Originally Posted By demderedoseguys My son is a CM at WDW and has heard a rumor that the Splash Mountain refurbishment for this month is due to complaints about something being either discriminatory or not PC in the ride. Just wondering if anyone has heard that rumor. Maybe some other CM's could weigh in on this.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I haven't heard anything about it, but it is curious that they decided to build a blockbuster E-ticket based on a movie that they won't release on DVD because it has controvertial portrayals of African Americans. While I don't think the ride has anything offensive in it (other than being loosely based on the movie, which they aren't going to change in a refurb), I could see how this could potentially be a problem. Personally, I think Disney should just own up to it and release the film and keep the ride the way it is. And change DL's POTC so the pirates are chasing the women.
Originally Posted By hopemax Haven't heard that, but I have heard that the ride mechanics are in pretty bad shape.
Originally Posted By MPierce I can't imagin what would not meet the high standards of PC in Splash Mountain. I believe the original complaint about the movie was it depicted Black folks as happy go lucky folks at a time after the civil war when that probably wasn't the case for the vast majority. Also some people felt the tar baby was a racial slap at black people. I didn't see it that way, however I am not Black so I'm sure my views could be drasticly different. I really don't see anything that could be viewed as racist in the ride. Somebody out there please correct me if you think I'm wrong.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys ^^^ There is one part in the soundtrack of the ride where the intonation of one of the character's voices may be something that may be construed as being racist,IMO.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< There is one part in the soundtrack of the ride where the intonation of one of the character's voices may be something that may be construed as being racist,IMO. >>> You wouldn't need to take the ride into refurb to change one segment of the soundtrack. <<< I believe the original complaint about the movie was it depicted Black folks as happy go lucky folks at a time after the civil war when that probably wasn't the case for the vast majority. Also some people felt the tar baby was a racial slap at black people. >>> I think another criticism of the movie is that although its set in the post civil war era, this is not made clear in the movie, which may lead some to believe that the black characters are actually slaves yet seem happy-go-lucky. But that has nothing to do with the ride.
Originally Posted By figment1986 I don't think its for any special reason... I believe Splash Mountain usually goes down for its annual refurbishment around this time of the year.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris Does that mean "Annie" should never be shown or performed again because she is too plucky and happy for a down and out orphan? I swear sometimes I think I am the only sane person left on this **** heap of a planet. And that's pretty damned scary.
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 Since I can remember, SM gets refurbished this time every year for the same amount of time. It is for mold removal on the ride vehicles, inspecting, fixing, and replacing the air-brakes. Also repainting parts of the track where water as removed the paint.
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 Just a heads up to people related to cm's. Disney is very cautious with rumors that are actually true being displayed on reputable sites such as these. So, if you want to discuss a rumor, I wouldn't say a CM told you, its not likely, but that CM could lose their job.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^^It doesn't affect me in any way. I'm just glad you care about the CMs and fellow posters.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I agree in that this is the normal time of year for refurb. Pretty much every January!
Originally Posted By CMDad <<Just a heads up to people related to cm's. Disney is very cautious with rumors that are actually true being displayed on reputable sites such as these. So, if you want to discuss a rumor, I wouldn't say a CM told you, its not likely, but that CM could lose their job.>> FWIW - you might be surprised at just how little "inside information" most CM's actually have. My daughter gets most of her "info" ... well, from me! (And we all know where I get it! <G>
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys Why should Disney be cautious about rumors that are true, especially in this case? If they feel that they are addressing a situation which may be offensive to some of their "guests", then they should be commended for identifying and rectifying that situation.
Originally Posted By ImTempest I wonder... Took my first trip ever to WDW during Thanksgiving week, and rode on Splash Mountain a few times. The whole family (mine, in-laws, cousins, etc.) all noticed that every time we went around a corner, that big ol' bear seemed to be sticking his...backside...in our faces! However, with a handsome husband and a 7 year old boy in the house I've seen my share of "bear" tushes before!
