Br'er Rabbit is a character from African-American folklore who appeared in the infamously controversial Disney movie Song Of The South (1946) and was central to the attraction Splash Mountain.
History[]
Background[]
Origins[]
Br'er Rabbit is a rabbit in the 19th century who was, "Born and raised in the briar patch". Br'er Rabbit lived in Chick-a-Pin Hill in the Southern United States where he was often pursued by the predators Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. Br'er Rabbit was warned about this pair by Br'er Frog who claimed that they'd throw Br'er Rabbit over Chick-a-pin Falls.
Splash Mountain[]
Looking for more adventure, Br'er Rabbit decided to leave his home, something which he explained to Br'er Terrapin. On his journey away from home, Br'er Fox attempted to set a trap for him only for the rabbit to trick Br'er Bear into going into the trap in his place. Br'er Rabbit proceeded to trick Br'er Bear into going to, "His laughin' place", a series of caverns where the bear was swarmed by bees. While here, Br'er Rabbit was attacked by Br'er Fox and trapped within a beehive.
Br'er Fox brought the rabbit up to his lair, planning to gruesomely kill him to eat, with the likes of Mother Rabbit, Mother Possum and the Boothill Boys assuming that he was sure to be killed. Br'er Rabbit pleaded not to be thrown over the waterfall into the briar patch. Br'er Fox decided to give-in and threw Br'er Rabbit into the briar patch, not realizing this was the rabbit's plan to escape as he was born and raised in the briar patch.
When Br'er Rabbit escaped, he returned back to his home where he was met with fanfare including a singing group aboard the Zip-a-Dee Lady steamboat welcoming him home. At his home, Br'er Rabbit happily sang with Mister Bluebird.
Appearances[]
Briar Patch[]
In the Magic Kingdom, Br'er Rabbit's home was visible in the upper-layers of this shop. In Disneyland, he appeared on the sign and on wood-art hung over the fireplace.
Central Plaza[]
A bronze statue of Br'er Rabbit used to appear in the Hub of the Magic Kingdom.
Disneyland Railroad[]
Br'er Rabbit was mentioned by the conductor as an inhabitant of Critter Country, and was sung about by the animals of Chickapin Hill.
Mark Twain Riverboat[]
Br'er Frog mentioned having warned Br'er Rabbit to mend his ways or else Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear would throw him over the falls.
Mickey Mouse Revue[]
Br'er Rabbit, Fox and Bear appeared during the, "Zippidee Doo Dah" finale.
Splash Mountain[]
Br'er Rabbit was protagonist of this attraction.
Walt Disney World Railroad[]
While passing through Frontierland, the conductor mentioned Br'er Rabbit.
Trivia[]
- Br'er Fox using a beehive to trap Br'er Rabbit in the ride replaced the infamously racist, "Tar Baby" scene from Song of the South.
- The hopping rabbit animatronic figure was given the nickname, "The Million Dollar Bunny" due to the amount of money put into its repairs.
- The animatronic of Br'er Rabbit on the handcar is repurposed from a rabbit character who appeared in extinct attraction America Sings.
- In the Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, Br'er Rabbit has grey fur instead of brown.
Gallery[]
