Disney Adds Back Previously Removed Splash Mountain Retheming Reference

As the news of Disney removing “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” from the return of Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy Parade spreads across Disney fandom, Disney has taken another step to add back the previously removed Splash Mountain retheming reference.

Parades are back at Walt Disney World Resort! Magic Kingdom welcomed the return of the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom on March 9, 2022. As Disney Guests crowded along the parade route, fans quickly noticed Disney removed the iconic “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” song from the parade’s soundtrack.

The news of the removal of the Song of the South (1946) song shouldn’t totally surprise us as Disney has made it very clear they are attempting to erase any Song of the South references from the Parks in an effort to promote a more inclusive environment.

Back in June 2020, Disney announced they would be retheming the nostalgic Splash Mountain attraction at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear will be no more. The new theme rolling in is to feature the Disney animated film, The Princess and the Frog (2009).

When the announcement of the Splash Mountain retheming was made, Disney was quick to add a note on the Splash Mountain landing page stating, “An exciting new refresh is coming to this attraction.” The note included a “Read More” link which took Guests to details about The Princess and the Frog retheming.

Oddly enough, Disney recently dropped the reimagining reference from its website leaving Guests to wonder. Did Disney decide to keep Splash Mountain as is? As Disney CEO, Bob Chapek stated, was the “lack of cash” for future ride development meaning The Princess and the Frog idea was being tanked?

Well, it looks like the retheme process is still alive and well as the Splash Mountain page now shows the return of the former message. Notice in the screenshot below the red text is back noting, “An exciting new refresh is coming to this attraction” with the “Read more” option directing Guests to a Disney Parks Blog post about the retheming.

When can we expect the Splash Mountain transformation to take place? Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products previously shared reimagining of Splash Mountain was being “expedited” back in November 2020. However, in August 2021, Melissa Valiquette, the Vice president of Magic Kingdom, asked for patience with “Our Guests are going to have to put a little bit of trust into us for a bit because we promise not to let you down. We’re going to deliver a wonderful attraction that is inspiring and beautiful and worthy of this princess, Princess Tiana.”

We’re still holding tight for further details on when the refurbishment will begin, but we would say be sure to go enjoy the “laughing place” on your next visit to ensure you have a chance to remember Splash Mountain as is before the reimagining.

Curious to learn more about The Princess and the Frog theme? Disney has included with the art rendering above a description as follows: 

“As seen in this latest rendering of the attraction, the story will take place after the final kiss as Naveen and Louis join Princess Tiana on her latest adventure, hosting a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome – during which some original music inspired by songs from the film will bring Guests into the story. Tiana is leading the way and fans will be able to encounter old friends and make new ones along the way as well!”

Are you ready to welcome Princess Tiana and friends or do you wish Br’er Rabbit and crew would stay put?