Disney’s Most Loyal Fans Aren’t Buying the ‘Woke’ Backlash

Is Disney too “awake”, “not” awake “, or not at all” awake “?

In our highly polarized political environment, ask a dozen people can provide a dozen different responses. But what do Disney's most passionate fans think?

Business Insider spoke with 12 of these superfans – sometimes called “Disney adults” – and a clear storage point appeared: they generally said that they thought that the company should take a stand on social issues and promote inclusiveness, even if it meant being caught in an anti -reverse reaction.

CEO Bob Iger seems very aware of Disney's precarious task of trying to call on fans of the United States and the world. Becoming conservatives, for years, have accused the company of being also “awake“- or generally too much engaged in progressive ideals. Iger said in 2023 that the “company's mission must be to entertain”, which means that its content should not “be focused on the agenda”. After Donald Trump's presidential victory, Iger was unusually silent.

That said, none of the Disney Superfans Bi spoke – which were variable ages and political convictions, and who lived in different parts of the United States – said they thought that the company had become too “awake”.

Many said they thought Disney could make an expensive mistake by keeping diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the middle of political reactions in the second Trump administration.

“There is a general public who supports these initiatives and wants to see inclusiveness, and they use their dollar to show their support for brands that support an open and inclusive world,” said Trisha Daab, who married Disney parks in 2005.

Disney did not respond to a request for comments for this story.

“What if Disney is awake?”

For a large part of the last decade, US companies have often supported progressive problems loudly.

At that time, Disney was widely considered a champion of the causes of Dei. The company prioritized various hirings in the mid -2010s, launched a “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative for the under -represented groups in 2020, and added more non -white and LGBTQ + characters in its programs and films – including a gay protagonist in “Strange World” by Pixar and a kiss of the same sex in “Lightyear”.

Decisions like these have made Disney a lightning rod for the criticism of the conservatives. But many Disney Superfans who spoke with Bi said they considered movements as a way to make everyone feel welcome.

DAAB, which writes stories related to Disney for magazines and websites, said that she saw how much children like to see princesses who look more like them, for example.

“I hope Disney is not hiding,” she said.

Other Disney Superfans have echoed this idea.

“If each Disney film was, let's simply say the story of Snow White, and it was the same look, the same characters, the same scenario – it's no longer interesting, and that does not reflect the population,” said Shae Noble, a Disney superfann who lives in the state of Washington.

Francis Dominic, a creator of content and influencer of the social media focused on Disney, said that the company should not have to apologize for having made its film characters or its parks more diverse.

“What if Disney is awake?” Said Dominic.

The Disney cast of the Latina actor Rachel Zegler as a snow white in the 2025 remake triggered criticism, because in the original fairy tale, Snow White obtained its name to have “the skin as white as snow”.

Dominic has rejected criticism: “It's not factual – it's a fairy tale.”

Jay Yee, a 62 -year -old Disney adult in New York, said he was not sure that Disney became “too awake”. But the company should not be responsible for representing same-sex couples or transgender people in stories designed for children, he said. It is the work of a parent – not that of a company – to initiate conversations on these subjects, he added.

Max Traughber -Crismon – An self -proclaimed liberal democrat living outside Portland, Oregon – said that even if Disney is not too “awake”, he believes it “overorrated” with “social messaging” in your face “in films like” Strange World “.

“He tries to put each personality, each genre, all in relation to saying:” Hey, we can have differences, and it's ok not to include everyone with everything “”, said Traughber-Crisms.

Can something criticism please?

Disney is no stranger to cultural wars.

The company has made waves by resisting a Florida law designed to give parents control of LGBTQ + questions taught in public schools, known by criticism under the name of “Don't Say Gay” bill. Then, CEO Bob Chapek tried to remain neutral before overthrowing the course after the employees protested. This has angry certain preservatives and certain progressives were always frustrated.

Increased political pressure in the second era Trump led many companies – including Target, Google, Meta and Amazon – to rethink their Dei practices. Even Disney has followed suit.

In turn, some Disney adults believe that the company has “demoted,” said Ellie Banks, a Disney fan for life.

“I do not know if they necessarily focus on fundamental values, apart from I think they will go where the money flow is,” said Banks. “If they believe that there are a greater number of people who support an ideology, I think they will look at this ideology.”

However, bending to the Conservatives could turn against Disney, as it could alienate progressives without winning its detractors. Several Disney adults highlighted Target's task on Dei as an edifying tale.

John Telyea, who is married to Shae Noble, said that Disney should try to avoid alienating people in general, although it is much easier to say than to do.

“No matter what you do, you will disturb someone,” said Telya.

“ Politics eliminates the magic of the happiest place in the world ''

While some Disney Superfans were passionate about the position of the company in cultural wars, several fans said they only care about quality content and experiences. In their opinion, Disney should not be a political brand.

“I think it is really important to let the creative process behave without too many outdoor agendas, in general, on each side,” said David Lewis, a Disney -based travel planner based in Mississippi.

Lewis said he hadn't seen “Snow White” in theaters, but it was not because of a boycott. He said that he had not taken the time to see him, although he was delighted to look at him with his daughter obsessed with the princess once on Disney +.

For Disney Parks aficionados like the resident of Florida Melania Murphy, Disney World can be an escape from a chaotic world. This is why she is little interested in online battles on cultural wars.

“Politics eliminate the magic of the happiest place in the world,” she said.