To hear some examples of these, Redditor Marquis_de_Skiatook asked:
"What’s the most disturbing Disney movie theory?"
Identities of certain characters were explored.
The Sales Pitch
"The merchant at the beginning of Aladdin is just making up the story, as he is just trying to sell you a lamp, which is crazy because the Dead Sea Tupperware was a better deal."
– PompeyMagnus1
Who Fired The Shot?
"Bambi's mom wasn't just killed by a hunter. She was killed by a poacher."
"There's a hunting scene right before winter where the whole family escapes. That was hunting season. You don't hear a single gunshot during the winter because it's off season. Bambi's mom was killed in early spring by a poacher."
– lllSnowmanlll
The Little Teacup
"There's a line in Be Our Guest that specifies '10 years we've been rusting...' meaning they've been enchanted for 10 years at that point. Chip is pretty clearly well under 10 when they break the spell and he becomes human. Which means that either the spell also froze their ages in time, or the teapot version of Mrs. Potts both conceived a teacup child (with who/what?!) and gave birth at some point."
"Also, there was a cupboard full of teacup children that weren't given names that also appeared to be under Mrs. Potts's care. What's the deal with those kids?!"
– killebrew_rootbeer
These films may need PG-rated prequels.
Child Was Suspect
"Lilo is responsible for her parents death because she failed to bring pudge the fish a sandwich."
– monorail_pilot
An Egg-cellent Theory
"Gaston was responsible for single-handedly supporting the egg industry of Southern France based on the amount of eggs he consumed, and his death caused a minor economic depression.​"
– BabaYagaOfKaliYuga
Woody's Original Owner
"Woody is Andy’s fathers old toy and it’s the only thing he has to remember him."
– ptepfenhart
Some Disney films may have war commentaries.
A Duck's Origins
"My favorite is Donald Duck being a WW2 vet. Donald is responsible for single-handedly taking an island from the Japanese, but the experience gave him serious PTSD and that's why he acts the way he does. The Department of Defense officially issued him an honorable discharge in 1984, meaning he retired as well."
– No_Improvement7573
Quacked Up History
"this was canon that Donald duck was a sailor but US naval fleet. But not many people know he was also Airborne or a para-marine."
"thats entirely his gimmick from the disney war propaganda videos."
"being in the marines at the time meaning donald duck would've seen pearl harbor from the hawaiian training videos all the way to the dolittle raids which is why he also knows how to fly a plane in the event if the pilot gets shot dead."
"donald duck was an airman in the pacific theater and took over entire japanese gun nests. Due to the time of the video(Commando Duck), the layout on the map and very much the actual role donald duck was a paratrooper in Guadalcanal."
"Donald duck wasn't a reservist or a volunteer since he was drafted so very much he fought all this mostly against his will. So it questions me why we would be there untl discharged in 1984."
"basically there is proof that everything that the previous person said is 100% true by overlooking two videos. Commando Duck 'Donald Duck vs Japan' and Donald Duck gets drafted as the release timing of both videos would match up the which battled and what unit Donald Duck would've fought in canonly. Based on merit he probably retired as a sergeant or e-5 rank. i did too much research."
"Its safe to say that Donald Duck was a paratrooper serving the 11th Airborne division n the battle of Guadalcanal. No only that he served in Guadalcanal but the timing itself means that Donald Duck served in Midway, Coral Sea, Pearl Harbor, Papa New Guinea, and the Philippines, Palau, Okinawa and based on the timing of the US fleet naval movements and as well as the history of the unit. Donald Duck probably seens some of the worst losses in US history and slept under the constant nightmare of a Japanese Air raid, death camps, jungle combat. It is also possible he saw combat in the Korean war since the same unit was posted for Korea but because he wasn't discharged until 1984 its save to say hes been in combat until Vietnam."
– ghigoli
Post-Apocalyptic World
"Cars takes place long after a war where the sapient machines wiped out their human creators."
– brak-0666
Vehicular Genocide
"Cars has a cars pope. Christianity is canon in the cars universe. This meaning there was also a cars Jesus who suffered a cars crucifixion."
"Furthermore the Jeep character is actually canonized as a WW2 veteran. There was a cars WW2 this meaning there was also a cars Hitler who killed scores of presumably Jewish cars."
– funkyjiveturkey
While many of these examples have not been officially substantiated by Disney, they sure do add another level that heightens the stakes for challenges faced by our favorite characters.
But one thing is certain.
You may never look at some of these classics the same way again.
I am a lifelong Madonna fan. So I have been hearing about her Godlessness for decades. I mean you roll around on one VMAS floor with a crucifix and people get all hot and bothered. Geesh.
In Lubbock
Buddy Holly Crickets GIF by The Ed Sullivan ShowGiphy"Buddy Holly was said to make "the devil's music" by his own home church in Lubbock that he regularly tithed to still, even after making it big."
Wash Away
"An elderly woman I know was doing her laundry in her apartment building's shared laundry room when two other women who also lived there called her "demonic" and said she "had to have Satan in her" because she was doing her laundry on a Sunday."
Isn't there literally a parable in the Bible where Jesus yells at ppl for taking the whole "can't do anything on Sunday because it's the sabbath!" too literally and points out how archaic, and dumb ppl are for blowing it out of proportion. It's like these ppl don't even read the Bible."
Prince of Lies...
"Well when Pokemon first came out when I was a kid they were hating on it because evolution. Then it was Harry Potter because magic. Both equally idiotic."
"The funny thing is, Christians who studied theology would agree with you. Most churches hold (and in cases such as the Roman Catholic Church, have always held) that miracles can only come from God. Satan is the Prince of Lies explicitly because he holds no power; he can promise you the world but can never deliver. So those claiming that Harry Potter features "real spells" are in fact heretics for claiming that Satan can perform miracles and that God is not all-powerful."
- zoor90
Dragons... oh my!
"Adorable dragons that my Christian brother in law painted and sold at convention, called it devil worship and were concerned for his well being. My sister just pointed them three vendors down and said "by the way, there's an actual witch you can go talk to, please leave."
"Yet some of the best dragons and gargoyles are carved on cathedrals. St. John the Devine in New York City is one of the best."
It's a Bad World
Mickey Mouse Disney GIFGiphy"I knew a family who wouldn't let their kids watch Disney movies because they had magic in them, talking animals (witchcraft), etc."
Well, Disney I can see. They have some issues we could break into and chat with our therapists about for centuries. And I'll do my laundry whenever I wish.
Bloodletting
tom cruise crying GIFGiphy"Donating plasma, use to donate plasma in college for extra money and some of my friends did it as well but then two of them stopped because their mom said it was being used for satanic rituals."
- JP1426
Damn Frodo
"Lord of the Rings."
"My mom knew someone who claimed they were a "satanism expert" who "worked with the police" who saw me writing myself messages using the elf script in the back, and insisted they were runes and it was occult. For some reason she wanted to keep my message I wrote to myself."
Glorifying Evil
"My mom insisted Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a satanic show that would let demons in the house because it "glorified them" so I wasn't allowed to watch it. This wouldn't have been run-of-the-mill religious nonsense if The Witches of Eastwick wasn't one of her favorite movies. For those of you who haven't seen it, the plot of this movie is basically Jack Nicholson as the devil seducing some witches. We owned it on VHS and she's watched it every few months."
She Bad
"Dora the explorer."
"LOL this is like the most innocent thing of all and they STILL found a way to call it "witchcraft". I watched this show all the time as a kid, I wonder how obnoxiously afraid of everything these parents are that Dora getting magical princess powers and talking to animals is offensive to them XD."
I Agree
Drag Queen Love GIF by TeletubbiesGiphy"Teletubbies. Harry Potter. Like literally any scary movie. Monster Energy drinks. Starbucks. I have heard a lot!"
You're "Right"
"Writing with your left hand. I naturally started writing with my left hand as a young child and my mom made me fix it. Whenever she saw me writing, she would put the pencil in my right hand until I could no longer use the left one. It wasn't until I was older that I realized she was doing it because she thought left-handedness was associated with the devil. Now I have sh*tty handwriting."
Teletubbies are minions of the Devil. End of story. The rest... some of you really need to get a grip. I promise you God probably enjoys a good game of D & D now and again.
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
Especially if those people are kids.
Reddit user JD-Explosion asked:
Disney Parks cast members of Reddit, what's the strangest thing a child has asked you while on the job?
The thing you gotta love about children is that they're full of all of the passion and enthusiasm of every Disney-phile, but they also have massive imaginations, no real understanding of how the real world works, and zero filter.
It's a perfect storm for shenanigans like these...
Part Of Your World
The Little Mermaid Disney GIFGiphy" 'Yesterday I went to Disneyland... And I saw the parade... And it was raining during the parade... And everyone was wearing raincoats... And the Little Mermaid was in the parade... And she was wearing a raincoat too... Why?' "
" 'Well, because everyone else was wearing a raincoat. Ariel wanted to wear one too so she could be like everybody else.' --My Castmate friend in the call center that took the call above. " - certnneed
"The point of Ariel's character is that she wanted to be human and do things they do, so the answer fits! That's how the cats members are taught how to think and answer." - Additional_Meeting_2
"She just wants to be part of our wooooorld!" - Nezzee
Probably Busy
let it go GIFGiphy"My daughter was 2-3 when we went to go see Elsa and Anna."
"There was a 4 hour line, of which my daughter would shuffle forward whenever it would move and then lie down and sleep on the floor when it didn't."
"Finally, it was our turn. We walk into the room and there's Elsa and Anna. First question my daughter asks them?"
" 'Do you guys brush your teeth?' "
"Then after the thing was done and we're leaving, my daughter casually tells me that that wasn't really Elsa and Anna, the real ones were probably busy."
"Four. Hours."
"At the time I was beyond belief. I couldn't express my emotions - between anger/rage, incredulity and plain old shell shock."
"I remember walking away thinking about the Serenity Now episode of Seinfeld but looking back on it now, it's something I'll always remember and it makes a great story. So, worth it." - various_necks
The Adults Are Worse
Reaction GIF by Macy'sGiphy"Kid: 'Where's Hogwarts?' "
"Me: 'Probably about half a day's walk away.' "
"But the adults are always worse. Like this guy:"
"Adult: 'You work during the holidays?' "
"Me: 'Yes.' "
"Adult, muttering as he walks away: 'I don't believe her. It's probably a trick to get tips.' "
"It was during Christmas. He was literally there on Christmas." - sleepytimeHoney
"They Work At Six Flags"
Bugs Bunny Flirt GIFGiphy"I started 2 months ago and my job doesn't have much guest interaction. But I did have one kid who kept asking me where characters were."
"He asked where Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes were and I blew his mind when I told them they work at Six Flags with Batman and Superman, not at Disney." - nowhere136
The Best Questions To Ask During A Job Interview | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
Wonder What Mickey Thought
Shocked Disney GIF by Mickey MouseGiphy"When I was around 3 or 4, on a family trip to Disneyworld I drew a picture of my plane crashing on the way to Orlando and my entire family falling to a fiery death."
"Then I gave it to Mickey Mouse. I wonder what the dude inside the costume thought." - analognewb
"I wouldn't be surprised if he still has it, lol." - siel04
"Nothing would make me happier" - analognewb
Goldfishie!
Mickey Mouse Love GIF by Disneyland ParisGiphy"Not a Disney park cast member - I am the strange child."
"Went to Disneyland back in 2000 or so, I was about 5 or 6 and my first pet goldfish died shortly before we went on our trip. Went to Minnie's house and got to meet her at the end for pictures."
"I remember there being some cool animatronic goldfish bowl in her house, so I just haaaad to tell her how sad I was that my fish just died and my mom made me flush him down the toilet."
"Of course the actors aren't allowed to talk, so this poor soul playing Minnie had to watch 5 year old me sobbing for my lost pet fishy and wasn't able to say anything. That Minnie mouse actor gave me the most heartfelt, warm, sincere hug I have ever had in my life."
"Shout out to all the Disney park actors who have ever consoled a crying child, I assure you; you made it better." - MyFriendLucifer
A Pirate's Life For Me
High Five I Got This GIF by Disney ChannelGiphy"I used to be a pirate that did the pirate makeovers in magic kingdom and I had a little boy probably around 7 in my chair."
"We were talking about how I live on a pirate ship, of course, and what kind of pirate ship he would want to live on."
"He asked very concerned 'how do you take a shower on a pirate ship?' and I said 'we don't!' Then my pirate coworker next to came and smelled my armpit and confirm we absolutely don't."
"Then in return I smelled her armpit to let him know that she also hasn't showered. He didn't ask any more questions after that!" - KinZryry96
Magical
Millie Bobby Brown Reaction GIF by ConverseGiphy"I worked at Disneyland as a ticket taker/bag checker. Little boy asked me if I was magical because his grandma told him Disneyland was a magical place."
"Had numerous kids rub my skin because, according to their parents, they've never seen a Black person before. People touching you without your permission was one of the worst things about that job."
"My favorite story is this girl was leaving the park and wanted to know how could Mickey just finish Fantasmic but be on Main Street with completely different clothes."
"Her mind was blown, hands on her head just trying to comprehend how could he be in two places at once. I told her that he has a bunch of underground tunnels so he can avoid the crowds and get to the front to say goodbye. She was satisfied with that answer." - pharmrterri
Slow Moving Potato
Nose Swimming GIFGiphy"I don't work for Disney directly I run a kayaking business that Disney subcontracts for their kayaking trips. The Disney cast members shuttle the guests in a bus to our location about 30 minutes away."
"This happened on an offsite kayaking trip through a natural area. The bonkers question didn't come from a child, but a mother with her 2 kids in tow."
"She asked 'How do they work? Are they animatronic or do you have a remote control?' Talking about the live, wild, manatees"
"She threatened a lawsuit on Disney for endangering her kids... with manatees... The gentlest of sea creatures... Giant slow moving potatoes." - SkoomaSalesAreUp
Yeah ... the most magical place on Earth just keeps serving up the best stories, doesn't it?
Kitchen Staff
cheese GIFGiphyRats in a professional kitchen are OK.
Myself and all the other chefs/cooks I know love that movie for how realistic it is in so many ways, right down the to the pan burns on Collette's arm. But for true realism she should've punched him in the freaking mouth.
Hans was an intelligent and manipulative character. Kinda sexy. He had a plan, adapted well to radically changed circumstances, and very nearly took over the whole kingdom over the span of 24 hours. He only got caught because he couldn't resist the temptation to villain monologue... but what Disney character can?
When I was a Child
interested toy story GIFGiphyYour toys are alive and resent you for giving them away.
An even worse lesson from Toy Story: Kids who show creativity and imagination by disassembling toys to make new toys are evil and should be psychologically tortured.
Prince Ali
Aladdin taught me that a legitimate government was a thing you could fake with a really good parade.
This bothered me since I was a kid. Aladdin said he "wasn't a real prince" and all we see the genie do is arrange a parade with a bunch of people who all seem to disappear as soon as the parade is over. But Aladdin didn't wish for a fake parade to pad out a long con. He wished to be a prince.
Freaking unwatchable.
Poor Quasi....
The Hunchback of Notre Dame teaches that if you're ugly, you might find acceptance, but you won't find love. Love is for the attractive characters.m
To be fair though the novel is actually waaayyy worse. Phoebus takes Esmeralda's virginity then ditches her. She ends up being hung as a witch. Quasimodo burns the church killing the priest and then disappears. Sooo... Disney's version is a little less dark.
For the Boys
Disobey your father, sell your soul to a witch, all to hook up with some guy you've never spoken to that's a completely different species and would eat your closest friends for dinner.
And give up your voice.... and fall for a man who also falls in love with you when you don't have a voice. Ladies you just need to be pretty, no need to be able to speak your mind.
Goodnight....
sleeping beauty disney GIFGiphyInstead of owing up to your mistake, just put the entire kingdom to sleep until it's fixed.
Sleeping Beauty. The fairies put the kingdom to sleep after Aurora pricks her finger until prince what's his face defeats Maleficent.
Beware the Love
All the princess movies, minus Frozen, Brave, Moana, and The Princess and the Frog: The person you instantly fall in love with is your soulmate and you should throw everything away to be with them. The only princess I can kind forgive for this is Cinderella considering her life at home was terrible, so she wasn't losing everything by running off with the prince.
So many people I know personally have done the same thing and gotten themselves into really bad situation/abusive relationships.
Hey You
maleficent GIFGiphyAlso don't talk to strangers. Unless strangers are hot. Then talk to strangers.
Snow White: Don't trust the woman disguised as an old lady.
Beauty and the Beast: You had better trust the woman disguised as an old lady.
Looks and $$$
A rich and handsome man will come and take your helpless butt away from all of your troubles.
Pretty sure the Melania cartoon from the new Borat film was not produced by Disney....
Beast
beauty and the beast ballroom GIF by DisneyGiphyMy husband's favorite movie is beauty and the beast and every time after we watch it he takes off all of his clothes and he pretends that he is the beast and he runs around the house terrorizing me.
I'll gladly take him off your hands he sounds like my dream man.
Power
If you're not born into power, marry for it.
Bad advice because it's a very hard thing to actually pull off.
A lot of people (mainly women) waste their lives away thinking that marrying a rich or powerful man will one day solve all their problems, when the vast majority will never even date one.
2 better than 1
Ralph 2 = Go turbo for your personal benefits and as the president, abandon all your citizens and abandon your best friends while you're at it.
This is referring to Vanellope.
And that is one of many reasons why I hate Wreck it Ralph 2. It took everything Wreck it Ralph 1 established and threw it all away.
Mama Dearest
I dunno. But, all the dead moms makes me feel like Disney feels some type a way about mothers.
Sort of. Disney's mother did die due to his heater installation screw-up, but a lot of old fairy tales had dead mothers anyway, so the two weren't necessarily related.
Lip Service
Black And White Love GIFGiphyYou fall in love with the random man who kissed while you were sleeping.
Trust Truth
Never. Trust. Anyone. Even. If. They. Are. Family.
Let's be real. For a lot of people that's a pretty good thing to learn early on. Perhaps not the healthiest way to learn it but still.
UP
You can lift anything with enough balloons.
That movie used a silly version of physics, but I think it worked perfectly because it was consistent.
Everything worked the way a kid thinks it would. If they had changed it for realism at any point it would have broken the whole vibe.
But I'm also biased because that movie is just SO RIDICULOUSLY GOOD.
Messy Love
If you fall for a woman, the best way to get her to love you is to kidnap her until Stockholm Syndrome sets in. Maybe give her some hallucinogenic drugs so that she thinks that the furniture and serving wear are alive and singing to her and dancing with her.
walt disney animation studios love GIF by DisneyThey aren't speaking English. It's just being translated for the benefit of the audience.
In Lady and the Tramp, there was a scene where they were walking around the zoo after hours, talking to the animals. They went up to the monkey cage but all they got from them was monkey chatter because "they must be too closely related to humans."
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.