Disney Closes New Habit Heroes Exhibit

Habit Heroes, a new attraction at Epcot Center at Walt Disney World, was scheduled to open on March 5th, but is now postponed indefinitely. The exhibit was designed in partnership with Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance.

Housed inside Innoventions, the park's futuristic showcase of ideas, Habit Heroes features animated fitness buffs Will Power and Callie Stenics, who take groups of up to 12 guests through interactive rooms, where they fight bad habits such as too much television and junk food.

Cartoon villains include the super-sized Snacker and Lead Bottom.

The insurance company's goal is to encourage healthier habits among kids, so they will improve their health while lowering health-care costs, said insurance officials.

After test runs, the attraction drew criticism from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance and other groups.

"We're appalled to learn that Disney, a traditional hallmark of childhood happiness and joy, has fallen under the shadow of negativity and discrimination," came a heated response from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.

"It appears that Disney now believes that using the tool of shame, favored so much by today's healthcare corporations, is the best way to communicate with children," said the association's statement. "Disney, in partnering with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, has taken the side of the bullies."

Read more at The Orlando Sentinel. Pictured here is the character Lead Bottom. Link -via Fark