Disney Parks Reintroduces “Ladies and Gentlemen” to Greetings

Disney Parks has reportedly reinstated the phrase “Ladies and Gentlemen” in park greetings. This marks a notable cultural shift after years of steering away from such references to accommodate a more gender-inclusive approach.

Theme parks seem to be quietly reverting to their previous announcement styles. This change, according to reports, represents one of the most symbolically significant moves Disney has made in years. One excited Disney fan shared their joy on social media about the return of the phrase, even posting video evidence of the updated language.

The decision comes after Disney had publicly shifted toward gender-neutral terms, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. In a previous report, it was noted that this shift aimed at promoting diversity within the parks.

Back in April 2021, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro stated, “Inclusion is essential to our culture and moves us forward as we continue to deliver on our rich tradition of engaging storytelling, exceptional service, and the magic of Disney.” He indicated that this was only the start of their inclusivity efforts.

In July 2021, Disney replaced its traditional greeting of “Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls” with “Good evening, dreamers of all ages.” The previous year, language targeted at “dreamers of all ages” was introduced, but the initial part was scrapped shortly thereafter.

Disneyland is also making similar adjustments to its nighttime entertainment language, which includes revisiting gender-specific greetings as well as integrating new principles into their internal training. By 2022, Disney’s diversity and inclusion manager revealed that cast members would be taught to avoid “ladies and gentlemen” and “boys and girls,” opting for phrases like “hello, everyone” instead.

This language alteration is particularly striking, as it reflects a significant reversal from Disney’s previously intentional focus on inclusivity. The previous adjustments were based on the idea that gender-neutral terminology aligned better with the company’s desired public image. The return of “Ladies and Gentlemen” might suggest that Disney now prioritizes familiarity and tradition over the progressive signals that influenced prior changes.