Disney Parks has revealed new art and story details for the Splash Mountain ride rehab that will center around the characters from Princess and the Frog movie.
According to Disney, the story will take place after the final kiss of the film, as Naveen and Louis join Tiana on her latest adventure: hosting a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome.
In the ride, guests will float along colorful canals, as original music inspired by the movie accompanies the adventure. I’ll be interested to see where the big drop occurs in the story and why.
In addition to the announcement and the key concept art shown above, Disney unveiled a video featuring Disney’s Carmen Smith (Creative Executive, Vice President, Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering), Charita Carter (Senior Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering), and Marlon West (Visual Effects Supervisory for Walt Disney Animation Studios) with Stella Chase Reese, the daughter of Leah Chase, whom Disney modeled Tiana after.
The meeting took place at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans, a location that served as inspiration for the film, as they discussed Tiana’s impact over the past decade.
Moderated by ABC’s Kenneth Moton, the group also talked about the creative process behind the upcoming attraction, including the next-level technology Imagineers are employing to bring it to life.
The team has done virtual research trips through Zoom and this was their first of many in-person research trips to come and get the story right.
If you have about 30 minutes, give it a watch:
Disney Imagineering also commissioned four paintings from New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi to use as key elements during the conceptual phase.
Here is a look at one of them:
Disney then announced a $50,000 donation to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers students intensive instruction in culinary arts, dance, media arts, classical instrumental music, jazz instrumental music, classical vocal music, drama, musical theatre, theatre design, visual arts and creative writing.
Disney Parks first revealed plans to overhaul the Splash Mountain log flume rides at Disneyland and Walt Disney World last year in June, transforming them due to concerns over the original Song of the South theme, which has long been accused of perpetuating racist stereotypes.
Opening dates for the reimagined Splash Mountain rides have yet to be announced, but as soon as we hear something official, we’ll let you know.
I can’t wait to ride on the new Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World! I love Princess and the Frog!
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