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Fans Celebrate the “Boycott” of Disney, Call Out Critics for Being “Performative”

boycott disney performative critics
Credit: Disney

For a while now, there has been a contentious debate about the future of the Walt Disney Company. Many have felt that the long-held legacy of Disney is under threat because of some recent decisions on the part of the Mouse House. Notably, a lot of these complaints have come after the rising costs of the Disney Parks, with many Guests feeling and being priced out because of the rise. Some have come on the back of rides like Splash Mountain being rethemed to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Others have come on the back of casting decisions where Black singer and actress Halle Bailey was cast as Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell in the upcoming Peter Pan and Wendy. Some have even suggested that Disney is straying from family values due to some of its recent releases (and box office failures), like Turning Red.

Magic Kingdom Disney World

Mickey Mouse and Friends at Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Disney

Related: “Boycott Disney!”: Fuming Mother Claims Disney World Discriminated Against Her Autistic Child, There’s a Catch

However, many have also shared that these criticisms were not necessarily well-placed, and a lot of these decisions come from the natural evolution of a company like Disney. Most recently, with Disney’s “feud” with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, these sentiments have been reignited in a sense, and many have been insisting they’ll boycott the Parks.

But rather than feeling any negative emotion toward this sentiment, some fans have taken it a different route and are celebrating this “boycott” in a sense. Here’s the story.

Tusker House Animal Kingdom

Tusker House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park / Credit: Disney

Disney Guest and Reddit user u/s1m0n8 shared on a post that was meant to stimulate discussion and reactions to Disney’s suing Governor DeSantis, “I see comments on certain sites and sub-reddits about boycotting Disney parks. I only hope they are true to their word.”

While on first glance, one might think that this commenter was speaking out in support of boycotting Disney, fellow fans in the comments jumped on the comment and started sharing their dates of visiting the Parks, asking boycotters to stay away from the Parks during their trips.

One fan suggested, “No time like the present for a boycott, y’all! Cut down those lines for me!”

The sentiment of less crowded Parks and shorter lines was wildly popular through the comments. Though one fan called out these protesters as being performative. They shared, “As much as I would love for this to happen, we all know their shouts for protest are all performative for social media and don’t have any real substance.”

Sorcerer-Mickey-meet-and-greet-Hollywood-Studios

Sorcerer Mickey meet ‘n’ greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park/Credit: DVC Shop

Another agreed, “Everyone I know who would boycott Disney over this already never goes to Disney. It’s the same as people saying they were going to boycott Hamilton when they never had any intention on going to see it anyway. Exactly as you said, it’s performative.”

Despite the fact that the Disney vs. DeSantis feud has caused a notable rift and has created major headlines since the announcements of the Walt Disney Company’s recent escalation, it appears that the fans who love Disney and support the company are still alive and well.

About Priyanka Kumar

Priyanka is a writer, artist, avid reader, and travel enthusiast based in Chicago. In her free time, she is probably walking by the lake, catching up on the latest releases on TV, or spending inordinate amounts of time rewatching Moana, Encanto, and her Disney Channel life-long favorites Zack and Cody wreak havoc on the Tipton.

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