A number of ways in which the Splash Mountain redo is being handled have me concerned. It includes disrespecting the past and unserious planning for the future.
I don’t want to be negative about an attraction in the works before it even has a chance to open. Normally I wouldn’t do that. But there are some very concerning signs coming out of the team behind the throwing away of Splash Mountain to turn it into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. I’m on even talking about the political or the ideological aspects of what they’re doing. I’m just talking about flat-out competency here. And really, I’m starting to worry. Because if you think about it, nobody is better off if the people behind this project fail. Nobody is going to be happy if one of the best attractions at the Disney parks is turned into something lesser-than. Even if I disagree with the premise that Splash Mountain should be done away with, I don’t want it destroyed for something that is poorer in presentation, quality and impact.
Yet there are some really odd things happening. From them talking about turning the ride into a representation of a salt mound from Avery Island because they’re trying to be authentic, to the way they hurried down to New Orleans for a media event that was supposed to convince us they were researching… all of this has been far sloppier than most Imagineering projects I’ve observed.
Here’s something I think is weird:
I get that they want to rip out the Splash Mountain characters, including the voices of actual, real trailblazing African American voice artists who broke unbelievably hard glass ceilings in the thirties, forties and fifties. What I don’t get is denigrating their legacy. Like this new push where they’re trying to get all their partners and subsidiaries to throw away Zip-a-dee-doo-dah in order to label it “non-inclusive.” That’s just cult-like. The song’s lyrics were invented by Walt Disney himself to be nonsensical and easy to copyright… they’re not from a minstrel song as some people have tried to connect. The song was performed by the first African American man to win an Oscar, and the song itself won an Oscar. African American legends have sung the song as an anthem of joy and unity, like Ray Charles for crying out loud! To now pretend that song is irrelevant or flawed wreaks of propaganda. It’s an afront to people who actually respect the African American leaders who rose onto the big screen at a time when it was most difficult.
https://twitter.com/ThatParkPlace1/status/1562120210706042880
So there are some really strange, almost fanatic, background issues going on around Splash Mountain’s destruction. No properly sane person thinks Zip-a-dee-doo-dah suddenly became racist. You’re not going to trick normal people into thinking that just be declaration. Why would a company, though, have a group of African Americans destroy the African American heritage that is remarkable within Disney. Does one have to hold in repulsion that which you wish to replace in order to justify it?
I’m already concerned about what I’m seeing because I think it’s manipulative, loathsome and disrespectful to African American legends. But then Disney Parks put out a blog today and I really don’t want to be harsh about an artist who is featured as having impact on the style of the new attraction… but… this is just not what I would expect. I’m sure it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. To me, though, this is more Mellow Mushroom than Top Five Disney attraction. And I just don’t know where the leadership is to keep this thing within parameters of success.
Here’s the blog update:
We’re taking a trip to the enchanting city of New Orleans for another look at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – an all-new adventure inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film “The Princess and the Frog.” We’re excited to share a unique dimension evolving around Tiana’s next chapter at Disney Parks, and one that I’m particularly proud to share during World Princess Week: a painting inspiring our Imagineers with the fresh perspective of New Orleans artist, Sharika Mahdi.
As we announced at ESSENCE Fest, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is coming to Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland Park in California in late 2024. Guests are joined by a cast of friends – new and familiar – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance. Much like the story unfolding within the attraction, our team’s own journey has been enriched with a bit of magic and some help from our friends. To ensure this experience authentically reflects the real-life inspiration of Tiana’s story, Imagineers have consulted and collaborated with a host of academics, musicians and artists across the New Orleans region.
Walt Disney Imagineering pays a visit to YAYA
When our Walt Disney Imagineering project team first looked for local inspiration, we were drawn to the work of an incredibly talented artist, Sharika Mahdi. Sharika has contributed a unique and authentic perspective to the project, capturing the essence of New Orleans through a series of original artwork commissioned by our team. “Making a big deal about everything and celebrating everything,” Sharika remarks of the region that inspires her artwork, “I want to show this is what it’s about, being a part of New Orleans and being a part of the culture.”
Sharika was introduced to Walt Disney Imagineering through the esteemed YAYA (Young Aspirations Young Artists) youth art program, an organization that empowers creative youth in New Orleans through visual arts education combined with entrepreneurial and life skills training. An alumna of YAYA, Sharika’s unique composition and bold color techniques caught our team’s attention. The series we commissioned will serve as a source of inspiration to the Imagineers responsible for bringing Tiana’s story to life.
Artwork by Sharika Mahdi
During a recent visit to New Orleans, I joined Charita Carter, executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, to pay a visit to Sharika. It was here that we were treated to a tour of her studio and a first look at the second piece of artwork commissioned in this series: a jazz club scene with an ensemble of affable amphibians (the first piece in the series was shared during World Princess Week last year). It’s a delightful painting that lovingly illustrates the jubilance and liveliness of this musical city.
During World Princess Week, we reflect on Disney’s beloved canon of heroines, and the courageous and compassionate mark they leave in our legacy of storytelling. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure builds on the story of Princess Tiana, a character whose pride and perseverance reminds us of a universal truth: within us lies the potential to make our dreams come true.
As an African American woman in pursuit of her own creative ambitions, Sharika connects with Tiana on this very meaningful level. Similar to how Tiana reached so many through her culinary gifts, Sharika adds that she “always wanted to reach more people and inspire more people with [her] art.”
Sharika Mahdi holds painting (left); Charita Carter and Sharika Mahdi (right)
This beautiful collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Sharika Mahdi will be sure to reach and inspire all Disney Parks guests that experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure once it opens in late 2024. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we celebrate World Princess Week all weeklong.
Even if you’re fully on-board with the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure redo, I think it’s time to temper expectations majorly. Nothing I’ve seen thus far has made me think they understand what it takes to make an attraction at the level of Splash Mountain — an attraction that very often even today has the longest wait times at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Maybe we’ll see something awe-inspiring at D23. I hope so.
For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts!
