Universal Orlando is 'Evaluating' Its Dr. Seuss-Themed Areas

Tré Goins-Phillips
03-03-2021

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Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme park is reportedly looking into whether it should rework its Dr. Seuss-themed area following the recent decision to cease publication of some of the author’s books.

As Faithwire previously reported, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced Tuesday it would no longer print six of the children’s books authored by the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, stating the illustrations and text in the canceled titles “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.”

The six books are:

• “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street”

• “If I Ran the Zoo”

• “McElligot’s Pool”

• “On Beyond Zebra!”

• “Scrambled Eggs Super!”

• The Cat’s Quizzer”

Islands of Adventure features a space in the park known as “Seuss Landing,” which includes characters from the author’s books and boasts attractions inspired by his whimsical illustrations, according to Spectrum News. One of the play areas in “Seuss Landing” is themed after “If I Ran the Zoo,” a book sidelined due to the way Asian people are portrayed in it.

The space in the Universal park contains none of the imagery in question.

In addition, there is a gift shop in “Seuss Landing” called the “Mulberry Street Store,” named after the also-canceled title, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” which features an illustration of a Chinese man in stereotypical garb alongside the text, “Chinaman who eats with sticks.”

Much like the play space inspired by “I Ran the Zoo,” the “Mulberry Street Store” contains no offensive imagery.

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A spokesperson for Universal Orlando told the local news outlet that “Seuss Landing” has endured as a “very popular” destination for park guests, adding the company “value[s]” its relationship with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

“We’ve removed the books from our shelves, as they have asked, and we’ll be evaluating our in-park experience, too,” the spokesperson said. “But our guests can plan on continuing to be able to enjoy their favorite experiences at ‘Seuss Landing.’”

The cancellation of some of Dr. Seuss’ works — as well as the “evaluation” by Universal Orlando — came after President Joe Biden avoided any mention at all of the late writer and illustrator in his proclamation for “Read Across America Day,” which was founded in 1998 and historically celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday as well as his noteworthy contributions to children’s literacy.

Biden’s decision not to celebrate Dr. Seuss was an obvious departure from the perspectives of his two immediate predecessors, former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

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Over the course of his two terms in office, Obama said Dr. Seuss’s writing “challenge[s] dictators and discrimination,” “call[s] us to open our minds,” and encourages readers “to take responsibility for ourselves.” In the final year of his presidency, Obama called Dr. Seuss “one of America’s revered wordsmiths” who “used his incredible talent to instill in his most impressionable readers universal values we all hold dear.”

Nevertheless, last week, a school district in Virginia ordered its teachers to — like Biden — avoid “connecting ‘Read Across America Day’ with Dr. Seuss” at all because of the recent revelations of the “strong racial undertones” in his work.

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About The Author

Tré Goins-Phillips Headshot
Tré
Goins-Phillips

Tré Goins-Phillips serves as a host and content creator for CBN News. He hosts the weekly “Faith vs. Culture” show and co-hosts “Quick Start,” a news podcast released every weekday morning. Born and raised in Virginia, Tré now lives along the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he has built his career, often traveling to meet and interview fascinating cultural influencers and entertainers. After working with brands like TheBlaze and Independent Journal Review, Tré began his career at CBN News in 2018 and has a particular passion for bridging the chasm between the secular world and the church
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