Disney’s Got A Record
Disney has truly had some wild things going on over the years. Let’s unravel some of the most memorable moments.
From ride malfunctions and viral complaints to serious media controversy and accusations, some are funny, some are sad, and some are downright disturbing.
Animal Kingdom’s Grand Opening
Back in 1998, the grand opening of Disney’s Magic Kingdom was highly contested by animal rights activists, with some welfare organizations like PETA boycotting the opening of the park.
Some protestors even tried to get travel agents not to book vacations to visit Animal Kingdom.
However, in the end, only a few protestors shows up on the opening day.
Jennifer Lynn, Wikimedia Commons
Nixon’s Big Speech
While this scandal was not Disney’s, it is known for drawing national attention.
Richard Nixon’s “I’m not a crook” speech in 1973 was delivered at Walt Disney World in the Contemporary Resort.
Marion Doss, CC-BY-SA-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Stolen Disney World Props
Over the years, there have been some heavy scandals involving stolen props from Disney World.
In 2019, a former Cast Member was linked to the theft of various costumes from Haunted Mansion, the animatronic “Buzzy” from Cranium Command, and other backstage items.
And then again, later that same year, $20,000 worth of items from Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, and other rides were reported missing.
The Banning of Childless Millennials
In 2019, a Facebook post went viral from an unnamed woman who believed that “childless adults should be banned from visiting Disney World.”
The woman had apparently recently visited the park with her toddler. She saw a woman who had a Mickey pretzel and asked where she got it. The millennial showed her where it was, and when the mother told her child he could not have one because the line was too long, the child had an epic tantrum—which the mother then blamed on the millennial woman.
The most then caused a massive online debate about whether or not “childless millennials” should be allowed to visit Disney World.
Steven Miller, Wikimedia Commons
Alcohol in Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom was a dry part for decades, just like Disneyland Park. This means booze was not available for purchase anywhere in the park.
So, in 2012 when Disney announced that booze would not be available with your meal at Be Our Guest Restaurant, the crowd went wild.
People worried it would ruin the “family friendly” nature of the park. However, it did not ruin anything. These types of drinks are not available at carts around the park, only in sit-down restaurants.
Steven Miller, Wikimedia Commons
Disney Skyliner Crashes
In 2019, the highly anticipated new form of transportation, the Disney Skyliner opened. But not long after opening, problems began.
Just one week after it first started operation, a crash between two gondolas coming into the station caused the system to shut down. Guests were stuck in the air for several hours.
Since then, there has been several other crashes causing the same issue.
Boat Rides Sinking
Speaking of transportation issues, Disney World has also had several cases of boats sinking—mid-ride!
During one incident, a Splash Mountain boat sank with guests inside. A video was shared online that showed guests jumping out of the sinking boat while a Cast Member is heard berating them for jumping ship.
It caused quite the stir online.
In addition to that one, a Jungle Cruise boat sank and took on a lot of water. Photos of the incident show guests standing on top of the seats and clinging to bars holding up the awning.
“Andy’s Coming”
Another viral photo commonly referred to as “Andy’s Coming” caused a lot of problems at Disney World’s Toy Story Land.
A Cast Member took a staged picture with Toy Story characters laying on the ground, and someone edited it to note that if a guest yells “Andy’s coming!” near the characters, they’ll fall down and lay still…just like in the movies.
When this went viral, people flocked to the park to try it out. But it didn’t work. Disney says it would be a safety hazard for characters to fall down randomly.
Edward Russell, Wikimedia Commons
Miley Cyrus’s Vanity Fair Cover
Back in 2008, while starring as Disney’s Hannah Montana, then 15-year-old Miley Cyrus was photographed by Annie Leibovitz, draped only in a bedsheet.
Disney wasn’t happy with their underage leading star presenting herself like that. Following a media storm, Cyrus then issues a public apology. But a decade later, she showed she “got nerve” by retracting it.
Sweatshop Retailer of the Year
There are dozens of stories circulating about Disney treating employees poorly.
According to one investigation, Disney had contracts with 12 Chinese supply factories, whose staff were treated awfully. They worked 16-hour shifts for low wages, and were mistreated by superiors.
Disney shrugged it off, but the claims have not stopped since. Disney was then named “Sweatshop Retailer of the Year” by The Maquila Solidarity Network and Oxfam Canada.
Plagiarism
Over the years, Disney has also been accused of copying other people’s work. For example, The Lion King and Atlantis: The Lost Empire have both been accused of imitating Japanese anime shows, Kimba the White Lion and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water.
As well, Frozen’s teaser trailer was very close to Kelly Wilson’s The Snowman.
Walt Disney, The Lion King (1994)
Priority for Disabled Visitors
In 2013, NBC revealed a crazy Disney scheme where people were cutting long lines. With the help of a Guest Assistance Card, people could completely bypass long ride lines.
CNN also spoke about how it was primarily rich people engaging in this practice, so their children didn’t have to wait among common folk.
When Disney learned of what was happening, they tightened the rules and closed the loopholes. Now disabled visitors were given an allotted time for ride access instead.
Disney Pride
Disney’s record with the LGBTQ+ community has always been rocky. In 2022, they were under fire for their role in the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
However, they are trying. In recent years, they’ve introduced openly LGBTQ+ characters in their movies and TV shows. Sadly, they were met with controversy with both viewers as well as nation leaders.
When Onward featured a lesbian character, the film was banned in several countries.
The Rescuers Recall
Back in 1977, a prankster snuck an image of a topless woman in the background of The Rescuers. Somehow, no one noticed until 1999, when the VHS was re-released.
Disney quickly recalled millions of VHS tapes. Although there were no complaints, the 22-year-long oversight was awkward.
Walt Disney, The Rescuers (1977)
The Grandfather from Andi Mack
Disney’s Andi Mack was a critically acclaimed Disney show in the mid-to-late 2010s. Actor Stoney Westmoreland played Andi Mack’s grandfather.
In 2018, Westmoreland was apprehended for planning and encounter with a minor. When new broke, the media went wild and Disney fired the actor. They quickly removed him from any episodes they could, and in 2022 he was sentenced to two years behind federal bars.
Racism in “Song of the South”
There is nothing Disney wants more than to erase this incredibly offensive movie from their memory.
Even in 1946, Song of the South was considered shocking and controversial. It was called racist for its depiction of Black Americans and plantation life. Disney did everything they could to remove this movie from existence.
Years later, Disney was under fire again for harmfully stereotyping Arab people in Aladdin.
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