New Documentary By Roy Disney’s Granddaughter Shows Harsh Criticism Towards Disney

The Disney legacy is a hotly debated topic among Disney fans. Many are frustrated with some of the Walt Disney Company’s recent decisions, while others believe these changes are necessary.

Partners Statue in Magic Kingdom

It seems like Disney guests aren’t the only ones disappointed in Disney’s recent changes, though. A new documentary directed by Abigail E. Disney (granddaughter of Roy O. Disney) takes a critical view of the current Disney leadership.

Abigail Disney’s upcoming documentary, titled The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales, is set to premiere on January 24th as part of the Sundance Film Festival, which will be held digitally due to the pandemic.

There’s a new documentary coming soon!

According to a story by the New York Times, Ms. Disney, actress Kathleen Hughes, and Disney’s siblings worked together to create a critical documentary about how the Walt Disney Company has become “ground zero of the widening inequality in America.”

Abigail Disney is not happy with the Walt Disney Company

The documentary will focus on issues like pay inequality within the company, which Ms. Disney attempted to discuss with Disney leadership in the past. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she wrote two emails to Bob Iger concerning her issues with the company, which were not received well by senior leadership.

Disney did not respond to Ms. Disney’s email

Keep in mind that the Disney family is not involved in managing the Walt Disney Company. Back in 2003, Abigail Disney’s father Roy E. Disney stepped down from the board. At that point, Bob Iger took over, and Iger was eventually replaced by Bob Chapek in 2020.

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The New York Times, who was able to view the documentary ahead of its premiere, explains that Ms. Disney and her sister are sure their grandfather Roy O. Disney (who helped bring Disney World to life) would not approve of the current state of the company. At one point, Abigail Disney says, “I cannot see [Roy O. Disney] taking $66 million home for a year’s work in the same year when, at the same company, people can’t afford food.”

Magic Kingdom

Ms. Disney also did not hold back when asked about the current CEO of Disney, Bob Chapek. When speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said “There are a thousand ways they’ve been cutting costs, and much of it came from Bob Chapek and under his command. So I don’t really have very optimistic expectations. If anything, it’ll probably get worse.”

Abigail Disney expressed her opinions on Bob Chapek

Abigail Disney is hoping her documentary will get picked up by a major streaming service. Until then, stay tuned for all the latest Disney news and park updates.