955)
Mixed Reactions
Skepticism: Not everyone believes that introducing a ride based on Tiana’s story adequately addresses Disney’s past racial issues.
Criticism: Katie Kapurch, an English professor at Texas State University, argued that refurbishing Splash Mountain rather than dismantling it links "Song of the South" with "The Princess and the Frog," both of which largely ignore the racial realities of their respective eras.
Disney's Intentions
Commitment to Inclusivity: Carmen Smith, a senior vice president for creative development at Walt Disney Imagineering, emphasized the company's commitment to telling inclusive stories. “We never want to perpetuate stereotypes or misconceptions,” Smith said. “Our intention is to tell great stories.”
Global Audience: Charita Carter, an executive creative producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, highlighted the importance of telling diverse stories for a global audience. “Society changes, and we develop different sensibilities,” Carter said. “We focus our stories differently depending on what our society needs.”
Broader Changes at Disney Parks
Jungle Cruise: In 2021, Disney announced the remodeling of Jungle Cruise to address its racially insensitive portrayal of Indigenous people.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Earlier, Disney removed a "Bride Auction" scene from its "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride.
Positive Step: Lester noted that having a ride based on a diverse character replacing one rooted in racist tropes is a positive step, emphasizing that representation matters. “Disney is first and foremost about money and getting people into the park, but you can still have representation and be aware of social justice history while making everyone feel included,” Lester said.