Hidden messages and images are nothing new to Disney. In fact, scores of visitors at both theme parks make a game of finding all the hidden Mickeys placed all over the parks. They are hidden in the rides, in the sidewalk, even in the food. The idea of hidden Mickeys have taken on such a life of their own that people spot ones that aren't really there. No one has really kept track of how many there are or where they are placed so the search has taken on a life of its own without right or wrong answers. If you've convinced yourself you see Mickey, then you do.
However, there's another aspect of hidden messages and Disney that have also taken on a life of their own but these aren't nearly as fun. It has caused groups to start anti-Disney campaigns and even lawsuits.
So, what has folks so up in arms?
The sexual messages in Disney movies.
Yep, you read it right. Disney supposedly places hidden sexual messages in some of their movies.
I'll give you a minute to gasp. Seriously, this has caused lawsuits against the Mouse and Company by groups who think Disney should be ashamed of the hidden messages. The hidden ones. Not the overt ones. Let's compare.
Aladdin
In a scene where the carpet is going to take Aladdin and Jasmine for a ride, the genie supposedly says: 'Teenagers, take off your clothes.' One researcher even sites the look on Jasmine's face as proof of what the genie said. Jasmine is wide eyed and her mouth is open in surprise. Well, of course it's because the genie said to take off her clothes. It couldn't possibly be because there's a guy hovering over her balcony on a flying carpet.
Why on earth would the genie tell them to take off their clothes before the ride? Does he intend for them to flash the entire Middle East? It would make sense if he said when they got back from the ride and they are clearly reluctant to leave each other.
On the other hand, Disney has drawn Jasmine in an overtly sexual way. She has a bust size that would make Pamela Anderson look petite and a waist line that Barbie admires. Her most modest outfit is her wedding gown otherwise she shows a lot of animated skin.
The Little Mermaid
At Ariel's wedding the priest is supposedly so happy for the couple to be he has an erection. He doesn't bother to hide it, he just lets it all...eh...hang out. Well, he's dressed so it kinda pokes out.
Sigh. Who thinks of this stuff? I cannot believe Disney Imagineers would be so careless and obvious or that some precocious little tyke sitting in the audience wouldn't lift a finger, point and say in a voice loud enough for all to hear: "Mommy, what's that?" No reports it's ever happened. Besides, the priest is up there in age so a couple of hours before the ceremony he would have had to have some subliminal Viagra.
It's his knee.
The Lion King
Simba feels alone, worthless and guilty in the jungle where he has run after his father's death. He is feeling his depression most acutely. So much so that when he flops to the ground and pushes some dirt, it floats up in the air and forms the letters s-e-x. There's a av video of the scene on YouTube and even when you know what you're looking for, it's a stretch to get it there. Again, it would just be careless of Disney Imagineers to play around with it in that way.
Animators have admitted to putting their names and other symbols in Disney movies to make up for Walt Disney not wanting to give credits to his animators and to take a dig at Chairman Michael Eisner, and it is a running gag to put characters from one Disney movie into other Disney movies - such as Belle and Puumba being in the street scene of 'Hunchback of Notre Dame.'
It's almost like Hitchcock placing himself in his own movies. It's done so it's a little bit of fun but certainly not so it would be a distraction. There is certainly enough open sexuality in Disney movies (Frollo in 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' clearly would like nothing more than a few private moments with Esmeralda) that hiding the messages seems unnecessary.
Disney Company has always prided itself in the quality of their product. Their parks are immaculately kept. The Disney cast members are never too short on hospitality and their movies are technically well made with top shelf stars doing the voices. It is hard to believe their animators would damage the image for a bit of raunchy, reckless fun.
At the very least, they wouldn't make it so easy to find.