A FGiT is a Fairy Godmother in Training at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This a highly competitive role to get into as a College Programmer because there are limited spots and Disney looks for specific skill sets for this role. It helps to be looked at for this role if there is some form of Hair/Make-Up experience on an applicants resume. Some girls did get this role with no experience of either but had very good children/theatre skills. Don't be discouraged though, if an applicant is passionate about getting into the boutique, it will show! And unfortunately, there are no Fairy Godfathers in Training here.
Q: What made you want to do the Disney College Program?
A: I heard about the program a bunch of times from a variety of friends but never thought about applying until my mom told me to look more into it. In Fall 2011, I was at a stall in my life where I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do and couldn't waste more money taking classes that wouldn't be useful in the long run. I ended up doing two programs (Spring 2012 and right after graduation in Spring 2014).
Q: What was your role and location? Was it your first choice?
A: For both of my programs, I had the privilege of being a FGiT. It was my first choice and the best choice for me. There are two locations that you can be placed in (Downtown Disney in World of Disney and Magic Kingdom in Cinderella's Castle). I was lucky to be statused at both (DTD my first program and MK for my second) but there is a high possibility of deployment as well if the other location needs it.
Q: What was the training like?
A.The training is very extensive but so much fun. Most of the girls who become FGiTs have had hair experience, or make up experience so the first two days are spent working with doll heads in a back room with your trainer (one on one training usually) and might be with another trainer and her trainee. Then it's two days working with your trainer on the floor watching her work on real little girls until she thinks you're ready to work on a princess' hairstyle. The last day is Podium training and learning how to check Royal Families into the boutique.
At the castle, there are 4 different positions that can be pulled from CDS (computer system): 3 podium positions, and Chair positions. If podium is pulled, then you are scheduled to stay there for the whole entire shift and same with Chair. Chair positions is when a FGiT does hair on a princess or prince.
At Downtown Disney, there are two Podium FGiTs and then the rest are Chairs. A magical experience that DTD or Disney Springs has is a Window Chair. There is a window display in the front of Princess Hall in World of Disney that a Princess can be transformed there instead. Some princess loved this but some were also too shy to want to get transformed up there.
Q: What were the best things about your role?
A:The best part of being a FGiT is having the chance to make a little girls wish come true. It's a completely magical experience and being able to make so many magical moments happen was really the best. I still remember my most magical princesses and the times I had with them. I once had a princess who had an appointment the first day of her vacation and then was able to get a walk up appointment at the end of her vacation. Princess Sarah got the same exact hairstyle and her mom allowed her to do it again because I apparently made such an impact on the little girl that they wouldn't have any other FGiT do Princess Sarah's hair again.
And being able to create a magical moment off the clock in normal clothes for another Princess was also a highlight of my program and the family's vacation (back when Rapunzel was first released, her dress was very popular and the boutique didn't have any in stock. We lost 4 reservations because of this but a group of FGiTs was able to make the littlest one into a Princess after hours and had a really fun Photoshoot with her as well).
Q: The worst?
A: The worst part of this role would be the long hours (normal would be 12-13 hour shifts and getting about 45 hour work weeks), and the ability to get sick easily (FGiTs literally get right up into little kids faces in this role). There was at least one FGiT who was sick at all times and it's hard to not call out and get reprimands in this role. Another downside of this role is the possibility of Lice (FGiTs call it Pumba). This will be covered extensively in training but essentially If a FGiT sees a princess with lice in the early stages of the transformation, the transformation is then stopped by a leader. It is potential harm to a FGiT and Disney does really care about protecting their employees. After the princess gets sent on her way (she still gets to take everything home and doesn't pay for it), the FGiT has to go to costuming and get a new costume to change into while the station has to be cleaned down.
Q: Would you recommend this role to a friend?
A: ABSOLUTELY. It really is such a magical role and we think it's almost better than being entertainment (not to brag but it's true). There is a story behind the role just like Characters, but as a FGiT, we got to be ourselves and be remembered as ourselves.
Q: What advice would you give to new CPs in this role?
A: My biggest advice is to be Magical. You are there to make everything magical for the Royal Families while you are there and you can't have your personal life get in the way (it's hard but you have to do it sometimes).
Q: What are you up to now?
I am currently working in Recruiting for government programs. I miss Disney a lot and hopefully I will be back very soon
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