Exactly. And next we’ll get rid of the bride who killed her husbands. Gime a break. These people are ridiculous. Take it for what it is. Its all in fun and doesn’t scare anyone
What next?
Close down radiator springs racers because someone might know someone who died while in a street race?
Close tower of terror because someone might have been caught in a stuck elevator?
Life happens.
Yes some people choose suicide, and that is unfortunate, but life goes on for the rest of us.
The entire attraction is based on dead people.
Put on your big girl pants and grow up.
Bottom line. Disney World has lost its magic. People are overcharged for resorts, admissions, chintzy merchandise made in China, mediocre food,parking, paying to obtain a faster place in line, rude cast members, nasty guests, line jumping, ruining the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake with more hotels, etc. Our first trip to WDW was in 1984. We paid $90 for a lagoon view room at the Polynesian. In 2012, we paid $350 for a Magic Kingdom view room at the Contemporary. We’ve stayed at each of the deluxe resorts except for resorts at Animal Kingdom and the newest ones, which we haven’t seen because in 2016, we’d had enough. We haven’t been back and don’t plan to return. Why should we pay $1000 per night when we can get a larger room or suite with a water park for less than half the price? It’s simply not fun anymore. It makes me sad because we loved Disney World.
It’s amazing that the idiots that cry out about a ride element that’s been there for decades. Some people are just too sensitive that they need to complain about things that aren’t real or are not even seen by a vast majority of people who couldn’t care less about a ride that they may never go on. Leave the ride alone
Maybe you’re just a bigot who’s upset that we non-bigots are winning the culture war. Maybe YOU should stay in your place, sweetie. It’s cute that you’re trying so hard, but you should really just go lay down and take a nap–you seem to be pretty gwumpy and we don’t want that, right sweetie?
This has to be a joke because no actual military member expect civilians to ever talk to them like that get out of here that yes sir bull and if you are in the military you’re a disgrace to it.
Ok, by your own admission, No One is able to access Song of the South anymore. You either have it or watched it, but wont be getting a new copy or a new viewing any time soon. So why keep an attraction that no one recognizes, and that if someone did a small amout of research on, wouldn’t fly in today’s society? Disney is a business, they make money, an attraction no one remembers does not make money. Don’t believe me, just look at the gift shop at the end of the ride. So why keep a theme that is forgotten and inappropriate? And I’m sorry, but you clearly have absolutely no understanding of Walt’s very well documented love of the macabre. HM was his baby and he helped design it down to the tiniest detail.
Because people like me grew up with that ride and still love it. I was just at Disneyland this month because I wanted to ride it one last time before it’s ruined forever. People still wait hours to ride it, so I don’t know what you’re thinking when you say “an attraction no one remembers does not make money”. The quote alone makes sense sure, but many people love splash mountain and haunted mansion. HM often had a 2 hour wait time. So leave both rides alone snowflakes.
Put me in the “Leave it alone” column.
Far more problematic is the attractions being maintained at roughly the level of a traveling carnival. So many rides down for so long during a given day is simply unacceptable, but has become the norm. And Splash Mountain? Apart from features like the jumping water not working and being ignored, all the burned our light bulbs. A lighted section of a ride shouldn’t be unlighted for more than 24 hours, yet on multiple visits over several weeks, the same stretches of Splash Mountain were dark. I don’t care if you’re closing it next week, guests are paying to experience it today.
Do better, Disney.
I wonder that if you are successful in peer pressuring the Disney company and removing the hangman, what would be next? The fort over on Tom Sawyer’s Island? I mean think of all the people who have been in war and having to watch kids shooting a gun out of a fort as if they are in battle.
As someone who has dealt with depression, and suicidal tendencies, takes a ton of medacine, and meets with a doctor regularly I can say it’s not offensive. I love the haunted Mansion, I love the ghost host, it’s one of my favorite parts of the ride. STOP BEING OFFENDED FOR OTHER PEOPLE!
I love this comment.. I was just thinking ..hey can we actually hear from some people who might have dealt with Thais and stop being offended on there belay..thank you! I’m also sorry you’re going through so much… that’s really rough stuff. Stay strong and I appreciate your honesty.
Los pilares o ejes en que se sostiene Disney, definitivamente han cambiado y su filosofía empresarial es muy diferente a lo que Walt deseaba, Roy buscó recuperar esa filosofía con mucho éxito solo que ya no está. La Visión y la Misión cambiaron, creo que se olvidaron de publicarla, definitivamente ya no se basa en esa inocencia de antaño, el problema es que para muchos las espectativas son otras. Disney ya no es un referente de calidad ha bajado mucho y otro gran problema es que lo que sería una oportunidad para otros, los están imitando tambien bajando su calidad, eso no es sostenible en el tiempo y es una bomba que en algún momento les reventará en la cara, tenemos que aceptar con desdén que nunca más regresarán a lo de antes, al final la entropía les llegó para no irse más
I never once felt the hanging in the Haunted Mansion was a “suicide”! It’s as stated..”Find a way out!..or there’s always MY WAY!” HAHAHAHAHA…
They hang you for not escaping! That’s how everyone I know have always interpreted it! The Haunted care takers imply they will KILL YOU if you don’t escape..as there’s room for ONE MORE Ghost in the Mansion!😉
Who would choose suicide?! They are challenged with trying to ESCAPE ALIVE!
Interesting interpretation.. I believe it is supposed to be a suicide though. If you listened to the original promo recording from 1969 the raven comments on the hanging and says “he chose the cowards was out”… that definitely implies suicide.. I like the way you see it better though.. that’s a much better view.. for the record I like the scene.
Thank you. These overly sensitive people need to be stopped. It’s ridiculous. Next we’ll have to retheme Halloween. That scene flashes for a second and most don’t see it. She needs to grow up and get over herself. She’s part of the problem with today’s society. A bunch of overly sensitive babies. I look up every time I’m there and barely catch it. Leave it alone already.
My Mom committed suicide, and I Haven’t been back to The Haunted mansion since her tragic death, so I don’t know if that scene would affect me now differently… but I do believe the writer has a point that nothing would be lost by removing it and leaving in the lightning and the thunder perhaps… and those who don’t understand, speaking as a psych nur who has himself suffered from depression, these may be the same people who just tell others in a depressed state to snap out of it …because they don’t themselves have a clue what it is to be in that situation. As a #MeToo survivor I know I have triggers that make certain things unwatchable for me …but I don’t think we should erase the past …I think we should provide education around the context that the past provides us, so we can look at what was viewed as unoffensive in the past with modern eyes and ask ourselves what we have learned, and how far we still need to go.
I’m a Me Too survivor with multiple psychiatric diagnoses who’s struggled with depression for at least 19 years, and I’ve both attempted suicide and know others who have, and I think this article is absolutely ridiculous.
Sounds like you are just as sensitive Robert. Hmm, if it only flashes for a second then why do you care if they change it. Don’t really see why adults even have concerns about what they do to their rides for children. Hahahaha but whatever dude. Sounds like you are just as much a snowflake ❄️
My child killed himself. Encountering something like this at ANY time would be traumatic, and the fact that Disney thought this appropriate for any kind of entertainment is unspeakably insensitive and ignorant.
Has anyone actually been to Disneyland lately? Like within the past 10 years? Its always set up as Nightmare before Christmas and Jack Skellington’s face covers the whole scene.
Totally agree! It’s a 2 second scene that I’ve never actually seen when I look up. If it bothers anyone, avoid the ride/attraction.
I plan to avoid Splash Mountain because I don’t agree with the change. Ignorant people should see Song of the South and they’ll realize it has nothing to do with slavery. It’s an old black man telling stories to a little white kid. How can you take offense?
Yeah… but you’ll still go to the parks, buy their merchandise, and watch their movies. So your protest of refusing to ride the ride — which you’ll probably do eventually — really isn’t much of a protest. That’s what Disney fans do: they gripe about changes, they holler about “wokeness” but at the end of the day, much like a crackhead who let’s their dealer hit them, you’ll keep lining up for Disney and do all sorts of mental gymnastics to justify it.
Good, the parks are better off without bigots like you. You will not be missed, and there’s plenty of us good folks around for Disney to still make money from.
You are correct Song of the south is endearing and does not portray anyone negatively, except the fox and bear maybe. But not many people under the age of 50 have even seen it
It was a wonderfully musical movie we loved it as kids and still sing zip a de do da. Uncle Remus made you feel special when he told the story, and you learned to be a good person. Will never see anything bad about that movie.
Ask a mom or dad whose child committed suicide how they feel about it. For those yelling “too sensitive” and calling names, I assume you don’t have kids. If you do, try imaging your child hanging there. YOU CAN’T. The reality is infinitely worse. And you really have no right to comment on this, let alone talk down anyone else without knowing their situation. How dare you. Parents who survive this horror are the strongest people you’ll ever meet.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are infinity correct, those saying to “get over it” can never imagine it. While I didn’t lose a child, I did lose a best friend as a young teen and every year around the time of his death I’m plagued with nightmares of him hanging in his last moments. To have a portrayal of this anywhere is damnable, but in a family theme park is even worse. I wish you love and healing and I’m so sorry so many people are so indescribably hurtful.
⁰I have been going to Disney since I was 18 months old. My father took us every other year for vacation, I think he loved it more than we kids. I am now 67. I have never even seen the person hanging at the Haunted House. I think if this writer had not written this article and whined about it there would not be such a fuss . Most people like me have never seen it and now everyone will be looking for it. Some one always has to f*#k things up. That one person that gets offended churns up masses,and how do you know its suicide, did they leave you a note lady.
I’m sorry for your loss. You are exactly right in your comment!
How insensitive for someone who has not experienced it to tell you to get over it and not react to such a horrific reminder.
Wow that was alot but I totally agree. There should be no glorifying suicide. Its something very serious and not to be taken lightly especially on a ride at Disneyland. This reminds me of the movie Lyle Lyle Crocodile we just seen and how they glorified dumpster diving. They’re actual unhoused humans who have to do that as a means to survive, not something to pretend is a 5 star meal.
So the author wants them to stop the screw up of one ride so they can screw up another? The real crowd sentiment is to leave splash mountain alone. There is nothing offensive on the ride.
Explaine the offence to the movie for me ,please. For me it has always been a nice grandfatherly person telling a story to some kids. Just what is offensive in that. Seriously ,give me your sights on this movie.
I’ve heard people complaining for last few years about this.. but it’s always on behalf of people affected by suicide.. I’ve never heard anyone say that they were personally affected by suicide and were offended by the mansion… and maybe they just need to chill a bit. I’m a pretty liberal dem and even I think this is getting out of control. We need to start teaching more conflict resolution and less conflict avoidance. Let’s toughen up just a bit please.
Agree. As someone who has been suicidal in the past and HAS lost someone to suicide, this ride doesn’t trigger me. That being said, it MAY trigger others. However, instead of removing or changing the ride, they should just add a disclaimer mentioning potential triggers, like they do for pregnancy, heart disease, claustrophobia and allow the customer to make their own decisions. Just because Disney caters to families doesn’t mean all princesses and butterflies. People have have different tastes and they try to cater to all. If suicide or homicide triggers you in any form then you probably avoid haunted houses in general, so why would you NOT avoid this one too. Honestly, IMHO Mr. Toad’s wild ride was scarier than HM and I love that ride too.
Anyone that doesn’t understand The Haunted Mansion ride can get greater insight by watching the 2003 American Supernatural film directed by Rob Minkoff. Walt Disney’s ‘The Haunted Mansion’ Movie stars Eddie Murphy, a realtor that gets trapped in the haunted mansion. It’s a very good movie and delivers great understanding of the ride. I love that There’s reasons for all detailing. I do know the ride was made before the movie but the movie shows reasons for the cause.
I try to keep in mind, There’s different things and rides in every park for different people. Life isn’t made for us to like and enjoy everything we come across. We pick and choose what’s accommodating to our likes, needs, and wants. The rest, we simply don’t partake.
The cliff notes version of this article: I am upset that they are trying to make changes to something that offends a whole race, instead of focusing on something that may or may not offend some people. 😑😒 you literally want them to keep a whole *$$ ride up that offensive just because of a suicide reference? Not “while you’re at it disney…” or “let’s add to the list of things that are problematic in the parks” you want them to completely ignore something for something else just because YOU it’s an eye sore?! There is sensitive, bratty, entitlement throughout this whole article. GET OVER YOURSELF.
You have a choice of yes or not to go on any ride unless you do not meet height requirements. If Disney continues to change rides based on peoples views they will be changing all the rides and attractions. What about the Halloween attractions Many people do not celebrate Halloween unless it is a Fall Festival. Look at all the zombie movies and slasher movies that some kids watch. I do not see any producers of movies changing the movies or themes. How many Jason and Michael Myers movies are there? This people getting offended is getting out of control. I don’t like the hanging scene at the Haunted Mansion but that is part or the attraction so you either go with it or not look at it. You can look on You tube and practically see the rides so look sat rides before going to Disney and decide which ones you do not want to go on. I avoid all spinning rides or rides that twist and jerk you around so I do not go on those rides
I’m surprised at the number of negative comments. How many of you have been affected by a close suicide? Have a heart. We understand the story element and enjoy the ride, but we have friends who lost a son at 20 by hanging and know they could never do the attraction because of this one element. Otherwise HM is one of our favorites. We try to make sure our 5-year old does not look up at the end. This isn’t Universal or Six Flags and that scene could easily go. There is a difference between depicting what is clearly a suicide and the fort and guns on Tom Sawyer Island.
Then don’t bring the child on the ride. Simple. No one is responsible for what you want your kids to see. Also, I would be a little more concerned about how a five year old knows that a person hanging on a rope equals taking one’s life.
Then don’t ride the dam ride it would ruin it to take it out thats the best Part of the ride everybody’s wamped up everybody’s reciting back what they say inside that part everybody’s screams when they see that part it is the best part of the ride I’m forty eight years young and I remember as a kid even going in there see that and excited to see that part to just be able to scream with everybody else Call a haunted house for a reason and the other person is right are we supposed to get rid of halloween on together halloween is about scary movies scary things the honeymansion is basically halloween year round Halloween is about scary people behind mass with knives and everything else that goes with it it’s just not kittens and fuzzy bunnies Bottom line if you’re suicidal or your had experienced someone dying then don’t go in the ride then you don’t have to see it you don’t have to deal with it and you don’t have display else Or where something of your eyes during that time looked down look away you don’t have to look up
If you refuse to go just because they’re daring to be inclusive of people who are different than the norm, that says a lot more about you than it does about Disney, and the rest of us are not going to miss your presence there in the SLIGHTEST. The parks are better off without you–thank you for not coming, that means I won’t have to worry as much about encountering bigots next time I go there.
Perfectly said. It has been there for 53 years and hasn’t been an issue until these super sensitive people came out! This is beyond ridiculous. Why don’t y’all focus on the REAL REASONS for suicide!!! Leave Disney alone!!!
If I understand the he story line correctly the girls father is killing all her fiance’s. The rope is a hangman’s noose to scare off new boyfriends its not a suicide rope.
No, the script makes it clear it’s a suicide. Your chilling challenge is to find a way out of the doorless & windowless room and he says “of course, there’s always my way” and then it flashes to the reveal of the hanging body. His way is suicide – it’s very clear. The things about the bride and her husband are much fuzzier, but all indications are that she kills the husbands for their riches, no idea where you got the father thing from.
I believe the hanging body is supposed to be someone who was murdered. Not sure if that makes the snowflakes feel any better. There’s no clear indication it’s a suicide scene.
While I don’t think it’s offensive, it’s explicitly a suicide scene. The voice of the ghost host says “And consider this dismaying observation: this chamber has no windows and no doors… which offers you this chilling challenge: to find a way out! Of course, there’s always my way.” At which point the lightning flashes and a hanging body is visible in the rafters for a second. He got stuck in the room, couldn’t get out, and committed suicide.
That said, it’s a haunted mansion ride full of other references to death by a bunch of horrible causes including drowning, animal attacks, betrayal, spousal murder, death in combat, etc. It would be ridiculous to exclude one of those when all of them might offend someone somewhere.
I’m just curious, as the author you’re trying to discern that the possible personal Association, is more important than the very real and factual Association of Splash Mountain to the glorifying of negative and subservient African-American stereotypes?
I had a friend who hung themselves 14 years ago. The Haunted Mansion is still the first ride I try to go on every opportunity I get to go to Disneyland. “Have a heart.” I’m so tired of all this it doesn’t suit everybody, it offends people so change it nonsense. I’m going to keep my focus out in the real world where kids and adults do off themselves because no one listens or stops the bullies and hate speech that drove them to it, not some silly ride with one scene that doesn’t even last that long
To be fair to the author, she did say about people going on the ride for the very first time and not knowing it would be there. Now with that being said, here’s the thing… It’s a Haunted House! You should expect just about anything and everything, including the possibility of suicide being involved! If people can’t have an open mind to the fact that all scenarios could be seen in a “haunted house” then they should stick with Peter Pan’s flight and rides of that nature only and leave the Haunted House for those that can “handle” it. Geeze
Why does it not surprise me that a white woman doesn’t think song of the south isn’t a part of the ride. The characters are stolen from African traditional tales. The songs are literally still in the ride. Songs that were sung at minstrel shows. The YouTube channel Dreamsounds did a great video on just how deep the connection between splash mountain and song of the south goes. The ride NEEDS TO GO. stop. Speaking. Over. Black people.
I was waiting for her to argue we should erect a confederate statue in front of it. If you don’t agree with the current political climate of recognizing how messed up it is to honor the confederacy, just come out and say it
Are you black? Because there are plenty of black people against the change and who aren’t offended by the ride…maybe because there’s no offensive elements in the ride. Maybe white people should stop being offended on behalf of black people.
This article wreaks of someone trying to redirect the current movement of recognizing that we shouldn’t be honoring people who fought to keep slavery legal. You think what Disney is doing is disrespectful? I think it’s disrespectful how you drone on and on just to shove more ads into your article.
As someone who has attempted suicide, there is nothing offensive about the ride element. I am surprised this article doesn’t include the ghosts literally shooting each other, the man being buried alive or the bride decapitating her husbands. I guess murder isn’t offensive.
Just as “Song of the South” has a notice about the themes of segregation and prejudice, ANY ride could have a notice about the sensitivities of the subject of a ride. What’s a ride about the macabre Without the macabre….
Let me answer that for the overly sensitive.
It’s a useless ride.
People need to recognize that their emotional sensibilities aren’t there to be FED in a theme park.
Geeze this blog is getting to be as stupid as the changes to the parks themselves.
Wow!! This is so exciting! Never watched song of the south so tbh never really cared about the animals. My daughter loves princess and the frog (and me lol!) so this is going to be great!
This article is a good example of the strawman fallacy. Instead of focusing on defending keeping Splash Mountain as is, and ignoring Disney routinely changes rides to reflect new movies, it focuses on a completely different subject.
I can no longer ride SPACE MOUNTAIN because I have hurt my back. I have ridden it over 15 times. About the TOWER OF TERROR, I never even noticed. I am sorry that some people are offended, but, you cannot please everyone.
I agree, Splash Mountian has always been a favorite and that is backed up by some pretty long waiting times in both on and off seasons. Disney has more than enough room in Florida anyways to make this happen.
Well, that’s the last time I visit this site. Get woke, go broke! The sniveling author and her delicate sensibilities should be required to find a new job, as writing about something as benign as Disney World should not be this distressing, and an author shouldn’t be actively pushing readers away.
Well said, splash mountain should have been left alone, and an all new Tiana ride built, it’s not like Disney doesn’t have the money, enough of the snowflakes and wokesters, I’ve been going to WDW since it opened and all but the last few years it was fine, coincidence huh!
My opinion is on Splash Mountain – as said in the article pretty much no one even knows about the movie is was built around – the animals from the movie are the stars of the attraction. Redoing a ride over something pretty much no one knows about is rediculous & upsetting to me. Splash Mountain has been around for so long and should still be around for many many years to come for future generations – but sadly Disney doesn’t seem to care about the fans or generations of fans opinion. The world has changed & to me it’s getting worse – not better.
Future generations don’t care about the old stories. We want things that are exciting to us and that our kids can have fun on. My kids don’t care about singing animals, they will be excited about the bayou and Tiana. Even the villain Dr. Facilier is better to them than what’s there.
I guess I’m in the minority here. I think this article is catering to “the squeaky wheel”. My family has never liked Splash Mountain. It was t entertaining to us. We didn’t even bother in the heat of late June. When we heard that it was being rethemed as Princess and the Frog we were so happy. It is being turned into something that the kids and us actually are excited for. It has nothing to do with being “a whiny baby”, though whose being the whiny baby now? Progress is a good thing. Let’s bring things into the park newer generations are actually excited about.
Let’s just rename it Snow White and The Little People, because dwarves is, you know, offensive…
Btw, visage refers to the face or of the face. I think you meant to use depiction of suicide, not visage of suicide. (Facepalm)
Complaining about a suicide on the way to a cemetary full of people who died in the most bizarre ways?
As for Splash Mountain, the theme remodel sounds like fun.
However Song of the South gets a bad rep. The white Dad is to busy in polotics to have anything to do with his wife and kids and is always away on business. The white wife is either ditzy or stoned all the time and has no clue how to raise her kid. The only other white people in the movie are the white trash that live in the swamp down the way. The black slaves, however, are the ones with brains and common sense. The ones who manage the property for the white woman in hysterics. The ones who keep the kids alive and teach them about life and acceptance of others. Because of them the white kid has a chance to grow up and make a difference in the world. Sure, the movie doesn’t depict a realistic view of slave life, but the black slaves are the heroes throughout the movie and the whites are fools.
I happen to disagree with you on all counts. I greatly enjoy Haunted Mansion, I love the stretching room and have never found the hanging man scary. (I have been a regular visitor to Disneyland since I was less than a year old).
As for Splash Mountain: Honestly I feel like it’s time to put all things “Song of the South” to rest. In fact since Splash opened in the 80s I don’t understand how that theme was even choosen. Yes, I love Zippedy Do Daw, and Br’er Rabbit, but I also can move on and open mindly try out the Tiana Bayou theme when it arrives. As long as the Br’er crew is there someone will always be passing on talk about Song of the South.
That said, these are two separate issues. Even if they decided to somehow remove the stretching room (not sure how they would as it conceals the elevator system) that has no barring on the fate of Splash Mountain’s theme. One issue doesn’t erase the other.
So, I will close by saying I respect your opinion as a fellow human, though I disagree.
Imagine being so entitled, privileged, and childish to not only get this upset over a children’s themepark ride, but then to also write such a long, pouty ‘op-ed’ with some of the worst takes possible. Disney Adults never seize to lower the bar every day
I’m offended by the black widow ax murderer. She’s killed at least 5 husbands on that ride. As a man this is very scary to me. Please tear down this ride. It is much too scary and offensive. What about the poor tragic families of these poor men that are murdered by their wives? Nobody ever thinks about them
The writer has created a straw man argument to stir up controversy. If Disney was eliminating the theme of the ride due to Song of the South being problematic then they would have changed this ride a long time ago. As the column states most people have not seen Song of the South so the characters are meaningless and out of date. An example is Mr. Toads Wild Ride getting updated to a more current character. All you people afraid your conservatism is being assailed should stop being triggered so easily.
Totally wild, Becky, that you need to needlessly trample right over any black Disney fans in service of your own agenda. You could JUST complain about the haunted mansion but instead you want to MAKE SURE your concerns JUMP THE LINE.
That’s nuts. Can we all stop being such whiny babies and stop acting offended at the sight of anything unpleasant? I love the hanging man and the whole elevator experience. When I was little I never even thought of suicide. It never even occurred to me. Stop being so thin skinned America!
Interesting title for an article about a ride based on a movie that Disney found to be such a disrespectful mockery of cinema that it cannot be found on its own streaming site. If it’s such a treasured heartfelt movie, why is Disney ashamed of Song of the South?
The only one is scaring was my youngest son when he was six! Dude, have you ever been to fake haunted houses in your life because those are scarier than Haunted Mansion. Also, there were a couple of times in my life where I contemplated suicide, but seeing that on the ride doesn’t affect me. I am not downplaying the seriousness of those who have contemplated, attempted, or have known someone that has done it, but it’s just a ride and you barely see it to begin with as well as it’s quick. I am 41 and we love that ride, it’s a shame people like to take the fun out of things and try to make things serious. If it triggers something than don’t ride it and let the rest of us ride.
The overly sensitive or woke crowd is a joke and I NEVER care what they think. Stay inside if life offends you that much. Such a bunch of soft wussies these days.
It must be frustrating to be so constantly triggered. And man, it’s obvious that you’re digging for reasons to be angry.
You’re argument is that Disney shouldn’t remove characters from a movie that no one remembers and replace them with characters from one their classics. Do you stop and read your own arguments before posting? That’s a rhetorical question, by the way.
My advice: Take two and stop calling me in the morning. I won’t call you.
Splash Mountain needs an overhaul but otherwise its fine the way it is. As for the Haunted Mansion if your upset about a 2 second hanging scene you need to get yourself checked out. Its a ride/ make believe.
Exactly! I am so sick of these whiny, oh my God I’m offended, let’s throw our hands up in the air and whine about it. Get over it. The haunted Mansion is a classic, leave it alone and if you don’t like it then get your woke a$$ out of there.
I’ve never wrote a post but this article is one sided, if you take an element of what’s been here your taking history of the time it happened, basically changing and saying it never happened is way more then when it did (splash mountain), (haunted mansion)I can tell the sensitivity of this matter, it’s art death or living, art is everywhere, if this shakes you up then don’t get on the ride, as a kid no issues riding the haunted mansion I loved this ride then and still love it now , instead of bashing Disney, start writing about something that’s more important, your criticism is what’s making this park fall apart more then ever, not counting how expensive a ticket is , as a writer you have to connect both sides and correlate, in my eyes that’s a fail , however it’s an opinion at this point and so is mine.
I managed to find song of the South online and watch the movie in its entirety. There is nothing scandalous about the film and you can’t explore the movie in the eyes of today’s society. The movie is very light hearted story and uncle Remus very kind and considerate character. This woke business has got to stop.
I 100% agree with this writer. My dear friend hung herself three weeks ago and the effects are heart -shatteringly real. Making light of that is horrible
Although I avoid the haunted mansion all together because I don’t enjoy creep fests. Amen sister
I totally agree that it’s a simple thing to do and needs to be done immediately. It can and does cause pain for people and we should not accept that just because it’s always been that way. Suicide is not a funny topic. That’s it
It’s just like a white woman Karen to decide when it’s the correct time to worry about race, and what trauma should be prioritized. It’s not either or…. it’s both. Complain to the manager about both with that haircut Karen.
It’s a haunted house that people who choose to go, expect to be “scared” .What makes a corpse hanging from a rope a suicide victim? Perhaps he was hung by the evil person who lives in the house and created the other scary elements??
I’ve been going to Disney World since I was 6 years old (I’m 52), and not once, even now, did I ever think it was a suicide. I always saw it as someone came to visit and the ghosts killed them. I agree with the people who say it’s getting out of control. Even having seen Song of the South as a kid and experiencing the ride for so many years as an adult, I only ever saw Uncle Remus as being a kind man because my focus was always on Brair Rabbit, Fox and Bear. I understand people’s issues with it too.
Something to be upset about… is when a network decides to make a FICTIONAL series about a serial killer! They WEREN’T FICTIONAL to the families whose loved ones were murdered by them! Making such a thing is cruel because there was nothing fake about their deaths. Now THAT’S something to get upset about. 😡
Stop it!!! You are angry that they are changing the beloved Splash Mountain because it doesn’t offend you. Yet, in the same breath you demand changes to Haunted Mansion because it offends you. There is no perfect ride that makes everyone happy. What about the people that don’t like the axe scene? Small World is full of stereotypes. Spanish speaking people are angry because there is a tiki bird with a Spanish accent and he has the name Jose, as if as Spanish speaking people are named Jose. Monsters Inc. is demeaning to shorter people, clearly showing that the taller Sully is much more successful and likable than his shorter counterpart. Just remove all the rides. Then everyone will be happy. Except Epcot will still serve food associated with countries instead of the true cuisine served in that country. There is no end. STOP! Suck it up!
Seriously this is almost enough for me to write YOU off as a page to visit. Don’t preach to me. This is stupid, and if you are soooo offended YOU stop going to Disney parks and use your wallet to protest or whatever, but don’t expect parks with millions of visitors from all over the globe to cater to YOUR sensitivity.
This is completely stupid! The hanging body is just that… a hanging body… not a suicide( your interpretation) and when the lights go out and it falls… who screams… who knows. I saw this ride the first year when it opened ( a year after my own mom did a suicidal fall and never made Any connection. Disney doesn’t need help… you do! It’s a fun … and scary way to start the ride!
My child killed himself. Encountering something like this at ANY time would be traumatic, and the fact that Disney thought this appropriate for any kind of entertainment is unspeakably insensitive and ignorant.
I’m sorry for your loss. But it’s not insensitive because it’s part of the story and it’s been there since 1969. You wanna get offended over something in a story? Fine. But don’t ruin it for the rest of us.
Author, I hate you. Unreservedly. For you to link your opinion on Haunted Mansion to Splash Mountain re-theme is gross.
To say that Uncle Remus is the only problematic character in Song of the South is ignorant at best and downright dangerous and loathsome at worst. Br’er Rabbit and his crew aren’t characters that Disney dreamt up. They are characters of African American oral traditions appropriated by Walt Disney to perpetuate a societal lie about a genteel Antebellum South where Slaves loved their masters and didn’t mind toiling away in the sun. Gross.
Now, was Disney alone in his actions? Nope, not even a little bit. Hence the usage of the word “societal”. He very much adhered to the cultural norms of the time. The culture of our time sees those errors and is striving to do better by correcting and educating.
So for you to even link your mission for Haunted Mansion to Splash Mountain is despicable.
You may be right. Disney could do without that element in Haunted Mansion. I strongly disagree with your actions in this piece.
Wrong information regarding Song of the South DVD- you CAN buy them. I have two copies, one still in shrink wrap. The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum in New Orleans located on Camp Street near WWII Museum sells brand new, high quality copies they get from Europe. They were around $20 a copy. I bought copies for many family members and a couple of friends. They always have plenty in stock.
Change both. After 5min we’ll all be fine. I’m not crying over the removal of the human trafficking scene in pirates and I won’t be crying over the removal of some moldy birds in splash mountain. Updates are life, keep learning. Be nice, make it all accessible.
While I agree that the suicide scene is something that should be probably removed, the premise that they cannot go on with the Splash Mountain retheming until they do that is ridiculous. One has no bearing on the other.
If only people would work as hard as trying to fix their personal issues as they do looking for ways to be offended, the world would be a more pleasant place. From a guy who has real, diagnosed PTSD.
The absolute ridiculousness of the poor widdle, sensitive, big mouthed, woke, flowers in our society to is perfectly showcased in this article. Disney can crash and burn for all I care. They are bleeding money hand over fist because of this prog nonsense that is fostered and promoted by the last two coddled and spoiled, participation trophy, generations. These people are a herd of weak tits who have been sheltered and lied to all their wasted lives. It’s long past time to tell these emotionally weak, entitled, narcissistic, virtue signaling, little toadies to grow up and get over themselves.
I was suicidal for a long time and it pains me that Disney has this in an attraction. Seeing something like that would trigger a trauma response for me to a level that the ride would have to be stopped. So kindly go back to the rock you live under and stop encouraging images of suicide, especially those with ZERO previous trigger warnings.
As you’ve seen from my other comments, I’m definitely offended by Disney’s depiction of suicide, but this huge change is more important. It affects a huge group of people that you are speaking on behalf of, rather than standing with. I agree that the depiction of suicide is horrible, but Disney is choosing to take a bigger step in the right direction with a huge improvement rather than fixing something more trivial that would take them less than a day to fix. If you want to actually make change, then contact Disney yourself rather than blasting your opinion on the Internet and SPEAKING FOR people rather than standing with them. I have never spoken out against Splash Mountain except to uplift the voices of those who are marginalized by the movie Song of the South. You are speaking for the people who are affected by this, and it is not ok.
I’ve been affected by suicide more times then I can count and honeslty I didn’t even notice it when I was there 2 weeks ago. I’d never be able to use my tarot cards again if a simple picture affected me. The words is not responsible for your triggers.
Quite honestly, after losing a best friend to suicide (by hanging) at 13 it absolutely disgusts me that this is a part of a “family friendly” park! I can’t say exactly what my reaction would be if faced with that tableau, but it would surely be more panic and upset then happiness…
I now work as a suicide and crisis counselor, and I can tell you with pretty good authority more people have been touched by or attempted suicide than you would believe. No one wants to be reminded of that, let alone on a vacation most people save up for a while to go on. Do the right thing Disney; remove this immediately!
As a survivor of my sister’s recent suicide, I 100% disagree. The haunted mansion is my favorite ride, and if they changed that ride, I may not go back. I get comfort from knowing I’m not alone in the harder themes Disney touches on. I understand if the ride isn’t for you, but that doesn’t mean you should demand change as if everyone touched by suicide feels the same.
When I first was reading the article I was with you on the devastating news about splash as I too felt a though is very wrong of them to change slapsh for no reason…but then the article became pathetic..as a person survived suicide myself i feel like this take on the haunted mansion is a waste of complaints..there is nothing wrong with the ride an there is no need change it..both versions holiday and regular are completely fine the way they are..much like how we feel about splash mountain there is nothing wrong with either ride and should be left alone..it is sad that you are making big deal out of the wrong thin for the wrong reasons!!
Since you pointed out the movie can not be viewed and the majority of people going there don’t know what it is referencing,… would make alot of since to rebrand the ride and update it to something this generation recognizes?
If anyone at Disney is reading this: maybe consider not changing classic rides but instead just post warning signs outside the ride queues? “Warning: This ride contains potentially traumatic scenes pertaining to murder, suicide, self-harm and violence.” Or a sign outside Splash Mountain educating people about why “Song of the South” is controversial, instead of changing a beloved major attraction. You can’t please everyone, but being open and honest about things is a good place to start.
It’s supposed to be a jump scare. Suicide is horrifying and that’s what makes it scary. It’s part of the story of WHY the mansion is haunted.
What other death would you propose they do? A murder? Have you looked at the stories in the portraits? Pretty sure some allude to murder.
If you don’t want to see death, don’t go to a haunted mansion. Better not go to Tower of Terror either where the ride let’s you experience the terror of a little girl murdering her sister and 4 adults by tampering with the elevator.
It you are easily scared, it is super easy to avoid things that have horror and terror right in the name.
These attractions have always had a purpose behind every scene. It’s not meant to offend, but to entertain. And people (ALL PEOPLE) really need to just except that not everything is offensive. Disney, SeaWorld, Universal ect they are only trying to provide the world with a good time. Some people enjoy a little surprising scare which is all the hanging person was meant to be. What I would most appreciate is that my attractions aren’t closed for remodel to suit every little whiner out there. Disney has the right to design whatever they like. You have the right to go or not to go and enjoy what wonderful Disney magic they design. That’s what being a free American is about. Stop demanding remodels! Thank you and have a magical Disney day.
I have lost someone to suicide and I have attempted suicide 7 times over my life from pills and alcohol to driving my car off the road. I’ve been hospitalized and on most every medication imaginable and it wasn’t the avoidance of death that helped me out of it, but the acceptance of it. Accepting death in all its forms. I don’t want the hanged man to leave the ride. Because he is there for a reason, he represents what we have to do when faced with death: move on. Walt Disney was so obsessed with the ride following the death of his parents and it could be fair for him to blame himself in their passing. Many of us who have lived beyond our friends and family and loved ones we have lost to suicide can understand the pain of moving forward and to keep moving on. And that’s the point. It isn’t meant to unsettle you and it only will if you demand to make it about you and not the one you lost. Because their death isn’t about you. You get to move on and keep living knowing that hole will still be there for the rest of your life. But the arrogance to make the suicide of someone you cared about all about you. It’s genuinely sickening. We have to experience their loss and keep moving forward, just like the ride. It focuses on it because it is antragedy we will always carry with us, it is engraved in our hearts, but we keep going forward.
Stale churros, $10 water, and lack of shade at EPCOT offend me more than the hanging skeleton at the Haunted Mansion, and I’ve known more than one person who committed suicide. Life happens, and sometimes, it really sucks. Get over it
I have experienced the tragedy of suicide in my life. She very close family member… I do not agree with removing the scene. Leave the Haunted Mansion alone! People are getting ridiculous about offending others. While intentional offending others is wrong, this was not designed to do as such. It was meant to be scary! That is all. Everyone is so busy being politically correct that it is making a mountains out of mole hills about everything! Both attractions are fine the way they are! SMH. Stop ruining everything classic! If you don’t like it, don’t look! Grow up!
This is such a biased opinion piece it’s ridiculously obvious. I’ve never heard anyone ever complain about the body hanging from the ceiling in Haunted Mansion and I’ve been going to the parks for 38 years. It’s not a secret that death is believed to be the reason behind hauntings and usually violent ones or ones with strong emotion behind them. Are we going to sensor Bram Stokers Dracula next? Or perhaps Mary Shelley’S Frankenstein. C’mon.
Get a grip snowflake
This is all you have to write about?
Go to your safe zone and stay there. It’s supposed 2 b scary.
Guess you better not watch any of the movies coming out if Hollywood or play any Xbox game….they are filled with violence and can be far more terrifying
Who said the body hanging was by suicide.? Maybe he was murdered. There are too many other things to worry about like our civil liberties being taken away, inflation and the. Violent crime on our streets
Is it something that Disney might want to take another look at? Sure. But is it worth all this “outrage” & hate all bc they’re changing splash mountain right now instead of looking at that first? No!?
Did the author try writing a letter to Disney to make them aware of the problem before slamming them in public? No bc they would have written about that. Did the author even have a personal issue with it (ie, suicide)? No bc they would have written about that too.
Complaining and throwing hate at something, instead of taking action to fix the problem, is usually called a “temper tantrum” .
This society had become a bunch of whining babies. If the haunted mansion is gonna bother you that much, don’t go in. Simple as that. It’s been like that over 40 years or so, and no one complained about it till now. People need to be focused on more important things to complain about, than an attraction at Disney. Give me a freaking break, I’m sure you see worse on Netflix, or regular television. Grow some, and man up like the generations past, and quit complaining. These so called sensitive people are ruining it for the rest of us
I think the writers point was more about the fact that if Disney is going to destroy one of the most iconic rides at their parks just to appease SJWs then they have other things that could be viewed as more offensive.
I don’t believe they even still have that element in the haunted mansion, since they ruined the whole experience, with their poorly executed incorporation of the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Have you even been there recently?
As someone who has attempted suicide and had multiple close friends to them do the same, lighten up and take the stick out of your ass. This really just seems like you’re butthurt about the Splash Mountain changes and looking for something to whine about–this is easily the stupidest article I’ve ever read about a Disney theme park.
By this reasoning the fireworks should be stopped because they are traumatic to combat veterans who lived through nightly attacks and fire fights…and the Auto-rama should be removed out of respect for those who have lost loved ones in accidents…
One could go on….
I cannot walk past Haunted Mansion without relieving the trauma of my beloved sister, falling to her death from a tightrope into the deadly maw of the waiting crocodile. Yet they mock me.
Ugh, there are way too many “journalists” if crap like this is published.
Although….I did read it, sooooo, I guess joke’s on me.
As someone who has had three people close to me commit suicide, your entire article was pointless and overly dramatic. If you don’t like it, don’t go there.
eBay has a ton of vhs copies of Song of The South, including a bunch of merch. What do you mean its hard to find?? Lol Once again, you cant seem to get your stories quit accurate.
Ive attempted suicide and I dont see a problem with it. Why do people have to absolutely sheltered from unpleasantness? It is a damn haunted house…it fits. Hell, I dont even remember it.
Disney should not give in to replacing classic rides like splash mountain with woke trash. I really hope they lose customers due to this. They’ve been losing viewers and patrons but raising costs to make more money and people need to start showing them their woke agenda will fail them.
Why wouldn’t an Disney replace splash Mountain most adults and definitely not the kids understand any affiliation with that ride in order to stick around they need to stay relevant which means implementing rides that appeal to the current generation of kids. Most of you people crying about keeping Disney the same in it being too woke are going to be dead soon anyways you’re old and irrelevant and you are not the clientele Disney is trying to cater too.
Your that sensitive you want a ride from 1969 cleaned up! What’s next you want ten-pin bowling alleys changed because the balls are like severed heads!
Please stop reporting with your personal dislikes and phobias. I’ve been to The Haunted Mansion several times and have never been traumatized by the stretching room. People enjoy it so please keep your opinion to yourself.
If you don’t like the suicide in the haunted mansion, write disney a letter. It has nothing to do with splash mountain. This is just self indulgent complaining. The suicide imagery can be bad while Song of The South is also bad. The idea that you cant fix one problem til you’ve fixed other problems is by far the biggest issue in our culture today.
To whoever wrote this RIDICULOUS article, THIS IS A RIDE. Yes suicide is an issue that needs to be addressed, BY PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW ABOUT THAT TOPIC. Disney’s job is to bring joy and happiness through entertainment, not babysit a bunch of adults who haven’t grown up yet or have personal issues they need work out. If you need help, go get some help. I’m sorry if that’s harsh, but I’m just being honest. Seriously, the ride is called The Haunted Mansion. Meaning there are ghost from who knows where, that have probably died or suffered worst fates than being HUNG and are now living in an abandoned mansion. You’re not suppose to feel comfortable, it supposed to be like walking into a real haunted house, wall to wall cobwebs and creaking doors and floors. People like this are why a majority of us can’t have nice things.
I think the song of the south was an opportunity to teach nowadays kids, to start a conversation that would let us all learn from the past, the mistakes with the purpose of empowerment. It’s not about disrespect its about not forgetting reality, you can’t hide reality because you might offend others. It’s scary not to being able to talk about history, history and past is what we are all made of.
Thank you for sharing a viewpoint that I had never thought about. I cannot say whether or not I fully agree, but you have given me something to think about.
Comments for Disney Continues to Mock & Disrespect Guests by Plunging Ahead with the Splash Mountain Retheme
Matty
There’s a reason why he says “of course…there’s always my way” THAT’S PART OF THE STORY!!
Robert
Exactly. And next we’ll get rid of the bride who killed her husbands. Gime a break. These people are ridiculous. Take it for what it is. Its all in fun and doesn’t scare anyone
Magimike
What next?
Close down radiator springs racers because someone might know someone who died while in a street race?
Close tower of terror because someone might have been caught in a stuck elevator?
Life happens.
Yes some people choose suicide, and that is unfortunate, but life goes on for the rest of us.
The entire attraction is based on dead people.
Put on your big girl pants and grow up.
Mike
We should shut down autopia.. I remember the time I got in a fender bender and it triggers me.
Nora
Bottom line. Disney World has lost its magic. People are overcharged for resorts, admissions, chintzy merchandise made in China, mediocre food,parking, paying to obtain a faster place in line, rude cast members, nasty guests, line jumping, ruining the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake with more hotels, etc. Our first trip to WDW was in 1984. We paid $90 for a lagoon view room at the Polynesian. In 2012, we paid $350 for a Magic Kingdom view room at the Contemporary. We’ve stayed at each of the deluxe resorts except for resorts at Animal Kingdom and the newest ones, which we haven’t seen because in 2016, we’d had enough. We haven’t been back and don’t plan to return. Why should we pay $1000 per night when we can get a larger room or suite with a water park for less than half the price? It’s simply not fun anymore. It makes me sad because we loved Disney World.
Jack
This recommendation is absurd. Leave the Haunted Mansion alone.
Rteker
It’s amazing that the idiots that cry out about a ride element that’s been there for decades. Some people are just too sensitive that they need to complain about things that aren’t real or are not even seen by a vast majority of people who couldn’t care less about a ride that they may never go on. Leave the ride alone
Blistery
Mostly the rightoid nutjobs crying in here, they’re so triggered
Abby
Maybe you’re just a bigot who’s upset that we non-bigots are winning the culture war. Maybe YOU should stay in your place, sweetie. It’s cute that you’re trying so hard, but you should really just go lay down and take a nap–you seem to be pretty gwumpy and we don’t want that, right sweetie?
J
This has to be a joke because no actual military member expect civilians to ever talk to them like that get out of here that yes sir bull and if you are in the military you’re a disgrace to it.
Ruth
Ok, by your own admission, No One is able to access Song of the South anymore. You either have it or watched it, but wont be getting a new copy or a new viewing any time soon. So why keep an attraction that no one recognizes, and that if someone did a small amout of research on, wouldn’t fly in today’s society? Disney is a business, they make money, an attraction no one remembers does not make money. Don’t believe me, just look at the gift shop at the end of the ride. So why keep a theme that is forgotten and inappropriate? And I’m sorry, but you clearly have absolutely no understanding of Walt’s very well documented love of the macabre. HM was his baby and he helped design it down to the tiniest detail.
LM
Because people like me grew up with that ride and still love it. I was just at Disneyland this month because I wanted to ride it one last time before it’s ruined forever. People still wait hours to ride it, so I don’t know what you’re thinking when you say “an attraction no one remembers does not make money”. The quote alone makes sense sure, but many people love splash mountain and haunted mansion. HM often had a 2 hour wait time. So leave both rides alone snowflakes.
Dave Williams
Put me in the “Leave it alone” column.
Far more problematic is the attractions being maintained at roughly the level of a traveling carnival. So many rides down for so long during a given day is simply unacceptable, but has become the norm. And Splash Mountain? Apart from features like the jumping water not working and being ignored, all the burned our light bulbs. A lighted section of a ride shouldn’t be unlighted for more than 24 hours, yet on multiple visits over several weeks, the same stretches of Splash Mountain were dark. I don’t care if you’re closing it next week, guests are paying to experience it today.
Do better, Disney.
Charles
I wonder that if you are successful in peer pressuring the Disney company and removing the hangman, what would be next? The fort over on Tom Sawyer’s Island? I mean think of all the people who have been in war and having to watch kids shooting a gun out of a fort as if they are in battle.
Joe Kick Ass
As someone who has dealt with depression, and suicidal tendencies, takes a ton of medacine, and meets with a doctor regularly I can say it’s not offensive. I love the haunted Mansion, I love the ghost host, it’s one of my favorite parts of the ride. STOP BEING OFFENDED FOR OTHER PEOPLE!
Mike
I love this comment.. I was just thinking ..hey can we actually hear from some people who might have dealt with Thais and stop being offended on there belay..thank you! I’m also sorry you’re going through so much… that’s really rough stuff. Stay strong and I appreciate your honesty.
A
I have dealt with this and I am offended by it. Shut up.
Mike
I think if your offended by this then you just skip that ride …
Ernesto Salgado
Los pilares o ejes en que se sostiene Disney, definitivamente han cambiado y su filosofía empresarial es muy diferente a lo que Walt deseaba, Roy buscó recuperar esa filosofía con mucho éxito solo que ya no está. La Visión y la Misión cambiaron, creo que se olvidaron de publicarla, definitivamente ya no se basa en esa inocencia de antaño, el problema es que para muchos las espectativas son otras. Disney ya no es un referente de calidad ha bajado mucho y otro gran problema es que lo que sería una oportunidad para otros, los están imitando tambien bajando su calidad, eso no es sostenible en el tiempo y es una bomba que en algún momento les reventará en la cara, tenemos que aceptar con desdén que nunca más regresarán a lo de antes, al final la entropía les llegó para no irse más
John
I never once felt the hanging in the Haunted Mansion was a “suicide”! It’s as stated..”Find a way out!..or there’s always MY WAY!” HAHAHAHAHA…
They hang you for not escaping! That’s how everyone I know have always interpreted it! The Haunted care takers imply they will KILL YOU if you don’t escape..as there’s room for ONE MORE Ghost in the Mansion!😉
Who would choose suicide?! They are challenged with trying to ESCAPE ALIVE!
Mike
Interesting interpretation.. I believe it is supposed to be a suicide though. If you listened to the original promo recording from 1969 the raven comments on the hanging and says “he chose the cowards was out”… that definitely implies suicide.. I like the way you see it better though.. that’s a much better view.. for the record I like the scene.
MC
Oh I disagree – I 100% internet it as a suicide being the only way to get out of a room with no window and no doors.
Robert
Thank you. These overly sensitive people need to be stopped. It’s ridiculous. Next we’ll have to retheme Halloween. That scene flashes for a second and most don’t see it. She needs to grow up and get over herself. She’s part of the problem with today’s society. A bunch of overly sensitive babies. I look up every time I’m there and barely catch it. Leave it alone already.
ProfTimRN
My Mom committed suicide, and I Haven’t been back to The Haunted mansion since her tragic death, so I don’t know if that scene would affect me now differently… but I do believe the writer has a point that nothing would be lost by removing it and leaving in the lightning and the thunder perhaps… and those who don’t understand, speaking as a psych nur who has himself suffered from depression, these may be the same people who just tell others in a depressed state to snap out of it …because they don’t themselves have a clue what it is to be in that situation. As a #MeToo survivor I know I have triggers that make certain things unwatchable for me …but I don’t think we should erase the past …I think we should provide education around the context that the past provides us, so we can look at what was viewed as unoffensive in the past with modern eyes and ask ourselves what we have learned, and how far we still need to go.
RM
This is quite possibly the biggest waste of time article I’ve read lately.
DF
NO the biggest waste of time are these wokel yokels and overly sensitive people forcing their twisted view of the world on others.
dan
the writer needs to kill her jack ass articles.
Abby
I’m a Me Too survivor with multiple psychiatric diagnoses who’s struggled with depression for at least 19 years, and I’ve both attempted suicide and know others who have, and I think this article is absolutely ridiculous.
B
Waste of time reading this article…I’ll never get that time back
Colin
Saaaaaaammmmmeeeee
James
Sounds like you are just as sensitive Robert. Hmm, if it only flashes for a second then why do you care if they change it. Don’t really see why adults even have concerns about what they do to their rides for children. Hahahaha but whatever dude. Sounds like you are just as much a snowflake ❄️
Terri
My child killed himself. Encountering something like this at ANY time would be traumatic, and the fact that Disney thought this appropriate for any kind of entertainment is unspeakably insensitive and ignorant.
B Smith
Im sorry for your loss!
Dough Jon
Has anyone actually been to Disneyland lately? Like within the past 10 years? Its always set up as Nightmare before Christmas and Jack Skellington’s face covers the whole scene.
Sharon
Totally agree! It’s a 2 second scene that I’ve never actually seen when I look up. If it bothers anyone, avoid the ride/attraction.
I plan to avoid Splash Mountain because I don’t agree with the change. Ignorant people should see Song of the South and they’ll realize it has nothing to do with slavery. It’s an old black man telling stories to a little white kid. How can you take offense?
Roberto
Yeah… but you’ll still go to the parks, buy their merchandise, and watch their movies. So your protest of refusing to ride the ride — which you’ll probably do eventually — really isn’t much of a protest. That’s what Disney fans do: they gripe about changes, they holler about “wokeness” but at the end of the day, much like a crackhead who let’s their dealer hit them, you’ll keep lining up for Disney and do all sorts of mental gymnastics to justify it.
Jill A Sackett
I’ll never go again bc they won’t say “boys and girls”
Too woke 4 me
Abby
Good, the parks are better off without bigots like you. You will not be missed, and there’s plenty of us good folks around for Disney to still make money from.
Matt
You are correct Song of the south is endearing and does not portray anyone negatively, except the fox and bear maybe. But not many people under the age of 50 have even seen it
Marya
It was a wonderfully musical movie we loved it as kids and still sing zip a de do da. Uncle Remus made you feel special when he told the story, and you learned to be a good person. Will never see anything bad about that movie.
Jonathan
You clearly are seeing that movie from an ignorant non black perspective if you believe that’s all there is to it.
Terri
Ask a mom or dad whose child committed suicide how they feel about it. For those yelling “too sensitive” and calling names, I assume you don’t have kids. If you do, try imaging your child hanging there. YOU CAN’T. The reality is infinitely worse. And you really have no right to comment on this, let alone talk down anyone else without knowing their situation. How dare you. Parents who survive this horror are the strongest people you’ll ever meet.
Gaby
I am so sorry for your loss. You are infinity correct, those saying to “get over it” can never imagine it. While I didn’t lose a child, I did lose a best friend as a young teen and every year around the time of his death I’m plagued with nightmares of him hanging in his last moments. To have a portrayal of this anywhere is damnable, but in a family theme park is even worse. I wish you love and healing and I’m so sorry so many people are so indescribably hurtful.
Marya
⁰I have been going to Disney since I was 18 months old. My father took us every other year for vacation, I think he loved it more than we kids. I am now 67. I have never even seen the person hanging at the Haunted House. I think if this writer had not written this article and whined about it there would not be such a fuss . Most people like me have never seen it and now everyone will be looking for it. Some one always has to f*#k things up. That one person that gets offended churns up masses,and how do you know its suicide, did they leave you a note lady.
Loring
I’m sorry for your loss. You are exactly right in your comment!
How insensitive for someone who has not experienced it to tell you to get over it and not react to such a horrific reminder.
Abby
I’ve literally had my boyfriend attempt suicide, as well as multiple close friends, as well as attempting it myself. This IS too sensitive.
Lonnie
Why you bunch must have been great at parties!
Katy
Wow that was alot but I totally agree. There should be no glorifying suicide. Its something very serious and not to be taken lightly especially on a ride at Disneyland. This reminds me of the movie Lyle Lyle Crocodile we just seen and how they glorified dumpster diving. They’re actual unhoused humans who have to do that as a means to survive, not something to pretend is a 5 star meal.
Charlie
So the author wants them to stop the screw up of one ride so they can screw up another? The real crowd sentiment is to leave splash mountain alone. There is nothing offensive on the ride.
Sharon
AGREED!!!!
A
May I ask which crowd sentiment that is? The white crowd, or the black crowd? Just checking.
Marya
Explaine the offence to the movie for me ,please. For me it has always been a nice grandfatherly person telling a story to some kids. Just what is offensive in that. Seriously ,give me your sights on this movie.
Mike
I’ve heard people complaining for last few years about this.. but it’s always on behalf of people affected by suicide.. I’ve never heard anyone say that they were personally affected by suicide and were offended by the mansion… and maybe they just need to chill a bit. I’m a pretty liberal dem and even I think this is getting out of control. We need to start teaching more conflict resolution and less conflict avoidance. Let’s toughen up just a bit please.
Asia
Agree. As someone who has been suicidal in the past and HAS lost someone to suicide, this ride doesn’t trigger me. That being said, it MAY trigger others. However, instead of removing or changing the ride, they should just add a disclaimer mentioning potential triggers, like they do for pregnancy, heart disease, claustrophobia and allow the customer to make their own decisions. Just because Disney caters to families doesn’t mean all princesses and butterflies. People have have different tastes and they try to cater to all. If suicide or homicide triggers you in any form then you probably avoid haunted houses in general, so why would you NOT avoid this one too. Honestly, IMHO Mr. Toad’s wild ride was scarier than HM and I love that ride too.
Sharon
I don’t like the idea of dropping in the Tower of Terror, therefore, I’ve NEVER gone on it.
Sands
Anyone that doesn’t understand The Haunted Mansion ride can get greater insight by watching the 2003 American Supernatural film directed by Rob Minkoff. Walt Disney’s ‘The Haunted Mansion’ Movie stars Eddie Murphy, a realtor that gets trapped in the haunted mansion. It’s a very good movie and delivers great understanding of the ride. I love that There’s reasons for all detailing. I do know the ride was made before the movie but the movie shows reasons for the cause.
I try to keep in mind, There’s different things and rides in every park for different people. Life isn’t made for us to like and enjoy everything we come across. We pick and choose what’s accommodating to our likes, needs, and wants. The rest, we simply don’t partake.
Ranay
The cliff notes version of this article: I am upset that they are trying to make changes to something that offends a whole race, instead of focusing on something that may or may not offend some people. 😑😒 you literally want them to keep a whole *$$ ride up that offensive just because of a suicide reference? Not “while you’re at it disney…” or “let’s add to the list of things that are problematic in the parks” you want them to completely ignore something for something else just because YOU it’s an eye sore?! There is sensitive, bratty, entitlement throughout this whole article. GET OVER YOURSELF.
Cj
Thank you!
Dion
Ranay I’m black and I’m not offended so dont ever speak for my whole race.
Ive seen song of the south and I am a frequent DW visitor.
There is history for my race in that film and I as a 32 year old black man dont want my history forgotten.
So don’t EVER SPEAK on behalf of MY ENTIRE RACE.
Sharon
GOOD FOR YOU!!
CAndersen
OH MY EVER LOVING…… 🙄🙄🙄🙄 LEAVE THE RIDES ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!
John
You have a choice of yes or not to go on any ride unless you do not meet height requirements. If Disney continues to change rides based on peoples views they will be changing all the rides and attractions. What about the Halloween attractions Many people do not celebrate Halloween unless it is a Fall Festival. Look at all the zombie movies and slasher movies that some kids watch. I do not see any producers of movies changing the movies or themes. How many Jason and Michael Myers movies are there? This people getting offended is getting out of control. I don’t like the hanging scene at the Haunted Mansion but that is part or the attraction so you either go with it or not look at it. You can look on You tube and practically see the rides so look sat rides before going to Disney and decide which ones you do not want to go on. I avoid all spinning rides or rides that twist and jerk you around so I do not go on those rides
Gary
I’m surprised at the number of negative comments. How many of you have been affected by a close suicide? Have a heart. We understand the story element and enjoy the ride, but we have friends who lost a son at 20 by hanging and know they could never do the attraction because of this one element. Otherwise HM is one of our favorites. We try to make sure our 5-year old does not look up at the end. This isn’t Universal or Six Flags and that scene could easily go. There is a difference between depicting what is clearly a suicide and the fort and guns on Tom Sawyer Island.
Cj
Then don’t bring the child on the ride. Simple. No one is responsible for what you want your kids to see. Also, I would be a little more concerned about how a five year old knows that a person hanging on a rope equals taking one’s life.
Christopher
Thank you.
I’m so tired of this ridiculous catering to the whiney babies.
Stop
When will this constant “I’m offended” garbage stop? I’m offended by you being offended! Guess they’re running out of things to be offended by.
Jay
Who gets so upset over them changing a ride? Many great rides have come and gone get over yourselves!
Michiepo
Then don’t ride the dam ride it would ruin it to take it out thats the best Part of the ride everybody’s wamped up everybody’s reciting back what they say inside that part everybody’s screams when they see that part it is the best part of the ride I’m forty eight years young and I remember as a kid even going in there see that and excited to see that part to just be able to scream with everybody else Call a haunted house for a reason and the other person is right are we supposed to get rid of halloween on together halloween is about scary movies scary things the honeymansion is basically halloween year round Halloween is about scary people behind mass with knives and everything else that goes with it it’s just not kittens and fuzzy bunnies Bottom line if you’re suicidal or your had experienced someone dying then don’t go in the ride then you don’t have to see it you don’t have to deal with it and you don’t have display else Or where something of your eyes during that time looked down look away you don’t have to look up
Roberto
So… you’re offended by the new direction of the ride… maybe you should take your own advice.
Jill
I’ll never go again bc they won’t say “boys and girls”
My daughter us a girl, not a “guest” or whatever they say now
Abby
If you refuse to go just because they’re daring to be inclusive of people who are different than the norm, that says a lot more about you than it does about Disney, and the rest of us are not going to miss your presence there in the SLIGHTEST. The parks are better off without you–thank you for not coming, that means I won’t have to worry as much about encountering bigots next time I go there.
Natalie
Good grief, that was a long article of nothingness. Someone just wanted to have a bunch of ads to scroll through while boring us to tears.
C
Perfectly said. It has been there for 53 years and hasn’t been an issue until these super sensitive people came out! This is beyond ridiculous. Why don’t y’all focus on the REAL REASONS for suicide!!! Leave Disney alone!!!
Amy
If I understand the he story line correctly the girls father is killing all her fiance’s. The rope is a hangman’s noose to scare off new boyfriends its not a suicide rope.
MC
No, the script makes it clear it’s a suicide. Your chilling challenge is to find a way out of the doorless & windowless room and he says “of course, there’s always my way” and then it flashes to the reveal of the hanging body. His way is suicide – it’s very clear. The things about the bride and her husband are much fuzzier, but all indications are that she kills the husbands for their riches, no idea where you got the father thing from.
Elaine
I’ve seen the father story, but it’s from Phantom Manor in Paris, not the ones in Florida and California.
Dion
Lol white it out Amy
A
I believe the hanging body is supposed to be someone who was murdered. Not sure if that makes the snowflakes feel any better. There’s no clear indication it’s a suicide scene.
Ckirk
While I don’t think it’s offensive, it’s explicitly a suicide scene. The voice of the ghost host says “And consider this dismaying observation: this chamber has no windows and no doors… which offers you this chilling challenge: to find a way out! Of course, there’s always my way.” At which point the lightning flashes and a hanging body is visible in the rafters for a second. He got stuck in the room, couldn’t get out, and committed suicide.
That said, it’s a haunted mansion ride full of other references to death by a bunch of horrible causes including drowning, animal attacks, betrayal, spousal murder, death in combat, etc. It would be ridiculous to exclude one of those when all of them might offend someone somewhere.
goaliemom
Then why is she carry a hatchet and known as Constance the hatchet bride? No mention of a father.
Azure
When you know better (if you’re a decent human being) you do better.
Dionne
I’m just curious, as the author you’re trying to discern that the possible personal Association, is more important than the very real and factual Association of Splash Mountain to the glorifying of negative and subservient African-American stereotypes?
Abby
There is no such thing as stereotypes?? LMFAO are you serious right now??
R
I had a friend who hung themselves 14 years ago. The Haunted Mansion is still the first ride I try to go on every opportunity I get to go to Disneyland. “Have a heart.” I’m so tired of all this it doesn’t suit everybody, it offends people so change it nonsense. I’m going to keep my focus out in the real world where kids and adults do off themselves because no one listens or stops the bullies and hate speech that drove them to it, not some silly ride with one scene that doesn’t even last that long
Michael
For the most part, people want to sue them for a quick buck. By say they are offered by it.
Corrine
To be fair to the author, she did say about people going on the ride for the very first time and not knowing it would be there. Now with that being said, here’s the thing… It’s a Haunted House! You should expect just about anything and everything, including the possibility of suicide being involved! If people can’t have an open mind to the fact that all scenarios could be seen in a “haunted house” then they should stick with Peter Pan’s flight and rides of that nature only and leave the Haunted House for those that can “handle” it. Geeze
K.
But Peter Pan was an orphan! What if someone’s parents had died? Traumatic!
Mattie
Why does it not surprise me that a white woman doesn’t think song of the south isn’t a part of the ride. The characters are stolen from African traditional tales. The songs are literally still in the ride. Songs that were sung at minstrel shows. The YouTube channel Dreamsounds did a great video on just how deep the connection between splash mountain and song of the south goes. The ride NEEDS TO GO. stop. Speaking. Over. Black people.
Nicole
I was waiting for her to argue we should erect a confederate statue in front of it. If you don’t agree with the current political climate of recognizing how messed up it is to honor the confederacy, just come out and say it
Paul Bergeron
Are you offended by the Founding Fathers in the Presidents’ display too?
DisneyFan
Are you black? Because there are plenty of black people against the change and who aren’t offended by the ride…maybe because there’s no offensive elements in the ride. Maybe white people should stop being offended on behalf of black people.
Sharon
Thank you!!!
Kate
– Says to stop speaking over black people
– Recommends video made by white person that happens to be full of inaccuracies
K
Steve
Black people don’t need a voice. You have a continent and should go back there.
A
WHAT
A
What
Nicole
This article wreaks of someone trying to redirect the current movement of recognizing that we shouldn’t be honoring people who fought to keep slavery legal. You think what Disney is doing is disrespectful? I think it’s disrespectful how you drone on and on just to shove more ads into your article.
William
As someone who has attempted suicide, there is nothing offensive about the ride element. I am surprised this article doesn’t include the ghosts literally shooting each other, the man being buried alive or the bride decapitating her husbands. I guess murder isn’t offensive.
Vann
Guess what, it’s a theme park!!!! Just like Universal and the rest around the country.
If you don’t like it, don’t go.
Margaret hiward
I HAVE JUST THIS MOMENT BOUGHT THE DVD SONG OFVTHE SOUTH FROM AMAZON
MLopez
This has got to stop.
Everyone has tragedies in their lives.
Just as “Song of the South” has a notice about the themes of segregation and prejudice, ANY ride could have a notice about the sensitivities of the subject of a ride. What’s a ride about the macabre Without the macabre….
Let me answer that for the overly sensitive.
It’s a useless ride.
People need to recognize that their emotional sensibilities aren’t there to be FED in a theme park.
Geeze this blog is getting to be as stupid as the changes to the parks themselves.
Christina
Wow!! This is so exciting! Never watched song of the south so tbh never really cared about the animals. My daughter loves princess and the frog (and me lol!) so this is going to be great!
Sharon
Splash Mountain is about the animals. G3t over yourself. I personally will not ride the retheme because I don’t relate to it. It’s all that simple.
Bruce
This article is a good example of the strawman fallacy. Instead of focusing on defending keeping Splash Mountain as is, and ignoring Disney routinely changes rides to reflect new movies, it focuses on a completely different subject.
LWA
Snowflakes gonna flake. This writer probably thinks a bunch of people running through the capital hamming for pictures is an “armed insurrection”. SMH
This country is screwed.
Jeff
Where is the like button….. I totally agree.
Trish Suvino-D'Anna
I can no longer ride SPACE MOUNTAIN because I have hurt my back. I have ridden it over 15 times. About the TOWER OF TERROR, I never even noticed. I am sorry that some people are offended, but, you cannot please everyone.
Dion
Yet you’re offended by Splash Mountain???
Are you even black?
You are whitewashing history homie.
Tiana needs her own ride not to overlap the current ride.
Bill
I agree, Splash Mountian has always been a favorite and that is backed up by some pretty long waiting times in both on and off seasons. Disney has more than enough room in Florida anyways to make this happen.
Dionne
I’m a Dion too, crazy we had the same thought
Matty
Bruh I love splash mountain! That’s one of my favs lol
JB
Well, that’s the last time I visit this site. Get woke, go broke! The sniveling author and her delicate sensibilities should be required to find a new job, as writing about something as benign as Disney World should not be this distressing, and an author shouldn’t be actively pushing readers away.
H
Well said, splash mountain should have been left alone, and an all new Tiana ride built, it’s not like Disney doesn’t have the money, enough of the snowflakes and wokesters, I’ve been going to WDW since it opened and all but the last few years it was fine, coincidence huh!
Matty
Literally who said I was offended by splash mountain? 😂
Dion
The author made valid points even if it aint fitting the agenda.
If it offends anyone it should go.. whats good for one is good for all..
Unless you think thats wrong and only a ride based on a forgotten film where the 1st black man JB won the Academy Award..
Yeah lets white that out
Trisha
My opinion is on Splash Mountain – as said in the article pretty much no one even knows about the movie is was built around – the animals from the movie are the stars of the attraction. Redoing a ride over something pretty much no one knows about is rediculous & upsetting to me. Splash Mountain has been around for so long and should still be around for many many years to come for future generations – but sadly Disney doesn’t seem to care about the fans or generations of fans opinion. The world has changed & to me it’s getting worse – not better.
Steph
Future generations don’t care about the old stories. We want things that are exciting to us and that our kids can have fun on. My kids don’t care about singing animals, they will be excited about the bayou and Tiana. Even the villain Dr. Facilier is better to them than what’s there.
Steph
I guess I’m in the minority here. I think this article is catering to “the squeaky wheel”. My family has never liked Splash Mountain. It was t entertaining to us. We didn’t even bother in the heat of late June. When we heard that it was being rethemed as Princess and the Frog we were so happy. It is being turned into something that the kids and us actually are excited for. It has nothing to do with being “a whiny baby”, though whose being the whiny baby now? Progress is a good thing. Let’s bring things into the park newer generations are actually excited about.
TheChango
Let’s just rename it Snow White and The Little People, because dwarves is, you know, offensive…
Btw, visage refers to the face or of the face. I think you meant to use depiction of suicide, not visage of suicide. (Facepalm)
Daren
Complaining about a suicide on the way to a cemetary full of people who died in the most bizarre ways?
As for Splash Mountain, the theme remodel sounds like fun.
However Song of the South gets a bad rep. The white Dad is to busy in polotics to have anything to do with his wife and kids and is always away on business. The white wife is either ditzy or stoned all the time and has no clue how to raise her kid. The only other white people in the movie are the white trash that live in the swamp down the way. The black slaves, however, are the ones with brains and common sense. The ones who manage the property for the white woman in hysterics. The ones who keep the kids alive and teach them about life and acceptance of others. Because of them the white kid has a chance to grow up and make a difference in the world. Sure, the movie doesn’t depict a realistic view of slave life, but the black slaves are the heroes throughout the movie and the whites are fools.
Ruka
I happen to disagree with you on all counts. I greatly enjoy Haunted Mansion, I love the stretching room and have never found the hanging man scary. (I have been a regular visitor to Disneyland since I was less than a year old).
As for Splash Mountain: Honestly I feel like it’s time to put all things “Song of the South” to rest. In fact since Splash opened in the 80s I don’t understand how that theme was even choosen. Yes, I love Zippedy Do Daw, and Br’er Rabbit, but I also can move on and open mindly try out the Tiana Bayou theme when it arrives. As long as the Br’er crew is there someone will always be passing on talk about Song of the South.
That said, these are two separate issues. Even if they decided to somehow remove the stretching room (not sure how they would as it conceals the elevator system) that has no barring on the fate of Splash Mountain’s theme. One issue doesn’t erase the other.
So, I will close by saying I respect your opinion as a fellow human, though I disagree.
Steve
Disney is for entitled whiners. I don’t go there anymore.
Drummer
Chill, snowflakes! Put your big kid pants on, and move on!
Kevin
I was in the military and I’ve had many friends commit suicide. I am not offended by the haunted mansion nor would I ever want it changed.
Joe
Imagine being so entitled, privileged, and childish to not only get this upset over a children’s themepark ride, but then to also write such a long, pouty ‘op-ed’ with some of the worst takes possible. Disney Adults never seize to lower the bar every day
Dan
I’m offended by the black widow ax murderer. She’s killed at least 5 husbands on that ride. As a man this is very scary to me. Please tear down this ride. It is much too scary and offensive. What about the poor tragic families of these poor men that are murdered by their wives? Nobody ever thinks about them
Sharon
Finally someone gets it!!! Thank you!!!
Jo March
The writer has created a straw man argument to stir up controversy. If Disney was eliminating the theme of the ride due to Song of the South being problematic then they would have changed this ride a long time ago. As the column states most people have not seen Song of the South so the characters are meaningless and out of date. An example is Mr. Toads Wild Ride getting updated to a more current character. All you people afraid your conservatism is being assailed should stop being triggered so easily.
Danielle
Totally wild, Becky, that you need to needlessly trample right over any black Disney fans in service of your own agenda. You could JUST complain about the haunted mansion but instead you want to MAKE SURE your concerns JUMP THE LINE.
Susan Kristi
That’s nuts. Can we all stop being such whiny babies and stop acting offended at the sight of anything unpleasant? I love the hanging man and the whole elevator experience. When I was little I never even thought of suicide. It never even occurred to me. Stop being so thin skinned America!
Marie
Interesting title for an article about a ride based on a movie that Disney found to be such a disrespectful mockery of cinema that it cannot be found on its own streaming site. If it’s such a treasured heartfelt movie, why is Disney ashamed of Song of the South?
Erika
The only one is scaring was my youngest son when he was six! Dude, have you ever been to fake haunted houses in your life because those are scarier than Haunted Mansion. Also, there were a couple of times in my life where I contemplated suicide, but seeing that on the ride doesn’t affect me. I am not downplaying the seriousness of those who have contemplated, attempted, or have known someone that has done it, but it’s just a ride and you barely see it to begin with as well as it’s quick. I am 41 and we love that ride, it’s a shame people like to take the fun out of things and try to make things serious. If it triggers something than don’t ride it and let the rest of us ride.
Oyf
Omg who cares. Get over yourself.
Dax
Here’s an idea, don’t ride it if you don’t like it.
Joe Mama
The overly sensitive or woke crowd is a joke and I NEVER care what they think. Stay inside if life offends you that much. Such a bunch of soft wussies these days.
Rax
It must be frustrating to be so constantly triggered. And man, it’s obvious that you’re digging for reasons to be angry.
You’re argument is that Disney shouldn’t remove characters from a movie that no one remembers and replace them with characters from one their classics. Do you stop and read your own arguments before posting? That’s a rhetorical question, by the way.
My advice: Take two and stop calling me in the morning. I won’t call you.
Ann
Exactly! I’ve never even noticed it. I’m so tired of all of these people that are offended over everything.
Ann
👏👏👏👏
Joanna
Splash Mountain needs an overhaul but otherwise its fine the way it is. As for the Haunted Mansion if your upset about a 2 second hanging scene you need to get yourself checked out. Its a ride/ make believe.
LM
Same
LM
100% agree with Haunt1000
Bill
You do know you can bypass the that whole scene, right?
Daya
Exactly! I am so sick of these whiny, oh my God I’m offended, let’s throw our hands up in the air and whine about it. Get over it. The haunted Mansion is a classic, leave it alone and if you don’t like it then get your woke a$$ out of there.
Chris
I’ve never wrote a post but this article is one sided, if you take an element of what’s been here your taking history of the time it happened, basically changing and saying it never happened is way more then when it did (splash mountain), (haunted mansion)I can tell the sensitivity of this matter, it’s art death or living, art is everywhere, if this shakes you up then don’t get on the ride, as a kid no issues riding the haunted mansion I loved this ride then and still love it now , instead of bashing Disney, start writing about something that’s more important, your criticism is what’s making this park fall apart more then ever, not counting how expensive a ticket is , as a writer you have to connect both sides and correlate, in my eyes that’s a fail , however it’s an opinion at this point and so is mine.
Melody
I managed to find song of the South online and watch the movie in its entirety. There is nothing scandalous about the film and you can’t explore the movie in the eyes of today’s society. The movie is very light hearted story and uncle Remus very kind and considerate character. This woke business has got to stop.
Brooke
Agreed. Sweet movie.
Brooke
I 100% agree with this writer. My dear friend hung herself three weeks ago and the effects are heart -shatteringly real. Making light of that is horrible
Although I avoid the haunted mansion all together because I don’t enjoy creep fests. Amen sister
Diane
I totally agree that it’s a simple thing to do and needs to be done immediately. It can and does cause pain for people and we should not accept that just because it’s always been that way. Suicide is not a funny topic. That’s it
Zach, PHD
It’s just like a white woman Karen to decide when it’s the correct time to worry about race, and what trauma should be prioritized. It’s not either or…. it’s both. Complain to the manager about both with that haircut Karen.
Giin
… Wow, lol.
Stan Smith
It’s a haunted house that people who choose to go, expect to be “scared” .What makes a corpse hanging from a rope a suicide victim? Perhaps he was hung by the evil person who lives in the house and created the other scary elements??
Lori
I’ve been going to Disney World since I was 6 years old (I’m 52), and not once, even now, did I ever think it was a suicide. I always saw it as someone came to visit and the ghosts killed them. I agree with the people who say it’s getting out of control. Even having seen Song of the South as a kid and experiencing the ride for so many years as an adult, I only ever saw Uncle Remus as being a kind man because my focus was always on Brair Rabbit, Fox and Bear. I understand people’s issues with it too.
Something to be upset about… is when a network decides to make a FICTIONAL series about a serial killer! They WEREN’T FICTIONAL to the families whose loved ones were murdered by them! Making such a thing is cruel because there was nothing fake about their deaths. Now THAT’S something to get upset about. 😡
Cindy
Stop it!!! You are angry that they are changing the beloved Splash Mountain because it doesn’t offend you. Yet, in the same breath you demand changes to Haunted Mansion because it offends you. There is no perfect ride that makes everyone happy. What about the people that don’t like the axe scene? Small World is full of stereotypes. Spanish speaking people are angry because there is a tiki bird with a Spanish accent and he has the name Jose, as if as Spanish speaking people are named Jose. Monsters Inc. is demeaning to shorter people, clearly showing that the taller Sully is much more successful and likable than his shorter counterpart. Just remove all the rides. Then everyone will be happy. Except Epcot will still serve food associated with countries instead of the true cuisine served in that country. There is no end. STOP! Suck it up!
Corn Pop
And my family is going to Universal. Bob Chapek has “wokified” Disney and they have lost my 10k a year. Time for Butter Beer in Harry Potter land!
Al Fox
Seriously this is almost enough for me to write YOU off as a page to visit. Don’t preach to me. This is stupid, and if you are soooo offended YOU stop going to Disney parks and use your wallet to protest or whatever, but don’t expect parks with millions of visitors from all over the globe to cater to YOUR sensitivity.
A
It is enough for me. The author has chosen to speak over black people on this and I think I will find a new Disney blog to research from.
Car
I want splash mountain rethemed only because of how they’ve left splash mountain in despair for all these years with half their amatronics not working
D Hatton
This is completely stupid! The hanging body is just that… a hanging body… not a suicide( your interpretation) and when the lights go out and it falls… who screams… who knows. I saw this ride the first year when it opened ( a year after my own mom did a suicidal fall and never made Any connection. Disney doesn’t need help… you do! It’s a fun … and scary way to start the ride!
Tony
Shut up already Becky!
Terri
My child killed himself. Encountering something like this at ANY time would be traumatic, and the fact that Disney thought this appropriate for any kind of entertainment is unspeakably insensitive and ignorant.
B Smith
Im sorry for your loss
Matty
I’m sorry for your loss. But it’s not insensitive because it’s part of the story and it’s been there since 1969. You wanna get offended over something in a story? Fine. But don’t ruin it for the rest of us.
Matty
Also did you read the part where I was suicidal before?
Tara
Anyone who is offended should just stop visiting the parks. Kthanksbaiiii
JB
Warning: Vitriolic Content.
Author, I hate you. Unreservedly. For you to link your opinion on Haunted Mansion to Splash Mountain re-theme is gross.
To say that Uncle Remus is the only problematic character in Song of the South is ignorant at best and downright dangerous and loathsome at worst. Br’er Rabbit and his crew aren’t characters that Disney dreamt up. They are characters of African American oral traditions appropriated by Walt Disney to perpetuate a societal lie about a genteel Antebellum South where Slaves loved their masters and didn’t mind toiling away in the sun. Gross.
Now, was Disney alone in his actions? Nope, not even a little bit. Hence the usage of the word “societal”. He very much adhered to the cultural norms of the time. The culture of our time sees those errors and is striving to do better by correcting and educating.
So for you to even link your mission for Haunted Mansion to Splash Mountain is despicable.
You may be right. Disney could do without that element in Haunted Mansion. I strongly disagree with your actions in this piece.
Matt
Wrong information regarding Song of the South DVD- you CAN buy them. I have two copies, one still in shrink wrap. The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum in New Orleans located on Camp Street near WWII Museum sells brand new, high quality copies they get from Europe. They were around $20 a copy. I bought copies for many family members and a couple of friends. They always have plenty in stock.
DB
Change both. After 5min we’ll all be fine. I’m not crying over the removal of the human trafficking scene in pirates and I won’t be crying over the removal of some moldy birds in splash mountain. Updates are life, keep learning. Be nice, make it all accessible.
Ali
Who said it was suicide? You assume it is. Ask any Haunted Mansion cast member the story of Master Gracey. Bery few will say he unalived himself.
C Krall
While I agree that the suicide scene is something that should be probably removed, the premise that they cannot go on with the Splash Mountain retheming until they do that is ridiculous. One has no bearing on the other.
Karl N
If only people would work as hard as trying to fix their personal issues as they do looking for ways to be offended, the world would be a more pleasant place. From a guy who has real, diagnosed PTSD.
DF
The absolute ridiculousness of the poor widdle, sensitive, big mouthed, woke, flowers in our society to is perfectly showcased in this article. Disney can crash and burn for all I care. They are bleeding money hand over fist because of this prog nonsense that is fostered and promoted by the last two coddled and spoiled, participation trophy, generations. These people are a herd of weak tits who have been sheltered and lied to all their wasted lives. It’s long past time to tell these emotionally weak, entitled, narcissistic, virtue signaling, little toadies to grow up and get over themselves.
A
I was suicidal for a long time and it pains me that Disney has this in an attraction. Seeing something like that would trigger a trauma response for me to a level that the ride would have to be stopped. So kindly go back to the rock you live under and stop encouraging images of suicide, especially those with ZERO previous trigger warnings.
Marya
Don’t ride the ride. No one is forcing you to do it, unless that is what you want to do is stop the ride so everyone pays attention to you.
Abby
I’ve been suicidal for over 20 years, never had an issue with the Haunted Mansion and still don’t now.
A
As you’ve seen from my other comments, I’m definitely offended by Disney’s depiction of suicide, but this huge change is more important. It affects a huge group of people that you are speaking on behalf of, rather than standing with. I agree that the depiction of suicide is horrible, but Disney is choosing to take a bigger step in the right direction with a huge improvement rather than fixing something more trivial that would take them less than a day to fix. If you want to actually make change, then contact Disney yourself rather than blasting your opinion on the Internet and SPEAKING FOR people rather than standing with them. I have never spoken out against Splash Mountain except to uplift the voices of those who are marginalized by the movie Song of the South. You are speaking for the people who are affected by this, and it is not ok.
Rene
I’ve been affected by suicide more times then I can count and honeslty I didn’t even notice it when I was there 2 weeks ago. I’d never be able to use my tarot cards again if a simple picture affected me. The words is not responsible for your triggers.
sbslaw
This is a troll- right?
Chris
And we do what to the audio recording that is narrated by that character and a trademark of the ride.
Gaby
Quite honestly, after losing a best friend to suicide (by hanging) at 13 it absolutely disgusts me that this is a part of a “family friendly” park! I can’t say exactly what my reaction would be if faced with that tableau, but it would surely be more panic and upset then happiness…
I now work as a suicide and crisis counselor, and I can tell you with pretty good authority more people have been touched by or attempted suicide than you would believe. No one wants to be reminded of that, let alone on a vacation most people save up for a while to go on. Do the right thing Disney; remove this immediately!
Bri C.
This is a whole lot of “what about-ism”. The issue with the Haunted Mansion scene can be expressed without damning the changes to Splash Mountain.
Mei
As a survivor of my sister’s recent suicide, I 100% disagree. The haunted mansion is my favorite ride, and if they changed that ride, I may not go back. I get comfort from knowing I’m not alone in the harder themes Disney touches on. I understand if the ride isn’t for you, but that doesn’t mean you should demand change as if everyone touched by suicide feels the same.
Cherish
When I first was reading the article I was with you on the devastating news about splash as I too felt a though is very wrong of them to change slapsh for no reason…but then the article became pathetic..as a person survived suicide myself i feel like this take on the haunted mansion is a waste of complaints..there is nothing wrong with the ride an there is no need change it..both versions holiday and regular are completely fine the way they are..much like how we feel about splash mountain there is nothing wrong with either ride and should be left alone..it is sad that you are making big deal out of the wrong thin for the wrong reasons!!
Harold Hill
Since you pointed out the movie can not be viewed and the majority of people going there don’t know what it is referencing,… would make alot of since to rebrand the ride and update it to something this generation recognizes?
CDNY
If anyone at Disney is reading this: maybe consider not changing classic rides but instead just post warning signs outside the ride queues? “Warning: This ride contains potentially traumatic scenes pertaining to murder, suicide, self-harm and violence.” Or a sign outside Splash Mountain educating people about why “Song of the South” is controversial, instead of changing a beloved major attraction. You can’t please everyone, but being open and honest about things is a good place to start.
Veronica
It’s supposed to be a jump scare. Suicide is horrifying and that’s what makes it scary. It’s part of the story of WHY the mansion is haunted.
What other death would you propose they do? A murder? Have you looked at the stories in the portraits? Pretty sure some allude to murder.
If you don’t want to see death, don’t go to a haunted mansion. Better not go to Tower of Terror either where the ride let’s you experience the terror of a little girl murdering her sister and 4 adults by tampering with the elevator.
It you are easily scared, it is super easy to avoid things that have horror and terror right in the name.
Heather
These attractions have always had a purpose behind every scene. It’s not meant to offend, but to entertain. And people (ALL PEOPLE) really need to just except that not everything is offensive. Disney, SeaWorld, Universal ect they are only trying to provide the world with a good time. Some people enjoy a little surprising scare which is all the hanging person was meant to be. What I would most appreciate is that my attractions aren’t closed for remodel to suit every little whiner out there. Disney has the right to design whatever they like. You have the right to go or not to go and enjoy what wonderful Disney magic they design. That’s what being a free American is about. Stop demanding remodels! Thank you and have a magical Disney day.
Ren
I have lost someone to suicide and I have attempted suicide 7 times over my life from pills and alcohol to driving my car off the road. I’ve been hospitalized and on most every medication imaginable and it wasn’t the avoidance of death that helped me out of it, but the acceptance of it. Accepting death in all its forms. I don’t want the hanged man to leave the ride. Because he is there for a reason, he represents what we have to do when faced with death: move on. Walt Disney was so obsessed with the ride following the death of his parents and it could be fair for him to blame himself in their passing. Many of us who have lived beyond our friends and family and loved ones we have lost to suicide can understand the pain of moving forward and to keep moving on. And that’s the point. It isn’t meant to unsettle you and it only will if you demand to make it about you and not the one you lost. Because their death isn’t about you. You get to move on and keep living knowing that hole will still be there for the rest of your life. But the arrogance to make the suicide of someone you cared about all about you. It’s genuinely sickening. We have to experience their loss and keep moving forward, just like the ride. It focuses on it because it is antragedy we will always carry with us, it is engraved in our hearts, but we keep going forward.
Stop making it about you.
Mooby
Stale churros, $10 water, and lack of shade at EPCOT offend me more than the hanging skeleton at the Haunted Mansion, and I’ve known more than one person who committed suicide. Life happens, and sometimes, it really sucks. Get over it
Loring
How very insensitive of you to expect everyone to be just like you in their cold disinterest of tragic personal circumstances.
Matty
I’m insensitive? Yeah no. I was suicidal before. But I’m not going to get offended over a part in a story lol
Jennifer
I have experienced the tragedy of suicide in my life. She very close family member… I do not agree with removing the scene. Leave the Haunted Mansion alone! People are getting ridiculous about offending others. While intentional offending others is wrong, this was not designed to do as such. It was meant to be scary! That is all. Everyone is so busy being politically correct that it is making a mountains out of mole hills about everything! Both attractions are fine the way they are! SMH. Stop ruining everything classic! If you don’t like it, don’t look! Grow up!
Jaye
This is such a biased opinion piece it’s ridiculously obvious. I’ve never heard anyone ever complain about the body hanging from the ceiling in Haunted Mansion and I’ve been going to the parks for 38 years. It’s not a secret that death is believed to be the reason behind hauntings and usually violent ones or ones with strong emotion behind them. Are we going to sensor Bram Stokers Dracula next? Or perhaps Mary Shelley’S Frankenstein. C’mon.
Jill A Sackett
Get a grip snowflake
This is all you have to write about?
Go to your safe zone and stay there. It’s supposed 2 b scary.
Guess you better not watch any of the movies coming out if Hollywood or play any Xbox game….they are filled with violence and can be far more terrifying
Who said the body hanging was by suicide.? Maybe he was murdered. There are too many other things to worry about like our civil liberties being taken away, inflation and the. Violent crime on our streets
Matty
Bruh. How I’m a snowflake? I’m not getting offended like some people in this chat are.
Suzy
Is it something that Disney might want to take another look at? Sure. But is it worth all this “outrage” & hate all bc they’re changing splash mountain right now instead of looking at that first? No!?
Did the author try writing a letter to Disney to make them aware of the problem before slamming them in public? No bc they would have written about that. Did the author even have a personal issue with it (ie, suicide)? No bc they would have written about that too.
Complaining and throwing hate at something, instead of taking action to fix the problem, is usually called a “temper tantrum” .
F.R.S.
This society had become a bunch of whining babies. If the haunted mansion is gonna bother you that much, don’t go in. Simple as that. It’s been like that over 40 years or so, and no one complained about it till now. People need to be focused on more important things to complain about, than an attraction at Disney. Give me a freaking break, I’m sure you see worse on Netflix, or regular television. Grow some, and man up like the generations past, and quit complaining. These so called sensitive people are ruining it for the rest of us
Drake Pendragon
I think the writers point was more about the fact that if Disney is going to destroy one of the most iconic rides at their parks just to appease SJWs then they have other things that could be viewed as more offensive.
Becky
I don’t believe they even still have that element in the haunted mansion, since they ruined the whole experience, with their poorly executed incorporation of the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Have you even been there recently?
Abby
As someone who has attempted suicide and had multiple close friends to them do the same, lighten up and take the stick out of your ass. This really just seems like you’re butthurt about the Splash Mountain changes and looking for something to whine about–this is easily the stupidest article I’ve ever read about a Disney theme park.
Timothy Crump
By this reasoning the fireworks should be stopped because they are traumatic to combat veterans who lived through nightly attacks and fire fights…and the Auto-rama should be removed out of respect for those who have lost loved ones in accidents…
One could go on….
Bob igor
Way to woke Disney, have a backbone. You don’t agree with a ride don’t go on it . That simple
Death
Could you be more verbose? This is horrible writing.
Erin
I cannot walk past Haunted Mansion without relieving the trauma of my beloved sister, falling to her death from a tightrope into the deadly maw of the waiting crocodile. Yet they mock me.
Ugh, there are way too many “journalists” if crap like this is published.
Although….I did read it, sooooo, I guess joke’s on me.
Josh
As someone who has had three people close to me commit suicide, your entire article was pointless and overly dramatic. If you don’t like it, don’t go there.
CeeCee
eBay has a ton of vhs copies of Song of The South, including a bunch of merch. What do you mean its hard to find?? Lol Once again, you cant seem to get your stories quit accurate.
Seriously, Again?
Why don’t we just not partake of things that offend us?
Perhaps the rest of us are offended at your insistence we cater to your fragility.
Travis
Ive attempted suicide and I dont see a problem with it. Why do people have to absolutely sheltered from unpleasantness? It is a damn haunted house…it fits. Hell, I dont even remember it.
Drake Pendragon
Disney should not give in to replacing classic rides like splash mountain with woke trash. I really hope they lose customers due to this. They’ve been losing viewers and patrons but raising costs to make more money and people need to start showing them their woke agenda will fail them.
J
Why wouldn’t an Disney replace splash Mountain most adults and definitely not the kids understand any affiliation with that ride in order to stick around they need to stay relevant which means implementing rides that appeal to the current generation of kids. Most of you people crying about keeping Disney the same in it being too woke are going to be dead soon anyways you’re old and irrelevant and you are not the clientele Disney is trying to cater too.
Lonnie
Your that sensitive you want a ride from 1969 cleaned up! What’s next you want ten-pin bowling alleys changed because the balls are like severed heads!
Greg
Please stop reporting with your personal dislikes and phobias. I’ve been to The Haunted Mansion several times and have never been traumatized by the stretching room. People enjoy it so please keep your opinion to yourself.
Trout
If you don’t like the suicide in the haunted mansion, write disney a letter. It has nothing to do with splash mountain. This is just self indulgent complaining. The suicide imagery can be bad while Song of The South is also bad. The idea that you cant fix one problem til you’ve fixed other problems is by far the biggest issue in our culture today.
Myesha
To whoever wrote this RIDICULOUS article, THIS IS A RIDE. Yes suicide is an issue that needs to be addressed, BY PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW ABOUT THAT TOPIC. Disney’s job is to bring joy and happiness through entertainment, not babysit a bunch of adults who haven’t grown up yet or have personal issues they need work out. If you need help, go get some help. I’m sorry if that’s harsh, but I’m just being honest. Seriously, the ride is called The Haunted Mansion. Meaning there are ghost from who knows where, that have probably died or suffered worst fates than being HUNG and are now living in an abandoned mansion. You’re not suppose to feel comfortable, it supposed to be like walking into a real haunted house, wall to wall cobwebs and creaking doors and floors. People like this are why a majority of us can’t have nice things.
Sayana
I think the song of the south was an opportunity to teach nowadays kids, to start a conversation that would let us all learn from the past, the mistakes with the purpose of empowerment. It’s not about disrespect its about not forgetting reality, you can’t hide reality because you might offend others. It’s scary not to being able to talk about history, history and past is what we are all made of.
CJA
Thank you for sharing a viewpoint that I had never thought about. I cannot say whether or not I fully agree, but you have given me something to think about.
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