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It seems that the classic Disney Parks attractions are starting to show their age in more ways than just their outdated animatronics.
While most of the attention has been focused on the closure of Splash Mountain and its transformation to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Country Bear Jamboree being reimagined, one fan has now decided to speak up about an “offensive” line in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom Park’s Tomorrowland.
Credit: Joe Penniston, Flickr
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The Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress line is said by John and is the following,
“Jazz music is the cat’s meow, and there’s been ads in the paper for months for a movie starring Al Jolson—and he’s going to talk! And sing! Boy, I’ve gotta see that.”
It turns out that when the show’s narrator John, mentions that one of the first talking pictures was about to be released, he is referencing a movie in which a white actor prominently wore a black face.
The fan highlighted this moment on Walt Disney World’s subreddit, saying,
“I went on the Carousel Of Progress for the first time and was shocked to hear a reference to The Jazz Singer, a movie starring All Jolson, a man famous for his blackface performances. While the film has significant historical value, as it was the first film to have audio that is recognizable, it is today only really known for its blackface.”
Related: Fans Fed Up, Find Older Disney Content “Offensive” and “Outdated”
Now, this user asked if his fellow fans thought he was exaggerating, and surprisingly, many commentators said he was.
One person said, “Well, it’s not like John is saying “oh boy, Al Jolson’s dressing up in black face, I gotta see that!””
Another person mentioned, “It is known for being the first feature film with synchronized sound. Come on now. It’s a famous movie because of the technological advancement, and it unfortunately features blackface, but it absolutely would not be well-known at all if not for the groundbreaking tech.”
Credit: Disney
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Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress continues to take Walt Disney World Resort Guests through the evolution of the American Family over the last century, allowing us to watch them react to moments of history as they are happening without the “nitpicking” hindsight of 2024.
It is only a matter of time before Walt Disney’s stage show for the World’s Fair is updated or completely replaced. It is also clear that the masses for “cancel culture” do not see anything John has said as a major priority.
Do you find this iconic Magic Kingdom attraction offensive? Let us know in the comments.
People need to stop getting offended by everything.
Omg! Let’s stop Nick picking everything!! It is the first movie with sound! He is giving it credit for THAT! The person who wrote the comment brought up the black face- and if they didn’t no one would have been the wiser!!!
STOP all this nitpicking for EVERYTHING not 2024. People need to see and know our history – and this nitpicking of all these rides and movies is getting tiresome. The Jazz Singer, as mentioned, is the first “talkie” – that is why it is mentioned. If you are offended, don’t go on the ride or see the movie. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, this is mine.
Absolutely not. People will never stop trying to create problems and stir up trouble. Get a life.
Since opening in 1975 at Walt Disney World an average of 40,000 daily visitors have experienced the Carousel of Progress. I doubt that a majority of 700,000,000 visitors connected with those facts. Get a life. Enjoy the ride for what it is.
This just proves how petty people are getting, completely ignoring the history and just finding the smallest things to complain about or try and cancel. Stop just stop this is getting really out of hand.
I’m sure this “person” finds themselves outraged wherever they go. Just stay home.
Good lord. give it a rest