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‘Princess and the Frog’ Star Calls out Disney For “Hateful and Hurtful Ride”

Tiana's Bayou adventure
Credit: Disney

Over the past 100 years of business, Disney has had its fair share of controversies. Because of its massive worldwide appeal, fans are quick to judge and catch every small thing that Disney does. Unfortunately, as the business ages, many once-beloved attractions and movies do not age with it, resulting in them being “canceled” by the public at large. Now, a star from the iconic Princess and the Frog (2009) animated film has decided to speak out and share her opinions on one of Disney’s most controversial rides ever made.

Related: Should Disney Be Reimagining Haunted Mansion Instead of Splash Mountain?

Splash Mountain Magic Kingdom Disney World

Credit: Disney

‘Princess and the Frog’ Star Shares Thoughts on Ride Controversy

Of the many attractions that have been deemed problematic by Disney, perhaps none is more infamous than the retired ride, Splash Mountain. This ride, which was loosely based on the film Song of the South (1946), was the topic of lots of controversy for Disney, primarily during the Black Lives Matter movement.

While the country was working to eradicate racism, many Disney fans pointed out that the ride’s source material included incredibly offensive and derogatory depictions of Black people. To amend this issue, Disney pledged to close down the attraction and retheme it after Disney’s first African-American princess, Princess Tiana.

princess tiana

Credit: Disney

With the attraction set to open in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort later this year, more eyes than ever are on the stars of the animated film. One The Princess and The Frog star, Jennifer Cody, is delighted with the recent development at the Disney parks.

In a recent interview, she couldn’t contain her excitement about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Jennifer Cody, known for her role as Charlotte La Bouff in the beloved 2009 movie, is not only thrilled but also appreciative of Disney’s commitment to keeping up with the evolving values of society. In an exclusive interview with TMZ, she expresses her admiration for the company’s decision to retire Splash Mountain’s outdated animatronics. TMZ reports;

“Jennifer tells us it was about time the hateful and hurtful ride was taken down.”

charlotte leboeuf and princess tiana

Credit: Disney

The End of A “Hateful and Hurtful” Attraction

Jennifer Cody’s praise for Disney’s move echoes the sentiments of many who support the company’s commitment to change.

In a time when social consciousness and the fight against racial injustice are at the forefront of global conversations, Disney’s decision to evolve and update its attractions sends a powerful message. It reinforces the importance of embracing diversity, recognizing the impact of historical representation, and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

As Tiana’s Bayou Adventure continues to take shape, Disney fans and visitors to the parks eagerly await the unveiling of this groundbreaking attraction. With its emphasis on Princess Tiana’s resilience, determination, and the celebration of African American culture, the new ride promises to be a transformative experience for all who embark on its enchanting journey.

princess and the frog bayou

Credit: Disney

In conclusion, Jennifer Cody’s elation and applause for Disney’s bold move to replace Splash Mountain with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure resonate with the prevailing sentiment surrounding the controversy. As the entertainment industry adapts to the modern world, Disney’s commitment to inclusivity and its decision to retire animatronics rooted in racism marks a significant milestone.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure represents Disney’s dedication to storytelling that reflects and celebrates the diverse experiences and backgrounds of its global audience.

What do you think about Disney’s decision to retheme Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments below!

About Eva Miller

Eva was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon but has since relocated and lives in New York City. Since she was young, Eva has loved to perform in musicals, especially Disney ones! Through performing, Disney’s music became the soundtrack of her childhood. Today, Eva loves to write about all the exciting happenings for the Walt Disney Company. In her free time, Eva loves to travel, spend time in nature, and go to Broadway shows. Her favorite Disney movie is 'Lilo and Stitch,' and her favorite Park is Disney's Animal Kingdom.

6 comments

  1. I don’t recall anything hateful or hurtful about Splash Mountain, but oh well.

  2. The hateful and hurtful stuff had to come from those that had NEVER watched the movie and only saw the pieces given them by the hateful media. Try doing your own research before commenting as a mouthpiece for others hate.

  3. Always been my favorite ride.

  4. Splash Mountain was based on true African American folklore. It wasn’t hateful at. Now they have removed this tribute to our heritage in favor of a Russian tale that was race swapped.

  5. You replaced the ride everyone loved with over 100 animatronics with 16 and nine of them are on the finale, I thought the Tiana figure was her Mother, Does not even look like her. None of the great Randy Newman songs are replaced and that mural on the barn looks like something on a wall or under a bridge and has nothing to do with the attraction. The only thing saving this attraction is the drop. Get ready for another Navi River only longer

  6. I’m sorry to see Splash Mountain replaced. The ride was part of my children’s childhood. If Disney wanted a new ride that they felt celebrated diversity, make a new ride rather than update an iconic part of the park.

    Disney needs to stay out of the political arena and stick with what they do best…entertainment.

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