I didn’t see this one coming, only because I don’t focus as much on Disneyland as I do Walt Disney World. But for more than a year I’ve been talking about the social agendas of particular Disney employees and consultants who are part of two main committees transforming Disney media and parks. I’ve repeatedly told readers about a “list” of attractions, experiences, shows, and more, at Disney Parks which are under fire. Peter Pan’s Journey is one of the attractions targeted for changes as the panels prepare to remove references to native Americans in the ride. Splash Mountain on both coasts is being transformed away from Song of the South. Jungle Cruise has been “diversified” and “equified”. But I did not even think about them going after Jessica Rabbit.
Over in Toontown at Disneyland, the geniuses have decided their money is best spent not on live performances, but on modifying the attraction so that Roger Rabbit is no longer the star of his eponymous ride, but rather Jessica Rabbit. Don’t be confused: Jessica Rabbit is a strong female character who is no damsel in distress. But that’s not enough for groups like the Story Matters Initiative. No, they are actively working to erase any reference to Jessica Rabbit that is in any way feminine or presents her in need of help.
Welcome to the new age of Disney Imagineering!
This should be a signal to everyone out there who thinks the changes to attractions are all going to be meaningless and/or very limited. You should likely consider that it wasn’t easy for them to change this ride — the license agreements and contractual ownership of Roger Rabbit et al is highly complicated. And the goal of this frivolous change to a significantly older ride is to utterly change the story. Not that the story matters a whole lot; it’s essentially a retelling of parts of the movie, much like other Disney dark rides.
Still, money had to be spent to bring this obscure ride up to modern values of a particular sociopolitical bent. And thus Jessica Rabbit will be the focus of the ride in the future… covered up and removed from her femininity. All of this seems a little much for a ride about a cartoon rabbit, his provocative wife, and a detective whose brother was killed by an evil Doc Brown. Thank goodness there aren’t bigger problems in the world!
I only wonder how long it will be until the Main Street “credits” in the windows have to be changed so they are as representative as they should be?
I think you are misjudging your audience.