Dark Days at Disney..Is this the future Walt Disney wanted?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Chip 2 Comments

Tags: Alice in Wonderland, disney movies, Epic Mickey, Haunted Mansion, The Princess and the Frog, Up, walt disney co Dr-Facilier-the-evil-Hoodoo-and-Voodoo-shadowman-the-princess-and-the-frog-9549434-500-460

Dr-Facilier-the-evil-Hoodoo-and-Voodoo-shadowman-the-princess-and-the-frog-9549434-500-460

Has anyone else noticed how dark things are getting at Disney?

For example I can’t tell you how many news articles I have seen roll in my inbox the past week talking about Alice in Wonderland clothes that are for sale at Hot Topic. Most articles have catchy buzz words in it like Dark or Gothic in the titles. Previously I have seen some of the clothing on Amazon. While they are very cool, they are very different than any of the other clothing Disney has released in the past.

I posted an article this morning about the new Haunted Mansion Comic Book packed with skeletons, zombies and corpses. I understand Disney is trying to target teen boys, but it kinda goes against the image Walt Disney created a long time ago. I can’t really pass judgement on the comic till I read it.

Let’s not forget Epic Mickey the video game. The game looks awesome and its cool to see Walt Disney’s beloved character in a different light. In the beginning there was alot of controversary around this game but as we get closer to the September 2010 release date things have settled down and people seem to be okay with it.

Finally the most recent Disney movie Princess and the Frog has elements in it that I have never seen any any childrens movie before. The scene with the Shadowman freaks my daughter out and is darker than anything Disney has ever released. Overall the past few movies from both Disney and Pixar are very dark in nature. For more information check out this article about Disney’s New Movie Theme.

Overall I am still undecided about all the changes Disney is introducing across the board. Movies, video games, clothing, etc. It seems Bob Iger is trying to changing the very image we have all come to love..

What do you think about all the changes? Do you prefer the classic Disney of the past or do you like this new dark mysterious route they are heading. Let us know in the comment section below.

Chip (6718 Posts)

Chip is owner of and webmaster of Chip and Co - Your source for Disney Park News, Planning Tips, Giveaways, and More. When he is not writing about Disney News, or Planning Tips, you will find him counting down the days to his next Disney World Vacation. Watch for him at the 2013 D23 Expo or over on the Chip and Co Facebook Page.

Dark Days at Disney..Is this the future Walt Disney wanted?

Posted in: Blu-Ray & DVD, Books, Comics, Movies, Music, Original Articles, Toys Tags: Alice in Wonderland, disney movies, Epic Mickey, Haunted Mansion, The Princess and the Frog, Up, walt disney co

Anne

I actually kind of like it. I don't want to see everything with a dark edge, but I think life is full of dark and light. By showing the dark side, it emphasizes the light (or joys) in life. I also don't really feel like it is new. I think they are being a little more blatant with it as far as imagery, but Disney has shown its dark side in the past. From Cruella De Vil wanting the puppies to make coats out of to the shadow hanging scene of the villian in Tarzan, it has been present, maybe just not as blunt.

As I said, I don't want to see it all become edgy, but fairytales have always had their villians and challenges. These represent the dark sides of life, the dangers. These elements were utilized to teach lessons by either showing what happened to a hero who fell prey to them or by showing the challenges the main character faced in overcoming them. Disney after all tells stories. If stories were all happy and sunshine, I just don't think they would be as interesting.
Anne

I actually kind of like it. I don't want to see everything with a dark edge, but I think life is full of dark and light. By showing the dark side, it emphasizes the light (or joys) in life. I also don't really feel like it is new. I think they are being a little more blatant with it as far as imagery, but Disney has shown its dark side in the past. From Cruella De Vil wanting the puppies to make coats out of to the shadow hanging scene of the villian in Tarzan, it has been present, maybe just not as blunt.

As I said, I don't want to see it all become edgy, but fairytales have always had their villians and challenges. These represent the dark sides of life, the dangers. These elements were utilized to teach lessons by either showing what happened to a hero who fell prey to them or by showing the challenges the main character faced in overcoming them. Disney after all tells stories. If stories were all happy and sunshine, I just don't think they would be as interesting.