Movies and TelevisionNewsSyndication

Disney Takes Another Step to Erase ‘Song of the South’ & Splash Mountain

After many long months of Disney taking steps to distance itself from the controversial Song of the South film, it’s made yet another move in that vein.

What is controversial about Song of the South?

To many Disney fans’ chagrin, Song of the South has become one of the most controversial movies of all time. The film, released in 1946, is now widely considered Disney’s most racist movie, with a romanticized view of plantation life and patronizing depiction of Black characters.

Many fans disagree with this characterization, defending the movie; however, even the NAACP came out with a statement explaining that the movie “helps to perpetuate a dangerously glorified picture of slavery” and “gives the impression of an idyllic master-slave relationship which is a distortion of the facts.”

Disney 'Song of the South' controversy explained
From left to right: Jack Favers, Br’er Fox, Uncle Remus, Br’er Bear, Br’er Rabbit, Ginny Favers / Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg Speaks Out to Bring Back ‘Song of the South’

In fact, at the time the movie was even released, Song of the South’s African American cast members could not join Walt Disney and the white cast members at the movie’s premiere in Atlanta because it was a segregated city at the time. This meant African Americans could not enter the movie theater or any other public buildings in town.

Disney has since majorly distanced itself from Song of the South and has been actively working to erase it from its history. Not only does Disney no longer stream Song of the South on its platform, Disney+, but it also announced years ago that it would be permanently retheming Splash Mountain and basing the attraction on Princess and the Frog, naming it Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Work has been underway on the construction and retheme of the now-closed Splash Mountain, and while many fans protested this change, and some are still holding out hope that the situation can be salvaged, Disney has gone full steam ahead, even announcing that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure would open in 2024.

Splash Mountain Disneyland
Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom was a classic Disney ride that has closed permanently. It is being replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure / Credit: Disney

Related: “Who Does He Think He Is?”: Fans Take Bob Iger to Task for ‘Song of the South’

Disney Erases Song of the South and Splash Mountain References in Cotino Storyliving

Now, Disney has done the same in yet another community, particularly its Storyliving community.

What is a Storyliving Community by Disney?

Per the website, “A Storyliving by Disney™ community is something special. We’ve begun with a setting in California’s Greater Palm Springs and are exploring other location options in the United States—in the places people dream of living in.” Disney explains, “This is your chance to live in a place that forever inspires you to add wonderful new passages to your story.”

In a press release from September, Disney Signature Experiences announced its residential plans for Cotino, which included a dog park called “Laughing Place Ranch.” Disney wrote,

Residents of all ages and their four-legged friends can gather at Laughing Place Ranch designed to celebrate Walt’s love for horses with an equestrian-themed dog park featuring separate play areas for small and large pets.

storyliving-cotino-laughing-place-ranch-concept-art
Cotino Storyliving, Laughing Place Ranch concept art / Credit: Disney

However, in the most recently updated concept art and photos, Disney has removed any and all references to Splash Mountain and Song of the South.

See for yourself,

Residents of all ages and their four-legged friends can celebrate Walt’s love for horses at an equestrian-themed dog park featuring separate play areas for small and large pets.

cotino-dog-park-laughing-place-removed-2048x1152
Cotino Dog Park concept art / Credit: Disney

As some might imagine, Disney faced backlash online for naming the equestrian-themed dog park Laughing Place Ranch, and perhaps in response to this, the company acted quickly.

This isn’t the only time they’ve taken away a Song of the South reference; the company also removed the “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” melody from the park entrance loop in Walt Disney World.

It seems apparent that Disney is well and truly done with Song of the South. 

Disney CEO Bob Iger / Credit: glennia, Flickr
Disney CEO Bob Iger / Credit: glennia, Flickr

Is It Still Possible to Watch Song of the South?

While it’s almost impossible to find a way to watch this film online—the Walt Disney Company has done an incredible job expunging any trace of Song of the South from a digital presence. However, there’s still one place fans can enjoy the film if they so desire.

Read More: Here’s Where You Can Stream Disney’s ‘Song of the South’

This post originally appeared on Disney Fanatic

Priyanka Kumar

Priyanka is a writer, artist, avid reader, and travel enthusiast based in Chicago. In her free time, she is probably walking by the lake, catching up on the latest releases on TV, or spending inordinate amounts of time rewatching Moana, Encanto, and her Disney Channel life-long favorites Zack and Cody wreak havoc on the Tipton.

Related Articles

Close

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker