Deleted Scene From Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Doubles As A Poignant Travel PSA
Video screenshot via Disney Kids
A new wave has swept the shores of Disney history, with a deleted scene from the beloved animated film Lilo & Stitch resurfacing and leaving viewers wondering why it ever got cut.
The scene, picked up by BuzzFeed contributor Jen Shiori Adams and found in the original DVD, dives into the sandy shores of cultural insensitivity. Lilo and Stitch’s beach day takes a turn when they encounter a group of tourists who, let’s just say, could use a refresher course in respect.
From questioning whether Lilo speaks English to making stereotypical remarks about her heritage, these out-of-towners manage to pack a whole lot of cringe into a few seconds.
A deleted scene from Lilo and Stitch where the end Lilo says “if you lived here you’d understand”.
— ð•¬ð–“ð–‹ð–Šð–—ð–“ð–Šð–Š ð•¹ð–Šð–“ð–”ð–‘ ð•¶ð–†ð–’ð–Žð–“ð–†ð–Œð–† (@nenolpunk) December 4, 2019
Occupation of stolen land is happening still.
https://t.co/jW1ucEgJbq https://t.co/cjdeyFiLS4
The headstrong Lilo, however, isn’t one to take disrespect lying down. When the beach’s annual siren test rolls around, she puts together a plan to prank the visitors. With a poker face, she warns the tourists of a looming tsunami with “hundred-foot waves.” Cue the panic! As the siren wails, Lilo delivers the scene-stealing line, “Tourists, prepare to die!” sending the clueless vacationers scrambling for higher ground.
The scene wraps up with a powerful statement from Lilo. “If you lived here, you’d understand,” she mutters, hinting at the frustration locals can feel when their home is mistreated as a temporary escape rather than regarded as a living community.
Disney’s reasoning behind cutting the scene remains a mystery, but fans have their theories. Some speculate it was deemed too close to inciting a riot, while others believe the company, with plans for the Aulani Resort in Hawaii, wanted to avoid portraying tourists in a negative light.
Chris Sanders on the DVD commentary said it was because they couldn’t show Lilo committing a crime at the end of the clip. Like S and P had an issue with it.
— Puff, Your Guardian Raccoon ðŸ³ï¸ðŸŒˆ (@KoiPuff) April 16, 2023
Like I’m with you on Disney being Satan but like… there’s a documented reason why it was cut.
Regardless of the reason, the scene adds a layer of depth to Lilo’s character. More importantly, it sheds light on the challenges she faces as a Native Hawaiian and how she navigates cultural insensitivity with a healthy dose of sass.
This issue of rude tourists is felt all over the world. Just take a recent incident in Japan, where the town of Fujikawaguchiko had to erect a barrier to block the iconic Mount Fuji from a popular photo spot as visitors were overcrowding the sidewalk next to the famous Lawson convenience store that often features in these pictures. Undeterred, some tourists cut holes in the screen to get their perfect shot.
[via BuzzFeed and Newsweek, cover screenshot via Disney Kids]
