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Retired Disney Imagineer Expresses Splash Mountain Regret

Former long-time Imagineer Kathy Mangum reflects on the development and eventual removal of the log flume attraction.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Theme Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of an empty log boat on a water channel heading toward a dark cavern, representing theme park ride history.
Retired Disney Imagineer Kathy Mangum has expressed regret over the development of Splash Mountain, which was removed from Disney theme parks in 2024. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Retired Walt Disney Imagineer Kathy Mangum has expressed regret regarding the creation of the now-closed Splash Mountain ride. The attraction, which debuted in 1989, was based on the 1946 film Song of the South.

Why it matters

The removal of the ride's theme followed social justice protests in 2020 after the death of George Floyd. Disney ultimately replaced the attraction with Tiana's Bayou Adventure in 2024.

Tony Baxter first conceived of the Splash Mountain ride concept in 1983, with the original attraction opening at Disneyland in 1989. Clones of the ride subsequently launched at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland in 1992.

The players

Kathy Mangum

She is a retired Walt Disney Imagineer who spent 42 years working for the company.

Tony Baxter

He is a former Disney designer who is credited with conceiving the initial idea for Splash Mountain in 1983.

The details

The ride originally reused audio-animatronic figures from the America Sings attraction to populate the log flume. Following widespread criticism of the source material, Disney removed the theme during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Timeline

  1. 1946: Song of the South is released.

  2. 1983: Tony Baxter conceives the ride concept.

  3. 1989: Splash Mountain debuts at Disneyland.

  4. 2023: Disney closes the ride at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom.

  5. 2024: Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens to the public.

Roadmap

The transition from Splash Mountain to Tiana's Bayou Adventure reflects a broader industry shift toward modernizing theme park attractions to align with contemporary cultural values. Disney continues to update legacy rides to replace outdated intellectual property with more inclusive storytelling.

Park guests visiting Disneyland and Magic Kingdom can now experience the updated Tiana's Bayou Adventure instead of the original ride. Current maintenance and operational schedules reflect the permanent closure of the former attraction.

The takeaway

Legacy attractions often face scrutiny as societal standards evolve over time. Disney's decision to repurpose existing ride infrastructure highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing park history with current cultural expectations.

Further reading

For more on the evolution of attractions, visit the Theme Parks section.

Live Poll

Should entertainment companies remove or replace older films and attractions that contain outdated cultural stereotypes?