29 Jul 2021
Disney World show goes gender-neutral
BY Tom Walker
The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida has changed some of its messaging as part of a strategy to become more inclusive to all guests.
The greeting at its famous firework show, for example, no longer references gender.
The message, which said "ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, dreamers of all ages" has been changed to say "Good evening, dreamers of all ages".
Disney has not officially commented on the change, but the move is one of a number of adjustments the company has made to be more inclusive.
In April, Disney added a fifth "key" to its famous set of values, which have guided its approach to guest service for more than 65 years.
The four existing keys – safety, courtesy, show and efficiency – were joined by inclusion, which will result in a visible change in the appearance of Disney's cast members.
Earlier this year, Disney announced it would be removing scenes depicting indigenous peoples in Africa – which some people might have deemed racist – from its Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland in California.
At the time, Chris Beatty, Disney’s Imagineering creative portfolio executive, said in a statement: "This is not a re-envisioning of the entire attraction.
"It’s the Jungle Cruise you know and love, with the skippers still leading the way, and at the same time, we’re addressing negative depictions.
"We're constantly evaluating ways to enhance attractions and experiences in our parks.
"We want to make sure everybody has the best time — that guests from all over the world can connect with the stories we share and how we bring those to life are respectful of the diverse world we live in."
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