I bet if they focus group tested this with kids, kids probably thought the shit was fine. Parents probably thought it was mostly fine too. Focus groups are rarely what one would call "discerning" audiences. They probably didn't anticipate full-blown memeification, which takes the movie to a whole new level, to the point where it could affect what even the casual viewer thinks.

On one hand, I'm glad they're doing this to try to save the project... on the other hand, giving fans this much control is a losing game for any project. They won't be happy no matter what. (That and this is gonna suck gigantic balls for the animation department.)