Disney Under Fire for "Systemic Problems" After Employee's Public Sexual Harassment - Inside the Magic

For many years, The Walt Disney Company has maintained its status as a premier provider of exceptional theme park entertainment. The nearly flawless execution of Disney’s formula has led to a meticulously crafted guest experience and a cohesive theme across its international parks.

Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, including augmented reality enhancements to attractions like the Haunted Mansion, the parks deliver immersive, multi-sensory experiences and a wide array of enjoyable rides and attractions suitable for the entire family. Nevertheless, occasional deviations from these high standards are inevitable.

Related: Cast Member Commits Sexually Inappropriate Act on Minnie Mouse During Public Parade

Nevertheless, throughout the years, the Disney brand has become synonymous with “quality entertainment” — and this reputation extends to their theme parks worldwide. Starting from the creation of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, by Walt Disney himself AKA “The Happiest Place On Earth”, the Disney Resort portfolio has significantly expanded to encompass locations across the entire globe.

This expansion includes the Walt Disney World Resort featuring its iconic Magic Kingdom, as well as international parks like Disneyland Paris Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, and the Tokyo Disney Resort.

Disney’s Character Performers: A Key Role

Disney character performers are essential in Disney theme parks, as they play a key role in bringing beloved characters to life, creating magical and memorable moments for the park’s visitors. Through extensive training, performers are tasked to maintain the authenticity of characters, accurately portraying their mannerisms and personalities.

Related: “Notice: Your Life is Over”, Fans Warn “No Morals” Guest Trespassing at Disney Park

This presence enhances the park atmosphere, contributing heavily to the immersive environment that transports guests into the world of Disney stories. Character performers actively engage with guests, fostering emotional connections and supporting the storytelling aspect of Disney’s brand. By entertaining diverse audiences and providing photo opportunities and interactions, they contribute significantly to the overall enchanting experience that defines Disney theme parks.

Disney Under Scrutiny

Previously, we reported on the recent unsettling incident at the Tokyo Disney Resort, where a Disney Cast Member engaged in an act of sexual harassment during a highly visible parade at Tokyo Disneyland Park within the Resort.

@mikko_20100518 shares that they believe this to be a systemic issue within the company, raising a slew of reported incidents and opinions being shared:

(This seems to be a big problem within the company…)

（社内で割と大問題になりそう…） https://t.co/SDorqr8pxQ

— みっこ (@mikko_20100518) December 3, 2023

Immediately, members of the public came forward with their own recollections of problematic situations at The Walt Disney, with user @pinyokki recounting a similar “skirt lifting” situation in the past:

Ages ago, when I was a regular visitor, I witnessed a scene where Donald lifts up Daisy’s skirt and stares at her, and Daisy gets angry. When I said that this was terrible, the responses were, “It’s a character story,” “It’s a prank, it’s funny,” and “I’m mad.” It’s not wrong to think that it’s funny when you get beaten up because you’re like, “You’re overthinking lol”, right?

昔常連時代にドナルドがミニタソのスカートめくってがっつり見てて、それをミニタソが怒るっていう場面を見てこれは酷いって言ったら、レスに「キャラグリなんだから」「イタズラっこほほえましい」「気にしすぎww」って感じでボコられたにょきが、おかしいって感覚間違ってないにょきよな？

— 💙ぴにょっき💛 (@pinyokki) December 4, 2023

Many jumped to condemn this action, saying that this constituted sexual harassment, like user @02_daoe:

This should be considered sexual harassment.

これはセクハラじゃんと言われる可能性もある。

— DAOE-02 (@02_daoe) December 4, 2023

Users like @minnrap_m even compared sources that managed to capture the same moment, determining that this inappropriate act truly occurred and should “absolutely not [be] allowed”:

After all, there are discrepancies in the location, Minnie’s reaction, and the sound source, so I did it multiple times. Moreover, both of them are trying to roll over twice, so I’m sure it’s the same reindeer. Absolutely not allowed

やっぱり場所、ミニーちゃんの反応、音源とかにズレあるから複数回やってる。しかもどっちも2回捲ろうとしてるから同じトナカイだねきっと。許さない絶対 pic.twitter.com/aQNzTKLyCf

— りりん(リルリン）12/6🏰 (@minnrap_m) December 4, 2023

Finally, it appears as if members of the public are finding this systemic sexual harassment genuinely problematic — even bringing up the recently disgraced late music executive Johnny Kitagawa of Johnny & Associates, Inc., whose continued (and normalized) sexual abuse and grooming resulted in the entire company having to rebrand, changing their name from the founder’s in an attempt to distance from the founder.

Now, it seems as if members of the public are drawing parallels to the internalized culture of sexual harassment and abuse at Disney Parks:

As expected of the Land of Dreams

The second Johnny’s

さすが夢の国
第二のジャニーズ

— tomo @外資ITセールス (@ShibuyaBizman) December 4, 2023

Now, it appears as if even “outsiders” to the Disney Parks community are finding this reprehensible and “unforgivable”:

FF Excuse me from outside. I thought it was a different angle on the same day, but the sunlight seems to be different, so I wonder if it happened on a different day or in a different position. I can’t forgive it. I felt very uncomfortable wondering what he was doing to Minnie in the Kingdom of Dreams and Magic.

ff外からすみません。同じ日の別アングルかと思ってましたが、日の差し込み具合も違う気がして、別日なのか別ポジションかの出来事でしょうか。許せません。夢と魔法の王国でミニーちゃんに何してくれてんだと非常に不愉快になりました。

— mai (@mai0901jk) December 4, 2023

Do you think this is a company-wide problem? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

In contrast to wholly Walt Disney Company-owned parks like the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, the Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, distinguishes itself as the Walt Disney Company’s inaugural international Disney Park, owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company. Conveniently positioned adjacent to the JR Maihama Station and well-connected to Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, Tokyo Disney Resort comprises two theme parks – Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, linked by the Disney Resort Line monorail. The vicinity also includes official hotels such as the Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Toy Story Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta, and the Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel.

Within Tokyo Disneyland, featuring a castle inspired by Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle, visitors can explore the World Bazaar (replacing Main Street USA), classic attractions like Fantasyland, Tomorrowland (with an upcoming Space Mountain revamp), Adventureland, Critter Country, and more.

Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland tickets can be purchased at the Tokyo Disney Resort’s official website.