Disney World Removes “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” From Parade

Theme Parks

In the wake of Disney reimagining Splash Mountain as a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction, they continue to erase Song of the South. Now, the theme parks are removing the song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” the most well-known aspect of the film, from their “Magic Happens” parades.

It’s hard for me to know how to feel about this. It’s all very theoretical to me because I’ve never been to a Disney park, and I actually haven’t seen Song of the South in its entirety. I don’t see a problem with renovating the attraction to feature a newer, “more acceptable” movie; they do this literally all the time. Older properties are shuffled out for newer ones like Encanto and Frozen. You can dislike it, and again, I don’t feel strongly because I haven’t experienced the parks either way. But it makes sense business-wise.

However, I think taking the song out of the parade is a bit much. Most people don’t even associate the song with the film’s outdated social messaging anyway. Plus, I imagine most people nowadays haven’t seen the movie, as it’s next to impossible to find. Without having seen it, I assume it’s not any worse than Gone with the Wind, which also romanticizes the Antebellum South and underplays the evils of slavery. That’s a great film, and from what I’ve heard, Song of the South is comparatively less offensive but far more boring. If I ever find a copy to watch, I’ll decide for myself.

But what do you think about Song of the South, Disney removing the song from the “Magic Happens” parade, or anything else? Drop us a comment below!