WDW and DL Pirates to change Redhead scene

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ok so eveyone is assumi this is because of "PC police". Do people not realized that hey Disney is deciding to make an old ride fresh by changing a few scenes? We all sit on here and complain Disney doesn't do enough and then when they announce a change people go crazy over it. It is like they can't win.

I think that would be a really good rationale if it wasn't for the fact that there are probably other rides that need TLC much more and for much longer than Pirates which just had a refurb under 2 years ago and where they had changed some things there like outfits, lighting, adjusted drop and animatronic adjustments.

 

[wilkeliza]

I think that would be a really good rationale if it wasn't for the fact that there are probably other rides that need TLC much more and for much longer than Pirates which just had a refurb under 2 years ago and where they had changed some things there like outfits, lighting, adjusted drop and animatronic adjustments.

It is true it hasn't been that long but last time I rode it (like couple months ago) a lot of what had added was showing wear and tear and the mermaids that were added haven't been turned on in ages. Keeping this ride fresh benifits them because it is still an active movie franchise. It could also just be the easiest one to green light.

 

[LYSE]

I don't know how to word this properly, so forgive my convoluted answer. It isn't so much "politically incorrect" to me. It is more "globally inappropriate". There is too much fear and real life implications for many in regards to human trafficking. It doesn't affect one race or nationality. It is global. I don't know if I'm making sense or not.

And I think, as time goes on, more things from classic Disney rides and attractions will slowly disappear. I think, as we progress as a society, things that were once acceptable will be erased from entertainment venues, though hopefully not diluted in our history books. Like, "Who Made the Red Man Red?" from Peter Pan. Wildly racist by today's standards and, IMHO, doesn't have a place in Disney World any more, but that doesn't mean we should minimize the relations between the US and Native Americans and the discrimination they faced for centuries.

So on this note are we not supposed to show the classic movies to our children also? Things have changed drastically since the original movies and rides were made, I fully intend on explaining that too my daughter. I also want her to enjoy the classic movies with me that I grew up watching.

 

[LYSE]

Ok so eveyone is assumi this is because of "PC police". Do people not realized that hey Disney is deciding to make an old ride fresh by changing a few scenes? We all sit on here and complain Disney doesn't do enough and then when they announce a change people go crazy over it. It is like they can't win.

They should be doing something new and innovative. Not change the classics to make a small group of complainers happy.

 

[HopperFan]

Just one other comment - I did want to thank you for bringing this up as I think this is the type of discussion that in general should happen in society and opening ourselves to how other people might view things is important

And constantly putting things in a box and hiding them in the attic only leads to them being repeated. Discussion is very important.

The accurate comparison would be wearing a shirt with the confederate flag.

Kansas and Missouri are more than the sums of their historical stances on slavery. Especially since someone wearing a shirt today would be living in a version of the state in which legalized slavery does not exist.
But wearing a confederate flag? That's a pretty obvious symbol, and anyone wearing it has either not thought of the implications or chosen to ignore it.

When wearing a general pirates shirt, they are probably thinking of the attraction as a whole. But a Red Head shirt has no other implication than this single scene.

Live in the deep south, not even close.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It is true it hasn't been that long but last time I rode it (like couple months ago) a lot of what had added was showing wear and tear and the mermaids that were added haven't been turned on in ages. Keeping this ride fresh benifits them because it is still an active movie franchise. It could also just be the easiest one to green light.

Oh I agree keeping things fresh is what they should be doing anyways. I think most of us are along the lines of keeping it fresh in this case doesn't equate to completely altering one particular scene.

 

[MamaBelle4]

So on this note are we not supposed to show the classic movies to our children also? Things have changed drastically since the original movies and rides were made, I fully intend on explaining that too my daughter. I also want her to enjoy the classic movies with me that I grew up watching.

There are certain Fred Astaire movies I won't show my kids at their current ages. They love Fred Astaire and Gene Kelley, but the one where he dons shoe polish and sings about Harlem's BoJangles (can't remember the name offhand), I don't feel they need to see yet. When they are older and can understand the implications a bit better, sure.

EDITED TO CORRECT TYPOS

 

[adisneyaunt]

Will I avoid the ride, no
Miss the scene, not really
Be happy with the change, no... I think it's ridiculous to remove it as its part of the rides' history/story line and pirate history.
Removing History is not the way society learns and moves forward. If it was a point of contention for a family ( as an example) .. it is an opportunity to teach a lesson if one feels the need.

I think it goes over many heads during the ride and altogether forgotten in seconds.
(And for the record, no I think any form of slavery etc is despicable and wrong, just say'n)

 

[crazy4wdw]

What a depressing day for a Walt Disney World fan. First we hear that Siemens is dropping their sponsorship of Spaceship Earth and now this! Pirates is my favorite attraction at WDW. Why in the world don't they leave it alone? I recently read that the same changes were coming to Pirates at Disneyland Paris and wondered if Disney would make the same changes at WDW and DL. While they are at it, they may as well removed the scene where the mayor is being dunked in the well. That's the 17th century version of waterboarding! I need a Mickey bar and maybe a Prozac!

 

[amberpi]

I LOVE POTC, because its awesome, its Disney history...and pirates are just plain fun. Now, I think that scene is past its prime, and very inappropriate for a global market for all the reasons discussed. I will admit though that saying "show us your starboard side" and "we want the red head" is super funny (especially if you've been to Epcot before and been enjoying some the booze the redhead has). I hope the changes keep some of those great lines, while not promoting human trafficking, objectifying women, etc. We'll see.

I will say - I asked my folks as a kid about the "pretty lady" being sold, because I wanted to know which pirate was buying her. That's a pretty screwed up thing for a little girl in MK to be considering - but I remember distinctly not wanting the pirate sleeping with the pigs to get her.

Don't get me started on PP or JC - both of which I love, because good lord, there's so much wrong, what would be left? And as a kid, they didn't make me ask weirdo questions - although I did have some questions about if the cannibals were also at the Poly.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I don't know how to word this properly, so forgive my convoluted answer. It isn't so much "politically incorrect" to me. It is more "globally inappropriate". There is too much fear and real life implications for many in regards to human trafficking. It doesn't affect one race or nationality. It is global. I don't know if I'm making sense or not.

And I think, as time goes on, more things from classic Disney rides and attractions will slowly disappear. I think, as we progress as a society, things that were once acceptable will be erased from entertainment venues, though hopefully not diluted in our history books. Like, "Who Made the Red Man Red?" from Peter Pan. Wildly racist by today's standards and, IMHO, doesn't have a place in Disney World any more, but that doesn't mean we should minimize the relations between the US and Native Americans and the discrimination they faced for centuries.

I fully agree and with your example to Peter Pan do you think that means the movie shouldn't be available anymore or do we just keep it in context and understand it isn't ok now but was at the time?

I can still enjoy Peter Pan as a film but know that isn't ok what they said - and I am sure 50 years from now there are things that are ok but people then won't find ok

 

[MamaBelle4]

I fully agree and with your example to Peter Pan do you think that means the movie shouldn't be available anymore or do we just keep it in context and understand it isn't ok now but was at the time?

I can still enjoy Peter Pan as a film but know that isn't ok what they said - and I am sure 50 years from now there are things that are ok but people then won't find ok

As FDR said (and I'm paraphrasing) I hope the people of the future will remember our times and judge us according to now, not their time. He said it much more eloquently.

No, I think it should absolutely still be available, along with Song of the South, but I think it should be held in the context, acceptable then NOT acceptable now. Art is fluid. What was acceptable 50, 100, 500 years ago, isn't now, but that art should be preserved.

Disneyland and Disney World are more of a living art and as such, they should adapt with the times, they cannot remain stagnant. That's just my belief though.

 

[LYSE]

There are certain Fred Astaire movies I won't show my kids at their current ages. They love Fred Astaire and Gene Kelley, but the one where he dons shoe polish and sings about Harlem's BoJangles (can't remember the name offhand), I don't feel they need to see yet. When they are older and can understand the implications a bit better, sure.

EDITED TO CORRECT TYPOS

It's from Time. I think its important to let children see all aspects of american culture. This way they can appreciate how things have changed. Refuting the past and pretending it didnt happen is a negative to me. Instead I think it should be shown as an example of how and why things have changed. History shouldnt be swept under the rug in my opinion.

 

[Suger Mag]

My point is that neither are necessarily politically correct.

OMG enough with the PC, lordy that is such an overused phrase.

First off, both booze and firearms are legal in this country for adults of proper age. It does not matter how old you are, or what permits you get. Slavery and selling humans at auctions is against the law, Second there is nothing PC about being against slavery. It is called being a decent human being.

 

[MamaBelle4]

It's from Time. I think its important to let children see all aspects of american culture. This way they can appreciate how things have changed. Refuting the past and pretending it didnt happen is a negative to me. Instead I think it should be shown as an example of how and why things have changed. History shouldnt be swept under the rug in my opinion.

I don't think you're reading all of my responses here.
I wouldn't let my 8 year old watch a murder documentary any more than I would one dripping with racism. It isn't an appropriate topic at her age, at least not in that context.

I also said that certain things shouldn't be celebrated, but absolutely shouldn't be diluted in our histories.

 

[Suger Mag]

I don't think you're reading all of my responses here.
I wouldn't let my 8 year old watch a murder documentary any more than I would one dripping with racism. It isn't an appropriate topic at her age, at least not in that context.

I also said that certain things shouldn't be celebrated, but absolutely shouldn't be diluted in our histories.

totally agree with this, it is a theme park. Lynching, slavery, Jeffrey Amherst giving small pox blankets to the Native Americans, all part of history that should be remembered, but should not be something that belongs in a Disney ride.

I cannot believe folks are actually defending this for sentimentality reasons. it is never to late to step up and do the right thing.

 

[LYSE]

I don't think you're reading all of my responses here.
I wouldn't let my 8 year old watch a murder documentary any more than I would one dripping with racism. It isn't an appropriate topic at her age, at least not in that context.

I also said that certain things shouldn't be celebrated, but absolutely shouldn't be diluted in our histories.

I agree that it shouldnt be celebrated and I have read what you posted I guess its just an agree to disagree type situation and depends on the child. I still dont believe taking out one scene of a ride when the whole ride itself is supposed to be slightly offensive is an answer.

 

[peteykirch]

Well then I hope they change Splash Mountain scene with Brer Bear is stuck in a noose, because let's be honest if it was people not animals it never would've flew pass the drawing board. Then later in the ride Brer Fox has Brer Rabbit in his grasp holding a noose in the other hand.

I wish they'll keep Pirates as is.

Pirates are bad people, they pillage, plunder, and rape, etc.

They reworked the scene with the pirate chasing the one lady, and had her chase him with a broom.

They have no issue with the scene of Carlos being pretty much drowned alive at the beginning of the town scenes.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

totally agree with this, it is a theme park. Lynching, slavery, Jeffrey Amherst giving small pox blankets to the Native Americans, all part of history that should be remembered, but should not be something that belongs in a Disney ride.

I cannot believe folks are actually defending this for sentimentality reasons. it is never to late to step up and do the right thing.

Totally understand but you would then need to completely remove any thing that could be perceived to have any connection to anything that is not considered acceptable in our current society.

Splash should be removed even though most people riding it probably have little knowledge of song of the south.

Hall of Presidents should be removed because certain presidents in the past have owned slaved. Heck references to America in general should really be removed because our past has included what you mentioned and so therefore that doesn't belong in Disney

Haunted Mansion should be removed then especially now that Disney made a movie where the character poisons another the woman causing their death and another character forces that woman to get married to him even though she's already married.

And it goes on and on.

I think the driving thought here is where does the line end?

I'd imagine that theme parks and amusement parks throughout the world have rides/attractions/themes, etc that could also be considered not acceptable in our current society.

 

[Suger Mag]

Totally understand but you would then need to completely remove any thing that could be perceived to have any connection to anything that is not considered acceptable in our current society.

Splash should be removed even though most people riding it probably have little knowledge of song of the south.

Hall of Presidents should be removed because certain presidents in the past have owned slaved. Heck references to America in general should really be removed because our past has included what you mentioned and so therefore that doesn't belong in Disney

Haunted Mansion should be removed then especially now that Disney made a movie where the character poisons another the woman causing their death and another character forces that woman to get married to him even though she's already married.

And it goes on and on.

I think the driving thought here is where does the line end?

I'd imagine that theme parks and amusement parks throughout the world have rides/attractions/themes, etc that could also be considered not acceptable in our current society.

there is a distinct difference between a connection and actually showing the scene. Last time I checked there was not a slave auction in Splash Mountain, or even actual depictions of slavery in the ride.