“An ‘idiotic plan’ to add Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters as well as an American tribute scene to Disneyland’s It’s a Small World represents a ‘gross desecration’ that would ‘bastardize’ the stylized artwork and ‘marginalize’ the original theme of the boat ride,” wrote the family of the classic attraction’s creator in an open letter to Disney executives.
The letter was published on the Re-Imagineering blog, a blog which often speaks out when corporate Disney looks to dismantle authenticity from Walt Disney’s Disneyland. The LA Times picked up the letter and published a commentary on it in their Daily Travel and Deal Blog.
The Times includes a statement from MiceAge’s Al Lutz saying, “Disney Imagineers are considering changes to Small World that include adding Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Peter Pan, Belle, Simba, Nemo, Lilo and Stitch to locations throughout the ride while replacing the Papua, New Guinea, rain forest scene with an American tribute.”
I also recently wrote of my own disgust that corporate Disney would do such a thing.
And what does Disney itself have to say thus so far amist the outcry from many Disney fans? From the Times article itself:
Disney officials said some additions — known as “plussing” in Imagineering parlance — will be made to Small World but that no decision had been made on specific creative changes to the 14-minute ride despite the speculation.
MiceAge’s Dateline Disneyland columnist Andy Castro has championed an online campaign to “Save the Rainforest,” urging Small World fans to call, write or e-mail Disneyland, Walt Disney Imagineering or Disney’s corporate headquarters to put a halt to the proposed changes. Additionally, Kevin Blair sent snail-mail versions of his protest letter to Disneyland President Ed Grier, Disney Imagineering’s Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter and Pixar chief John Lasseter.
