Disney fans, brace yourselves! Something highly unexpected is unfolding at the happiest place on earth. The magical voice-activated assistant, “Hey Disney!”, installed in all Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms, has found itself in hot water. This revolutionary device, powered by Amazon Alexa, and beloved for its endearing character interactions and helpful amenities, recently delivered a less-than-magical piece of information: it accused Walt Disney himself of being antisemitic.
Introduced to add an enchanted touch to the guest experience, “Hey Disney!” has been a delight, replacing standard Alexa responses with Disney-themed interactions. Guests can plan their park days with Mickey, hear bedtime stories from Olaf, or get cooking tips from Tiana. Now available on most Amazon Echo devices, it aims to bring a sprinkle of Disney magic into homes worldwide.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Jonas J. Campbell shared a video where the “Hey Disney!” device shifted to Alexa to state that Walt Disney was antisemitic. This controversial claim has not been programmed by Disney but was instead pulled from the larger, unfiltered internet. The Walt Disney Family Museum has refuted such accusations, highlighting Walt Disney’s contributions to Jewish charities and recognition by the Jewish community. Disney Legend Floyd Norman also emphasized that Walt Disney employed many Jewish individuals and fostered an inclusive work environment.
Despite these clarifications, the existence of such controversial “facts” on the “Hey Disney!” device is causing an uproar. Given Disney’s strong stance on diversity and inclusion in recent years, exemplified by changes like retheming Splash Mountain to Princess and the Frog, fans are left wondering how the company will address this issue.
Disney enthusiasts, what are your thoughts on this latest development? Should Disney take steps to block or alter such responses on their devices? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation!
Source: Inside the Magic
