If you weren't bothered by the death of Simba's father in The Lion King, go back in time and watch it at IMAX where you can see Simba's tears real close, then just try saying that again.
I suspect Disney got away with the curse (assuming it's the word I'm thinking of) since it's also a legitimate term for a donkey. Which "Shrek" had a lot of fun with. And Simpsons enjoyed using the term for a female dog.
Anyway, that certainly wouldn't be the last time Disney was controversial. And by the way, no you didn't -- the hungry, hungry hippos gobbled them up.