Glad you liked it Arthur. Any makeover of a classic ride is going to be met with some negativity, and this one in particular due to the sensitive social controversy surrounding it. I think it's important to note two things for those who feel negatively about it.
One, "Song of the South" did not become controversial in the modern era - it was criticized as being racially insensitive even at the time of its release back in 1946. So the argument that backlash against the film is a modern phenomenon holds no water (pun intended, I guess?) There is a wonderful podcast called "You Must Remember This" that did a six-episode series (Eps 146-151) about "Song of the South" that really enlightened me on the history of the film. Highly recommended listen.
Secondly, Walt himself viewed the parks as places to be continuously updated and transformed. While I sometimes get a bit sad when a classic ride I remember from my youth is remade or overhauled, I try to keep this in mind. The world does not belong to us alone, and the reboots of rides we see today will be the classics that our kids and grandkids remember.
I'm really excited to experience this new version. My youngest (12) mentioned the other day that he'd like to go back to Disney because was too young to remember it the last time we went. Sounds like a perfect excuse to get back down there!
Thank you for the positive take. I am so tired of the negative press this attraction is getting. I rode it last week. It was great(still needs some tweaks, but that is what previews are for)
My youngest daughter, wife, and I will be visiting Disney World in mid-August. So, I am excited to ride Tiana. Our last ride on Splash Mountain was when we were there three years ago and got the last ride of the night. I am also happy that Country Bear Jamboree and Rock-n-Roller Coaster will both re-open next month. When we were last at Disney World just three summers ago, we had to wear masks indoors, all lines were stand-by (except virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance), and Cosmic Rewind, TRON, and Ratatouille were not open yet. And Magical Express was still included.
Glad you liked it Arthur. Any makeover of a classic ride is going to be met with some negativity, and this one in particular due to the sensitive social controversy surrounding it. I think it's important to note two things for those who feel negatively about it.
One, "Song of the South" did not become controversial in the modern era - it was criticized as being racially insensitive even at the time of its release back in 1946. So the argument that backlash against the film is a modern phenomenon holds no water (pun intended, I guess?) There is a wonderful podcast called "You Must Remember This" that did a six-episode series (Eps 146-151) about "Song of the South" that really enlightened me on the history of the film. Highly recommended listen.
Secondly, Walt himself viewed the parks as places to be continuously updated and transformed. While I sometimes get a bit sad when a classic ride I remember from my youth is remade or overhauled, I try to keep this in mind. The world does not belong to us alone, and the reboots of rides we see today will be the classics that our kids and grandkids remember.
I'm really excited to experience this new version. My youngest (12) mentioned the other day that he'd like to go back to Disney because was too young to remember it the last time we went. Sounds like a perfect excuse to get back down there!
Great points Tim. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the positive take. I am so tired of the negative press this attraction is getting. I rode it last week. It was great(still needs some tweaks, but that is what previews are for)
Negative “press” or social media vitriol? It seems nearly everything devolves into overheated, divisive bickering these days.
My youngest daughter, wife, and I will be visiting Disney World in mid-August. So, I am excited to ride Tiana. Our last ride on Splash Mountain was when we were there three years ago and got the last ride of the night. I am also happy that Country Bear Jamboree and Rock-n-Roller Coaster will both re-open next month. When we were last at Disney World just three summers ago, we had to wear masks indoors, all lines were stand-by (except virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance), and Cosmic Rewind, TRON, and Ratatouille were not open yet. And Magical Express was still included.
Enjoy your visit!