Disney Parks' reiterated its commitment to diversity and inclusion, updating its Four Keys of guest service and recommitting to more inclusive attractions.
"We want our guests to see their own backgrounds and traditions reflected in the stories, experiences and products they encounter in their interactions with Disney. And we want our cast members – and future cast members – to feel a sense of belonging at work," Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, wrote in a blog post. "That means cultivating an environment where all people feel welcomed and appreciated for their unique life experiences, perspectives and culture. Where we celebrate allyship and support for each other. And where diverse views and ideas are sought after as critical contributions towards our collective success."
As part of the effort to increase its inclusion policies, Disney will add a fifth key to its Four Keys of customer service. The Inclusion Key will join the keys of Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency, and will impact everything from guest relations to future Disney attractions and products.
Some of these efforts have already been announced and are underway. The Jungle Cruise ride is being updated to remove racist caricatures of Indigenous people, while Splash Mountain — which currently features characters, songs and scenery from the controversial 1946 film Song of the South — will be retooled to be based on the 2009 film, The Princess and the Frog. The movie features Disney's first African American princess and takes place in New Orleans.
The post also highlighted The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure exhibit at EPCOT. Inspired by the Disney/Pixar film Soul, the exhibit "celebrates the distinctly American musical art form, originated by African Americans and fusing the influences of many different cultures."
Finally, Disney will continue to add "more diverse companies in [its] supply chain" and plans on announcing more details on those commitments in the near future.
"The world is changing, and we will change with it, and continue to be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world. We'll never stop working to make sure that Disney is a welcoming place for all. I'm excited about where we're headed, and we’ll have more to share soon. Thank you for joining us on this journey," D'Amaro concluded.
Source: Disney Parks