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Former Imagineer Says Splash Mountain Was a ‘Horrible Idea’

Former Imagineer Says Splash Mountain Was a 'Horrible Idea'

A former Walt Disney Imagineer said building Splash Mountain is one of her biggest regrets.

Imagineer Regrets Building Splash Mountain

A rugged mountain structure features red rock formations and a wooden cabin with a steep water flume, set under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, creating an enchanting scene perfect for a Magic Kingdom photo report.

Kathy Mangum, who retired from Imagineering in 2018, said on the Dream Chasing podcast hosted by fellow former Imagineer Bob Weis, “I knew building Splash Mountain based on a movie we would not show was not a great idea. It was a horrible idea.” (via The Orange County Register)

Splash Mountain was based on Song of the South, a 1946 Disney film criticized since its release for its portrayal of African Americans. Although the film was re-released in theaters a few times, Disney has never released the full film on home video or streaming.

Yet they debuted Splash Mountain, based on animated segments of the film, at Disneyland in 1989.

Mangum said she was “not proud” of working on the ride. “I wouldn’t do it today,” she explained. “Neither would Disney, but we did it.” She remembered being uncomfortable when they had an actor record dialogue for Br’er Fox.

A few years ago, Disney began removing all references to Song of the South from Disney Parks, including the famous song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.” In 2024, they reimagined Splash Mountain at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure based on The Princess and the Frog.

Mangum said the change “was the right thing.”

Disney Legend Tony Baxter came up with the idea of Splash Mountain in 1983. In 2023, he defended his decision to use Song of the South on Zeitgeist’s Spirit of the Time podcast.

“There was nothing in the ride that in any way was detrimental to anybody,” Baxter said. “Whatever the controversy is that has come up with it is more related to what the film is. And I think we’re way overboard on that kind of sensitivity.”

Splash Mountain remains intact at Tokyo Disneyland.

Watch our final POV of Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom:

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The post Former Imagineer Says Splash Mountain Was a ‘Horrible Idea’ appeared first on WDW News Today.

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