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Disney Shuts Obesity Exhibit Because It Insults Fat Kids

Critics complain about 'Habit Heroes' Epcot attraction

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 1, 2012 11:44 AM CST

(Newser) – Disney World, that purveyor of churros, cotton candy, and ice cream bars shaped like Mickey Mouse's head, recently installed a childhood obesity exhibit at Epcot, and critics quickly blasted the theme park … for stigmatizing overweight children. "We're appalled to learn that Disney, a traditional hallmark of childhood happiness and joy, has fallen under the shadow of negativity and discrimination," goes the response from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. "It appears that Disney now believes that using the tool of shame, favored so much by today's healthcare corporations, is the best way to communicate with children." Disney has since decided to delay the official opening of the Habit Heroes attraction, which had been planned for March 5.

The attraction unofficially opened last month in the park's Innoventions exhibit, the Orlando Sentinel reports, but it has been closed for "improving and refining." The interactive attraction, which Disney partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield to create, featured animated guides ("Will Power" and "Callie Stenics") who took visitors through experiences allowing them to "fight" bad habits (too much TV, junk food, not enough exercise) and villains ("Snacker," "Sweet Tooth," "Lead Bottom"). One critic complains that "the most negative habits were attached to really fat bodies," and wants Disney to instead portray people of all sizes indulging in poor habits.

In this file photo taken Nov. 9, 2010, Disney characters Mickey Mouse, left, and Minnie Mouse, arrive at the grand opening celebration of the premier Disney Store in Times Square, New York.
In this file photo taken Nov. 9, 2010, Disney characters Mickey Mouse, left, and Minnie Mouse, arrive at the grand opening celebration of the premier Disney Store in Times Square, New York.   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 37 comments
LollieDotCom
Mar 4, 2012 7:23 AM CST
The reason people are fat is NOT because they're lazy. It's because they're not lazy enough!  Think about it, I used to weigh over 300 pounds. I thought I didn't work out.  In fact, every time I stood up I was doing weight lifting exercises... every time I turned over in bed I lifted and turned the equivalent of two  women inside my own skin, and walking up a flight of stairs? That's right, I was carrying the weight of two people. Imagine 16 bags of potatoes, ten pounds each, figure out a way to hang all of them from your body, Now sit down in that recliner, stand up, walk to the bathroom, sit down, stand up..... do you see what I'm saying? It's the hardest job in the world. There is no worse job. It's 24/7, no vacations, no weekends off, not even an hour and half to sit in a movie theater without the seat pinching you as you hold your arms in tightly to your sides and pray you don't offend a neighboring viewer.... and you have to pay extra for bigger clothes, more gas, more wear and tear on your car. You have to buy more food, not only is it a job that doesn't pay you a dime, it actually costs money to keep the worst job in the world!!  And the bad health costs... pulleaase!! You cannot be smart and fat and lazy all at the same time. That would be an impossibility. The minute I got all of this, saw it clearly in my head.... I embraced lazy like my life depended on it, which, btw, it did, it does. I got serious and quit the damned hard job of being fat. I only work out one hour a day now and the other 23 hours a day, all I do is enjoy the lightness of being. :)&-=  But anyone who wants to keep the damned hard job of being fat.... great, be my guest, I'm not here to run your life. I encourage everyone who loves their job, to keep it. I didn't love it. Not me. I'm too lazy to do that much work for free, and even pay to do it.... yeah bullshit. I'm too lazy.  I quit that gahdamn job.   
hunsberger
Mar 2, 2012 11:41 AM CST
Okay... so Disney is concerned of the outcome of exampling the healthy choice. I say to Disney: Speak Up & Challenge boundaries, & you'll overcome them. Never accept the boundaries imposed upon you to alter your vision & mission. Do not recklessly disregard the rules, but take calculated risks that call upon your knowledge, creativity and courage to say yes when others tell you no. I say take on the Mission to get America healthy. That people will respect Disney even more for making the right choice. 
BCS
Mar 2, 2012 12:58 AM CST
"The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance." REALLY? Next will be The National Association to Advance not Wiping or Brushing as Acceptable. Side note: If your paying to go to Disney, you should be able to do so without them pointing out your flaws. Good PR move to shut down the exhibit before it opened.
 

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