Why is Liver Lips considered offensive? Disney World reportedly removes beloved character of 50 years over possibly offending alcoholics

Disney World reportedly removed a beloved Country Bear Jamboree character that is 50 years old in Liver Lips McGrowl, who was replaced with another character before reopening the attraction on July 17, Wednesday.

According to a Disney Parks Blog post, the Country Bear Jamboree will now include new country music subgenres such Bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly and other styles.

However, after closing the attraction on January 27, Disney replaced Liver Lips McGrowl because its name caused some concern. It was thought to be "offensive and derogatory."

Furthermore, since the term "liver lips" is linked to excessive alcohol consumption and the ensuing liver damage, it is regarded as offensive and disparaging. Disney decided to change the character because they thought the term was out of date and inappropriate.

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Disney World reportedly removes Liver Lips McGrowl because of its possibly offensive name

Disney removed another character (Image via Getty)

On July 17, a new character from The Country Bear Jamboree will join the Disney family. The Country Bear Jamboree was a group of 18 audio-animatronic bears in the country-and-western musical and included Big Al, Henry, Trixie, Wendell, Teddi Barra, Ernest and Liver Lips McGrowl, among others.

However, significant changes were made to the Jamboree in January 2024, after 50 years. It was shut down and renovated, which resulted in the elimination of a number of components, most notably the character Liver Lips McGrowl.

Therefore, when the attraction reopens on Wednesday following a seven-month break, McGrowl won't be making his comeback.

Disney did this because of the concern that the name would offend some individuals. The term "liver lips" refers to the swollen, red lips that result from consuming large amounts of alcohol.

In addition, the Oxford English Dictionary states that the term is seen as an "offensive" and "derogatory" racial slur that has been applied to African Americans to characterize their lip color or form as sickly or diseased.

The elimination of McGrowl represented a larger movement in Disney Parks and their dedication to resolving outmoded or culturally inappropriate aspects of its attractions. The goal of this evolution is to make the space more hospitable and inclusive to all visitors.

Disney has now rebranded Liver Lips McGrowl as Romeo McGrowl in an attempt to eliminate any possibly derogatory phrases from its program. The new character was first seen on the poster for the forthcoming Country Bear Musical Jamboree. With a new name and blonde hairstyle, Romeo seems to be an updated version of Liver Lips.

The bear's look remained essentially the same and he now appears on a poster for the glittering new edition of The Country Bear Jamboree. Disney's dedication to fostering an environment that is more inclusive and respectful for its visitors is reflected in the name change.

The official Disney Parks Blog has revealed that the bears will now perform a "new show that pays homage to the Opry-style shows of Nashville."

The same source further explained:

"While the Country Bear Musical Jamboree will include easter eggs from the beginning to the end including a familiar tune fans may remember, the bears will sing new, reinterpreted Disney tunes in different genres of country music – like bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly and other styles.”

Mac McNally, a country singer-songwriter most renowned for his partnership with Jimmy Buffett for many years, will be producing and arranging the new score. Additionally, the countrified renditions of the Disney favorites Bear Necessities and Fixer-Upper will incorporate McNally's voice.

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Disney didn’t say anything else about the July 17 opening of the attraction which will open at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.