It seems that the classic Disney parks attractions are starting to show their age in more ways than just their outdated animatronics.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.
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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Related: Fans Fed Up, Find Older Disney Content “Offensive” and “Outdated”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.”
Related: Rumor: Tom Hanks to Become New Narrator of Classic Disney Attraction
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
So one person finds this offensive… what a joke. Let’s change everything in the park because they are going to find one word or line line that offends someone. Get over it! We don’t need another disaster like Tiana’s Adventure. I am definitely NOT renewing my annual pass and will not even go back to to WDW once my pass expires in January.
Good grief what is wrong with these WOKE people!
Al Jolson was very popular he did exist and it was watched by many people
Since so many WOKE people are finding every ride offensive then there is one way to solve this problem
JUST STAY HOME AND DO NOT COME TO WDW!!!!
I can’t believe these people that find everything offensive. Maybe we shouldn’t breathe the same air as Asian, black people, we could turn colors. Stop already
There’s a condition called Hypertrichosis that causes extreme body hair. It affects less than 100 people WORLDWIDE !!
Should Disney get rid of Chewbacca ? Wish these WOKE FOLKS would go back to sleep !!🙄😡🙄😡
If you don’t like it, stay off it, SIMPLE!!!
Please stop nitpicking, people seem to look to be offended these days so they can act all indignant, why waste the time and effort
Have we forgotten what Disney was created. It was meant for children to dream and to believe in fairytales. It is also meant for all who attend To get in touch with our inner childhood it is not intended to entertain adults but children. The changes being made is turning the parks into political agendas that don’t stimulate imagination or dreams. I grew Up with Disney and it is shameful it has been reduced to a more adult entertainment because of being affended. Those who complain should not attend. Why should the majority always give in to the radical few spoiling the fun for others..
Just stop! It’s the carousel of PROGRESS. Things in history may be awful but that is exactly it, history. Move on with the lesson that needed learning. None of the animatronics are in blackface so just stop.
What a bunch of crybabies. Get real and quit with all nit picking interpretations of what you think they meant. I think you need to be in an institution but that’s my opinion just like you have one. But mine is not twisted like yours. Get a life and quit going to Disney if you don’t like it!
You can like it or not. It’s a part of history. Learn, enjoy, move on. We can’t change history. We can only learn from it and not make mistakes again.
I grew Up with Disney and it is shameful it has been reduced to a more adult entertainment because of being offended. Those who complain should not attend. Why should the majority always give in to the radical few spoiling the fun for others?
It’s a part of history. Learn, enjoy, and move on. We can’t change history. We can only learn from it and not make mistakes again.
Enough! I am totally fed up with people being “offended.” Applying today’s bias to things said and done years ago. Recognize historical settings and move on. When “Jazz Singer” came out it was a “talkie” and not offensive. Deliver me from hypocritical, self-appointed morality judges. Be offended by today’s immorality–drive-by murders, drugs, violence, rampant dishonesty and corruption–and leave history as a lesson about good and evil.
These people need to suck it up and get over it! This crybaby culture is getting g out of control. I’m “offended” because I’m a crybaby so I’ll whine and cry until I get something ruined. They cried about Splash Mountain and now we have Woke Rushed Adventure. They whined about Country Bears and a classic attraction is in the process of being changed to pacify these whiners. Haven’t they ruined enough.
News flash crybabies.
The world doesn’t revolve around you! If you’re that easily offended go buy a pacifier or stop being such pansies. Quit demanding the world to pacify you!