Disney Re-visited

For many years Disney films were only released in movie theatres, both in their original debut and then in rereleases (For example, Bambi was first released in 1942, and then again, in 1947, 1957, 1966, 1975, 1982, and 1988.) At the tail end of the 1980s, new VCR technology allowed Disney to release home video editions. Through the next decades and technology changes (DVD, etc.) the Disney company followed a marketing strategy of only releasing a film for a short time from their ‘vault’ for viewers to purchase for their homes. This meant that it was sometimes impossible to get a particular film for regular viewing.

Streaming services (and the internet more generally) fundamentally changed people’s expectations of how these movies could be accessed. First on other services and then on Disney Plus, many animated films are regularly and easily available for audiences. One argument that has been made about this is that it has in some ways unmoored these films (and other films and tv programs) from a clear sense of the position that they were in historically. In other words, when a film was being re-released, or let out from the vault, you knew that it was reflective of a different period in which it was created. When everything is available all the time that sense of historicity is distorted.

Adding Warnings

Several streaming companies, including Disney, have chosen to put content warnings on some of these films.

This is what it looks like on Disney Plus for Peter Pan.

On first accessing the film, the details/content warning is not what you first see.

If you click on details you get the following:

This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.

Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.

To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visit
www.disney.com/StoriesMatter

Other companies have followed suit or gone further, for example Warner Brothers added a 4 minute video about the racist depictions to be found in Gone With the Wind when returning it to streaming.

Immersion

Disney has offered commitments to building more inclusion within their theme packs.

Explore Re-working and updating in Disney Parks

Take a look at some of the different changes that Disney has made over the last decades.

Updating the Jungle Cruise

The Jungle Cruise was an original opening day attraction at Disneyland. It features a boat journey through major world rivers.

Post-Covid, Disney made small but crucial alterations to change how the ride depicted native peoples.

Disneyland’s Canoes

https://www.yesterland.com/burningcabin.html

Today: The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

Splash Mountain

This ride in both Disneyland and Disney World has been around for 30 years and just closed last year for a new rethinking to retheme the story to “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.” It will remain the same in Tokyo Disneyland.

The ride was based on Song of the South, a Disney film considered among its most racist. The film (and ride) feature well-known songs like “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is schedule to open sometime this summer. As of April 2024 it is in test runs.

https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/25/disneyland-and-disney-world-to-remake-splash-mountain-with-princess-and-the-frog-theme

Comments

17 responses to “Disney Re-visited”

Sofia Buttaro

November 15, 2024

Disney has taken a significant step toward inclusivity by addressing problematic content through initiatives like content warnings and the redesign of rides like Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Disney encourages discussions about history and representation by keeping older content with cautions rather than deleting it. Some would counter that larger structural measures are required, such expanding narratives of inclusion in new content or diversifying leadership. Although these initiatives are significant, ongoing dedication is necessary to guarantee long-lasting representation and change.

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Mahnoor

November 19, 2024

I think that these efforts are doing a great job at acknowledging the mistakes that people have made in the past. In some cases there is a warning that makes viewers aware of why the detections are wrong, and in other cases they shut down whatever may be the cause of racial bias, like Disney rides, and improve them, giving people a new perspective. While I think so much work needs to be done to prevent bias in the future and to fix past mistakes, these are definitely a step in the right direction to addressing hate. Instead of ignoring the racist history, they make viewers understand it, creating a more educated and culturally relevant space.

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1. Ariana Loyfman
  
  November 23, 2024
  
  I agree with your response. I think that acknowledging mistakes from the past is a great effort into showing that you are learning from your mistakes and are ready to make changes into the positive direction.
  
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2. Anifat Abumislimova
  
  November 26, 2024
  
  I agree with you that it is very important to recognize the mistakes of the past years and how this “work on mistakes” (efforts) will help people see changes. By recognizing the past mistakes, we can create a more understanding and inclusive environment for everyone.
  
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3. Alexa Mendez
  
  December 6, 2024
  
  I also agree with this because it really is important and responsible to recognize mistakes and try and fix them so it was very respectable and shows the effort being put.
  
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Anthea H Longvlle

November 20, 2024

I guess the efforts are ok but although Disney’s responsiveness to its audience is evident in these changes, reactions to them differ. I honestly don’t know if it’s enough or too much.

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Amy Khait

November 21, 2024

I think these efforts are a good job at acknowledging problematic content. Instead of ignoring dismissing or deleting racist history Disney encourages discussions about history and representation. I still think more has to be done and these efforts should be continued. This is definitely a step in the right direction and I think it can motivate healthy conversations and promote change.

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1. Emma
  
  December 6, 2024
  
  I agree that it is a step in the right direction. I agree that they are going about it in a right way as to not dismiss anything that has been done, erasing mistakes is not right but taking action to correct and educate the correct was is what is important too.
  
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Victoria Lucenti

November 23, 2024

I honestly agree very much so with my peers, Disney’s efforts have done a good job so far towards addressing and acknowledging problematic content, in comparison to many other highly watched content on television that has faced similar issues but has chosen to outright ignore and continue. Disney has made progress for sure, but I don’t think this is enough as well. I think there is still more room and time to make improvements and changes, as well as continuing to acknowledge and seek resolutions to past mistakes.

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Naurah Romulus

November 24, 2024

I feel like this is a step in the right direction. They acknowledge that what they did in the past was wrong, even though it was part of the culture at the time, and they are trying to improve. There’s always room for improvement for me, so they should not stop doing enough. Hopefully Disney will continue to provide inclusivity in whatever they do moving forward so they won’t have to do “apologize” again in the next 30 years.

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Selina Chen

November 25, 2024

I think Disney’s efforts currently is a great step to any future changes that there might be in the upcoming future. I believe there can never be “not enough” effort and some people would like these updates because they make the stories more inclusive and reflect today’s world. For example, Disney’s effort in adding content warning in the Peter Pan movie is a great move as it provides a heads up on some negative stereotypes that may be seen in the film. Whether Disney’s changes are “enough” or “too much” also might depends on a person’s personal opinion as well.

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Tory Sen

November 25, 2024

Disney is doing a fantastic job of owning up to its racist past by adding warnings and improving rides, among other things. These attempts make the space smarter and more culturally relevant, which leads to more conversations about history and how people are portrayed. Even though more needs to be done to fix past problems and stop bias from happening again, Disney’s efforts are a good start. They are starting healthy talks and pushing for change.

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Kaylee Pontone

November 29, 2024

Building new parks isn’t everything, but it definitely is a small victory towards making corrections and having an inclusive future of Disney where all children feel represented and welcome.

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1. Michelle Cortes Rodriguez
  
  December 1, 2024
  
  I agree it’s a small change but they are for sure taking actions and are aware of the problem rather than ignoring it.
  
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Brittany Giler

December 2, 2024

I think their efforts are good. It’s clear they see the issue and are trying to move forward and educate people and pushing for new changes.

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Amna Syeda

December 17, 2024

I agree that this is a good change. Content warnings are a positive move, as they highlight the outdated or problematic parts of older films.

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Jaylyn Calles

December 20, 2024

What do you think of these efforts? Is it enough? Too much?

I believe these changes are great. They are trying to correct the wrongs that were first put into these films and story lines. I dont believe its too much because children shouldn’t be learning about the initial message being told.

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