That Disney World ‘Welcome Home’ Video Backfired Spectacularly on Twitter
On Saturday, Disney World officially welcomed the public back to two of its most famous parks, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The parks had closed in March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the world; however, after putting new safety guidelines into place, park officials are now allowing guests and employee members to return.
To help fans feel better about visiting a theme park with thousands of strangers amid a global health crisis, Disney thought it may be a neat idea to share a “welcome home” video on their Disney Parks Jobs account. However, it appears that a 30-second feel-good spot has backfired spectacularly on social media, with many calling out the Mouse House for potentially endangering the public and its own staff by opening (though some just thought the video was extremely creepy).
Though the tweet appeared on multiple Disney accounts, the tweet originally mentioned in this article has been removed. The same video can still be seen on the Disney Park's account:
The video features a handful of employees—known as cast members—saying “welcome home” while sporting the appropriate masks and gloves, but followers were quick to point out that opening seems premature. (I mean, at this point, you can enjoy a bunch of Disney Parks' famous recipes and treats at home!)
One Twitter user edited the famous Kourtney Kardashian quote, noting, “Mickey, there's people that are dying.”
Another noted that Disney closed its doors on March 16 after Florida hit its 11th case, but decided to reopen on July 10 after Florida hit 11,000 new cases in a single day.
One concerned user suggested that many park cast members potentially have no choice but to return to work or risk unemployment or financial instability.
Others simply tweeted, “Please don't," and “No video has ever made me feel less welcome.” More than one described the video as "dystopian,” especially considering the Storm Trooper appearance at the end.
And the memes. Boy, were there memes in the mentions.
This isn't the only video Disney released to reassure both guests and cast members that it's safe to return to the parks. On July 7, Disney also released a health and safety video along with detailed information on its new health and safety guidelines.
“We remain deeply committed to focusing on your well-being when you visit or work at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts,” Dr. Pamela Hymel, Disney Parks chief medical officer, wrote alongside the video, noting the park would only open with reduced capacity but did not state an exact number.
Hymel added that park officials implemented their new health and safety measures with guidance from government and local health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Travel Association, and Disney’s own team of health experts.
“From increased cleaning and disinfecting across our parks and resorts, to updated health and safety policies," she said, "we have reimagined the Disney experience so we can all enjoy the magic responsibly."
Originally Appeared on Glamour
