Cast Member Uniforms

[jands]

I understand that it's important for Disney cast members to stand out in the crowd, but does anyone else think that some of the uniforms are a little over the top? I'd have to say the Pizzafari are the absolute worst.
Anyone else agree/disagree?

 

[LeesyUD]

I actually worked in Disney World for a bit and while the costume (uniform) was not the most fashionable I understood why it was so flashy. It helps keep the theme for the ride, restaurant, attraction, etc. Also by them being so themed and flashy it helps distinguish where a cast member belongs. If every cast member had the same uniform it would be alot harder for guests to distinguish who they need to ask for assistance, e.g-I worked at Indiana Jones helping seat guests and greeting them in front of the theater. If a cast member that was say park maintence happened to be in front of the theater, if a guest had a question about the attraction, the maintence cast member might not be able to help them as much depending on their question. By us having a specific uniform for that attraction, guests can much more easily identify us if they need help. Even after having worked in Disney I love the theme that they keep with the costumes, even though I know they are not always the funnest thing to wear.

 

[CleveRocks]

Leesy, thanks for that insight! I really enjoyed reading what you wrote.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Try asking that question to the people who have to wear them.
2) You will get a lot of conversation.

 

[Linda/MA]

Why can't the lifeguards at the resorts wear swimsuits? The girls at SAB had the same uniform on as the guys -- collared shirts and men's bathing-style trunks. I don't know why they can't wear a discrete bathing suit, after all, it's so hot for most of the year.

 

[Metro West]

Why can't the lifeguards at the resorts wear swimsuits? The girls at SAB had the same uniform on as the guys -- collared shirts and men's bathing-style tunks. I don't know why they can't wear a discrete bathing suit, after all, it's so hot for most of the year.

I guess Disney is afraid that someone might get offended if a CM showed too much skin around kids?

 

[mjmcca]

I have seen female lifeguards with bathing suits on. I bet the CM in question had one on under her shirt.

 

[Hannathy]

She probably had a suit on and had the shirt and shorts on for protection from the sun. Being out in the sun the amount of hours they are daily is not good for their skin.

 

[Linda/MA]

I have seen female lifeguards with bathing suits on. I bet the CM in question had one on under her shirt.

All the girls were dressed like that. I asked one why she couldn't wear a bathing suit and she just shrugged her shoulders. Said the only lifeguards who could are the ones at the water parks.

 

[grinningghost]

I'm wracking my brain trying to recall what the uniforms at Pizzafari look like. It's my favorite CS restaurant and you'd think I might have noticed - but apparently, I didn't.

I think all the uniforms are pretty awesome actually. I'm sure the CM's aren't too thrilled, but they're there to put on a "show", so they have to wear the "costume".

 

[MyGoofy26]

All the girls were dressed like that. I asked one why she couldn't wear a bathing suit and she just shrugged her shoulders. Said the only lifeguards who could are the ones at the water parks.

My old roommate was a lifeguard in the resorts and always wore a bathing suit under the shirt and shorts.

 

[MyGoofy26]

There are some really horrible ones out there. I unfortunately had to wear a few. The Indy costumes weren't bad - there are a lot of people that would actually wear something like that. Working carts (I did merch, so was all over) I had black jeans or shorts and a blue shirt. Star Tours - hideous! But comfy in that "look at all this room I have!" baggy/comfy way.

Ugh when I had to pick up a shift in the Christmas store, I could SWEAR that they used an actual Christmas tree skirt It was awful. I was mortified. And of course I ended up having guests taking pictures of me that day. I worked an opening shift and there was NO ONE back there and this one family strolled past while waiting for the rest of their group come from Muppets. So I spent about 20-30 minutes playing with their little girls out on the sidewalk. When their family came back they decided they wanted to get a picture of the girls with me before they left. Then later a Green Army Man walked over and hung out for about an hour - he put Mickey Santa hat over his helmet and a woman walked by, thought it was cute and went to take a picture so I moved out of the way and she insisted I get in as well. So there are two families with pictures of me in one of my most "self-conscious" moments at Disney, LOL!

 

[TSR6]

The Lifegaurd CM's at the resorts do wear swimsuits under their shirts and shorts. It's both for sun protection, and so they aren't running around "half naked" to the guests who do not use the swim pools.

Guests at the Water Parks are obviously going to wear swimsuits as it is, and aren't going to offed guests, where at the resorts, not all guests use the pools due to whatever reason. If they are just walking through, they may not want to see all that skin.

Just what i was told.

And like it was mentioned, the CM costumes are very themed for the area, and/or department they are in. In the one "department" I worked in, for the 3 locations I worked, I had 3 different costumes. They are made to stand out and look obvious while also keeping a theme to the area they belong to. Then there are also "global" costumes that stay the same for that role everywhere on property. This includes security, parking, first aid and maintenance. Security, Parking and First Aid keep the same costumes property-wide so that they are the same everywhere. You always look for the "police looking person" - and not the "Jungle Safari guard" in AK, the "Storm Trooper" in Epcot, ect. It stays the same so that you always know what you're looking for.

 

[exwdwcm]

i worked at Hollywood and Vine when it was a cafeteria (breakfast and lunch only) back in 1996 as a CP. It was the most terrible costume. the usual clear panty hose (those are terrible in the humidity!), black tennis shoes....but then a light green A line skirt, matching button up blouse, with a light pink apron and handkerchief. Then to top it off, a lovely pink headband thing that looked like a tiara (something from like Mel's diner?) and then they required us to wear hair nets. I was told it wasn't for sanitation, but for the 'cafeteria lady' look, as we were themed as the 50s cafeteria. I hated that costume and especially the hair net, but it was for the 'show'. At least they laundered it for me!

I think the costumes add a lot to the show and theming overall, but yeah, it sometimes blows to have to be the one wearing them!

 

[honey11dog]

I have always felt sorry for some of the CM because their uniforms look terribly hot. I was told by a lifeguard this past trip, that she chose to be a lifeguard this time because she can where a swimsuit all day. She worked in the parks last year and she said one of her uniforms was made out of polyester! She was sweating all day long.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Has anyone else noticed that some of the costumes are getting a bit worse for wear lately? I remember noticing quite often how many costumes were faded or fraying.

If Disney launders them, you would think they would put the bad ones out of commission. I know, it's all about money but it's bad show.

JMO.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Try wearing a silly orange and blue "flight attendant's" costume on Star Tours. Actually, the costumes they give us were quite comfortable. They're often bright colors to reflect the sun. (except during Star Wars Weekends...they put me in black.) They look ridiculous sometimes, but honestly, I hardly notice them when I'm on vacation myself.

As for the lifeguards, I've always seen the females in red one-pieces, the males usually have red shorts as well.

 

[TSR6]

Some of them are becoming faded, and worn, ect...

I can say that they are slowly replacing them. When I was still in FL ( Jan '06 ) I noticed that a lot of new costumes were starting to flow in. Around summer '05 a lot of new shorts came into my location. Closer to Dec some new shirts came into my location.

WDW does make the costumes themselves, so im sure they're just tossing a couple new ones into each dept to slowly weed out the old ones.