Everyone who’s anyone has grown up on Disney movies. What little girl didn’t want to be rescued by a handsome prince and swept away to live happily ever after? But lately there has been some controversy about how appropriate Disney movies really are.

There are some well-known controversies in the Wonderful World of Disney. Take the movie Aladdin for example. There is a scene that can be depicted as either romantic or risky. When Aladdin flies on his magic carpet, it is rumored that as he swats away Jasmine’s protective tiger, he suggests under his breath that teenagers should take off their clothes. Many videos are available on YouTube, but there is still a debate on whether or not these rumors are true.

Another classic example -two in fact- come from the movie The Little Mermaid. The cover of the original VHS tape was actually recalled because one of the spires in the background of the kingdom depicted a male bodily part that ought not to be seen by such innocent eyes. Later in the movie, as Prince Eric is about to marry the wicked Ursula in disguise, the priest marrying the two seems to notice the attractiveness of the disguise a little too much. (This was edited out of the DVD remake).   

There are many other examples, but a little known mishap comes from the movie The Rescuers. As the two lovable mice jet off to rescue the little orphan girl, a picture of a topless woman hangs in the background, only seen if stopped and played in slow motion. While many of the questionable scenes are played out and debated, there is no denying that that picture was placed there on purpose.

Many parents are unaware of these little plays by Disney and most who know don’t seem to think that it is harming any one.

However one concerned mother, who wishes to remain unnamed, will not allow her children to watch any Disney movie at all.

“They teach our children bad morals,” she explained. “Take the movie Aladdin. In his opening song he says, ‘Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat.’ This is justifying stealing to children before they are old enough to understand it.”

On the flip side, however, there are parents who think it’s harmless. “It’s just a movie. If the humor is there, it’s for the adults watching. Kids may understand it someday, but for now, it’s just a fun movie that they can watch again and again,” stated cheer coach JoDee Edwards

Disney has always been about the children. Everything they do, they do for the young and the young at heart. Whether or not these ‘inappropriate’ gestures were done on purpose, it is always up to the parents of a child to determine what is okay for them to watch and what is not. So judge for yourself. Is Disney appropriate? Or not?