Disneyland enthusiasts have united on social media to show their solidarity for an employee affectionately known as the "Fairy Godmother's Apprentice."
In a heartening video posted on TikTok by a user named Kourtni (with the handle @kourtnifaber), the clip captures her family's recent visit to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The footage showcases a touching moment where a staff member, referred to as Nick, warmly greets guests near the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a store dedicated to children. The worker introduces himself as Nick, one of the apprentices under the Fairy Godmother's wing. He enthusiastically states that his role is to assist in guiding visitors and helping them make their choices throughout the day. This interaction was captured on video, where Nick can be heard addressing the daughter of the influencer.
Watch Kourtni's TikTok below:
As of the time of writing, the video has garnered an astounding 10 million views and 1.1 million likes. Unfortunately, it has also faced criticism, particularly from conservative commentators.
Sara Gonzales, a TV host, strongly expressed her disapproval, stating, "Stop taking your family to Disney." Brandon Morse, an editor at Red State, joined in the criticism, remarking, "May you never experience the same downfall as poor Walt."
Nevertheless, the outpouring of love and support from Disney fans has outweighed the negativity. Many fans flooded the comments section with words of admiration. One fan emphasized, "Nick looks incredible. I appreciate that Disney Cast Member costumes are no longer limited by gender."
Another user enthusiastically exclaimed, "That cast member is extraordinary! Nick is awesome!" Meanwhile, a third individual remarked, "Nick appears to genuinely love his job, which is rare to find these days."
A fourth user shared a personal encounter with Nick, sharing their positive experience, stating, "I adore Nick! I had the pleasure of teaching them colorguard for a season, and they were one of the most delightful individuals I've ever had the opportunity to teach."
Finally, a Twitter user voiced their support, affirming, "This is actually a positive thing. Representation matters, and children should understand that this is acceptable!" In a move towards inclusivity, the Walt Disney Company made an announcement last year regarding a title change for employees at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The previous designation of "Fairy Godmothers in Training" has been replaced with the gender-neutral term "Fairy Godmother's Apprentices."
The corporation stated their reasoning behind this change, expressing that it allows cast members who do not identify as female to participate in the dressing up and styling process for children, without having to associate themselves exclusively with female Disney characters. The New York Post reported this information.
Additionally, the employees working at the attraction now wear uniforms reminiscent of the iconic dress worn by the beloved Fairy Godmother in the 1950 animated film Cinderella.
Moreover, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers children aged three to 12 the opportunity to transform into a Disney prince or princess. They can choose from a variety of costumes, hairstyles, makeup, nail colors, and accessories. Kourtni's viral video showcased the pricing range for these costumes, which was between $250 and $450.
