Walt Disney World has taken another step to distance itself from the controversial film “Song of the South,” having removed one of the final elements of the movie from the parks. A graphic depicting the movie inside the “Walt Disney Presents” exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been replaced with an image featuring characters from “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.” This change reflects Disney’s ongoing efforts to address problematic content in its legacy properties.
“Song of the South” Removed from Walt Disney Presents
The removed graphic included characters from the 1946 film, including the animated Br’er characters. Also found on Splash Mountain, Br’er Rabbit, Fox, and Bear were the main characters of the attraction’s story. The new graphic depicts Mr. Toad, holding the deed to Toad Hall, a scene from “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.” The Surrounding elements, including Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney with the Three Caballeros, remain unchanged.
Splash Mountain’s Transformation
The removal of the “Song of the South” graphic follows the recent reimagining of Splash Mountain, an attraction that was based on characters from the controversial film. The ride has been transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, featuring characters from “The Princess and the Frog.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened at Magic Kingdom in summer 2024, with the Disneyland version following later in the year. This change represents a significant shift in Disney’s approach to updating classic attractions while addressing cultural sensitivities. Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom also received cultural sensitivity updates recently. Similar updates will soon be coming to the Disneyland and Disneyland Paris versions.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: A Tale of Two Parks
The choice to replace the “Song of the South” image with Mr. Toad characters is noteworthy, given the character’s history in Disney parks. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, based on “The Wind in the Willows” segment of “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” has been a beloved attraction at Disneyland since its opening day in 1955.
However, the ride’s history at Walt Disney World is bittersweet for many fans. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom in 1971 but closed on September 7, 1998, despite protests from devoted fans. The attraction was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, leaving Disneyland as the only Disney park where guests can still experience Mr. Toad’s zany adventures.
Walt Disney Presents
Walt Disney Presents is an interactive gallery exhibit located in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Originally opened to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth, this attraction offers guests a unique opportunity to explore the life, legacy, and innovations of the man behind the magic. The self-guided walking tour features a series of exhibits, rare artifacts, photographs, audio interviews, and memorabilia that chronicle Walt’s journey from small-town America to Hollywood and beyond. Visitors can learn about the creation of Mickey Mouse, the development of groundbreaking animated films, and the evolution of Disney theme parks. The exhibit also includes scale models of iconic attractions and lands, such as Galaxy’s Edge, Spaceship Earth, and Tower of Terror. At the end of the tour, guests can enjoy a rotating selection of short films, including a biopic about Walt Disney’s life.
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