Former MLB All-Star Slams Disney Cruise Line Over Employee “Men Dressed as Women”

Former MLB All-Star Ender Inciarte spent years in stadiums instead of theaters, but this week he stepped into the center of an entertainment debate with comments directed at Disney Cruise Line. His posts sparked immediate conversation across social media, pulling Disney’s family cruise experience into a broader cultural discussion about gender expression, children’s spaces, and what qualifies as appropriate onboard entertainment.

The central development came when Inciarte publicly criticized the appearance of men performing as women during his cruise experience. In a direct message to the official cruise account, he wrote, “Hey @DisneyCruise.. love your cruises! Except for the part that there are man dressed as woman. Thought you already got over it.” The message circulated quickly, drawing attention not only from fans of the former outfielder but from Disney Cruise Line travelers and social media users engaged in ongoing dialogue about family entertainment rules.

Hey @DisneyCruise.. love your cruises! Except for the part that there are man dressed as woman… 🤦‍♂️ thought you already got over it..

— Ender Inciarte (@enderinciartem) December 21, 2025

Cross-Dressing Controversy

Only after backlash rolled in did Inciarte expand on his reasoning, insisting the remarks were not rooted in animosity. When one critic accused him of negativity, he replied, “It wasn’t hatred or a personal attack. It was an opinion based on my convictions. I believe in respecting everyone, but also in calling things by their name without mockery or contempt. Living in peace doesn’t mean silencing one’s conscience.” He reiterated that his frustration stemmed from encountering what he described as a 6-foot-tall performer “dressed as a woman,” adding that such an experience would unsettle his child. “Then where is my hate?” he wrote in another post. “All i am saying is having my kid enter a place where a 6ft tall guy is dressed as a woman and acting like one would traumatize my kid on a family cruise. I don’t think it’s hate i just don’t want to normalize that behavior.”

The All-Star did not provide details on which event or entertainment offering prompted his concern. Disney Cruise Line programming spans family spaces, theatrical shows, kid zones, and nightlife venues that allow adult-focused performances. While Disney has not commented, their ships are known for inclusive casting, character entertainment, and Pride-supportive spaces onboard. The company also separates children’s programming from nightlife experiences, giving families tools to filter activities on the Navigator app.

Still, Inciarte’s posts hit a cultural fault line. Supporters argued parents should feel comfortable raising concerns about content exposure for their children. Others disagreed, framing his comments as out of step with modern entertainment norms and LGBTQ+ representation. The back-and-forth extended beyond cruise forums and into sports circles and parenting threads, a reminder that even a single post from a public figure can ignite discourse far beyond its intended scope.

No policy violation was alleged and no evidence suggests the performer was outside Disney guidelines. Yet the situation raises questions many vacationing families consider quietly: Are entertainment labels clear enough? Where should family-friendly boundaries sit today? Should guests adjust expectations knowing Disney embraces inclusive performances?

An Ongoing Issue

Inciarte maintained that he was not attacking the performers themselves but pushing in favor of traditional presentation in children’s environments. Critics countered that theater, drag, and gender performance have deep roots in live entertainment for all ages. Disney history itself features characters coded with gender play, from Ursula’s drag-queen inspiration to comedic costume gags throughout early animation.

Whether this becomes a brief social media flashpoint or sparks longer conversation remains to be seen. Disney Cruise Line has previously responded to public controversies only when policy or safety was involved, and this moment appears rooted in cultural disagreement rather than rule violation.

For now, the discussion sits between personal values and evolving entertainment norms. In an era where family vacations intersect with identity, representation, and inclusion, one athlete’s opinion has unexpectedly steered a Disney cruise into headlines—proving again that the quietest post can make waves even out at sea.