Ill admit that I havent seen the attraction or videos, so its possible that my comments are based on a misunderstanding of what the attraction is. My initial response was that this was political correctness gone overboard. But then I read a little bit more about the attraction and saw illustrations and names of the characters, and think that closing the attraction was probably a good move. Im not saying the topic is off limits, but it could/should have been handled more delicately.
I agree that it is not OK to say that obesity is not a problem. But its also not OK to make people feel badly about themselves because they are overweight or obese. Besides just not being nice, I doubt it is an effective method for getting people to change their ways. It is especially not OK when many in the audience are overweight children, on vacation in Disney World. Most of these children are already bullied and ostracized because of their weight. They are already self-conscious. Imagine what a kick in the teeth it would be to be all happy, on your dream vacation, and be presented with the lumpy, unattractive villains in this attraction. Children are not stupid and will understand that they are being portrayed as unattractive and bad.
The truth of the matter is that most kids do not have control over their weight in the same way that adults do. If they are obese, it is because of genetics and/or bad habits that are learned from, or even encouraged by, the adults in their lives. Children are not driving to the grocery store or planning meals. If they are lazy it is because their parents allow them to sit in front of the TV and computer for hours on end. They have not been taught about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. Its all well and good to talk about how obese adults are self-aware and know why they are obese and what they need to do to change. It is absurd to extend that argument to children. Children need knowledge, encouragement, and support, not shaming.
Imagine how much more empowering and motivating it would have been for children if the overweight characters had been portrayed as taking control of their lives and transforming into Habit Heroes, rather than villains deserving demeaning names and to be shot at with vegetables.
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