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31st May 2023
03:18pm BST
A Disneyland employee dressed as a 'Fairy Godmother's apprentice' has sparked calls for the resort to be boycotted - but also an outpouring of support.
Footage of the worker, who has a moustache and is wearing a blue and purple dress and makeup as he welcomes a young girl at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Anaheim, California, has been viewed eight million times on TikTok and prompted over 9,000 comments since May 26.
The attraction allows children aged three to 12 to transform into a Disney prince or princess by choosing from a selection of costumes, hairstyles, makeup, nail colours, and accessories. Staff at the boutique wear uniforms similar to the iconic Fairy Godmother’s dress from the 1950 animated classic film, Cinderella.
The clip was posted by um-of-three, Kournti Farber, who documented her family's trip to Disneyland where she said her daughter had an unforgettable experience.
"The staff were all so wonderful! They made the entire experience so real and magical," she wrote in response to one of the comments.
However, not everyone was happy about the worker, 'Nick', wearing a costume dress.
Disney, in recent years, has tried to be more inclusive, but some think it has gone too far.
In the clip - one of many Kournti posted from the outing - the employee greets guests entering the attraction.
"So, my name is Nick, I am one of the fairy godmother’s apprentices," they say, while ushering a little girl into the store.
"I’m here to shop you around and make all your selections for the day."
Conservative writer Peachy Keenan said: "A man in drag is not only bizarre and inappropriate but it takes guests out of the 'show' – the illusion is broken.
"Nothing matters but the agenda and your 4 yo is a pawn they are happy to mindflay."
Dave Rubin, who hosts the 'Rubin Report' wrote: "This fella will be hired by the Biden to run out nuke program by the end of the day…
"This is a dude with a moustache in a dress. Not a 'trans' person. Think how many real girls want that job at Disney and they gave it to him for a reason."
Another user said: "I’m already boycotting Disney, so should everyone else."
However, commenters on both TikTok and Twitter, fully supported Nick.
One wrote: "I love that Nick is part of this."
Another added: "I’m so glad Disney now lets CMs choose which costumes (“male/female version”) they feel most comfortable in."
A third added: "I hope that Nick makes every single magical dream they ever have, come true. Beautiful soul."
Other Disney-goers also shared their own interactions with Nick.
“He was the sweetest. My daughter was worried about getting her nails done and he was so good and patient with her,” said one TikToker.
Another commented: “We had Nick and my girls loved him. He was so awesome!”
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique workers were previously called 'Fairy Godmothers in Training' but last summer that was given a gender-neutral rebrand and became, 'Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices'.
Disney said at the time: "This way, cast members that might not identify as female can still be part of the process to dress up & style the children without having to refer to themselves as a female Disney character."
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