Dark Secrets of Disney
SPOILER ALERT This post contains some key plot points from Disney films and/or TV shows
Death
No one lives forever and we can go at any time. Not a pleasant thought, but it is the reality. There is an illusion kept up by Disney that, regardless of circumstances, no one can die in its theme parks, not officially anyway. No one can be declared dead at Disney World, Disney Land, or any of the other parks. If someone dies at one of the theme parks, the unfortunate individual must be taken outside the park before paramedics, or anyone else, can declare them dead. It doesn't matter who you are, how you die, why you died, where you are. If you die in a Disney theme park, you will not be declared dead until you are outside of the park. You cannot die in the Magic Kingdom.
Of course, no death at Disney World/Land is an illusion.
On June 17th 1966, 19-year-old Thomas Guy Cleveland attempted to sneak into the park by climbing the monorail track.
A security officer shouted a warning to him but was ignored. Cleveland was struck by the train and dragged down the track.
In August 1967, 16-year-old Ricky Lee Yama jumped between two moving cars on the Peoplemover ride and was dragged a few hundred feet, killing him. On 7th June 1980, Gerado Gonzalos did the same thing and was crushed to death.
On June 20th, 1973, an 18-year-old and his 10-year-old brother stayed on Tom Sawyer's Island past closing time by hiding in an area that is off-limits to guests. When they wanted to leave the island, they tried to swim across the river but the younger boy did not know how to swim. The older boy attempted to carry his brother on his back and drowned halfway across. His body was found the next morning. The younger brother was able to stay afloat by dog paddling until a ride operator rescued him.
On 8th July 1974, Debbie Stone, an employee, tragically lost her life while on the job.
Debbie was a hostess for the attraction America Sings, which involved a rotating theatre. Debbie was caught between the rotating and stationary walls at one performance. It has never been clear how exactly this happened, but Debbie was crushed to death and the audience believed her screams were part of the performance. When she was found in pieces, Disney made sure as few people as possible knew about it, and her friends and colleagues were forbidden from making a memorial. To this day, no one knows if Debbie's death was an accident, suicide, or murder. The official story says Debbie was in the wrong place during intermission due to either inadequate training or a misstep.
On 4th June 1983, an 18-year-old drowned in the Rivers of America while trying to pilot a stolen rubber emergency boat from Tom Sawyers Island.
On 3rd January 1984, 48-year-old Dolly Regene Young died whilst riding the Matterhorn Bobsleds.
Dolly was thrown from a bobsled and hit by an oncoming one, decapitating her. This was due to her seatbelt being undone, no-one knows if she didn't do it up or that a malfunction stopped it from working.
On September 5th 2003, 22-year-old Marcelo Torres was killed when a locomotive on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride broke lose and crushed him.
In 2004 Disney employee, 38 year-old Javier "Jefe" Cruz, dressed as Pluto to participate in a parade. The foot of his costume was caught under a float and he was killed when it ran him over.
Many more people died following incidents at Disneyland but these are the ones that died at the parks themselves.
White Wilderness
The 1958 documentary is the reason for the myth that lemmings commit mass suicide.
Lemmings are rodents that inhabit the Arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia. This film examines animals of the artic and the way they live, presented as a 'true adventure'. Clever use and camera angles fooled the audience into seeing what they thought was genuine lemming migration, including mass suicide, The film shows a shot of the many dead lemmings in the water but they did not jump, they were pushed. Lemmings do not commit suicide, not mass suicide anyway. It is this myth that the film is known for propagating.
While the lemmings in this film did die, it was the crew that killed them.
Abandoned Parks
Creepypasta, a website of scary if often realistic stories, tells the tale of Mowgli's Palace. A theme park built and subsequently abandoned by Disney.
Artist *
Mowgli's Palace was built in Emerald Isle of North Carolina. Apparently, residents were unhappy about it and the park itself closed down shortly after opening. This is, of course, a complete work of fiction. Such a resort never existed or was even suggested. Fabricated facts here However, there have been Disney resorts shut down and abandoned.
Discovery Island was once a thriving zoological park at Disneyworld. While many conspiracy theories, myths and legend have sprung about it's abrupt closure in 1999, 25 years after it opened, it's likely that Animal Kingdom Park took away the footfall.
Disney's River Country was Disney's first ever water park. Popular with urban explorers, it was rumoured to be closed down due to the discovery of amoeba virus on location, leading to a death in 1980. Due to the park still being in operation until 2001, this is unlikely. Disney did announce it would be a location for a Disney Lakeside resort but Covid19 hit and the project seems to have been abandoned.
Wonders of Life Pavilion closed in 2007. Popular in it's day, Disney plan to transform it into Play! Pavilion. I suppose we'll see.
Other attractions at Disney have closed and either been turned into something else or just lie abandoned, waiting for a new lease of life. Whether you believe the official explanations or legends, the thought of a place being literally abandoned by Disney, feels a little like the magic doesn't always last.
Racism
There are too many old Disney cartoons, many from the 30s, that are racist. Characters in blackface, black characters with exaggerated features and poor linguistic skills. To mention all of these would take another post, but it, of course, was not limited to the old black and white cartoons.
The blatant racism in classic Disney films could also be a blog all it's own. From 1941 to 1970, there was blatant racism in Disney films. Disney+ now addresses this before the films are shown, but do you know them all?
The disclaimer shown on Disney+ is the following
This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.
Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.
To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visit
www.disney.com/StoriesMatter
One or two of these films however, have been edited to remove their racist content.
1932 - Santa's Workshop
A short to start, Santa and his elves are getting ready for Christmas. A white doll is checked, it says "mommy" and Santa stamps it with OK. A black doll with exaggerated features says "mammy" and stamps itself. Offensive features aside, mammy was slang for a black nursemaid during slavery. Unsurprisingly, this scene has been cut.
1933 - The Three Little Pigs
One of Disney's Silly Symphonies rather than a film, the Three Little Pigs courts controversies for several reasons but one is when the wolf disguises himself as a peddler in attempt to trick the pigs into opening the door. In the original, the wolf dons a costume including a large nose and fake beard. This man is a Jewish stereotype and Yiddish music plays whilst the wolf speaks with a strong Yiddish accent. This was changed in 1948 due to complaints and concerns it would be very hurtful following World War II. With Walt Disney himself suspected of being antisemitic, it isn't a surprise such a character appeared.
Fantasia - 1940
The sheer number in this classic. Remembered mainly for Deems Taylor boring us to death in between the animated segments and Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, they are a few racist elements to this. you can actually see the first one on the picture above. The cute racist mushrooms.
Their petals resembling traditional Russian garb and an obvious Cossack dance, this is again, a little on the racist side.
The most racist part of Fantasia has actually been cut. Any versions of Fantasia produced after 1960, cut the controversial and highly racist character, Sunflower.
The sixth piece, The Pastoral Symphony by Ludwig Van Beethoven, features centaurs. First we see female centaurs essentially doing hair and make-up in preparation for meeting some males. In the original animation, the beautiful, while female centaurs had a stereotypical and less attractive black centaur essentially acting as a maid. Sunflower helps the white centaurs pretty themselves up. This shot has been cut so we see a slightly odd image of a centaur, head only, apparently looking down at nothing. With her appearance an offensive caricature of a black person, we only see Sunflower on the internet now.
In the same segment we see the Bacchus, the god of wine. The animation featuring him has also been altered. We know longer see these two attendants.
While a little better looking than Sunflower, these zebra centaurs are very obviously still of a lower standing then the white centaurs, attendants to a god they are still servants. While socially acceptable in 1941, this would never go down well with modern audiences. The white centaurs dress up and make merry while the black centaurs are nothing more than servants.
1941- Dumbo
The crows in Dumbo are obviously based on black people but not only is the main one named Jim Crow (which was a law that enforced racial segregation) all the crows are voiced by white actors doing their best impressions of African Americans. With Jim Crow law being in place as late as 1965, it is clear why Disney got a way with racism back in the 40s.
1946- Song of the South
Apparently never released on video in the US and unavailable on Disney+, Song of the South is controversial for its idealised master/slave relationship. The film suggests that African American slaves were happy in their lives on plantations. While a film I personally enjoyed, I didn't think slaves were happy after watching this, more that black people as second class citizens and staff at best was the way it was back then. I can understand why it's hard to find and watch these days, but I do miss it.
1953 - Peter Pan
Calling native's redskins is racist and the song 'What makes the red man red' has been changed to 'What makes the brave man brave'. Not sure how that works but I haven't watched Peter Pan recently so I may have a look on Disney+. The depiction of Indians (is it still okay to call them that?) all round is pretty racist and even Peter and the lost boys dressing and dancing like them has been called mocking recently. There's also mutters of cultural appropriation but I don't quite want to get into that minefield.
1955 - Lady and the Tramp
Of course the Siamese cats, named Si and Am, are anti-Asian stereotypes. In the dog pound, heavily accented dogs portray stereotypes of the countries their breeds are from. Pedro the Mexican Chihuahua and Boris the Russian Borzoi for example.
The Jungle Book -1968
King Louie, with his poor linguistic skills, Dixieland jazz style and laziness, has been criticized as being a caricature of an African-American stereotype.
The Aristocats - 1970
Sun Gon, like the crows in Dumbo, is voiced by a white actor. A racist caricature of an Asian person, he plays the piano with chopsticks and slams a symbol on his head, a mockery of the traditional Asian bamboo hats.
Alongside Sun Gon is Peppo, an accordion playing, amorous Italian cat who flirts with Duchess.
Apparent leader of the group, trumpet playing Scat Cat, is based on black jazz musicians of the 50s and 60s.
1989 - The Little Mermaid
With Sebastien the crab's strong Jamaican accent, some people find him racist. The actor who voiced him is black but is American not Jamaican
However a very short part of the classic song Under the Sea has a touch of racism to it. At one point the black fish sings. I personally love the blackfish and the way it sings. however with it's large lips and obvious relation to a black singer, it is seen as a racist character, brief an appearance though it is, it is controversial.
1992 - Aladdin
Quite pale as eastern people go, Aladdin is controversial more for questionable lyrics than depictions of Arabs. In the opening scene, the peddler (voiced by the late, great Robin Williams who also famously voiced the genie) sings the song Arabian Nights. Celebrating his home the peddler sings about Arabia. In the original soundtrack there was the line "where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face it's barbaric but hey, it's home". The American-Arab discrimination committee criticised the lyrics seeing it as disparaging towards the Arab people. Disney changed the first part of the line to "where it's flat and immense and the heat is intense" but kept the second part as it was.
Aladdin is still criticised for Jasmine's hand almost being cut off for stealing and how Aladdin and Jasmine are lighter skinned while other characters portrayed as mean or greedy have exaggerated features, darker skin and Arab accents.
1995 - Pocahontas
Criticised for it's portrayal of Native Americans and historical inaccuracies, Pocahontas is mostly criticised for idealising the invasion and colonisation of Virginia. While the settlers overt racism and both sides mistrust and fear of difference is touched upon, the ending suggests it is mainly over. The main story is the fabricated romance of Pocahontas and John smith. While the two did meet, historians differ on the story that she saved his life but, considering she was about 12 at the time, there's no evidence of anything but friendship between them.
If I have missed any please let me know and I will add them. also let me know if you'd like a blog post about racism in Disney cartoons.
Treatment of Child Actors
Many young people who had the seemingly dream job of working for Disney have recently spoken of the mistreatment they went through during their time with the company.
Alyson Stoner
Propelled to fame co-hosting Disney's 'Mike's Super Short Show', Stoner appeared in many Disney shows such as 'The Suite Life of Zack and Cody' and 'That's So Raven'. She also starred in films 'Camp Rock' and 'Camp Rock 2'.
Stoner wrote an article detailing what she went through as a child star and how she still deals with the trauma of what she went through from the age of six. With child labour laws often violated and, at the time, not even in place in several states, Stoner often worked long hours with little to no rest. At the age of 12, Stoner was medically undernourished and chronically stressed. Eating disorders and fatigue led to her being given mandatory bed rest. At the age of 17, after years of abuse, Stoner left the industry and believes herself one of the lucky ones, claiming many of her co-stars went through worse.
Demi Lovato
At 13, Lovato sought an escape from bullying and trauma through alcohol and prescription drugs. Lovato revealed that, at the age of 15 and still a virgin. she was raped by another actor. She has never named him. At 17, Lovato developed a cocaine problem. she also developed an eating disorder and described being 'controlled' by others. After all this and being overworked on set, Lovato took a hiatus from acting at 18 in 2010.
Miley Cyrus
Since leaving the show Miley Cyrus has spoken about the constant mistreatment she went through and how the dangerous diet she was forced into delayed her development because her body couldn't cope. Essentially, Cyrus's puberty was put on hold.
Cyrus was forced to work 12-hour days and alleged she was force fed coffee to keep her awake. Also, from the age of eleven Cyrus was giving unrealistic beauty standards and told she had to be blonde, have long hair and wear tight clothing.
A guest role on Hannah Montana and a role in 'Camp Rock', Jonas has spoken out about what it was like for the child stars on set.
Jonas said they they were frightened kids and were sometimes afraid they had to put up with the way they were treated in fear that any complaints would mean the end of their career, Jonas himself tolerated being shaved every day to make him look younger than he was. The expectation to be perfect, he claims, was foisted on all of them.
Many former Disney channel stars have complained of the work schedule, over sexualization, especially of it's female stars, and a toxic work environment. Stars who wanted to be friends were often pitted against each other and many were forced to lie about themselves to preserve a 'Disney-like' image.
Sexism
While many older Disney films are criticised for the 'damsel in distress' characters and women either waiting for a man to rescue them or taking traditional roles happily. They have been criticised more recently for 'woke' princesses and changing original fairy tales too much. The casting of Rachel Zegler, who is mixed race, as Snow White has been criticised as going too far when the character of Snow White is called that due to her pale skin.
With the older films, original fairy tales often have women wishing for their prince and taking on traditional roles. This is not seen as sexism as much as it is they way things were. This doesn't of course, make it right, but understandable.
The most controversial form of sexism from Disney comes from 1938 in a letter which has become quite well known on the internet.
Mary ford applied for a job as an animator for Disney in 1938. After her death, the family found the response and her grandson posted it online. The letter reads as follows
June 7, 1938
Dear Miss Ford:
Your letter of recent date has been receivd in the Inking and Painting Department for reply,
Women do not do any of the creative work in connection with preparing the cartoons for the screen, as that work is performed entirely by young men. For this reason girls are not considered for training school.
The only work open to women consists of tracing the characters on clear celluloid sheets with India ink and filling in the tracings on the reverse side with paint according to directions.
In order to apply for a position as "Inker" or "Painter" it is necessary that one appear at the Studio bringing samples of pen and ink and watercolor work. It would not be advisable to come to Hollywood with the above specifically in view, as there are really very few openings in comparison with the number of girls who apply.
Yours very truly,
WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS. LTD.
The letter itself was shared by many on the internet and was even referenced by actress Meryl Streep during the National Board of Review Awards.
Plagiarism
When The Lion King came out, it was accused of being plagiarised. It was claimed a Japanese Manga and it's animé film 'Jungle Emperor' was the same story and had the same characters, including it's main character being a lion cub named Kimba. Disney rejected these claims, saying a film set in Africa would have similar animals as characters. The Lion King was actually based on the Shakespeare play Hamlet and Simba means lion. Although many people have noted the similarities between the two films, both director and producer said they ere unfamiliar with it.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire was also accused of copying a Japanese TV show called Nadia: The Secret of the Blue Water. Disney was almost sued but the suit was dropped when bosses of the company that sued didn't want to take on Disney. The creator said he'd never heard of the Japanese series.
Frozen's teaser trailer led to Kelly Wilson suing Disney, saying it was a copy of her short film The Snowman. A judge agreed and Disney settled the case.
After the release of Zootopia, Gary Goldman sued Disney saying they stole his idea. He claimed he pitched the idea to the studio twice and came up with the title. Disney deny this.
Of course there are many dark elements to the Walt Disney Company, some I haven't mentioned here, let's not forget Walt Disney's links to the FBI, the sealed files important to National Security. Fell free to research these for yourself, perhaps search for some more. There is one thing we can say, Disney maybe all about love, laughter and magic but dark magic exists too.
