Disney World has changed the opening line of its nighttime fireworks display and other shows, swapping the traditional 'Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls' for 'Dreamers of all ages'. The alteration was first noticed at a preview of the 'Happily Ever After' fireworks show in Orlando, Florida.
A spokesperson for Tokyo Disneyland's licensee, Oriental Land Company, confirmed similar changes at the Japanese park, where the greeting now uses 'everyone' instead of gender-specific terms. The spokesperson said the move was intended to make people of all sexual and gender identities 'feel comfortable in the park'.
The change has sparked backlash on social media, with some critics accusing Disney of going too far in embracing diversity and inclusion. Others questioned the use of 'dreamers', noting its association with immigration policy. Disney has not officially commented on the change.
This is not the first time Disney has updated its attractions to reflect social changes. Previous modifications include updates to Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain, as well as content warnings on Disney+ for classic films.
