Cast Members working in the Disney Parks are known for dressing and grooming in a certain way we will refer to as the “Disney Look.” Now Disney its loosening their requirements for Cast Members and they will be permitted more freedom in this area with the addition of the fifth key: Inclusion.
Disney released an update to the “Disney Look,” the standards which guide all Disney Cast Members in the area of dress and grooming. The latest changes allow Cast Members more freedom of hairstyles, jewelry, nail polish and costume choices.
In a statement, Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro said, “The world is changing, and we will change with it, and continue to be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world. We’ll never stop working to make sure that Disney is a welcoming place for all.”
Cast Members will also be allowed to wear visible tattoos, as long as they are not inappropriate. This is the first time Disney has allowed them.
Restrictions for facial hair such as length and shapes have also been removed. The only requirements are that it is well groomed and maintained.
Nail polish is still limited to one solid color and nails must be trimmed to no more than a quarter of an inch beyond the fingertip.
The full list of changes and guidelines can be found in the “Disney Look Book.”
Josh D’Amaro added: “Our new approach provides greater flexibility with respect to forms of personal expression surrounding gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles, and costume choices; and allowing appropriate visible tattoos. We’re updating them to not only remain relevant in today’s workplace, but also enable our cast members to better express their cultures and individuality at work.
Moving forward, we believe our cast, who are at the center of the magic that lives in all our experiences, can provide the best of Disney’s legendary guest service when they have more options for personal expression – creating richer, more personal and more engaging experiences with our guests.”
No date was given for these changes, but expect them to be implemented in the coming weeks.
They may seem like small changes, but I guarantee that for many of the Cast Members, they are welcome ones.
What is the “Disney Look” you ask? By definition “friendly, classic appearance” meaning no extreme styles of any kind is permitted. This goes back to the 1950’s and Walt Disney himself.
As you probably know, Walt Disney was a big family man, and even didn’t allow the consumption of alcohol in his parks for fear of breaking the ambiance so to say. He also enforced that Cast Members had to dress and groom in a way that at that time was considered wholesome and family-friendly. Anyone who didn’t keep to these standards was not allow to work in the Disney Parks.
Disney’s current policy reads:
“The Disney Look, in conjunction with The 5 Keys – Safety, Courtesy, Inclusion, Show, and Efficiency – ensure Walt Disney’s vision for a great Guest experience. The Disney Look is clean, polished, and approachable. It is designed with our costumed and non-costumed Cast Members in mind.
The following guidelines have been developed to establish consistency and to maintain the quality and integrity of the Disney brand. As you read this handbook, remember that you are the key to keeping our heritage alive and creating an unparalleled experience for our Guests each and every day.”
The standards have gotten more permissive since the 1950’s and this is the latest change in a more inclusive stand from Disney.
According to Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s goal is to “enable our Cast Members to better express their cultures and individuality at work.”
Disney has been working hard to make inclusion apparent in the parks, especially on the rides.
Recently they announced a big refurbishment to the Jungle Cruise and changing Splash Mountain to a Princess and the Frog themed attraction.
Disney is committed to the cultural change and will continue to implement more attractions, experiences and standards throughout the company to meet the 5th key of inclusion.
Disney promised more updates on how they are working inclusion into the parks and we will be updating you with more info soon.
In the meantime, here is the new video Disney put together to show their commitment to inclusion in the company:
Also, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. There we bring you the latest updates on the “Disney Look” as well as our best Disney vacation planning tips. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!
Your Thoughts:
I want to know what you think about the Disney changing the dress and grooming requirements for Cast Members…
- Is this a good move?
- What other requirements should or shouldn’t there be for Disney Cast Members?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.
Courtney Angelilli
Wednesday 2nd of August 2023
Anything you would be willing to send my way would be helpful! I have been struggling to find work and feel like perhaps working at WDW, even picking up trash would be something I could do.
Peter
Thursday 29th of December 2022
I feel Disney should have stuck with the 'look guidelines' as they have been for many years. What's the point of going to Disney if it simply reflects the world around them? It's supposed to be different. That's what the Disney bubble is. The entrance sign has always said, "Here you leave the world of today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy". Potential cast member were apprised up front that these were the standards they would have to conform to and if they were uncomfortable with it that this may not be the job for them at this time.
I'm not surprised since the company went so strongly embraced 'woke' ideology in the last few years. Sadly, it was only inevitable that everything else, including the 'look' guidelines, would change accordingly.
RBG
Saturday 17th of April 2021
"Inclusion" suggests some were not welcome or were not allowed. (Not included) Must have missed the sign at the enterance !
Change to appease is not change in itself, it is posturing to drive an agenda. Special privilidges for some suggest others are worthy of discrimination, and can be groomed to conform to someone elses ideal of normal.
Catering to special interest, guarantees devaluation to others interests. Should be interesting to see how the transition of policies and procedures, effect the majority of the paying public.
But like everything else, the true face of change will show it's face, only when it is challenged. It's purpose will linger below the surface, until it's conveniently set in place. Then any deviation from the new ideals, will be squashed and defined as non-conformity.
Change for agendas purposes, may work in the public forums of control, but lets see how it does when Mr. And Mrs. (And all the other titles afforded to whomever) Consumer, is PAYING for this ideal foisted upon them ?
RBG
Saturday 17th of April 2021
@RBG,
A recycled article to get hits.
It will be withdrawn within a few days, and put back into mothballs.
Carol
Thursday 15th of April 2021
Under a uniform dress code you could tell who was a Park employee, if you needed one. Now, you won't be able to tell who is an employee or just a park visitor from either side or back. You would have to see them face on to see that they wear a name tag to know they were a park employee (cast member). Allowing the facial hair, hair style, acceptable tattoo, and jewelry is OK. I also agree with the alcohol comments.
Bruce Webb
Tuesday 13th of April 2021
In the old days, the only people with facial hair were the people who had mustaches that were cast member who had worked at Disney since Walt was alive. They could usually answer any question. Now, not so much.
Also when Disney Land opened, most men wore suits, most women wore dresses. Glad they didn't require a dress code to enter the park. Or if they had would have been very glad to have it changed.