Walt’s Park or Woke Park? What Disney World Has Become in 2025

Disney World in 2025 feels more divided than ever—at least in the eyes of fans. While some guests still cry tears of joy walking down Main Street, U.S.A., others say politics, movie misfires, and controversial park changes have diluted the magic. Depending on who you ask, Disney is either evolving for the better or forgetting what made it special in the first place.

So, what’s really going on? Has Disney become “too woke”? Or is it trying to return to the kind of magic Walt always believed in?

Classic Attractions Removed

Removing beloved experiences like Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle riverboat kicked off much of this debate. These weren’t thrill rides. They were slower-paced, peaceful attractions celebrating Americana in Walt Disney’s wheelhouse.

In their place, Disney is building a Cars-inspired expansion called Piston Peak National Park. Sure, it’ll be a fun, kid-friendly land with great theming, but to some longtime fans, it represents a loss of charm and a move away from the slower, story-driven magic that used to define Frontierland.

The Content Criticism

Disney’s challenges haven’t just been in the parks. In recent years, its film and TV divisions have struggled. From the live-action Snow White to Win or Lose to the Proud Family reboot, there’s been a noticeable shift toward projects with heavy social and political messaging. Several Disney shows and movies focus on societal issues: racism, LGBTQ+ representation, and sexism. This is a very different feel from the goofy, light-hearted films Disney used to release.

Many families just want to enjoy a good adventure or laugh with their kids, without feeling like they’re being preached to. And frankly, the numbers haven’t lied—several projects bombed at the box office, suggesting that even casual fans feel disconnected.

But Then Came Stitch

Here’s where things turn around. In 2025, Disney released the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie, and fans overwhelmingly embraced it for the first time in a while. Why? Because it felt like old-school Disney. Heartwarming, funny, a little chaotic, and centered on family. No agenda. No politics. Just the kind of story that reminds people why they fell in love with Disney in the first place.

The movie’s success was a wake-up call. It showed that fans don’t need massive spectacle or forced messaging—they just want timeless stories and characters they care about. Disney listened, and the buzz is that they’re doubling down on future feel-good, family-first projects.

The Parks Still Spark Joy

Despite all the changes, Disney World itself still delivers those magical moments. The new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has wowed guests with its joyful tone and charming details despite the controversy of shutting down Splash Mountain. The upcoming Test Track reboot is bringing back retro theming with modern upgrades.

Even the Disney Starlight nighttime parade feels like a spiritual successor to Main Street Electrical Parade, blending nostalgia with next-gen wow factor.

There’s also new energy behind future park expansions. Plans for a Villains land, Monsters Inc. coaster, and more show that Disney still knows how to dream big. And when it focuses on wonder, heart, and imagination—things Walt truly valued—it shines.

So…Walt’s Park or Woke Park?

Honestly? It’s somewhere in between.

Yes, Disney stumbled into a more political era, and that’s turned off some longtime fans. But there’s also clear evidence they’re trying to course-correct—refocusing on what works: magical rides, heartwarming stories, and memories that last a lifetime.

Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.” And in 2025, that imagination is still there. A little harder to find sometimes—but when you do, it feels just like it used to.