There are special places on Disney property where kids from ages three to twelve can go for a magical makeover.
The magical salons are called Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques and allow both boys and girls to choose between a princess or knight transformation. The name comes from Disney’s 1950 Cinderella. The Fairy Godmother famously transforms Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown with the words “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!”
Disney Cast Members take on the role of Fairy Godmothers for young Park Guests. Up until the summer of 2022, these female-identifying Cast Members were referred to as “Fairy Godmothers in Training.” In an effort to be more gender-inclusive, Disney changed their title to “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices” in July 2022.
Kourtni Faber (@kourtnifaber on TikTok) posted a video of her daughter’s experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California.
While the video is just under two minutes long, the internet became laser-focused on the first seven seconds. Nick, a Disney Cast Member and Fairy Godmother’s Apprentice, welcomes Faber’s daughter into the boutique.
Nick is male-presenting, has a full mustache, wears blue eye makeup, and wears the traditional dress/apron costume assigned to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Cast.
He waves warmly at the children entering. When Faber’s daughter reaches the front, he says, “My name is Nick. I’m one of the Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices. I’m here to shop you around and make all your selections for the day.”
Ignoring the next shot of the $250 – $450 (!?) mini Disney Princess dresses, the internet quickly divided on the issue of Nick.
Some conservative Disney fans added this to their current list of reasons to boycott Disney, while some cried “wokeism” and denounced the inclusive decision.
Others argued that they were glad Disney allows their Cast Members to wear costumes they feel most comfortable in, and more cited the importance of representation.
See the video of the whole TikTok below. Her daughter chooses the Belle princess dress and to have her hair in a bun.
@kourtnifaber A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep 👑 ✨ #disneyland #bibbidibobbidiboutique #corememory
♬ original sound – Kourtni
It is worth mentioning that while some grieved “Walt Disney’s legacy,” Faber herself made no mention of gender in her caption or video, and the comment section is overwhelmingly supportive of Nick.
Some commenters claim to have met him at their own Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experiences and give him high praise!
Fox News shared this Tweet on the matter:
This looks utterly harmless to me and I think would just look silly to any kid. Stop seeing enemies everywhere, we have enough real ones.
This looks utterly harmless to me and I think would just look silly to any kid. Stop seeing enemies everywhere, we have enough real ones. https://t.co/x0tJWueVs7
— Avi Woolf, Wilderness Conservative? (@AviWoolf) May 30, 2023
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is also available at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. There are salon locations in the Magic Kingdom theme park, at the Disney Springs shopping center, and at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Most recently, some Disney fandom is accusing the company of grooming children after a “Drag Queen” parade performance went viral. The images are of a man dressed in female clothing during a March 2024 Disney parade.
Do you think Disney should return to stricter clothing guidelines for their Cast Members or keep the inclusion changes? Let us know in the comments.
I would not allow a male fairy whatever to be off influence to my daughter or granddaughter. What a sad commentary on the running off our beloved Disney Parks!