Imminent Changes to Peter Pans Flight

[neo999955]

Everything is problematic. It will never end.

Well, everything is not. Even remotely.

I agree. I think we should protect our young and delete any references to history

Instances where insensitive depictions of people are now viewed with a more caring (and accurate) eye can and should be updated either by removing it, removing the insensitivity or properly giving context.

Of course, we're talking about a family theme park, so removing is most often going to be Disney's approach - but there are many solutions they could take. Culture changes over time and on the overall bend, it's been pretty good. I do find it odd when people so forcefully fight against these types of updates -I get that outright removing/replacement is perhaps the laziest solution, but in the context of a Disney park centered on magical happiness - I think it's pretty reasonable.

We can teach and explain to future generations why these things happened, what they were and why they were changed - even if you didn't find it necessary. That is super important that we do that in schools, at home and in museums/public monuments/etc. I don't think we want that type of "This is why this thing you're about to see is offensive" at Disney though. And yes, worse, would be to leave it.

 

[JenniferS]

Well, everything is not. Even remotely.

It is to somebody.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I agree. I think we should protect our young and delete any references to history

'Peter Pan' is not a historical novel. Nor is the depiction of Indians historical. It is blatantly racist. Unless, of course, you're arguing that that racism is the historical part you want to preserve.

 

[neo999955]

It is to somebody.

I don't know if this is very serious, I hope not, but to be clear - if I find one personal thing offensive on my own and complain about it online / to Disney / to my local news - no one is going to care.

Things that large groups of people find insensitive and things that are deliberate recasts of history for the benefit of another group (usually in the US some take on whitewashing) are things that are considered generally to be 'problematic' and deserve action.

Again, not everyone will take offense; many people won't care. However, many from those groups (and many others too) will care as they are marginalized people who have dealt with generations of mistreatment, financial theft and often death. It's cultural growth to recognize the symbols that have been used throughout history to subtly (and not subtly) reinforce their otherness as a means to defend their collective mistreatment.

 

[Bocabear]

What would they actually change about that on the ride? It is teepees and indians... and Tiger Lily... Change the figures that appear stereotypical? Teepees are historically accurate... Native Americans wearing feahers was a historically documented thing for certain tribes...parts of the depiction are based on real references....so could they leave the teepee village and do Native American characters off-model from the film but more accurate to real life? Delete the characters, completely from the ride? (The MK version doesn't use them as a plot point the way the newer Shanghai version does)... I am curious as to what the solution is...

 

[ToTBellHop]

I’m hoping for fresh volcano aluminum foil. They should order some on Prime Day in a couple weeks.

 

[bwr827]

I am curious as to what the solution is...

Hopefully the solution involves bidding fond farewell to the current ride and installing something worth waiting in line for.

 

[Bocabear]

Hopefully the solution involves bidding fond farewell to the current ride and installing something worth waiting in line for.

AMEN to thaat! I have said for years, the Circus Tents need to be replaced with an all new double tracked longer version of this ride complete with a Neverland area and Lost Boys village. It would be adorable...and would solve the issue of the crazy long waits for an attraction that is just about 2 minutes long.

 

[CoasterFan27]

Hopefully the solution involves bidding fond farewell to the current ride and installing something worth waiting in line for.

Oh no thank you. That thing sucks up an hours worth of queue that would be elsewhere or on a replacement I'd want to wait in line for myself

 

[aladdin2007]

They better not do too much to it, its the only attraction left with its original charm that hasn't been neutered down to crap. There is no reason to get rid of tigerlily at least.

 

[JenniferS]

I don't know if this is very serious, I hope not, but to be clear - if I find one personal thing offensive on my own and complain about it online / to Disney / to my local news - no one is going to care.

Things that large groups of people find insensitive and things that are deliberate recasts of history for the benefit of another group (usually in the US some take on whitewashing) are things that are considered generally to be 'problematic' and deserve action.

Again, not everyone will take offense; many people won't care. However, many from those groups (and many others too) will care as they are marginalized people who have dealt with generations of mistreatment, financial theft and often death. It's cultural growth to recognize the symbols that have been used throughout history to subtly (and not subtly) reinforce their otherness as a means to defend their collective mistreatment.

I was serious. Everything is offensive to somebody. Spend 10 minutes on X and tell me I’m wrong. I didn’t say it was right; just that that’s how it is.

The two most powerful words in the English language … I’m offended.

I already shared that my future daughter in law is Native North American. Her mother is a residential school survivor who suffered unspeakable abuse at the hands of those entrusted to care for her. I’m sympathetic more than you can imagine.

My point still stands. Doesn’t matter what - a movie, a song, a Disney ride, a nursery rhyme, a street name, a statue in the park … somebody is offended.

 

[space42]

I was serious. Everything is offensive to somebody. Spend 10 minutes on X and tell me I’m wrong. I didn’t say it was right; just that that’s how it is.

The two most powerful words in the English language … I’m offended.

I already shared that my future daughter in law is Native North American. Her mother is a residential school survivor who suffered unspeakable abuse at the hands of those entrusted to care for her. I’m sympathetic more than you can imagine.

My point still stands. Doesn’t matter what - a movie, a song, a Disney ride, a nursery rhyme, a street name, a statue in the park … somebody is offended.

That’s the problem. Twitter isn’t real life…

 

[Brian]

That’s the problem. Twitter isn’t real life…

Neither is WDW, yet they go to great lengths to appease the 'hyperoffended.'

 

[Disstevefan1]

That’s the problem. Twitter isn’t real life…

 

[space42]

Neither is WDW, yet they go to great lengths to appease the 'hyperoffended.'

Thankfully I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I wonder how TWDC decides what can be offensive and what needs to be removed from the parks?
Is there a committee that decides?

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I wonder how TWDC decides what can be offensive and what needs to be removed from the parks?
Is there a committee that decides?

It's actually a department that goes cross-company. (Not saying that politically either way. Just that it actually exists.) I've met a couple of the people in it. I believe they do get input on the guidelines from senior management, but the team has a lot of autonomy and (at least as of a couple years ago) authority. It was a key initiative from the senior level, at least from what these people understood internally and were told.

 

[ABQ]

That’s the problem. Twitter isn’t real life…

Spend 10 minutes on WDWMagic.com and....pretty much the same realization in terms of there's always someone being offended by some other nonsense.

 

[mysto]

That’s the problem. Twitter isn’t real life…

I'm offended.

 

[neo999955]

I was serious. Everything is offensive to somebody. Spend 10 minutes on X and tell me I’m wrong. I didn’t say it was right; just that that’s how it is.

The two most powerful words in the English language … I’m offended.

I already shared that my future daughter in law is Native North American. Her mother is a residential school survivor who suffered unspeakable abuse at the hands of those entrusted to care for her. I’m sympathetic more than you can imagine.

My point still stands. Doesn’t matter what - a movie, a song, a Disney ride, a nursery rhyme, a street name, a statue in the park … somebody is offended.

I am sorry to hear all of that. There is nothing worse than abuse.

Regarding people taking offense. Sure, anyone can be offended by anything. But as I was saying, that's fundamentally different from what is inspiring change brought about by a cultural recognition of insensitivities and racism in our symbolism and telling of history. These are things that are insensitive to large swaths of people and often have factual, historical evidence to back up the claims.

Disney is one of the most preserved theme parks in the world. Rides getting shut down or changed are mostly due to financial reasons / lack of popularity - the instances of cultural changes are much rarer, and aside from Splash, largely minor.