Disney Parks discreetly announced that they would be ditching the term “fairy godmother” for gender-neutral language as part of the company’s ongoing effort to be more inclusive.
According to the New York Post, the change specifically affects the parks Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques in both Disneyland and Disney World.
The small but whimsical boutiques are where young girls ages 3 to 12 get to transform into princesses or knights. It has been one of the park’s most successful attractions.
Disney said it is set to reopen the boutiques on August 25th after another COVID-19 shutdown. They also noted when cast members (their term for employees) return, they will call themselves “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices” instead of “Fairy Godmothers in Training.”
The Disney blog “Streaming the Magic” said, “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.”
Not all Disney fans were thrilled about the gender-neutral changes to the company’s boutiques.
Multiple individuals across social media criticized the company for participating in “woke” culture.
“This is a mental illness…the magic is gone,” wrote another.
This is a mental illness…the magic is gone
— DisneyDreaming (@GoldenOakDreams) July 20, 2022
Another wrote, “This has to be a parody……right?”
This has to be a parody……right?
— Sid (@sid4364) July 21, 2022
“Thanks, but I do not want a dude with a 5 O’clock shadow giving my daughter her princess makeover,” said another person.
Thanks, but I do not want a dude with a 5 O’clock shadow giving my daughter her princess makeover.
— Biden Sucks (@LGBFJB_MegaMAGA) July 20, 2022
The changes come as Disney moves to make their theme parks more inclusive and politically correct. Last summer, Disney omitted “ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls” from its parks.
