Disney fans left outraged after park replaces classic feature with 'woke' alternative
It's the end of an era in Tokyo Disneyland, with the removal of the only surviving Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah theme park sign.
Japan's park recently took down the Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah sign from the exit of Splash Mountain - removing one of the last references to the controversial Disney film, Song of the South.
The original sign on the popular ride read, 'have a Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah Day!' in English and Kanji, with the new sign instead featuring the message, 'thanks for dropping in!' in English only.
The change comes amid the ride's reopening earlier in February after a month-long refurbishment.
Disney credited the sign swap to a sponsorship change, with the Kao Corporation - a chemical and cosmetics company - ending its partnership with the park in November 2025.
The brand still sponsors Toy Story Mania at Tokyo DisneySea and the resort's hand-washing stations.
But Disney lovers were quick to notice the new message, which appears to be supported by the same bear figure, and blamed the update - in part - to Disney's 'woke' agenda.
Some have suggested that the sign change is an indication that Disney is attempting to distance itself from the controversial Song of the South without building a completely new ride, like the US parks.
It's the end of an era in Tokyo Disneyland, with the removal of the only surviving Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah theme park sign
Another urged, 'they better leave Splash Mountain alone' as someone else asked: 'Are they gonna remove the soundtrack next?'
Splash Mountain closed in both its US Disney parks in 2023 - with the Magic Kingdom ride closing in January and Disneyland ride closing in May of that year.
In June 2023, Disney announced the beloved ride would be 'reimagined' as Tiana's Bayou Adventure, based on Disney's first Black princess, featured in the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog.
The Splash Mountain controversy centered on its origins in Disney's 1946 film Song of the South, and has been widely criticized for its racist stereotypes.
The film, set on a plantation, features an elderly Black man known as Uncle Remus who tells traditional African American folk tales to white children cared for by Black servants.
Some Disney lovers have argued that the company has gone too far in becoming more inclusive.
In March 2022, it was announced that staff members, as well recordings throughout the parks, would no longer include 'gendered greetings' like 'boys and girls' or 'ladies and gentlemen.'
The original sign on the popular ride read, 'have a Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah Day!' in English and Kanji, with the new sign instead featuring the message, 'thanks for dropping in!' in English only
Splash Mountain closed in both its US Disney parks in 2023 - with the Magic Kingdom ride closing in January and Disneyland ride closing in May of that year. Pictured: Walt Disney World
Instead, they opted for gender neutral terms such as, 'Hello, everyone,' or, 'Hello, friends.'
'We don't want to just assume because someone might be, in our interpretation, presenting as female, that they may not want to be called "princess,"' Disney's diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware said in a leaked conference call with employees.
'So let's think differently about how do we really engage with our guests in a meaningful and inclusive way that makes it magical and memorable for everyone,' she added.
A year earlier in April 2021, the brand announced on its blog that it was changing its rules to allow cast members to wear 'gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles, and costume choices,' while noting that 'the magic they make must include everyone.'
