Credit: DisneyThe Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has changed a lot over the years, and, as with many updates at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Parks fans have strong opinions about it. Let’s go over what’s changed about the popular makeover experience, and what Disney Park guests have to say.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a must-do experience for many families visiting Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, or the international Disney parks, as well as on Disney Cruises. Guests three to twelve can transform into their favorite Disney Princess, a valiant knight, or some of the sisters from Encanto (2021). Tiered packages at different price points include anything from a pink t-shirt to deluxe gowns.
In September, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort announced plans to overhaul the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience beginning in October. Both Disney parks plan to introduce new, simplified packages to make booking their makeovers easier. The Fairy Godmother will also start making visits with young guests during their time in the salon. A few weeks after Disney announced these changes, Magic Kingdom Park revealed the permanent closure of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Disney PhotoPass studio in Sir Mickey’s, a store located steps from the salon in Fantasyland.
This is just the latest overhaul to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience in the last few years. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Walt Disney World Resort failed to reopen two of the three salons that once operated at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney Springs. Only the Cinderella Castle location remains.
Then, in 2022, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort began to allow Disney cast members of all genders to work at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Once female-only Fairy Godmothers In Training, the salon employees are now known as Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices, and can select costumes that correspond to their personal gender expression preferences. The same goes for the Disney Cruise Line, where cast members of all genders help transform eager young guests into royalty.
Among Disney Parks fans, this has been the most controversial change to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Three years later, when the Disney parks announced more updates to the makeover experience, reports about the closed Disney PhotoPass studio reignited conversations about the now-gender-inclusive offering.
Some Disney Parks fans claimed that Disney had to close the Disney PhotoPass studio because fewer parents wanted to bring their children into the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. (However, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort’s websites will tell you that the salon is almost always fully booked months in advance, though walk-up appointments are sometimes available.)
“Maybe it closed due to a mother who paid alot for her daughter, only to get a gender princess with a mustache,” one commenter wrote. “Why do you people throw this in our faces. Princess are born girls. Prince’s are born boys. Get with true family values. Stop destroying our kids.”
“I’m gay, and I think CMs in drag is a step too far!” said another. “Don’t throw that into children’s faces who won’t understand it, and potentially get freaked out. Leave the experience to women!”
“This boutique is for girls. Princesses are girls. The Fairy Godmother is a girl,” a third echoed. “Boys go to be dressed up as [Knights] Our Grandson did the Pirates. Led by men. Perhaps this is why the boutique’s are falling flat.”
Still, plenty of Disney Parks fans appreciate that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is more inclusive than it was before.
“Being a ‘Fairy Godmother’s Apprentice’ is not a bad description…. It’s no different than ‘in training’, actually it gives it more weight,” one commenter argued. “It would make the kids feel even more special. Just think of The Sword and the Stone…. Arthur was an Apprentice, not ‘in training’. In the business world you are not simply ‘in training’, ‘in training’ is for a job with your name on your shirt….. Apprentice is someone that currently has a low position but can move up a ladder and one day be in a position of power.”
“How is being accepting of everyone alienating anyone?” another asked. “If other being accepted makes you feel alienated then that’s a you problem. The only people who are being ‘alienated’ are those who feel that they are superior to anyone who is different than them.”
“People are getting mad over something that doesn’t affect them in the least!” a third Disney Parks fan agreed. “The change is ONLY for the cast members that work at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, not for the children since they can be either pirates or princesses. It won’t affect you, and it won’t affect your child.”
Despite the ongoing debate, the upcoming overhaul of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique does not include changing the gender-inclusive costume and employment policy, or the term “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentice.”
Is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique currently worth the price? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments!