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To celebrate the beginning of Pride month, both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have done their part to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. One Disney resort area that is already getting into the Pride spirit is Disney Springs, located at Walt Disney World.
Several Pride offerings and celebrations are taking place at Disney Springs, the vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort. This annual event showcases Disney’s commitment to embracing all individuals and spreading a message of love and acceptance.
However, this year’s Disney Springs Pride festivities are not without controversy. People all over the country are taking to social media to express their concerns over a hotel’s controversial Pride decorations, which include a teddy bear being strapped in some x-rated bondage attire right outside Disney Springs.
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Credit: Disney
Is Bondage Appropriate for Disney?
The Crown Plaza Hotel near Disney Springs is currently facing scrutiny and backlash for its unique interpretation of pride decorations, specifically the animal bondage blow-up figures. This unconventional choice has sparked a heated discussion among visitors and Disney enthusiasts alike.
Amidst the vibrant and festive Pride celebrations at Disney Springs, the Crown Plaza’s decorations have raised eyebrows and stirred controversy. While Disney Springs visitors are busy shopping the Pride collection at the Disney Store or trying themed foods, they might catch a glimpse of some x-rated imagery. This unexpected twist in the Pride festivities has prompted a wide range of reactions, from curiosity to criticism.
While Pride celebrations worldwide often tend to lean into the more mature aspects of the community, Disney theme parks and resorts have always tried to keep the festivities family-friendly. While this blow-up bondage bear was not their decision, it did impact many Disney Springs guests who were in the area.
Credit: Photo by AK on Unsplash
Blow-up Bear Removed After Backlash
The hotel’s decision to showcase such unconventional decorations has certainly succeeded in making a bold statement and sparking discussions about expression and the boundaries of appropriateness within the context of Pride celebrations. According to sources on the subject, the decorations were installed for a private pride event that had a “full buyout” of the hotel. Other bondage animals could be seen exhibited in the hotel’s pool area.
This blow-up bear in b*ndage gear is sitting outside the @CrownePlaza in Disney Springs.
We called the hotel and they told us it was for a private pride event but that the bear will remain up throughout the entire weekend..@CrownePlaza why are you subjecting young children to… pic.twitter.com/Ry1b4iYMNK
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 31, 2024
As visitors navigate through Disney Springs during Pride month, the Crown Plaza’s animal bondage-themed decorations will no longer be on display. This incident will surely make a president as to where Walt Disney World Resort and its surrounding areas draw the line for Pride decorations.
This is certainly not the only controversy surrounding Pride at Disney this year. In the midst of the ongoing squabbles between Disney CEO Bob Iger and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, many LGBTQ+ Disney fans are questioning if visiting Walt Disney World Resort is safe, given the don’t-say-gay agenda DeSantis is pushing.
Walt Disney World Resort has been a destination for LGBTQ+ individuals for a long time, specifically due to its Disney Park Pride events and historic “Gay Day” celebrations. Like it or hate it, this incident at the Crown Plaza near Disney Springs will undoubtedly ignite more conversation about Pride at the Disney theme parks.
