Disney World is famous. I know that was unnecessary, but it is very true. And not just because of the mouse, but the people Disney hires to take care or the millions of guests that come through those gates. So, as a Cast Member, you are required to adhere to a few guidelines to keep that reputation alive.
As a Cast Member (what Disney calls their employees) you must be aware of your appearance and your behavior when ‘on stage’ (anytime you are in a public area). When you are working you have to consciously be aware of things that might distract our Guests from their magical experience. Such situations might be chewing gum, having poor posture, using a cell phone, frowning, and many other things. Smoking and eating are strictly prohibited on stage. You must look clean (shirt tucked in, costume clean and pressed, name tag on, ect.). You may not where your name tag while visiting the parks as a guest, so therefore shopping or riding a ride in costume is prohibited.
Nametags
Disney prides themselves on being a ‘first-name organization’. Kind of like the ‘Cheer’s’ song “where everybody knows your name”. Al Cast Members are issued a nametag that must be worn correctly; that is upright and readable on the outside layer of clothing. It should be worn on the left shoulder area, but due to costuming this position might change. You cannot wear
them on lanyards, ties, hats, wristbands, or on shirt collars.
Your nametag will be your legal first or middle name, or a derivative of your name. You can have the name of your hometown or your college or university engraved onto your nametag. If you speak any language (fluently) other than English, you will be issued a special nametag can accommodates up to five approved language flags.
Pins & ButtonsAll Cast Members have the option of wearing up to two approved pins on their nametag, in addition to any approved language flags. Stickers or other decorations are not permitted on the nametag or costume. The approved pins are:
- Most recent service pin
- Partners in Excellence pin
- 1971 Opening Team pin
In addition to your nametag and the nametag pins we just talked about, up to two separate approved pins/buttons may be worn directly on the costume. You can wear these pins on the upper right shoulder, although it may vary due to costume design. The Trainer pin is included in this guideline as well as any pin or button approved for a significant property anniversary or major celebration.
Any request to allow a pin or button (other than the Trainer pin) to be worn on the costume must be approved in advance by the Cast Image and Appearance Team. After you have received approval, a pin or button may be worn for one week from date of issue or, when appropriate, for the duration of the event. For example, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival buttons would be permitted for the duration of the festival.
Company Identification Cards
-taken from
www.wdwcollegeprogram.com-
To help ensure the safety and security of our guests and Cast Members, all Cast Members are required to follow the policy below regarding Company ID cards.
Costumed Cast: Cast Members in costume must have their Walt Disney Company photo ID with them at all times, but they do not need to wear it. While backstage in costume, your ID may be worn on a lanyard (if you choose) for convenience. However, to preserve the theming of our guest show, your Company ID may not be worn while onstage.
Non-costumed Cast: Cast Members who are not wearing a costume are required to visibly wear their Walt Disney Company photo ID card in backstage areas at all times. Non-costumed Cast Members are not required to wear their Company ID while onstage but may choose to do so for convenience. Your Company ID may be worn on a pin-trading lanyard or traditional black lanyard as outlined below. In addition:
- Nametags are not permitted on the lanyard.
- No ribbons, buttons, pins, etc., should be attached to the ID holder or lanyard strap (except as appropriate on the pin trading lanyard).
- The lanyards sold in Company D stores, which have a cloisonné Character attachment, are permitted in place of the standard black lanyard.
- Lanyard cords are not permitted in any color other than solid black.
- Photo ID Requirement: Cast Members with a company ID card that does not include a photo must be prepared to show secondary photo identification (driver's license, state identification card, etc.) in conjunction with their Walt Disney Company ID card.
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Eyewear
Sunglasses are not technically forbidden, but should definitely be avoided. They are a block to interpersonal communication. They may be worn in jobs where glare from water, counter tops, direct sunlight, ect. Would prevent you from doing your job safely or efficiently. If you must where glasses, they must be opaque enough so your eyes are visible. No dark or mirrored lenses are permitted. They may not be worn at night (sorry Corey Heart), in dark areas, or indoors. They must be removed when engaging with Guests in extended interactions, and may not be visible when not in use.
The frames and the lenses of eyeglasses and sunglasses should be a neutral color like black, brown, or metal (for frames), with a conservative style and no contrasting logos. No frames of lenses in shades like blue, pink, green, yellow, ect. Will be permitted. Glasses and sunglasses shouldn’t detract from the costume or contradict the theme of the show.
If you wear tinted contacts, the resulting eye color must be natural and look appropriate with your skin tone. Try your best not to be distracting.
Body Alteration or Modification
Intentional body alteration or modification to achieve a visible, physical effect that disfigures, deforms or similarly detracts from a professional image is no allowed. Examples include, but are not limited to, visible tattoos, brands, body piercing (other than traditional ear piercing for women), tongue piercing or splitting, tooth filing, earlobe expansion, and acquiring visible, disfiguring skin implants.
Methods to conceal an unacceptable piercing or tattoo, such as using a bandage, are not permitted. For tattoo coverage, opaque makeup will be permitted if it completely conceals the tattoo. Spacers or retainers are not permitted in any visible body piercing while working. Jewelry worn in non-visible piercing that may pose a safety risk because of costume design and/or job responsibilities will not be permitted.
Personal Hygiene
Because you will be interacting in close contact with guests and fellow Cast Members, use anti-perspirant or deodorant. Also don‘t use strong, heavy scents and fragrances. If you choose to wear a scent or fragrance product, please be considerate of others and select a light, mild scent. For real, it is hot down there. Don’t be stinky!
-the remainder of the text is an excerpt from
www.wdwcollegeprogram.com-
Medical Restrictions/Religious Accommodation Requests
Requests for an exception to the Disney Look policy for medical reasons must be presented to the Health Services Department with supporting medical documentation.
A copy of the request and medical information will be retained at Health Services.
A statement of approved restrictions will be issued at Health Services to be delivered to your manager.
Any request for an exception to the Disney Look policy for religious beliefs or questions regarding the accommodation of medical restrictions or religious beliefs must be directed to the Cast Image and Appearance office.
Entertainers
If an exception to the appearance guidelines is required for a particular role in a staged show or production, approval must be obtained from the Vice President of Entertainment and the Cast Image and Appearance Team.
Otherwise, all entertainers must adhere to the appearance standards as set forth in this manual.
Appearance Policy DisciplineThe appearance guidelines contained in this handbook have been established for the Walt Disney World® Resort and may be changed at any time. Failure of any Cast Member to adhere to these or any subsequently established or modified standards will result in appropriate disciplinary action, not excluding termination. Cast Members, including those covered by a collective bargaining agreement, may be disciplined when the Appearance Policy is not followed.
Ensuring consistent administration of the Walt Disney World® Appearance Policy is the responsibility of Management, the Cast Image and Appearance Team, your Human Resources representative and Employee Relations. Specific questionable deviations from the policy should be referred to the Cast Image and Appearance Team for further assessment.
