If you blinked, you might have missed it. Tokyo Disneyland’s Splash Mountain reopened on February 13 after its annual winter refurbishment, but returning guests quickly spotted something different at the exit. The familiar “Have a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day!” sign is gone.
In its place? A much simpler message: “Thanks for dropping in!”
At first glance, it may seem like a routine refresh. But longtime Disney fans know that “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” is not just a cheerful phrase. It’s the signature song from Disney’s 1946 film Song of the South, the controversial movie that inspired Splash Mountain in the first place. Removing that lyric quietly strips away one of the last overt ties to the film at the only Disney park where the original version of the ride still exists.
And that has people talking.
The Sponsorship Angle
There is a practical explanation behind the update. Splash Mountain’s longtime sponsor, Kao Corporation, ended its partnership with the attraction on November 1, 2025. The previous exit sign included “Presented by Kao,” so a replacement was expected once the sponsorship concluded.
Kao continues to sponsor other areas of Tokyo Disney Resort, including Toy Story Mania at Tokyo DisneySea and various hygiene stations throughout the parks. However, the company specifically stepped away from Splash Mountain.
Swapping signage after a sponsor exits is standard. What stands out is the wording choice. Instead of recreating the original message without sponsor branding, the park opted to remove the “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” reference entirely.
That feels intentional.
Why This Disney Ride Is So Complicated
Splash Mountain’s roots trace back to Song of the South, a film that has not been released on home video in the United States due to long-standing criticism over its portrayal of race and its depiction of the Reconstruction-era South. Over time, pressure mounted for Disney to address the attraction’s source material.
In the United States, Disney ultimately made a major move. Splash Mountain closed at Disneyland Park in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida. Both versions reopened as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Tokyo Disneyland, however, never followed suit.
The Japanese park, operated by Oriental Land Company under license from The Walt Disney Company, has more operational independence than Disney-owned parks. That unique structure has allowed Tokyo to maintain the original Splash Mountain even after its American counterparts were transformed.
A Pattern of Small Disney Changes
This latest sign removal does not exist in a vacuum.
In November 2024, the Splash Mountain gift shop, Hoot & Holler Hideout, closed. Merchandise tied closely to the attraction has also appeared less prominent over time. Reports have circulated for years suggesting Disney would prefer to see the ride rethemed globally, though disagreements over cost-sharing may have slowed any action in Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland has historically resisted some sensitivity updates made elsewhere. Its version of Pirates of the Caribbean still includes scenes that were altered in other Disney parks. That history makes the decision to remove “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” even more notable.
It suggests that while a full retheme has not been announced, subtle distancing from Song of the South may already be underway.
What This Means for Disney Guests
For now, Splash Mountain remains open and unchanged, aside from the new exit sign. The attraction reopened on February 13 after a month-long refurbishment that began on January 14. With winter temperatures still cool in Tokyo, it may not be peak water ride season, but the ride itself continues to operate normally.
Still, fans who view Tokyo Disneyland as the last stronghold of the original Splash Mountain are watching closely. The removal of one lyric may seem minor, but in the world of Disney theme parks, small details often signal bigger shifts ahead.
There has been no official announcement regarding a retheme in Japan. Until that happens, guests can still take the five-story drop and float past the familiar scenes that defined the attraction for more than three decades.
But if history has shown anything, it is that changes sometimes begin quietly.
And this one just did.
