'Bring it back': Backlash over change to iconic Disney greeting
Disney has copped fierce backlash after making a change to an iconic announcement before the fireworks display at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida.
Ahead of its Happily Ever After fireworks, people were welcomed with the announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls."
However, Disney has removed that phrase from the beginning of the greeting after announcing in April it would be focusing on becoming more diverse and inclusive.
"Inclusion is essential to our culture and leads us forward as we continue to realise our rich legacy of engaging storytelling, exceptional service, and Disney magic," Disney said in a statement.
The decision, however, has been met with backlash from people who have dubbed the exclusion from the announcement "completely unnecessary".
"I hate that. Bring it back now!" one wrote on Twitter.
"I won't be visiting Cancel Culture Land," another said.
"Nobody asked for this," a third added.
Despite being slammed for the tweak to the announcement, many have praised Disney for taking steps to become more inclusive.
Disney removes ”Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls” from Happily Ever After pre show announcement.
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls FOREVER! pic.twitter.com/joWLcYBgMf— Showcase of Wishes (@ShowcaseWishes) June 30, 2021
"Good for Disney," one said.
"Doesn't bother me, at all. But then, I'm open to change and capable of empathy," somebody else commented.
"The new greeting is much better. Less like a circus, more like a special event," another added.
The fireworks display at Walt Disney Resort in Orlando returned last week after being suspended for more than a year as a result of the Covid pandemic.
Addressing the change to the announcement, a Disney spokesperson told CBS News the decision was "part of a broader effort".
"It's not about one or two things," the spokesperson said.
HuffPost Japan reported Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea also replaced "ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls" with "hello everyone" in March.
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