The “Happiest Place On Earth” is again facing national criticism for its controversial promotion of LGBT expression around children.
On May 31, a viral video revealed a male cast member dressed in woman’s clothing working with little girls at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disneyland Park.
Taking its name and overall inspiration from Walt Disney Animation’s feature film “Cinderella” and the Fairy Godmother’s magic words, which triggers Cinderella’s “rags to riches” transformation, the boutique is a long-established extra-cost service that gives guests under 12 the opportunity to dress up like their favorite princess. Boys also have the opportunity to be transformed into Prince Charming or a knight.
Until now, the boutique was operated by an all-woman staff with the title of Fairy Godmother. But this video coming out of Disneyland appears to prove those days are over. And while integrating men into the Disneyfied beauty parlor may not ruffle too many feathers, the video shows that this obviously male Disneyland cast member was dressed like a woman—makeup, dress, and all.
The video was posted to TikTok as a mom showed her daughter getting the princess treatment.
“So, my name is Nick, I am one of the Fairy Godmother’s apprentices,” said the cast member who greeted her daughter at the door. “I’m here to shop you around and make all your selections for the day.”
The mother did not comment against the presence of the man dressed in a woman’s clothing, but many viewers were quick to express their opposition in the comments and across the internet.
“This salon, which I have used several times, is for little girls ages 4-10. It is a delight from start to finish, and one of the cutest things to watch. A true ‘Disney magic’ immersive experience – one of the very few left at the park,” wrote writer and mother Peachy Keenan on Twitter about the video.
“A man in drag is not only bizarre and inappropriate but it takes guests out of the ‘show’ – the illusion is broken,” she wrote. “Nothing matters but the agenda and your 4 yo is a pawn they are happy to mindflay.”
The video is only the latest example of what appears to be Disney’s multi-year trend towards being more “inclusive.”
By T.J. Muscaro
