Once upon a time, Disney was a beloved refuge for parents, entertaining children with delightful stories and life lessons. Today, it seems to have traded its charming songs and heroic tales for darker, edgier content that has left parents questioning its direction.

Disney’s shift away from its wholesome roots hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2023, the company lost its top-grossing studio spot, with seven of its eight releases flopping. By 2024, Pixar announced layoffs of 14% of its workforce after losing over $600 million.

Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler promote Snow White

Parents are breaking up with Disney, frustrated by its departure from Walt Disney’s original vision of imagination and storytelling. Walt once said, “I don’t believe in sequels. I can’t follow popular cycles. I have to move on to new things.” Today’s Disney, however, seems stuck in a cycle of unoriginal, “woke” sequels, like the controversial “Snow White” reboot pushed to 2025.

Statue of Walt Disney and Mickey at Disney World

Rachel Zegler, promoting the new “Snow White,” criticized the original for its 1930s sensibilities, saying the reboot focuses on Snow White’s “inner journey” rather than a love story. This shift in messaging hasn’t translated to financial success, suggesting Disney’s math might be off.

Executives are pushing for more sexual themes in children’s content and aiming for 50% of characters to come from “underrepresented groups.” Yet, functional families and people of faith remain underrepresented in modern entertainment.

Walt Disney once said, “A man should never neglect his family for business.” Today, such a statement might be controversial. How would Disney remake “Swiss Family Robinson” with its themes of family unity and prayer?

Disney now provides trigger warnings for its classics, but parents need similar cautions for its new content. The brand has become less trustworthy, like candy from a stranger.

Disney’s ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis cost the company millions, damaging its once magical reputation. The question remains: Can Disney return to its enchanting roots, or is it lost to the allure of dark, edgy storytelling?