Disney Imagineer Addresses Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise Changes

in Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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Both Images: Credit Disney

The Walt Disney Company continues to celebrate and incorporate diversity into the Disney Parks, including the recently announced complete retheme of Splash Mountain into a Princess and the Frog ride and a reimagined version of the classic attraction Jungle Cruise.

These changes will occur at both Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort in California.

Related: Disney Rides Are Undergoing Changes: What You Need to Know

Splash Mountain Concept Art
Credit: Disney

Now, Carmen Smith, executive creative development and inclusion strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering, speaks out on the company’s philosophy in a recent Disney Parks Blog video.

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When talking about Smith’s work and role, Disney Parks Blog states:

As part of Imagineering’s longstanding history of enhancing attractions with new magic, she not only seeks to tell stories that are inspiring and enlightening but ones that are relevant and makes all guests feel welcomed.

Among her responsibilities, Carmen, with the support of a team of highly respected cultural advisors from around the world, is involved in development of two upcoming Disney park attractions – the reimagining of Splash Mountain to a theme inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog” and enhancements coming to Jungle Cruise that build on the beloved story of the iconic attraction.

“We create experiences that make people feel welcomed, seen and heard, and let them know that their stories are important,” she shared when we got a chance to speak with her. […]

Splash Mountain
Credit: ITM

Related: Why a Princess Tiana Retheme Makes Sense For Tom Sawyer Island

During the Disney Parks Blog video, Smith expressed what her responsibility is as part of the Walt Disney Company and how she feels about the Splash Mountain retheme:

“My work is really about collaboration and teamwork. You create experiences that will make people feel welcome, seen and heard and to let them know their stories are just as important. My responsibility is to look at what do we have now and does it resonate with our Guests and making them more reflective of the world we live in.

When we looked at Splash Mountain, it gives our company an opportunity to showcase our first African-American Princess. We need to be able to tell stories that are inspiring and enlightening but also that speak to a community that has not been well-represented in our Parks and Resorts.”

Jungle cruise
Credit: D23

Related: ‘Princess and the Frog’ at Disney Parks: Princess Tiana Ride, Possible Restaurant

Smith went on to discuss the additions coming soon to Jungle Cruise as well, saying:

“Plussing and re-imagining the experience in Jungle Cruise was, to us, a unique opportunity to basically tell a story that does not perpetuate any stereotypes and to make sure that it’s reflective of our Guests in a very positive way, but it also gave us an opportunity to salute the Skippers that are critical to the experience that our Guests have.”

You can watch the full video here:

More on the Splash Mountain Retheme

In June 2020, Disney made a huge announcement that had fans talking. After a petition coincidentally made its rounds on the internet, Disney Parks announced that the classic theme park attraction Splash Mountain — which opened in the late ’80s and early ’90s at the California and Florida theme parks — would be rethemed to the 2009 Disney Princess animated movie The Princess and the Frog. Again, this retheme will take place at both Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and Disneyland park in Disneyland Resort.

According to Disney, the story’s attraction will pick up after the final kiss in the movie as Guests join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure “featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.”

Related: Will Princess Tiana Be Human or Frog in Splash Mountain?

Carmen Smith on Splash Mountain Retheme
Credit: Disney

Disney shared the following information on why this ride is undergoing these changes:

The approach to retheming or “plussing” attractions (as Walt Disney referred to it) begins with Imagineers asking the question, how can we build upon or elevate the experience and tell a fresh, relevant story? It’s a continuous process that Imagineers are deeply passionate about. And with this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.

Michael-Leon Wooley on Splash Mountain Retheme
Credit: Disney

More on the Jungle Cruise Reimagining

Not long ago, Disney Parks made a massive announcement regarding a retheme of some of the scenes in the iconic ride at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The fan-favorite theme park attraction will soon tell a brand-new story called Rivers Journey.

The new version of the attraction is part of Disney’s efforts to tell diverse, inclusive stories across the theme parks.

jungle cruise 2
Credit: Disney

Disney Parks Blog shared that the company is “building on the story of the Jungle Cruise at both Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort to include new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love — more humor, wildlife and skipper heart — and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us.”

Carmen Smith Imagineer Jungle Cruise
Credit: Disney Parks Blog

We do not have a date when Disney will make these changes to the Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain attractions at Disneyland and Disney World, but Inside the Magic will keep you updated as we get information.

How do you feel about these changes? Let us know in the comments below.

If you are planning on visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort in the upcoming years but need help planning your vacation — Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friends over at Academy Travel, who will be with you every step of the way. Get started today by clicking here!

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