Cast Member's appearance

[Wish_I'd_known_Walt]

I was reading a biography of Walt Disney and it mentioned Walt didn't like his male CMs wearing any facial hair (even though he himself wore a mustache) nor being overweight. I am wondering if that "standard" continues today. In the pictures of CM I've seen, no CMs have a beard or mustache or are they overweight.

Just curious.

 

[ReelRedHead]

I am not sure but I would think in today's world a company could not discriminate about weight. I am pretty sure they can require no facial hair (unless for Religious reasons?)

I have seen many heavy CM's--I cannot think of seeing a man with facial hair. Now a woman--that is a different story!!

 

[Feralpeg]

CMs can wear mustaches, but they have to meet very strict criteria.

 

[jacos11]

In the early to mid 90's, my sister & brother in law worked at disney. I had mustache at the time and they told me if I shaved it off they could take me into the tunnels. Needless to say, I shaved it off quick and they smuggled me into the tunnels. They showed me around and I had a drink down in the cafeteria.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Disney is smart with their contracts. I am an HR director I know employment contracts. Take for example the designation of "cast member," I would bet that is not just a cute name like Disney claims. Under the designation of being "on stage" they can pick and choose the look of any employee to "fit a certain roll." Lets be honest...a red haired/ green eyed boy cant play Tiana, so Disney can claim that a waiter needs to look a certain way because he is playing a part in their "show." Those CMs that never encounter visitors are probably not bound by such regulations. They are called CMs but I am sure they are contracted as standard employees.

 

[Wonders10]

Just by the sheer number of very overweight CM I've seen on my many trips, I'm pretty sure they aren't discriminating against that. Although I will say that I have noticed an increase in the not so attractive CM in the not so attractive working locations...

Men can have very neatly groomed mustaches. Sideburns have to look a certain way, sizewise - no more than a certain length, hair must be kept neat and above the collar, and the rest of the face clean shaven. Trust me (I'm a girl) but a male friend of mine came to work with a scruffy face and he had to dry shave with a disposable razor before they'd let him start his shift. We were CPs in 2002, working at Epcot.

Same rules for us girls, hair color must be "natural" looking...so no hot pink streaks in your hair or obvious bleached highlights. One ring on each finger. One earring per ear - can't remember the rule if they had to be studs are not. I always wear studs anyway but obviously we could not wear large hoops or dangle earrings. Any tattoos (male or female) had to be covered and not seen by guests. Natural, not overly done make up. That sort of thing.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Lol to the PP, because when I interviewed at the Disney Store like 7 years ago I had hot pink streaks in my hair, earrings all up my ears plus my nose and tongue ring. When they started talking about dress code I was like "So I'll just be leaving then..."

 

[Jedi]

Cast Members are part of the show. Therefore Cast Members need to follow the Disney Look, a set of appearance guidelines that is designed to complement both Cast Members and the show. Additionally, as part of their role Cast Members may be required to wear a costume issued from our Wardrobe department.

For males in an on-stage role, hair must be cut above the ear and off the back of the collar with no defined cut or lines and must be a natural color. Males should be clean-shaven and may have a mustache that should not extend past the corners of the lip. No earrings, necklaces or bracelets may be worn. One ring on each hand and a wristwatch are acceptable.

For females, the Disney Look means hair must be one natural shade, with no frosting. Makeup should be natural looking and lightly blended. Earrings may be post-style, no larger than a quarter and necklaces and bracelets are not allowed in costumed areas. One ring on each hand and a wristwatch are acceptable. Fingernails may be one-fourth of an inch beyond the fingertip and a clear or natural polish may be worn in most areas.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Just by the sheer number of very overweight CM I've seen on my many trips, I'm pretty sure they aren't discriminating against that. Although I will say that I have noticed an increase in the not so attractive CM in the not so attractive working locations...

Men can have very neatly groomed mustaches. Sideburns have to look a certain way, sizewise - no more than a certain length, hair must be kept neat and above the collar, and the rest of the face clean shaven. Trust me (I'm a girl) but a male friend of mine came to work with a scruffy face and he had to dry shave with a disposable razor before they'd let him start his shift. We were CPs in 2002, working at Epcot.

Same rules for us girls, hair color must be "natural" looking...so no hot pink streaks in your hair or obvious bleached highlights. One ring on each finger. One earring per ear - can't remember the rule if they had to be studs are notI always wear studs anyway but obviously we could not wear large hoops or dangle earrings. Any tattoos (male or female) had to be covered and not seen by guests. Natural, not overly done make up. That sort of thing.

Wow, that's a stricter dress code than even my hospital has. But dress codes aren't a bad thing..it seems like no one dresses nicely or appropriately anymore.

 

[Linzybrooke]

The costume rules are very strict, and they only began allowing men to wear a mustache a 3 or 4 years ago. Now, of course, there are very few men who actually hava just a mustache these days, to they sort of side stepped that bit.

For anyone interested, the "Disney Look" guidelines are available on the internet. This link is for professional internships, but it looks the same as it did when I was in management for Disney Store.
http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/internships/wdw/students/disneylook/dlook_all_cast.html

 

[eeyoresnr]

Lol to the PP, because when I interviewed at the Disney Store like 7 years ago I had hot pink streaks in my hair, earrings all up my ears plus my nose and tongue ring. When they started talking about dress code I was like "So I'll just be leaving then..."

 

[bradk]

a lot of the disney look also depends on your role at the organization as well.

i had always heard that facial hair was prohibited because it gave the appearance of 'growing up' and fought the peter pan image of disney. i've also heard it was because of a general distaste for facial hair in general in the 50s, but i tend to believe my first theory more.

they began allowing mustaches quite a few years ago. reportedly having to do with DCA, but I won't get into that too much. the trick, however, is a cast member can not be seen growing a mustache. it's either 100% there or not at all.

another thing about Walt's Disneyland is that on stage roles were very gender specific and looks also played a role. storybook canal guides for example were only females. jungle cruise skippers, male. etc, etc.

it was only until recently that the disney look was relaxed again to allow for not forcing pantyhose and allowing sleeveless tops for women.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Well, I personally was an overweight CM. I knew plenty of other overweight CMs. Dunno about the beards, though, as I'm female and can't grow one

 

[WDSearcher]

a lot of the disney look also depends on your role at the organization as well.

i had always heard that facial hair was prohibited because it gave the appearance of 'growing up' and fought the peter pan image of disney. i've also heard it was because of a general distaste for facial hair in general in the 50s, but i tend to believe my first theory more.

they began allowing mustaches quite a few years ago. reportedly having to do with DCA, but I won't get into that too much. the trick, however, is a cast member can not be seen growing a mustache. it's either 100% there or not at all.

Which always made me laugh, because WALT had a moustache!

 

[autographlover]

Which always made me laugh, because WALT had a moustache!

Maybe he just wanted to be the only one with a mustache!

 

[WDW*Dreamer]

I am not sure but I would think in today's world a company could not discriminate about weight.

I knew you could not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex or national origin. I've heard or read that in employement ads for years, but I didn't know "overweight" had joined the list of protected classes.

 

[WDSearcher]

Disney is smart with their contracts. I am an HR director I know employment contracts. Take for example the designation of "cast member," I would bet that is not just a cute name like Disney claims. Under the designation of being "on stage" they can pick and choose the look of any employee to "fit a certain roll." Lets be honest...a red haired/ green eyed boy cant play Tiana, so Disney can claim that a waiter needs to look a certain way because he is playing a part in their "show." Those CMs that never encounter visitors are probably not bound by such regulations. They are called CMs but I am sure they are contracted as standard employees.

I totally get where you're coming from from an HR POV, but Disney CMs were called CMs from the very beginning and opening of Disneyland in 1955. It's unlikely that Walt sat down with Disney HR at that time (was there even a "Disney HR" at that time?) and said, "Hey ... let's call them 'cast members' and say it's a 'show' so that we can pick and choose the look of each employee." Walt saw his entire park as one big show and named things appropriately.

As far as "roles" go (not "roll" -- although that did give me a very interesting mental image of a CM in a hoagie roll, walking around WDW), something like Tiana is very very different from, say, a waiter or a ride operator. Tiana is a very specific performance role, for which there are very specific height, weight, skin color and other requirements. They're listed on the job description. A waiter or ride operator has absolutely no physical requirements listed, past being able to physically handle the role (for example, wheelchair-bound workers are not allowed in certain positions based on safety; some positions require you to be able to lift a certain number of pounds; etc). You'll see just as many "pleasantly plump" waiters and waitresses as you'll see thin, trim ones. Same with virtually any line cast position at the parks.

 

[snykymom]

Many of the height & weight & other requirements are also based on the costume the cast member wears. Disney doesn't do "custom made" costumes, even for waiters & hosts & store clerks. (And of course this is particularly true of characters, both fur & face.) If they don't have a costume that will fit you, you don't get the job.

 

[Wonders10]

Many of the height & weight & other requirements are also based on the costume the cast member wears. Disney doesn't do "custom made" costumes, even for waiters & hosts & store clerks. (And of course this is particularly true of characters, both fur & face.) If they don't have a costume that will fit you, you don't get the job.

True...I doubt you'd ever see a Snow White who was 300 lbs because they probably do not have a costume that would fit her. However, a typical CM running an attraction or working in a shop could probably find a costume in, duh, Costuming. I've never seen so many shorts and shirts and skirts and dresses in my life - big, small, tall, short. On my first day of training, I had a fitting and from then on I knew what size tops and bottoms I'd need to check out.

 

[SnowWtch]

Actually when I was working for Disney I never had a problem with the dress code. It was pretty much identical to my Catholic school dress code and I did that Kindergarten through 12th grade. Disney was a snap to adhere to. BTW, I'm a little pooh sized at 250 lbs and they never had a problem with it.