That to me is the biggest joke.....Disney won't re-release Song Of The South, but one of the most popular rides in the MK is based on it. Will someone please explain W*F is up with that?
Splash Mountain was developed at DL and TDL at the same time. Remember, in Japan, the film had been released on VHS and Laserdisc. Japanese guest know the film because they could buy in a store where American guests could not buy it on tape in the USA. Remember, when Disney thinks about adding attractions they don't think solely of their american audience - they take into account the entire audience, including those from other countries.
Additionally, Song of South has been in release in VHS in Europe, Mexico, and South America as well. Adding it to WDW happened years later, and whereas American guests may not relate to the film (especially if they're children), many of the foreign tourists - again - probably own the film on video tape. Maybe as well
Disney had a secondary goal: if the ride created a non-offensive familiarity with park guests that it evenutally could build support in the community for its release on home video/DVD.
I own the Japanese laserdisc, which was imported to a store here locally. Strangely enough, while Song of the South has been on VHS and laserdisc in foreign countries, it has not been yet released on DVD outside the USA yet.
