Disney Parks Replace 'Fairy Godmothers' Title With 'Apprentice' For Gender Inclusivity: Report

In an effort to be more inclusive, Disney has switched the term "fairy godmothers" in dress-up shops in its theme parks in the United States to the gender-neutral "apprentice" designation, according to the websites of the parks. Previously known as "Fairy Godmothers in Training," cast members at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disney parks assist kids in dressing up as their favourite Disney characters using costumes and makeup. These days, they go by the name "Fairy Godmother's Apprentices." 

A third-party Disney website called Streaming The Magic can be quoted as saying, “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." An update on the Disney resort website states that the significant change will take effect in August when the pandemic-related long-term closures of the boutiques at Disney World and Disneyland are lifted.

Disney Gender Inclusivity

Children between the ages of 3 and 12 receive makeovers at the boutiques that turn them into princesses or knights. According to both parks' websites, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom will reopen on August 25 following pandemic closures. Disney reportedly has taken a number of steps in recent years to make its parks more accessible, according to NBC News.

According to WDW News Today, Disney stopped using the phrase "ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls" at its parks last summer. Following significant criticism that the rides Splash Mountain and Jungle Cruise portrayed racial and cultural stereotypes, the park also redesigned those attractions.

Sharing a post on Twitter on Wednesday, The WDW News Today said, "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Cast Members Get Gender Neutral Title, New Look at MagicBand+, Disneyland Paris Cuts Holes in Hoses to Combat Extreme Heat & More: Daily Recap (7/19/22)."

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The parks and resorts business segment was taken over by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. on September 29, 2008. Due to declining attendance brought on by the recession, Disney Parks and Resorts underwent reorganisation at the beginning of 2009. This included layoffs in every unit. 600 American managers received buyout offers in January. President Al Weiss established Worldwide Operations in 2009. Training, purchasing, meal planning, and merchandise development are just a few of the back-office duties that Worldwide Operations would take over from Disney World and Disneyland. While its three development units for Walt Disney Imagineering were united.