Disneyland has become an American institution. The Magic Kingdom is one of the most visited tourist destinations year after year and is steeped in decades worth of traditions, memories, and family fun.
Recently, one of the park's most long-held traditions, the nightly fireworks display, went through a bit of a revision. Now, people are beginning to voice their displeasure at Disney for making their pre-show fireworks greeting more gender-neutral.
Whether you're in Flordia or at any other one of the parks around the world, chances are, you're having a great time.
Especially if you're watching any of the shows or fireworks.
The very first fireworks display at Disneyland took place in the late 1950s. Walt believed that this was the perfect way to say thank you and goodnight to his cherished guests, and a nightly fireworks tradition has been upheld ever since.
But in an effort to be more inclusive, Disney has decided to switch things up.
Instead of the longheld greeting that begins "ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," the message now simply states "Good evening, dreamers of all ages."
But as you no doubt may have already imagined, certain people didn't feel the same way. In fact, a large number of ultra-conservative Disney fans seem to be downright outraged.
They also made sure to tweet out "Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls FOREVER!" What's interesting to note, however, is that this video shows how Disneyland really didn't change anything.
All the park has done this time around is simply omit the opening line. Not that big of a deal, right? Wrong.
"Talking to boomers about the nuances of gender and sexuality in Disney Facebook groups is next level," @soapsfreeman tweeted out.
Other Disneyland zealots took this opportunity to voice their displeasure with how the iconic theme park had handled similar instances regarding racial insensitivity and prejudice in the past.
Twitter user Mary Woolford (Twitter handle @mmwsd) goes on to say "I just wish the pendulum would hurry up and swing the other way...I'm so tired of this extremist way of thinking and being overly sensitive to everything!"
And the fact that Splash Mountain is actually based on an incredibly racist Disney film called Song of the South.
I just can't really seem to follow the logic here. Is this Twitter user saying that if we don't use the terms "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls" that it somehow implies that the guests are morally depraved?
Are we all either ladies and gentlemen or perverts and molesters? That seems a little confusing.
"Another thing I'm entirely unbothered by: Disney parks not saying "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls" before the fireworks show anymore," @EliteslayerX tweeted out.
"It's a small change made with good intentions that literally doesn't affect me in any way, shape, or form when I go on vacation."
What do you think about this whole situation? Who do you think is in the right?
Let us know down below in the comment section! We would love to hear from you.
