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Disney’s Tom Sawyer Island Vandalism: A Sign of Our Declining Society?

BBG News

It seems that some visitors have been found damaging properties at Walt Disney World. This unfortunate behavior makes it seem as though enjoying quality experiences like these is no longer possible.

We’ve noticed a gradual change and even disrespectful elements in many of Disney’s recent theme park updates and announcements. Additionally, their constant promises for new attractions and renovations of old ones have left us feeling uneasy, especially given the attendance numbers which suggest a lack of interest in the increased prices and changes to perks in 2025.

To be honest with you all, it’s hard to deny that we and others around us have played a part in diminishing the overall enjoyment of visiting parks. After all, behaviors that were once inconceivable are now becoming more common.

Absolutely, we’ve witnessed intense arguments between feuding families where security often arrived too late or was entirely absent. Indeed, we’ve encountered individuals who’ve become excessively intoxicated, causing public discomfort, not only at EPCOT but also as the availability of inexpensive alcoholic beverages mixed with fake fruit juices increases within Disney parks. Regrettably, we’ve also seen instances of guests losing basic etiquette and adult decorum, resulting in unsanitary situations.

It’s clear that contemporary parenting differs significantly from past times for numerous individuals, and this change reverberates throughout society in various ways. This is evident in disrespectful behavior in public spaces, mistreatment of service workers in restaurants and stores, and the persistent graffiti on our city streets, buildings, paths, and homes.

In my opinion, this tale seems to convey a greater message, implying that certain individuals no longer hold their environment, fellow community members, and visitors in high regard, and unfortunately, may not value themselves as well.

It’s well-known that Disney is going ahead with renovations at Walt Disney World, which includes removing the classic Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer’s Island, despite the disappointment and upset among fans. Unfortunately, these changes have led to vandalism in the parks, as some visitors have taken it upon themselves to graffiti the areas with their personal artwork using pens, markers, and even knives. This destructive behavior, though sadly common in today’s world, is particularly disturbing given the parks’ previous reputation as an escape from such negativity.

In an old scene from Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer books, which some schoolchildren no longer read, there was a “Tom Loves Becky” graffiti on a fence while it was being whitewashed. However, today, multiple visitors have chosen to add their personal touch by writing their names in red permanent marker or other contemporary symbols over the original white paint. As you continue reading, you’ll discover that actual trees within the park are also marked with initials, carving them deeply into the bark.

Upon witnessing these occurrences, my initial reaction was, “How much time could they have spent on this act of vandalism at Walt Disney World? Didn’t anybody nearby question what they were doing or step in to stop them before they finished?” It appears that no one did.

People seem to endure such behavior, even those who are supposed to prevent it like cast members and security personnel, because challenging vandals might be more difficult than simply ignoring them. And, unfortunately, yes, Disney itself, in the case of Tom Sawyer’s Island, is about to inflict more damage by demolishing that section of the park, graffiti included. So, it appears that not many people are concerned about it anymore.

To put it simply: People of all ages beyond a certain point, which is significantly lower than myself, would have considered such an action appalling and felt compelled to prevent it. In fact, the very idea of doing something so disgraceful, harmful, and unsightly would never have crossed our minds because we are good people, responsible citizens, and visitors who simply wouldn’t engage in such base, destructive behavior.

In simpler terms, it’s unimaginable that such an event could have occurred in our lives, towns, or even at places known as the “Happiest Places on Earth,” which were once filled with joy and positivity. It would be as surprising as a Martian landing in our backyard asking to meet our leader.

It seems that the transformation of the park, characterized by deterioration and loss of cherished memories, might be a corporate interpretation of vandalism mentality. Perhaps, in truth, the parks we have are reflective of what we as a society value, and we’re willing to pay dearly for them. In a world where traditional parenting is often looked down upon or considered outdated in many major cities, perhaps this is all we can anticipate moving forward.

Perhaps it’s high time we revive respectfulness, our legacy of kindness, our custom of caring for strangers and fellow human beings, and let’s begin by standing against such behavior whenever and wherever we witness it. History has shown that similar efforts have been successful in the past, and I can easily recall one outstanding instance:

In the past, it was common for comedians to play characters who were drunk and this was often seen as amusing. Performers like Red Skelton incorporated tipsy characters into their comedic repertoire, while audiences appreciated them without taking them too seriously. Artists such as Dean Martin would incorporate a hazy, alcohol-infused persona into their song-and-smile acts, eliciting laughter from the audience. More overt comics like Foster Brooks built entire careers on portraying drunk characters.

However, when excessive drinking caused broken homes, hazardous situations on the roads resulting in fatalities and injuries, a collective known as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) emerged, expressing that the situation was no longer amusing. Over time, society began to take notice and respond.

In a more straightforward manner, Although we didn’t aim to eliminate drunkenness outright (and those extreme abolitionists were met with justified ridicule by historically-minded individuals due to past prohibition failures), we did insist that society acknowledged and addressed the negative consequences rather than trivializing them. Consequently, behaviors and actions associated with excessive drinking became less prevalent as a result of our collective decision, supported by M.A.D.D., that such behavior was no longer amusing.

Instead of letting lives be put at risk, how about initiating a campaign to combat graffiti, public brawls, disruptive noise in public areas, and particularly in theme parks and family-oriented spaces? This would create a safer, more enjoyable environment for everyone.

Since you should be aware: Children often imitate what they see, and when a responsible family decides to take a chance and spend money to go to a park, only to witness such behavior, the message being conveyed to their children is that this kind of conduct is acceptable within society…and that’s a sure path towards decline.

It’s important that we expect quality performances when we pay high prices for entertainment. Not only would improving ourselves make us more deserving of such excellence, but it could also foster a healthier environment for everyone involved.

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2025-06-25 22:56

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