At what point does clothing become a "costume"?

[ArwenMarie]

Hence, the suggestion for the "guest uniform." Disney could sell a million of 'em...

That's a little hot for Central Florida!

 

[DisneyOma]

I didn't say they were representing Disney characters, I said they are costumes. I have yet to see anywhere that Disney is saying their rule is "no Disney character costumes" - they have only said "no costumes".

So if the interpretation is it can't be Disney characters or look like CMs, that would mean I can come to the parks dressed as my skeleton, and the folks I saw who were the Flintstones, Minions, Harry Potter, Olive Oil & Popeye etc could all still dress as those characters since they clearly are not Disney characters ............. that makes no sense.

All I am saying is if Disney is saying "no costumes" period, they need to let people know what they think is a costume because clearly we all have different views.

But they aren't costumes - from Wikipedia (which I don't usually quote, but had the clearest wording for what I wanted to point out): " This general usage has gradually been replaced by the terms "dress", "attire" or "wear" and usage of "costume" has become more limited to unusual or out-of-date clothing and to attire intended to evoke a change in identity, such as theatrical, Halloween, and mascot costumes."

The dresses are not mascots, theatrical (as in portaying a character) or Halloween. Would someone think they may be a character though? I'm not sure, as I know they are not, and I'm a woman in my 50's. I'd guess most younger people would know they are not, nor would think they were in any sort of costume, just fancy dresses.

 

[HopperFan]

But they aren't costumes - from Wikipedia (which I don't usually quote, but had the clearest wording for what I wanted to point out): " This general usage has gradually been replaced by the terms "dress", "attire" or "wear" and usage of "costume" has become more limited to unusual or out-of-date clothing and to attire intended to evoke a change in identity, such as theatrical, Halloween, and mascot costumes."

The dresses are not mascots, theatrical (as in portaying a character) or Halloween. Would someone think they may be a character though? I'm not sure, as I know they are not, and I'm a woman in my 50's. I'd guess most younger people would know they are not, nor would think they were in any sort of costume, just fancy dresses.

To YOU they aren't. But to ME they are. NEITHER of us matter. Only DISNEY's opinion matters.

It's not black and white, lots of gray. All I am saying is saying "no costumes" means nothing without an explanation.

And I'm not sure why people keep saying "they aren't characters" because Disney themselves has said nothing about characters. They have said two words "no costumes." Very vague and open to all kinds of interpretations.

 

[larryz]

That's a little hot for Central Florida!

Ok, then -- how's this?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Ok, then -- how's this?

that's better

 

[MsMagical]

Way back when there was a military training facility in Orlando. I forget what it was called or what it is for. But I very much saw sailors in uniform at Disney. Probably due to that being the extent of their wardrobe while there. Like when sailors are in uniform during Fleet Week in NYC. [Just looked it up and the Orlando location served as a Boot Camp for the Navy--hence sailors wear their uniforms and not civilian dress when visiting the mouse. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Training_Center_Orlando Obviously, no boot camp now and not the same situation.]

You are totally correct about the sailors in uniform (at least during the early 90s). My husband was one of those sailors and he said the same as you did. If a sailor was in uniform, they were in boot camp. Once they got permission to be out of uniform, they didn't wear them out to Disney.

 

[MataHari22]

Ok, then -- how's this?

Idk if that's good either, might be a tad see through when getting wet on the water rides.

 

[StuckInKS]

Before Disney starts debating on period dress, steampunk and the like, they need to start enforcing their actual "adults can't dress like characters" rule, as we saw no less than 3 older teen and adult women dressed in actual princess costumes (like, from the movies) on our last trip. My 10-year-old kept pointing it out to time saying "Mom, I thought adults weren't allowed to dress like the characters." This was in May, so it definitely wasn't MNSSHP...

 

[BarbieGal457]

We were there on 12/12 and saw two girls about my age, mid 20s, in Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum costumes at about 1:00pm. Now, they looked adorable but they were not even CLOSE to Disneybounding, they were definitely actual store-bought costumes. I was surprised they were let in like that (or maybe they changed once there) but they surely were in costume. In all my trips and knowing the rules, I'd never seen that before and really was honestly surprised. Many people were commenting on their costumes too. We only saw them when they rode with us on Mine Train and didn't see them after that so I wonder if they were asked to change or leave or something.

I think it will be interesting to see what happens for MNSSHP but that is still about 8.5 months away and I have a feeling they will relax the new rule for the party nights. I'm hoping to go to my first MNSSHP in 2016 and I particularly don't care either way if I can dress up or not (I hate wearing fussy costumes haha since I was little) but I know it matters to a lot of people and I think it'd be nice to allow it to continue.

 

[larryz]

Idk if that's good either, might be a tad see through when getting wet on the water rides.

Well, then, it'll be fun for the whole family...

 

[Catvondita]

EXACTLY what I am saying. Disney HAS to sit down and come up with a clear definition of costume to them, put it in writing, publish it and be prepared to defend it at the gate. It can't be a rule of the day, they must be consistent. These boards alone show that everyone has a different opinion on what costume means to them.

100% fine with no costumes on 14 and older (except at MNSSHP because it's part of the holiday) on normal day BUT Disney has to define "what is a costume." And you gave great examples. I've seen Dappers that could have been part of DHS street entertainment. How do you handle that? Fine line between style choices and what appears to be costumes in a location that all employees are costumed.

This is what I posted on another thread regarding same issue:

---------------------------

THIS is exactly why Disney is going to need to have a serious discussion among themselves to determine "what is a costume?" and make it very clear in writing to avoid issues at the gate.

What you describe as what you are wearing, absolutely in my mind is a costume. We wear shorts and tshirts that have been painted and decorated, so I consider it a costume.

To me - if you, an adult, would not wear it in everyday life (USA since that is where WDW is located) aka work, school, shopping, church, out to dinner and even just hanging around the house ............. then it's a costume. If it's a prom dress, it's a costume. Most photos that people have posted saying they don't consider it a costume, I would.

So now that the general public does not have a uniform view of costume, Disney will have to be very clear as to what they view as a costume.

Perfect example below. Poster feels this is just a style choice. Maybe in another location, but here in the USA that to me is clearly costumes/cosplay. Cosplay = costumes. WAY more costume than my outfit. If costumes are banned on adults, these should be banned.

Just throwing out another opinion. I have a few friends who are Lolitas and wouldn't think its a costume. Its legitimately how they dress and a sort of lifestyle. Personally I don't feel like this is a costume or cosplay.

 

[gwynne]

Just throwing out another opinion. I have a few friends who are Lolitas and wouldn't think its a costume. Its legitimately how they dress and a sort of lifestyle. Personally I don't feel like this is a costume or cosplay.

These are different Lolitas than than the underage ones in a "relationship" with an adult? That word and it's meaning has been around a long time.

 

[Catvondita]

These are different Lolitas than than the underage ones in a "relationship" with an adult? That word and it's meaning has been around a long time.

Yep! "Lolita" is a Japanese Subculture known for this style of Fashion. There are also different styles of Lolita fashion such as Gothic, Sweet, Shiro and Kuro to name a few. Lolita is not the most PC name for it I'll agree lol