A couple wanted Mickey Mouse’s help with their gender reveal. However, a cast member stopped the process and told them that Disney characters were not allowed to participate. Confused and blindsided, the couple took to TikTok to post their strange encounter with Disney employees while visiting Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The video, which was posted by TikTok @user45673920_, has since garnered over 10 million views on social media, with multiple former and current employees chiming in to add their thoughts.
In it, a Disneyland employee tells the family that “we cannot do that for you,” after they ask Mickey to open a wrapped gift containing their baby’s gender information. She then explained quietly that characters couldn’t participate in events such as the one that the couple was asking for.
Why does Disney not allow couples to do gender reveals?
According to many former cast members, it’s against Disney policy for characters to participate in gender reveals, proposals, or other “reveal” events. But this seems to directly contradict information relayed by groups like PlanDisney. PlanDisney offers information from Disney specialists who help guests plan trips to Disneyland and Disney World, respectively.
PlanDisney states that guests should make their gender reveal “subtle, sweet, and portable.” Nothing on the blog posts states that gender reveals are outright banned or that characters cannot participate in them. They even noted that guest relations would be able to “write in something like ‘Baby [Last Name]’ to help you mark the occasion all day and vacation long.”
But, cast members indicated that they’re not allowed to interact with official events like gender reveals. Disney does not coordinate official gender reveal events, ever. Other gender reveals have only been unofficial, with some employees assisting with events.
Disney doesn’t post these rules, but cast members confirmed this information in the comments section. “Former cast member! It’s against the rules for [Disney] characters to be part of gender reveals / proposals,” said one viewer. “You only see it happen [because] some guests do it on the spot without asking or without warning.”
Some Disneyland employees will bend the rules for guests, but they do so on a case-by-case basis and without approval from any official managers.
“Former Disney employee. What all of the other former employees are saying is correct,” one commenter shared. “However, some of us don’t care and want to help make the magic. I was working [in] the front of the castle setting up for fireworks and someone wanted to propose behind the rope, which is a no no when fireworks are getting ready. So I told him he had like 5 min and had to make it quick… Some employees are extreme rule followers.”
@user45673920_ #fry #genderreveal #pov #viraltiktok #disney ♬ Oh No (Instrumental) – Kreepa
Why would they want a gender reveal at Disney World to begin with?
Some commenters shamed the couple for wanting to have a Disney gender reveal to begin with. Apparently, commenters shared that adults who like Disney are “disturbing.”
For decades, many people have shamed Disney Adults, even Disney employees. Sometimes, the shame comes from a direct result of these adults’ behavior while visiting the parks. But other times, it’s just because someone’s having a good time at a “child-only” location.
Accusations of Peter Pan syndrome tend to come to those who enjoy theoretically “childish” pursuits, even when they’re doing so without disturbing others. But, commenters defended the couple and their decision to celebrate a future child at the parks.
“Y’all do realize Disney is a theme park? with roller coasters and thrill rides? Even alcohol. Of course adults are going to go to an amusement park,” said one viewer.
Another added, “People saying it’s disturbing for adults to be this excited for disney. Many adults when they were little didn’t get the chance to go to disney; you people need to stop judging people! Like [expletive], y’all act like y’all paying for these adults!”
The Mary Sue reached out to user45673920_ via TikTok direct message and Disney via email for comment.
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