Disney Parks around the globe have made magical leaps to ensure that all guests and employees feel included at their parks.
And on Thursday, as fireworks returned to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, one move became exceptionally clear to guests.
The park’s automated announcements, which play before all performances, were missing the traditional phrase, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.” Instead, they began simply with, “Good evening, dreamers of all ages.”
Watch the clip below to hear the before and after, back to back.
Similar changes in Disney’s language have already begun to roll out in parks around the world, including Tokyo Disney Resort, and will be added to all pre-recorded announcements in the original Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., effective immediately.
According to a Disney spokesperson, via Newsweek, the moves are part of the company’s effort to promote diversity at its parks as part of Disney’s Diversity & Inclusion policy, which was first announced in April.
“Inclusion is essential to our culture and leads us forward as we continue to realize our rich legacy of engaging storytelling, exceptional service, and Disney magic,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, wrote in an April blog post on the company’s website.
“We want our guests to see their own backgrounds and traditions reflected in the stories, experiences and products they encounter in their interactions with Disney,” he continued. “And we want our cast members—and future cast members—to feel a sense of belonging at work.” (Yahoo Life has reached out to Disney Parks and is awaiting comment.)
Fireworks will officially return to Disneyland in Anaheim on July 4, Independence Day.
The fireworks had previously been put on hold in order to discourage people from gathering together after the parks reopened following closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of now, parks are slowly beginning to ease their safety protocols. Face masks, for example, are now optional in most areas for guests of the California and Florida parks who are fully vaccinated.
Of course, the changes have received both good and bad reactions from park guests. Here are just a few:
Read more from Yahoo Life: