The Conversation (0)
Greg Evans
Apr 24, 2021
iStock/Getty Images
The world has undergone many changes in the last few years in order to make everything in society more accommodating for everyone and that includes major theme parks like Disney World.
As well as adding new rides and attractions, Disney has also updated elements of their older rides to eradicate some of the more dated elements of rides such as Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain.
Until now, unless you were a Disney aficionado, you probably weren’t aware of these changes nor would you care.
However, Jonathan VanBoskerck, a grown man from North Las Vegas who describes himself as a “Christian and conservative Republican” who takes his family to Disney every year is not happy about these alterations to his favourite place.
In an op-ed published by the Orlando Sentinel VanBoskerck said that ‘wokeness is ruining his experience’ at Disney World and threatened to boycott them if they continue on this trajectory. He added: “I do not want to have Disney World taken away from us because Disney cares more about politics than happy guests.“
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Amongst his complaints were staff being allowed to “display tattoos, wear inclusive uniforms and display inclusive haircuts,” Disney being too politically motivated, a lack of interest in Pirates of the Caribbean, removal of racist elements from Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain and wanting Disney to return to the traditions of Walt Disney himself, such as having pro-war propaganda.
VanBoskerck’s claims didn’t take long to become the source of ridicule, especially as the piece seemed deadly serious.
Why aren’t more primarily children’s activities considering the needs of me, a middle aged man https://t.co/1d7zmPLDif— Erin Ryan (@Erin Ryan) 1619187325
This, somehow, is not parody https://t.co/CcdiLEadn2— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1619192004
honestly feel like an op-ed by this gentleman saying he won’t be at the park should be considered advertising for t… https://t.co/FkLftX14UN— Alexandra Petri (@Alexandra Petri) 1619195655
i just laughed so hard at this my cat freaked out https://t.co/HPCzdOySWk— Gene Park (@Gene Park) 1619188086
The "wokeness", specifically, is seeing cast members tattoos & removing a character named "Trader Sam" from Jungle… https://t.co/dGGJPDFo0G— James Gunn (@James Gunn) 1619194904
@orlandosentinel "As a white guy living life on the lowest difficulty setting, I'd like my theme park experience to… https://t.co/iR572KQwLx— Anne Wheaton (@Anne Wheaton) 1619193659
You’re a grown ass man. https://t.co/erdrqTgnE2— Reza Aslan (@Reza Aslan) 1619219802
when you explicitly state you want to sit in lightning mcQueen but the attendant puts you in Mater https://t.co/r5OKRnNDaP— Fred Delicious (@Fred Delicious) 1619200335
I feel like we've skipped over the fact that this man is advocating for the return of the scenes in the Pirates of… https://t.co/xByu0dSdwA— Kat Tenbarge (@Kat Tenbarge) 1619199183
So basically this person is mad because some of the anti-Black imagery is being changed at Disney World. https://t.co/d91x2WqJIC— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸) 1619199162
Even notable conservative figures in the US media thought this was a bit much.
Grown men should not love Disney World. That’s the first problem here. https://t.co/ggsOuwBBB5— Matt Walsh (@Matt Walsh) 1619199082
Democratic congresswoman, Val Demings, who represents the area where Disney World is located spoke out and said that she was proud to represent the community.
I have the privilege of having Disney World in my district along with other world-class attractions. I am proud to… https://t.co/JmHLvWtNDG— Rep. Val Demings (@Rep. Val Demings) 1619193193
This would hardly be the first time this year that Republicans have rallied against the so-called ‘cancel culture’ having previously been irate about the likes of Dr Seuss and The Muppets being edited to remove elements that would now be considered racist.