Peter Pan (1953) has long been criticized for its racist depiction of Native Americans. So much so that Disney+ displays the following warning before fans can watch the film:
Credit: Screenshot via Disney+
Disney Park fans have repeatedly expressed a desire to reimagine Peter Pan’s Flight at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. The attraction is one of the few remaining that was operational when Disneyland opened in 1955!
Reddit user u/SpaceAzn_Zen started the conversation, saying that the Disney Parks are not a museum and should constantly be changing. Walt Disney himself expressed a similar sentiment decades ago:
“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
Credit: Disney
The Walt Disney World fan said that not only is Peter Pan’s Flight one of the lowest capacity rides in Magic Kingdom, but it promotes the racist stereotypes from Peter Pan:
Not to mention, in the actual movie, there is racism towards Native Americans and I feel like we should move pass this as a culture and be accepting of all people equally. We should not promote a ride that is after a movie where they call Native Americans “red men”, “Ingins”, and depict racist stereotypes within the movie as well.
Despite thinking it would be an unpopular opinion, many fans agreed. u/Underbadger said that they are “amazed” that Peter Pan’s Flight has lasted this long without an update:
I’m honestly amazed that Peter Pan hasn’t been updated to remove the Native American scene. It’s so weird to have those stereotypes still on display. (And I’d also mention how weird it is that the ride still has just some random voice for Captain Hook that sounds nothing at all like Hans Conried)
Credit: ITM
u/daybreaker also agreed, saying that “the people this would upset are the ones already upset at the Splash Mountain refurb anyways.”
Some Disney Parks fans pointed out other attractions with stereotypes they hoped would be reimagined. u/Sure_Performance2792 suggested that Country Bear Jamboree be changed or updated to remove “sexist/outdated gender stereotypes,” and u/Relic827 mentioned that, despite updates over the years, every room on “it’s a small world” is “full of cultural and racial stereotypes.”
Many fans asked that, at the very least, Disney Imagineers update the scene involving Native Americans on Peter Pan’s Flight. u/dreamingofaustralia said that all Disney rides should be kept fresh:
Rides like Peter Pan should be updated every decade, not just for PC reasons, but because they deserve modern technology and refreshes to stay fresh. Jungle cruise showed Disney you can make a ride much more popular just by updating a few minor elements. They should be doing this to every ride. You can keep the nostalgia while still improving things.
More on Peter Pan’s Flight
Credit: Disney
Peter Pan’s Flight is a copy of a ride at Disneyland Resort, making it one of the few remaining Walt Disney World rides designed with input from Walt Disney. A similar ride also exists at Disneyland Paris. From Disney:
Embark on a high-flying adventure over iconic scenes made famous in Disney’s animated film.
Set Sail Across the Sky
Board your pirate galleon and follow Peter Pan as he beckons you to join him on the flight of a lifetime. Wave goodbye to Nana and join the Darling children on a gentle cruise over London, where Big Ben and Tower Bridge light up the night sky.
Descend into Never Land between glowing volcanoes and sparkling waterfalls. As you swoop into Pirate’s Cove, there’s danger ahead!
Can Peter Pan defeat the dastardly Captain Hook and return his young companions safely to London? Or will someone meet an untimely end… in the jaws of a ticking crocodile?
A Darling Queue
Your journey begins in a delightful interactive queue that invites you into the Darling home. Stroll through the nursery where Michael, Wendy and John sleep—and where Tinker Bell is already causing mischief. Watch as your shadow comes to life on the wall!
An Historic Ride
The attraction is inspired by Walt Disney’s 1953 animated classic, Peter Pan, which in turn was based on J.M. Barrie’s play and book of the same name about a 12-year old boy who refuses to grow up.
Located in Fantasyland, Peter Pan’s Flight is modeled after the classic ride at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California—one of the few remaining attractions that was operational on opening day in 1955.
Credit: Disney
Do you think it’s time for Peter Pan’s Flight to change? Let us know in the comments below.
12
Credit: Disney Parks Blog
