Disneyland Removes “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” Sign From Controversial Attraction
Tokyo Disneyland has quietly removed a familiar phrase from Splash Mountain, eliminating one of the last visible references to Song of the South at the only Disney park where the attraction still operates in its original form.
When Splash Mountain reopened on February 13 following a month-long winter refurbishment, guests noticed a change at the ride’s exit. The previous sign, which read “Have a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day!” in English and Japanese, has been replaced. The new sign now simply says, “Thanks for dropping in!”
While the attraction itself remains unchanged, the updated wording has sparked new conversation about the ride’s long-term future.
A Subtle but Noticeable Disneyland Change
The removed phrase, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” comes from Disney’s 1946 film Song of the South, the source material that inspired Splash Mountain. The song became strongly associated with the attraction for more than 30 years across Disney parks worldwide.
The new sign keeps a similar visual style but omits any reference to the film or its music.
The timing of the change coincides with the end of Splash Mountain’s corporate sponsorship. Kao Corporation, a Japanese chemical and cosmetics company, ended its sponsorship of the attraction in November 2025. The old signage displayed “Presented by Kao,” which no longer appears.
Updating signage after sponsorship changes is common practice. However, the decision to remove the “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” wording entirely has drawn attention.
Splash Mountain’s Complicated History
Splash Mountain has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to its connection to Song of the South, a film widely criticized for its portrayal of race and its romanticized depiction of the post–Civil War American South. The movie has never been released on home video in the United States.
In 2020, Disney announced plans to retheme Splash Mountain at Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom. Both versions were permanently closed and later reopened as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
The retheme sparked mixed reactions. Some praised Disney for addressing concerns tied to the original film, while others felt the classic attraction was being unnecessarily replaced.
Tokyo Disneyland, however, continued operating its version of Splash Mountain without changes.
Tokyo’s Unique Disneyland Ownership Structure
Unlike Disney parks in the United States, Tokyo Disney Resort is owned and operated by Oriental Land Company under license from The Walt Disney Company. This structure gives Oriental Land Company more autonomy over park decisions.
Splash Mountain opened at Tokyo Disneyland in 1992 and remains one of the park’s most popular attractions. Seasonal overlays and merchandise have kept the ride highly visible, even as other parks phased it out.
There have been ongoing rumors about a possible retheme in Japan, especially after changes in the United States. Reports have suggested that disagreements over cost-sharing between Oriental Land Company and Disney have delayed a major overhaul.
No official announcement regarding a replacement has been made.
A Sign of Bigger Disneyland Changes?
The removal of the “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” phrase may represent a gradual shift rather than an immediate transformation.
Tokyo Disneyland has historically retained original scenes that were altered in other parks. For example, its version of Pirates of the Caribbean still includes scenes that were changed elsewhere due to sensitivity concerns.
Because of that history, even small updates like signage adjustments stand out.
The attraction’s gift shop, Hoot & Holler Hideout, closed in late 2024, further fueling speculation about long-term plans. Combined with the sponsorship change and updated exit sign, some observers see a pattern of subtle distancing from the original film.
What Happens Next?
For now, Splash Mountain remains fully operational at Tokyo Disneyland.
The attraction reopened on February 13 after routine refurbishment, and no construction or retheme announcements have been confirmed. Still, the quiet removal of a phrase so closely tied to the ride’s identity suggests that discussions about its future may still be ongoing behind the scenes.
Whether this marks the beginning of a larger transition or simply a practical update remains unclear.
What is certain is that Tokyo Disneyland is now the last place in the world where guests can experience Splash Mountain in its original form, even if some of its most recognizable references are slowly disappearing.
