Disney World in Florida is under fire after a viral video captured a mustached cast member working as a princess greeter inside Magic Kingdom’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, sparking a fierce debate about gender roles, inclusivity, and what families are paying for when they book the pricey experience. The clip, which first blew up on TikTok before spreading across X (formerly Twitter), shows a cast member with a visible mustache dressed in a princess-style costume, interacting with young guests at the boutique. The caption attached to the viral post read, “When you pay extra $$$ for quality time with a Disney Princess and you get one with a freaking Mustache!!!”
The footage unleashed a firestorm of criticism, with many parents and parkgoers slamming the move as another example of “woke” Disney going too far. One user fumed, “Disney is not a family destination anymore.” Another called it “sickening,” while one parent added, “This is creepy. I wouldn’t let my child near him. He works there for a reason!”
Others were just as blunt. “The parents should have demanded a refund. Unacceptable!” one comment read, racking up thousands of likes. Another grandparent wrote, “This is so disturbing. If those were my granddaughters there’d be an immediate change in plans.”
While the harsh backlash dominated, the video has also reignited discussions about inclusivity at Disney Parks. The company updated its “Disney Look” guidelines in 2021, allowing more freedom in self-expression for cast members, including gender-inclusive roles and visible tattoos.
Disney’s Inclusive Mission
Disney has repeatedly defended its commitment to representation and inclusivity. In an official statement, the company has said, “At Disney, inclusion is for everyone. Our intention is for our workforce to reflect the world in which we operate. Our Company is comprised of employees from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and communities.” That philosophy is what drives changes like the updated Disney Look guidelines, which allow cast members more freedom in self-expression, regardless of traditional gender roles.
For more than 100 years, Disney has been known as a family-friendly brand that avoids politics, focusing on magical storytelling and wholesome entertainment. But the company was thrust into the political spotlight during its feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, after it publicly opposed the state’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Since returning as CEO in 2022, Bob Iger has worked to steer Disney back toward its core values. Speaking at the 2023 annual shareholders meeting, he emphasized, “Our primary mission needs to be to entertain, and then through our entertainment to continue to have a positive impact on the world. I’m very serious about that. It should not be agenda-driven, it should be entertainment-driven.”
Supporters argue the magic should come from the kindness and interaction, not whether the princess greeter has a smooth face. Still, critics say the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience, where families pay hundreds of dollars for a makeover appointment, should reflect the fairytale characters kids see in movies.
