Disney Fans Are Demanding Splash Mountain Ditch The Racist Ride

Is Disney’s Splash Mountain racist? With themes long rooted in the deep history of the south, some fans think so. A petition to scratch the racist motifs and transform the ride into something relevant and diverse has cropped up on Change.org. With nearly 11,000 signatures on Thursday, June 11, the petition demands that Disney World's Splash Mountain scrap racist tropes.

The petition on Change.org calls for the reformation of the iconic ride’s references to the 1946 film Song of the South.

“While the ride is considered a beloved classic it’s history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes,” the petition reads.

The petition goes on to suggest that the old themes be replaced to tell the story of Tiana from Princess and the Frog. Not only would the change replace old questionable themes with more diversity at the parks, but it would also make Tiana one of the first Disney Princesses with her own thrill ride.

The Splash Mountain ride is featured at Walt Disney World Orlando, Disneyland in California, and Tokyo Disneyland. With environmental themes depicting flora and fauna from the southern U.S., the petition suggests it would not be hard to transition into a bayou-theme to compliment Princess and the Frog.

Since being posted to Change on June 9, the petition has received 10,815 signatures of its 15,000 goal as of publication and has been quickly climbing.

The Song of the South movie the ride is based on, as explained by a Cinema Blend report, has not been released in the U.S. since the 80s and has been locked away in the Disney vault.

Disney World Orlando officially reopens July 11, as well as some of their resorts later this month. Will the theme-park giant consider the petition's call for change? You'll have to wait and see.