Disneyland is set to make thoughtful changes to its iconic Peter Pan’s Flight ride, removing depictions of Indigenous people that have been deemed stereotypical. This decision mirrors recent updates made to the ride at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and continues the entertainment giant’s efforts to address and amend outdated and insensitive content.

The Peter Pan’s Flight attraction at Disneyland, which has been a staple of the park since its opening in 1955, is renowned for its whimsical portrayal of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale. However, over the years, concerns have been raised about certain elements within the ride, particularly the depiction of the Never Land Tribe.

In the original version of the ride, the scene featuring the tribe included a chief in a headdress, several braves drumming around a fire, and a portrayal of Indigenous culture that many considered inaccurate and culturally insensitive. The updated scene at Disney World Resort, which has prompted this change at Disneyland, reimagined the tribe’s depiction. Instead of focusing on stereotypical elements, the scene now showcases Tiger Lily and her mother performing a traditional dance around the fire, with other tribe members playing a ceremonial drum.

Disneyland officials have indicated that changes to the California park’s version of Peter Pan’s Flight will likely follow a similar path. The company’s “imagineers,” responsible for designing and updating attractions, are working on these changes with a commitment to ensuring they are “thoughtful” and respectful, though no specific timeline has been provided for the updates.

Disney has a history of revising content across its theme parks and media platforms to address cultural sensitivity. The recent changes to Peter Pan’s Flight are part of a broader trend within the company to re-evaluate and modify content that may perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

The original 1953 animated film “Peter Pan” featured several problematic elements, including the use of the term “redskins” and portrayals of Native Americans that were widely criticized for their inaccuracy and insensitivity. Disney has since included content warnings on platforms like Disney+, acknowledging that these depictions were wrong both then and now. The disclaimer highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to address past mistakes and educate viewers on the issues.

In addition to the changes to Peter Pan’s Flight, Disney has made other significant updates to its attractions. One notable example is the rebranding of the Splash Mountain ride. Originally based on the 1946 film “Song of the South,” which has been criticized for its racist portrayal of African-Americans in the post-Civil War South, the ride has been reimagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This new attraction, inspired by the film “The Princess and the Frog,” reflects a more inclusive and respectful portrayal of African-American culture and history.

Do you think Disney should be updating these rides to fit today’s culture better?