One of Disneyland’s Original Rides Plans to Remove Racist Tropes

Disneyland is set to update one of its oldest rides to correct racist tropes about Indigenous people.

Peter Pan’s Flight, one of the original theme park attractions when Disneyland opened in Anaheim in 1955, will update Tiger Lily and her tribe in the ride, which has come under scrutiny for its racist portrayal of Native American characters.

An updated Never Land Tribe scene recently was unveiled at the company’s Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and the company said riders can expect to see those revisions at all its locations globally. The company did not provide a timeline.

“Imagineers have a longstanding history of making updates and enhancements to attractions and experiences so they remain fresh and relevant,” Disney officials said in an emailed statement.

James Matthew Barrie, who wrote the play “Peter Pan” and then the novel “Peter and Wendy” in the early 20th century, used racist terms such as “redskins” and “savages” to describe Native American tribes, and this imagery carried over into the 1953 adaption of his work in Disney’s animated film “Peter Pan,” with musical numbers such as “What Makes the Red Man Red?” {snip}

Disney has posted an advisory about the 1953 film on its website noting, “The film portrays Native people in a stereotypical manner that reflects neither the diversity of Native peoples nor their authentic cultural traditions.” {snip}

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