Decline in Disney look standards, an observation.

[71 Truck]

This is just an observation, every cast members we have interacted with over the years has been wonderful, once again this is just an observation.
My wife and I have been visiting the Walt Disney Resort since 1990. At one point I worked at Walt Disney World from 1999 till 2007 then again back in 2018.
I can say the look standard has changed a lot since then.

Back then, for men you were not aloud to have any visible tattoos, earnings, a no long hair but have a "proper" hair cut that was natural color, off the collar and off the ears, as well as be clean shaven including no mustache. For women hair had to be a "natural" color, only small stud earrings (and only 1 per ear), no visible tattoos and when my wife worked for the stores in the 90s had to wear pantyhose if they had shorts or a skirt on.

One thing we noticed recently is the cast members that are heavily tattooed, non-natural hair color such as blue, facial piercings, and overall unkempt appearance. Costumes that don't fit properly, are dirty, and even managers dressed as if they are going clubbing or bar hopping (as recently as today).

Once again, I am NOT complaining about how I have been treated or any wrong doing by cast members. All we encounter for the most part are wonderful, friendly and helpful. I am just observing how the Disney I grew up with and the "look standard" put forth by Walt Disney that was maintained for decades has completely gone away over the last several years. Visiting other theme parks I expected to see this, but Disney was always expected to be held to a higher standard that other organizations would strive to match.

Please understand I have no issue with facial hair or longer hair on men if it is well kept. I have tattoos. I have had long hair in the past, I currently have a long beard (that I have groomed regularly) and my wife and I have tattoos, however they can be easily covered up.

I am just stating an observation and wonder if anybody else has noticed the change as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

What is acceptable as a "look" has come a long way since Walt Disney's time. I don't see it as a decline at all, rather as an update. No do I see it as a lowering of standards, no more than women being allowed to wear pants is.

I was just at the parks the first week in December, and didn't notice any dirty or unkempt cast members, nor any that look like they are clubbing. I'm wondering if you know what the current club clothes are, because those too have changed a lot.

 

[kiford]

I am just observing how the Disney I grew up with and the "look standard" put forth by Walt Disney that was maintained for decades has completely gone away over the last several years. Visiting other theme parks I expected to see this, but Disney was always expected to be held to a higher standard that other organizations would strive to match.

I can't say that I've seen any that I would consider "unkempt" or any issues with costumes but I have noticed the tattoos and different hairstyles and lengths and piercings. I'm not only not bothered by it but I consider it to be a step forward into the 21st century where it's no longer required for everyone to fit a single notion of what is "proper" that seems to be a leftover of the 1950's/Leave it to Beaver ideal. Disney quite consciously decided a few years ago to add Inclusion as one of their keys, acknowledging that there are many different types of people and that guests might well be more comfortable in a park where some CMs look like them rather than an old-fashioned sense of what is proper and that CMS should be able to express themselves - within reason - as individuals.

I personally consider inclusive practices to be a higher standard than one that represses people's individuality.

 

[gottalovepluto]

All you see is the change in the dress code policy. Disney Parks Blog 4/13/21 explained it (because it was such a big change, Disney was very public about what the change was and why they were doing it) link to full post

We’re looking at other traditions, too – including the policies that guide how our cast members show up for work. Our new approach provides greater flexibility with respect to forms of personal expression surrounding gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles, and costume choices; and allowing appropriate visible tattoos. We’re updating them to not only remain relevant in today’s workplace, but also enable our cast members to better express their cultures and individuality at work.​

 

[GADisneyDad14]

It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m at Walt Disney World enjoying myself and very appreciative of the thousands of Cast Members making magic for us. We can deal with this topic another day.