In 2020, while Disney’s theme parks were closed, and millions of people around the world were forced to stay indoors because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company shocked and saddened fans when it announced that it would be retheming its iconic Splash Mountain attraction. The ride was based on the 1946 film Song of the South, which is now being criticized for its overtly racist tones.
Disney shared that Splash Mountain would be closing at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. The attraction would receive a complete overhaul and reopen with a new Princess and the Frog (2009) theme.
Related: Last Remaining Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland May Be Replaced Soon
Ever since Disney announced the closure, fans have been fighting back and criticizing the company for its decision. Petitions were started, and when the theme parks finally reopened, the lines for Splash Mountain were longer than ever. However, Disney did not back down from its decision, and Splash Mountain closed in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park in January 2023 and at Disneyland in May 2023.
After more than a year and a half, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in the Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, the opening was anything but smooth. Even during test rides, things kept breaking, and guests were repeatedly evacuated. Thankfully, things have gotten much better, and reports of breakdowns are now fewer and farther between.
Related: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Breaks 87-Year-Old Disney Tradition
Despite the backlash Disney received for closing Splash Mountain and the reasons behind it, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is far from Disney’s most controversial attraction.
No, that honor goes to one of Walt Disney World Resort’s opening day attractions — The Hall of Presidents.
Now, that might seem strange, especially because The Hall of Presidents was pretty inconspicuous for nearly 50 years. For a long time, most theme park guests seemed to use it as a way to escape the extreme heat or rainstorms that Florida is famous for.
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That all changed in 2017, when President Donald Trump’s animatronic was added to the show. The former President is one of the most controversial Presidents in history, and the country seems now more divided than ever between Trump supporters and those who do not support him or the things that he says or does.
Ever since Mr. Trump’s animatronic made its Disney debut, The Hall of Presidents has become a firestorm of controversy and complaints. Guests frequently share stories of Trump supporters shouting out or causing a scene when his animatronic speaks. More than once, Disney cast members have had to pause the show and remind guests that they need to behave.
Related: Is Disney Scrubbing Former President Donald Trump from the Hall of Presidents?
Guests have also caused disruptions because of their feelings about the current President, Joe Biden. Guests will shout their approval of the former President and their dislike of Mr. Biden. That has led to multiple arguments between guests that, thankfully, have not turned violent.
The Hall of Presidents is no longer the relaxing and informative attraction it once was, and guests can’t experience it without worrying that someone will disrupt the ride. That is why many people are now calling on Disney to permanently close the attraction and replace it with something less controversial.
Disney has not said that it plans to replace the attraction, but Imagineers are always thinking of creative ways to upgrade the parks and make things new and exciting, so we can never say never.
Do you think The Hall of Presidents has become too controversial? Should Disney close the attraction and turn it into something completely different? Let us know in the comments!
