I shared my initial thoughts on the ride, but here are my more thorough, articulate thoughts on this change:
As I have mentioned, I'm very disappointed Disney is apparently changing a classic ride based on reaction after thirty years of operation. I heard they have been working on it for a year, but I don't buy that. I don't think they're going down a good path here by changing an iconic ride. I understand people have issues with the source material (and respect that opinion), but if that's the reasoning, you will find fault in virtually everything if you look deep enough. I fear the future of Disney after this will be more unwanted overlays....but that's all I will say on that matter.
While I disagree with why they're doing this, I will be brutally honest and say that I don't hate the concept art. I think the ride could be good. In fact, I think it could be better! I remember when the Guardians overlay was announced for ToT, I initially hated the concept with a burning passion. The exterior looked ugly as sin after they went through all of that trouble to redress the area to fit around ToT. It seemed like a huge step backwards. But to my surprise, not only did they make the overlay work, but it's probably my favorite ride at DCA now. Well, maybe a close second behind RSR. At least with here, the theme will already work with the existing setting. It won't be blatantly out-of-theme like Guardians was for the time. But if they insist on this change, I really hope they at least keep the name "Splash Mountain". I refuse to call it anything else. If there must be a change in the title, keep the original name and add a subtitle.
The ride could be great, but another reason I really don't want this because there's no guarantee this ride will be good. DL's could benefit the most as the ride over here in SoCal is just in rough shape operationally; in that sense it could use it even though I don't agree with the decision. But for all we know they could budget cut this to oblivion with only two AAs and mostly screens. If this ride takes place after the Princess and the Frog, sorry to spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but that would mean that Dr Facilier would be out of the picture (Presumably). If that is true, that makes me want to hate this overlay. Why even bother changing the ride if you won't even use the new material to its fullest potential? If you're going to do something as drastic as changing Splash Mountain completely, go all-out on this thing! Maximize every environment, scene, and potential in story for the ride! Spare no expense! I'm concerned they may cheap out given the whole situation going on right now.
Finally, if Disney wants to do this overlay to say that they are promoting diversity and renouncing racism, I don't buy that at all. They literally made Fynn unnoticeable in the Chinese poster for the Force Awakens to appeal to the Chinese market. I see Disney reacting here out of hypocrisy. I still think Disney will always promote diversity and renounce racism....unless being less diverse and slightly racist makes them money as seen with TFA poster.