I live in Georgia. I've seen the movie. I love Splash Mountain and I'm all about the change.
The movie is a child's movie, it was very creative for it's time technically, it has great music and it's rated G. It was released in 1946. I do think at the time Disney took great care to make it using the sweetness of the characters in his books. As with any time frame movies are made that would never be made at other time frames. There are lots of current movies that are just as inappropriate but they are usually not geared at children. They are usually highlighting something as bad rather than watering down the story implying all is well and good, when it's not.
I've read different things and I think this was a statement I felt looked at the positive and negative concisely ....
"The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recognizes in Song of the South remarkable artistic merit in the music and in the combination of living actors and the cartoon technique. It regrets, however, that in an effort neither to offend audiences in the north or south, the production helps to perpetuate a dangerously glorified picture of slavery. Making use of the beautiful Uncle Remus folklore, Song of the South unfortunately gives the impression of an idyllic master–slave relationship which is a distortion of the facts." ~ Karl F. Cohen in his book Forbidden Animation
Disney Parks are for everyone, and I get there are some other parts that might be slightly iffy, but an attraction full on themed based on a movie that "glorified" slavery ........... time to make the change. This was a reality and we are still trying to heal from that. It would be great if we all could just step back and look at ................. it's just a theme park attraction, themed on books from a dark part of our history and it is hurtful to many. All the singing animals in the ride don't change the story. Edited to add: the animals are also talking in a way that is a very negative stereotype.
I've been reading all over here on the boards .... and I have to say I am disappointed and sad. I don't understand. I could list all the excuses people give for why it should stay, and all the ideas for it that don't involve Tiana??
Can we not look at it is the right thing to do, finally.
Structurally it's actually a great fit and she deserves an attraction. She is popular, as are other characters in the film. I couldn't be more excited to see them in an attraction. Fingers crossed for some great animatronics and Dr. Facilier.
PS: Georgia not only has hills it is the start of the Appalachian Mountains.