Don’t ditch wenches of Disneyland, say visitors

Not all is well at the ‘happiest place on earth’ as Disney removes culturally insensitive characters and scenes at its theme parks.

Disney character Jessica Rabbit, before and after her 'woke' makeover. Pictures: Supplied

Not all is well at the “happiest place on earth”. As Disneyland ditches culturally insensitive characters and scenes at its 12 theme parks across the world, some fans are expressing fury online at its new-found “wokeness”.

Bill Cotter, a former employee at the original park in Anaheim, California, who moderates a 114,000-member “Vintage Disneyland” Facebook group, said he has been shocked by recent levels of toxicity.

He said an invitation for people to complete the phrase “My Disneyland ..” found fans lashing out at the modern theme park rather than sharing positive experiences.

“My God, the hatred that was flying back and forth,” Cotter told SFGate, a news website. “Like, ‘my Disneyland didn’t have whale-sized people stuffing food in their face.’ What are you talking about? Body shaming is not acceptable.”

One of the moves to cause outcry was ditching the 'wench auction' that was part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Picture: Supplied

Among the changes criticised by fans include Disney’s decision in 2017 to remove a “wench auction” in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, where women are sold into sexual slavery, and this year to withdraw “negative depictions of ‘natives’ ” — such as cannibals — from the Jungle Cruise ride, which dates from 1955.

Disney also turned Jessica Rabbit, the nightclub singer from the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, into the head of her own private investigation service — a role Disney says is “more relevant to today’s culture”.

Disney's altered Jungle Cruise ride was revamped after being called out for racism. Picture: Picture: Twitter

Beyond the rides, it will allow a more inclusive dress code for cast members, and said they would no longer have to cover their tattoos. It is fighting a court case against 25,000 current and former employees who claim they deserve better pay.

While reforms are occurring across Disney parks worldwide, from Paris to Tokyo, much of the anger is thought to come from American fans, where the scale and intensity of Disneyland-focused social media has made it an area of academic study.

Cotter said vitriolic members are in the minority, but added: “What frustrates me is that you’re trying to say you want to go to the happiest place on Earth and people just feel absolutely compelled to bring the outside world into it.”

The Times