It was supposed to be a typical, joy-filled day at Disneyland. Instead, my friend ended up getting cursed out by royalty.
Well, kind of.
This past weekend, I met up with a close friend visiting California for the first time in years. Naturally, we planned a full day at Disneyland Park—nostalgia, churros, and castle selfies included. My friend was excited for all of it, but especially to debut her new obsession: a limited-edition Mickey Mouse Labubu plush clipped onto her backpack.
For a look at the Disney collection, check out the post below:
View this post on Instagram
Labubu, if you haven’t been online in the last year, is the viral plush toy phenomenon. My friend had spent weeks trying to secure an authentic one, and she proudly wore it into the park like a badge of collector honor.
But that joy quickly took a turn at one of Disneyland’s most serene spots: Snow White’s Wishing Well, just off the castle path.
That’s where we met the Evil Queen.
An Unexpected Character Encounter Gets… Personal
As we approached the well to toss in a few coins and make a wish (mine was for better line wait times; hers was probably for more Labubus), we were greeted by the looming figure of the Evil Queen herself—Disney’s OG villain, draped in her signature black and purple cloak.
As character performers tend to do, she scanned our group, then zeroed in on my friend’s bag. And that’s when it got interesting.
She leaned forward ever so slightly, narrowing her eyes at the plush hanging by its loop.
“Get that hideous abomination away from me,” she sneered, voice dripping with disdain. “What is that thing?”
My friend, caught between laughter and discomfort, managed a polite, “It’s a Labubu…”
“Labubu?” the Queen repeated, as if the name itself were poison. “I will not have such foul creatures roaming my kingdom. This park shall remain Labubu-free by royal decree!” She turned and raised a hand, theatrically addressing an imaginary court. “Do you hear me? Ban them all!”
Guests nearby were either delighted or confused (or both). One child asked if Labubu was a new villain. Another wanted to know where to buy one. And just like that, the Evil Queen accidentally added fuel to the already raging Labubu fire.
What’s a Labubu, and Why Is Everyone Losing Their Minds Over It?
Labubu is the brainchild of Chinese toy company Pop Mart, known for collectible blind-box figures that have exploded in popularity through platforms like TikTok and Xiaohongshu. Labubu specifically is a mischievous, elf-like plush character with a jagged grin, crazy eyes, and spiky hair—somewhere between a gremlin and a gremlin’s cuter cousin.
The most in-demand version right now? The Mickey Mouse collaboration, which mashes the viral aesthetic with Disney’s most iconic character. It’s not an official Disney Parks product, but you’d be forgiven for thinking so—thanks to the unmistakable ears and the number of guests toting them around the parks.
What makes Labubu so viral?
-
Blind boxes. You don’t know what style you’re getting until you open it.
-
Secret editions. 1-in-72 odds, some of which resell for thousands.
-
Celebrity endorsements. Fans include BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Dua Lipa, and Rihanna.
-
TikTok unboxings. A massive driver of interest, especially in Gen Z collecting culture.
But With Popularity Comes Problems
The rise of Labubu has been so intense that it’s sparked a booming counterfeit market—with knockoffs (often called Lafufu) showing up in online shops, boutiques, and even toy vending machines. Customs agents in China have seized more than 249,000 fake Labubu products this year alone.
According to Alyssa Parker of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas, identifying the real thing requires close inspection:
-
Authentic Labubus have nine teeth, a distinct face color, and an authenticity stamp on the foot.
-
Each plush comes with a QR code on the box and wash label that links to a verification page.
-
Real packaging includes a 3D holographic Pop Mart sticker—fakes often have flat, poorly printed ones.
Want to avoid fakes? Pop Mart’s official Amazon store or PopMart.com is the way to go. But even there, buyers report stock selling out within minutes of release.
Disneyland as the New Catwalk for Collectible Culture
Back to Disneyland: this wasn’t the first Labubu sighting of the day. Throughout the park, we saw at least a dozen other guests with Labubu keychains, pins, and full-sized plushies clipped to their gear. Like Loungefly bags or limited-edition Minnie ears, Labubu is now an unofficial status symbol among Disney parkgoers.
But not all characters are fans, apparently.
Whether the Evil Queen’s decree was in jest or the beginnings of a larger character performer bit remains to be seen—but the reaction from guests was real. Within minutes, we heard others nearby talking about “the Queen and the plush toy” like it had been a plot point on Once Upon a Time.
As for my friend? She wore the Labubu proudly for the rest of the day, and yes, the plush even made it into our castle photo.
Labubu Is Here to Stay, Royal Decrees or Not
In an era where fandoms blend, and character culture meets TikTok trends, it’s no surprise that a toy like Labubu has become an accidental icon at the most visited theme park in the world. It’s collectible. It’s quirky. And it’s just weird enough to catch people’s attention.
If Disney villains start staging anti-Labubu campaigns, well—that might only make the plush more desirable.
One thing’s for sure: the Labubu wave hasn’t crested yet. So don’t be surprised if the next time you’re in line for Peter Pan’s Flight, someone’s clutching a Labubu like it’s a golden ticket.
And if the Evil Queen confronts you? Just curtsy, apologize—and never, ever show her the teeth.
