Splash Mountain at Disneyland will close in late May to make way for the next phase of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure theme park.
The park announced Wednesday that the 30-year-old attraction that transports visitors through a setting based on the much-criticized 1946 film “Song of the South” will close on May 31. The new attraction, slated to open in 2024, will be based on the 2009 film ‘The Princess and the Frog’.
Critics demanded Splash Mountain be removed in 2020 amid widespread protests for racial justice. “Song of the South” has long been criticized for its depiction of racist stereotypes.
In June 2020, Disney announced that the attraction would be transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The movie it’s based on featured the society’s first black princess.
Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World closed in January.
Disney also unveiled new concept art on Wednesday featuring the fairy godmother of the swamp, Mama Odie, who will joke with guests during her nine-minute ride after a magical show. Jenifer Lewis, who provided the voice of Mama Odie for the film, will reprise her role for the theme park attraction.
The work on the attraction was inspired by New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi, Disney said.
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The attraction’s other voices include Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis, and Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.
Dozens of original audio animatronic characters will greet guests, who will follow the adventures of Princess Tiana and Louis the jazz-playing alligator. Disney also said new music and original songs from the film will provide the exhibit’s soundtrack.
And, beyond the visual and sound elements, there is something to delight lovers of donuts. The aroma of the fried treat being prepared will be part of the queue for the attraction.