Brer Rabbit Splash Mountain Voice Actor Weighs In on Redesign

    According to an interview conducted by ComicBook.com, voice actor Jess Harnell who voiced Brer Rabbit and other Splash Mountain characters doesn’t think that the attraction is offensive, but also doesn’t want to be part of “anything that makes anybody hurt”.

    [Splash Mountain] is really, really dear to my heart, because it was the first character voice job I ever did, and I did most of the voices on that ride.

    I’ve had the experience of looking down from above on the Main Street Electrical Parade, watching kids’ faces light up when voices I did come out. And there’s no greater feeling. To know that you gave people that happiness.

    Now, personally, I don’t believe that Splash Mountain was offensive, and I don’t believe that it alluded to anything offensive, but if it’s going to upset people or make people feel bad about something terrible, then I get it. I’m sorry to see it go, because I loved it. It was an honor to be involved, and I’m happy I had that chance. But I don’t want to be a part of anything that makes anybody hurt.
    Jess Harnell, voice actor

    Disney Chairman Josh D’Amaro recently said that Disney fast-tracked the Splash Mountain retheme to a Princess and the Frog attraction as part of an “inclusion” initiative that might bring changes to other Disney Parks attractions.

    The new theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

    Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou. In 1966, Walt himself opened New Orleans Square when it became the first new “land” added to Disneyland park, so it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of “The Princess and the Frog” to our parks.

    The voice of Princess Tiana and Tony Award-winning actress, Anika Noni Rose, shared, “It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”

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

    Charita Carter, the senior creative producer leading the project at Walt Disney Imagineering shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures. I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”

    For Imagineers, change is rooted in a tradition set by Walt Disney who encouraged new innovations, new ideas, new scenes and current storytelling. And the experiences they create can be enjoyed by guests who visit our parks from all over the world.

    As part of the creative development process, conceptual design work is well underway and Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the transformation can start to take shape.

    "We continually evaluate opportunities to enhance and elevate experiences for our guests. It's important that our guests be able to see themselves in the experiences we create. Because we consider ourselves constant learners, we go to great lengths to research and engage cultural advisors and other experts to help guide us along the way. I am incredibly proud to see this work continue to move forward with great support from leadership across Disney." - Carmen Smith
    "I think this is great news, or as Louis would say - HALLELUJAH!!" - Michael-Leon Wooley

    As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

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    4 COMMENTS

    1. Are they keeping or going back on their word about Splash Mountain being there when D-land reopens? Those who can go to Florida have had their chance to go on theirs one last time. The way things are going in California, we most likely won’t be going back to D-land until spring or summer if that. Please keep our Splash Mountain around for just one more summer, so we’ll all have a chance to say goodbye. And I would think that it would make more financial sense to wait before starting anything big like that, seeing as how there’s been a $9+ billion loss from the parks being closed for so long.

    2. There is nothing offensive in it. Nobody with an ounce of sense is being “hurt” by this theme park classic. This is pandering to zealots who have companies and corporations quaking in fear of lawsuits and protests and scolding headlines.

    3. My family and myself loved Splash Mountain the way it was. we do not like the changes you made. It was wonderful and fun. There was nothing offencive about it at all. It was just fun I’m so angry that you’ve changed it we will never ride Splash Mountain again .we probably will not come back to Disney World. We are not happy with all the changes you have made.

      • This is an unofficial Disney blog, we are not The Walt Disney Company and have zero influence over their decisions

    Comments are closed.

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