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SALT LAKE CITY -- A soft launch at Epcot in Orlando, Florida for a new exhibit promoting healthy lifestyles in children was met with unexpectedly harsh criticism last month.
Now, Disney has been forced to temporarily put the project on hold, and put aside plans for a March 5 debut of the new attraction.
The exhibit, called Habit Heroes, was designed by Disney in partnership with health insurance providers Blue Cross/Blue Shield. A group was guided through a series of interactive exercises to fight unhealthy eating and activity habits, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Groups of up to 12 guests are guided through the attraction by animated characters Will Power and Callie Stenics, both projected as highly motivated and physically fit individuals. Will and Callie lead groups in fights against bad habits like watching too much television and making poor snack choices, and fight villains such as Snacker and Lead Bottom
The criticism is not due to the goals of the exhibit, but rather, the execution involved in achieving those goals. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance voiced their opposition in a statement.
"We're appalled to learn that Disney, a traditional hallmark of childhood happiness and joy, has fallen under the shadow of negativity and discrimination," the statement read.
"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, in partnering with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, has taken the side of the bullies."
John W. Herbkersman, a spokesman for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, attempted to justify the design of the exhibit in a response to the NAAFA's statement.
"Our goal is to ensure that the attraction conveys a positive message about healthy lifestyles in a fun and empowering way," Herbkersman said. "To work on further improving and refining the experience, the attraction is closed for the time being. We look forward to officially opening it soon."
NAAFA spokeswoman Peggy Howell added to the disdain offered by the organization, saying: "I was really disturbed to see the most negative habits were attached to really fat bodies. These pictures further the stigma against people of higher body weight."
In an effort to meet at middle ground, the NAAFA suggested that characters be designed in varying degrees of weight and appearance. The organization argued that a person of higher weight is not necessarily participating in poor exercise habits, and vice versa.
Howell commented that the designers of the exhibit were on the right track with Sweet Tooth, a medium-sized character who represents a desire for sweets within any type of person.
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Main image: Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com
