The Daily Wire-Backed Right Wing News Show Defends 'Song of the South,' Splash Mountain

The Save Splash Mountain movement has ramped up in the weeks leading up to the ride’s permanent closure in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. After a Republican Congressman spoke out in defense of the Song of the South (1946) themed water ride, some desperate fans begged Elon Musk and Ron DeSantis to save the ride.

Related: Disney Is Reportedly Retheming Iconic Space Mountain

While a closing date hasn’t been announced for the Disneyland Resort version of Splash Mountain, both rides will reopen as the Princess and the Frog (2009) themed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in 2024. Princess Tiana is “Almost There!”

Brett Cooper smiles in a black gaming chair. She's wearing red lipstick. — Credit: The Daily Wire+

Still, the retheme incites division among Disney Parks fans. Now, The Daily Wire+’s news and review show, The Comments Section with Brett Cooper, is getting involved. They shared this clip on TikTok this week, writing, “Come on, Disney 🙄:”

@thecommentssectionwbc

Come on Disney🙄 #disneyworld #disney #splashmountain #woke

♬ original sound – The Comments Section

In the three-minute clip, Cooper discussed the ride’s history and connection to Song of the South. She claimed that while she enjoyed Princess and the Frog, the Splash Mountain retheme “is not as innocent as they want people to believe.”

“They are doing this because of racism. Obviously. Because why does anybody do anything in 2022?” Cooper sarcastically asked.

br'er-rabbit-splash-mountain-sign — Credit: ITM

While Cooper acknowledged that Song of the South is “very controversial” with “racist undertones,” she said the film “looked so cute” while watching the trailer.

“It is literally a film about that old man, Uncle Remus, telling those kids stories. It’s very, very innocent,” Cooper said. “…It seems very tame. That trailer was precious.”

Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox in Splash Mountain — Credit: Disney

“Wrong, it is severely racist and must be canceled…These peoples’ takes are hard to stomach on their own,” she joked, referring to an article from The Guardian that discussed the racism in Song of the South.

Cooper also mentioned that James Baskett (Uncle Remus) won an Oscar for the film but neglected to note that it was an Honorary Academy Award lobbied for by gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. It was not presented at The Academy Awards, and Baskett was not even allowed at Song of the South’s premiere because of segregation laws in Atlanta.

Interior of Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland — Credit: Disney

Additionally, the NAACP and groups of Black veterans protested the film premiere in 1946. Song of the South never mentions slavery and presents an Uncle Tom-Esque, idyllic view of Post-Civil War America for Black Americans.

“Entertainment is being poisoned every single day by a pervasive victim complex and this need for sensitivity warnings and political correctness,” Cooper concluded. “And now it has made its way to Theme Parks. The stupidity is never ending.”

More on Splash Mountain

Despite petitions and Twitter campaigns, Splash Mountain will close next year to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Inside the Magic will continue to report updates about the retheme and the water ride’s closure at Disneyland Resort. The Song of the South (1946) ride will remain the same at Tokyo Disneyland, though the Disney Park recently removed the ride’s anthem, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” from its music loop. From Disney:

Drop into a whimsical world filled with classic characters and songs on this thrilling log-flume adventure.

A Hare-Raising Ride

Gently drift through a colorful Southern bayou along with happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” But be warned: Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of this wayward hare.

Glide by over 100 adorable Audio-Animatronics geese, frogs, raccoons, possums, bees, alligators and other down-home critters as they sing classic Disney ditties, including “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” and “Ev’rybody’s Got a Laughing Place.”

Then hang on to your hats—this delightful musical cruise ends in an exciting 5-story splashdown into a thorny Briar Patch!

You Will Get Wet

This attraction includes 950,000 gallons of water, 3 dips and a 5-story drop. Where you’re seated will determine how wet you’ll get. Riders in the back may experience a sudden splash or spray; those who opt for the front can expect to get soaked.

What do you think of the Splash Mountain retheme? Are you excited to head down to New Orleans on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?