CM's wearing their uniforms off property

[Disney Von Drake]

I've seen CM's after work in full costume off property in local bars having a few beers.

 

[Princess Sara's Mom]

Same here..CP 1996. I liked it. Give laundry my dirty clothes at the end of the shift and get fresh, clean ones the next day!

Totally agree--and if working outside in the summer heat & humidity, sometimes 2x or 3x per day. They were on us if we didn't have the Disney look--which, evidently means NOT sweaty and most definitely, smelly. That's what I notice now when I go to the parks as a guest--different standards and, at times, very disheveled...do they not get the Disney Look Book anymore? [Don't get me started on the nails, highlights & makeup...]

 

[Princess Sara's Mom]

When I worked there we could NOT take our costumes off of Disney. We weren't even allowed to go to other areas of the park in our land specific costumes. We had to check our costumes in and out before/after shift. There was security in place to make sure the costumes were not taken off property. That said, I wish I had that costume now. It was SOOO cute. LOL I worked in Fantasyland in 1989 and we had cute like german dirndl outfits....

I totally forgot about that [the security]! And our nametags, we couldn't take our nametags! [Totally bummed 'bout that one...]

 

[livndisney]

Just to clarify, no you are not going to see Mickey buying cheese at CVS. But guess what? Steve the guy who told you where to park the car at MK this morning, may have to run into the store and grab milk to take home after his shift. You will see him in his bright yellow outfit.

You will see that really nice lady who checked you into your hotel, putting gas in her car before she leaves property.

You might even see the waitress who served you lunch at the market (still in her costume) grabbing something for her kids for dinner.

 

[Lyndria]

I totally forgot about that [the security]! And our nametags, we couldn't take our nametags! [Totally bummed 'bout that one...]

Someone has theirs...not saying who!

Also, I agree with what you said about the standards. It has certainly changed, and not for the better IMO.

 

[Oglet]

straight from the Disney Look Book via the hub.

"When wearing a costume off-property, remove your nametag and do not wear your costume for personal use. Your costume is not to be worn when visiting property as a Guest. "

It's perfectly acceptable to wear your costume to the bank and to the grocery store on the way home from work etc. It is not okay to wear your costume as regular street clothes on your day off etc.

It's all about $$$. Disney do not want to be paying CM's dress time at the start and end of the day, It also shifts much of the laundry responsibilities to the CM and not the company since the majority of CM's now do this themselves.

And anyone who can't handle seeing us off property in our costumes... Stay on property

 

[bean bunny]

We stopped at a comic shop on our last trip and a woman came in wearing a fantasyland uniform. It was weird to see off property!

 

[livndisney]

And anyone who can't handle seeing us off property in our costumes... Stay on property

No kidding!!!!!

 

[satorifound]

Totally agree--and if working outside in the summer heat & humidity, sometimes 2x or 3x per day. They were on us if we didn't have the Disney look--which, evidently means NOT sweaty and most definitely, smelly. That's what I notice now when I go to the parks as a guest--different standards and, at times, very disheveled...do they not get the Disney Look Book anymore? [Don't get me started on the nails, highlights & makeup...]

I still remember that lecture on the Disney look. No more than one pair of earrings for girls, none for guys. I had like 8 piercings in my ears, so this was something I had to listen to.

I also remember the guests leave their brains at home lecture. That one was funny. "Excuse me, what time is the 12 o'clock parade?" NO, you can NOT laugh at them when they ask you....

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) OK, folks, now for the real truth.
2) You ARE ALLOWED to wear your uniform/costume off site.
3) Supposedly only while going to/from work.
4) THERE IS NO PENALTY, including wearing name tag
5) You can easily see CM's in uniform
. . . in a Walmart
. . . at a Denny's eating
. . . in a mall shopping
6) This was part of the court decision (either in 2003 or 2004).
. . . Disney kept all costumes on-site
. . . employees reported to work and had to change into costumes
. . . Disney required people to change clothes on employee's time
. . . the employees sued
. . . law says employees get paid for changing time
. . . WDW did not want to pay the overtime for changing clothes
. . . so, employees can change at home and wear uniform enroute
. . . with name tag, as that is part of the uniform/costume

 

[Timmy Boy]

As a CM, I have gone to Steak N Shake at midnight in my costume, as well as my co-workers. While eating, I saw Tomorrowland Cast come in in costume, as well as Custodial and Parking. It's definetly allowed, and a lot of College Program spots see CM's in costume on a regular basis.

 

[Princess Sara's Mom]

1) OK, folks, now for the real truth.

6) This was part of the court decision (either in 2003 or 2004).
. . . Disney kept all costumes on-site
. . . employees reported to work and had to change into costumes
. . . Disney required people to change clothes on employee's time
. . . the employees sued
. . . law says employees get paid for changing time

=======

Wow, wow, wow...thanks for the info!!! Interesting!!!

How about the "clock in" time? How's that now? Like, if you went from backstage to the Friendship Boats--is there just one clock or multiple clocks at various work sites? That's the one that used to get me--by the time you got all the way over to where you were working, a 1/2 hour went by, plus changing time, plus....etc. [Yes, I know, I'm showing my age...it's probably all done with scanners now.]

 

[Jabber_Jaws]

1)
Wow, wow, wow...thanks for the info!!! Interesting!!!

How about the "clock in" time? How's that now? Like, if you went from backstage to the Friendship Boats--is there just one clock or multiple clocks at various work sites? That's the one that used to get me--by the time you got all the way over to where you were working, a 1/2 hour went by, plus changing time, plus....etc. [Yes, I know, I'm showing my age...it's probably all done with scanners now.]

To answer your question. It depends, if you're the opening crew on the boats. If you are the opening crew you clock in at cast services and walk to the marina. If your shift starts after the boats are in the park, you hop on a bus and then clock in at the I.G. dock.

Source: ME a friendship boat captain, and yes I wear my outfit off-site if I need something at the store, or need to fill up on gas.

 

[kaligal]

CM's wear costumes off property everyday.

Source: my own two eyes.

I see them, too.

They need gas, groceries, diapers and cigarettes, too.

 

[+Rosetta+]

A plus was we didn't have to launder our costumes. LOL We did have to wear heels with them. Do the female CMs still have to wear heels? Mine were really short, but heels none the less...

No, there is no requirement (of what I know of) for heels but there are, of course, "look" requirements like color and type of shoe depending on role.
My role, FGIT, was a bit more particular and had to be a black mary jane style. The styles varied from one girl wearing a demi heel dance shoe to flats with a strap going across closer to the front of the foot. We were told as long as it was black, leather-looking/could be polished and had a strap it was acceptable.

 

[Tara922c]

Back in 2006, there was no rules aganist it. I would leave my apartment in my costume, and sometimes go somewhere after work with co-workers in my costume. Normally, if I knew I was going somewhere, I would bring a change of clothes. What I had to wear was ugly! Go to the wal-mart close to disney property, and you will see off duty CM's in their costumes with un-tucked shirts.

As far as characters go, those costumes stay onsite, so they couldn't go out in public with them on.

 

[fall08CP]

I once had to visit a liquor store and purchase wine for a guest IN costume! DME didn't handle the baggage with care so the luggage was soaking wet and the wine bottle was broken. The guest requested we replace the wine, so I had to go to ABC liquor on the clock and purchase in costume. If that didn't look weird, I'm not sure what would For the record, no one called me out on it. I've also gone through EPCOT in my decidedly non-EPCOT themed costume, publix on many occasions, walmart, and several area restaurants in costume for guest service. So you never know, they may be on the clock and making magic!

 

[stargazertechie]

I once had to visit a liquor store and purchase wine for a guest IN costume! DME didn't handle the baggage with care so the luggage was soaking wet and the wine bottle was broken. The guest requested we replace the wine, so I had to go to ABC liquor on the clock and purchase in costume. If that didn't look weird, I'm not sure what would For the record, no one called me out on it. I've also gone through EPCOT in my decidedly non-EPCOT themed costume, publix on many occasions, walmart, and several area restaurants in costume for guest service. So you never know, they may be on the clock and making magic!

And this is why I never take alcohol on an airplane. I feel bad for other guests who ended up with a Martini on the Socks upon arrival.

 

[freepixie]

One year it was actually pretty cool - we saw a CM in a Fantasyland costume at church on a Sunday morning!! Even cooler - saw her in Fantasyland later that day!!

 

[Jedi]

slightly O/T but all this talk about costumes has made me think....is there a photo guide somewhere to the different ones? maybe even a history of them so to speak?