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HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT made today about “Princess & the Frog” attraction at Magic Kingdom!

Credit: Disney Parks

This morning, a Disney actress confirmed the opening of a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction inside the iconic fan-favorite Splash Mountain ride, and she even gave fans a hint about when it would open to Guests!

UPDATED: Splash Mountain's Upcoming Princess and the Frog Reimagining

Bet you never thought you’d get Disney Parks breaking news first from a weekday morning talk show on television, but that’s exactly what happened this morning on the Live! with Kelly and Ryan show today!

During Thursday morning’s broadcast of the Live! with Kelly and Ryan show, Anika Noni Rose, the actress who lent her voice to Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, appeared on the show to talk about Disney Parks’ brand-new take on the iconic Splash Mountain attraction.

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Disney Splash Mountain makeover: New 'Princess and the Frog' details

Credit: Walt Disney Animation

The retheming of Splash Mountain was first announced almost two years ago, but little has been done in the way of moving the ride toward a new theme, so far as Guests could tell.

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Credit: Disney

The current controversial theme of the attraction has long been a source of debate and backlash among parkgoers and fans as many believe no Disney attraction should still feature a Song of the South theme, especially as the film has been pulled off the shelves and is not available on any streaming platforms because of the sensitive nature of its storyline which involves the topic of slavery and, to some, promotes racial stereotypes.

Though the Splash Mountain attraction does not feature Uncle Remus or mention slavery in any way, the iconic animated characters from Song of the South are featured throughout the ride, including Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear.

Song of the South': Why the Controversial Disney Movie Is Not on Disney Plus

Credit: Walt Disney Studios

Though the retheming efforts were announced in 2020, Disney has been pretty hush-hush about any sort of timeline, leading some fans to wonder if a change is still in the works.

But during the Live! with Kelly and Ryan show Thursday morning, Anika Noni Rose cleared up some of the confusion, saying, “[Disney is] making a ride; it will be out in 2024.”

Splash Mountain Ride | Walt Disney World Resort

Credit: Disney Parks

Though the actress didn’t give a specific date, she did confirm the opening of the new Princess and the Frog attraction, coming in 2024.

About Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!