Disney sets closing date for controversial ‘Splash Mountain’ ride

A Disney announcement caused quite a splash with fans of “Splash Mountain.”

Disney said Friday that the iconic amusement park ride will go on its final hike on January 23, 2023 before being shut down indefinitely in order to become “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” based on the 2009 film “Princess and the Frog,” reports Newsweek.

Splash Mountain first opened in 1989 and is based on the 1946 film ” Songs of the South.” The ride and film have since been criticized several times for having “racist undertones.”

“Here’s the thing, when I first heard Splash Mountain was on its way out a while back my first impression was ‘oh I guess that’s a bummer.’” tweeted one user. “But then I learned it was a ‘Song of the South’-themed ride and immediately switched to ‘oh burn it down 33 years ago,’ it’s not that hard.”

“There’s a reason that not a lot of people know it’s a Song of the South ride even if they’re familiar with the movie, and it’s because *nobody likes to talk about it,” continues the tweet.

“People losing their minds over a ‘classic ride’ being changed. splash mountain opened in 1992 during the Eisner era. it will never be a classic. y’all are embarrassing,” tweeted another person.

“I rode Splash Mountain two months ago,” chimed in a third person.

“It’s embarrassingly out of date. Culturally and also technologically — it was on its last legs. It needs a renovation and I’m sure it’ll still be a great log flume ride when it’s done featuring a Disney movie you should actually watch.”

Other Twitter users defended the ride.

“Bruh, don’t do Splash Mountain like that. What the heck,” slammed one person.

“One step closer to destroying a fundamental and iconic part of Disney World, Walt Disney and the Magic Kingdom?” raged another.

Disney has yet to unveil the new ride’s full information, but says that it should be operational by September of 2024.