Disney tries so hard to be sweet and inoffensive, so it has to be said the slightest whiff of controversy can rapidly end up being blown out of all proportion –particularly with social media on hand to fan the flames.
Disney has also worked really hard, in recent years, to distance itself from stereotypes and assumptions in its films and characters from the past which has, in turn, created its own controversies.
But a Disney ride doesn’t have to make it on to the front page of the tabloids, amid accusations of “political correctness gone mad” for it to be deemed controversial. Some parts of the Disney experience are just like Marmite – you either love them or you hate them.
Here are five controversy-causing attractions… and you may be surprised at some of the ones we’ve chosen:
1) Small World
Small World is one of the original Disneyland, California rides and, therefore, is regarded as sacred Walt territory. But it’s not for everyone. Grown men, for example, can quake at the rooms full of blinking dolls singing a repetitive ditty over and over and over… In fact, my other half believes Small World would make a great setting for a horror film. Like most sane people, though, I refuse to be anything other than charmed at the vision Small World presents of peace and friendship, the world united in singing the same words in multiple languages. And I’ve found the quickest way to stop any objections to Small World among your fellow travellers is to threaten to sing the song… it’s amazing just how effective that can be.
2) The Hall of Presidents
As the audience takes their seats in a plush theatre, the curtain lifts to reveal a stage full of every president there’s ever been, all ready to make speeches and tell us about their history. What’s controversial about that, you might think? Well, not the presence of an animatronic Donald Trump (he is actually pretty quiet), but because of um… us. British people. In the US telling of history, we are the bad guys, the colonial overlords who were heroically overthrown and even our highlights (World War Two) get a bit glossed over as, unfortunately, these were also American highlights and this is their show. But while this one can be a slightly uncomfortable watch for Brits (and it is – it has to be said – a little dull), Americans LOVE this attraction – they whoop, they cheer, they shout for encores. This is something I can’t imagine British audiences ever doing, even if the room were full of British Prime Ministers (probably especially not if that were the case). I guess this attraction highlights just how different we are to our US cousins. No wonder we all fell out at that Boston tea party.
3) Splash Mountain
It has to be said, Song of the South was an odd choice to base a major ride on. Its depiction of plantation life seems to have been considered problematic even when I was young (yes, that long ago), meaning I don’t know of anyone of my generation or younger who has ever seen it. Splash Mountain itself – a log flume ride – didn’t tell the story of the film itself, but some of the tales contained within the film about a cute little rabbit going off to make his fortune and instead falling foul of a mean fox. It’s now been replaced with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and, given the widespread love out there for Tiana, I suspect the only controversy it will face in the future will be how much of your holiday you should devote to standing in its lengthy queues.
Mission: SPACE
In some ways, the chief problem with this ride is that it can make even experienced thrill-seekers feel very, very sick. Personally, I’m not one for rollercoasters but I don’t actually mind the ride itself – a simulator which whirls you around and around to give you the impression you’re lifting off into space – because you never actually leave the ground. However, it’s never been a ride that Disney fans have taken to their hearts – primarily because of what it replaced… the much-loved ride Horizons (see our piece on Five closed Disney rides we miss). In fact, the best thing about Mission: SPACE is the Space 220 restaurant, which is in the same pavilion and which is superb (see our piece on Five places to eat with the kids).
The ride at the United Kingdom in Epcot
Hang on a second, I hear you say. What ride in the United Kingdom? Well, precisely. The controversy here is that despite numerous Disney films being set in the UK (Robin Hood, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Brave – to name but a few), they’ve never actually built a ride in our little corner of Disney. To rub salt into our wounds nearby France has a ride and TWO films. Bof! One reason we’ve heard that might explain the lack of a UK ride is that, when the World Showcase was being developed, the installation of each attraction depended on sponsorship – and companies simply didn’t stump up the money for a UK attraction. Beatles tribute act The British Invasion used to perform in the UK for a while, but they left some time ago. We also heard there were plans for a Mary Poppins ride in the UK, but they were put on hold due to the pandemic. With millions of UK visitors flocking to Florida once more, we feel now might be the time for a revival
Are there any controversial rides we’ve missed? Or do you disagree with our (possibly controversial) choices for this article? Let us know below.
