Offensive clothing

[toodycat]

On our last trip to WDW, DS noticed a man at Epcot wearing a T-shirt with the F word prominently featured. He mentioned that he was surprised that no CM made him cover it or take it off. We've been wondering ever since: do the WDW parks enforce any sort of rules where offensive slogans or profanity on clothing are concerned? If you know, I'd love to read your post.
Many thanks.

 

[Berlioz70]

I've always worked within the park and was told that it's the main turnstile CMs that monitor clothing. Once inside, the CMs are not trained to handle the situation but may bring the shirt to the attention of a manager.

 

[GriswoldDisneyMom]

Are you saying there is a dress code within the parks, or some kind of rules, written or otherwise, that dictate what people can or cannot wear in a public place like WDW? I'm intrigued...

 

[vicki_c]

Are you saying there is a dress code within the parks, or some kind of rules, written or otherwise, that dictate what people can or cannot wear in a public place like WDW? I'm intrigued...

Yes, there is a dress code (PS - Disney is not public, it's private):
http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/dress-code.htm#dress

Disney World Guest Appearance Guidelines

Disney World reserves the right to exclude visitors to their gated attractions who wear clothing that could create a distraction. This policy is in effect at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Pleasure Island and Disney Quest.

Examples of unacceptable attire includes:

* Clothing displaying offensive messages/language
* Adult costumes or clothing that can be viewed as a costume (children under age 10 are excluded)
* Clothing made with offensive material, (ie transparent)
* Clothing that is excessively torn
* Clothing which exposes inappropriate portions of the body such as string bikini tops, G-strings, bikini bottoms, etc.
* Guests wearing wedding attire are discouraged from entering the Theme Parks.

All Disney Theme Park guests are required to wear shirts and shoes at all times. Swimsuit tops are allowed when worn with other appropriate clothing.

Disney's Pleasure Island, Disney Quest, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have other criteria in place which may vary from the general appearance guidelines. Depending on the venue and event, variations may be acceptable.

 

[mesaboy2]

Are you saying there is a dress code within the parks, or some kind of rules, written or otherwise, that dictate what people can or cannot wear in a public place like WDW? I'm intrigued...

What gave you the impression WDW is public property? I'm more intrigued....

 

[GriswoldDisneyMom]

Huh. Didn't realize! Learn something new every day.

 

[GriswoldDisneyMom]

I just didn't think of it as private, though obviously it is- I was just thinking of public in the sense that there are masses of people within it, from all different places and walks of life. Actually, I don't know what that has to do with it. Never mind. Chronic cognitive flatulence!

 

[vicki_c]

I knew what you meant - it's just a common phrase - public place, which most people really mean "where there's a bunch of people and anyone can go there," which in a way is true for Disney (except for that pesky entrance fee). But not really. It's private property. But that's just a common thing people say.

 

[yankeepenny]

someone actually wore a shirt with the Fbomb written on it at Disney?

it is an everyday thing in Vegas- that is where I got my sister one of those shirts!


that does not bother me. the folks with really bad behavior I think are much worse than any t shirt. (my opinion)

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

When I first saw people wearing the logo FCUK, I had to take a double take and then saw the clothing sold in the UK Pavilion. Is it possible that is what he saw? I have actually seen people stopped at the gate and asked to remove or turn their shirt inside-out.

 

[AnthonyJPreston]

.

 

[Robo]

I knew what you meant - it's just a common phrase - public place, which most people really mean "where there's a bunch of people and anyone can go there," which in a way is true for Disney (except for that pesky entrance fee). But not really. It's private property. But that's just a common thing people say.

The parks at WDW are public places.
But, they are private property.
Places that are open to the public (say, a restaurant or store) have different "rules" than truly private places.

For instance, nobody has an "expectation of privacy" walking around in a public place.
They can be easily seen by others there.

On the other hand-
Your living room at home is a private place on private property.

 

[bradk]

While it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's a goose.

If WDW wanted to ban cameras all together, they are entirely in their right. However it wouldn't be good business practice. As it is, many theme parks restrict the use of cameras, particularly on attractions, but Disney has one of the most least restrictive policies (unless you're shooting for commercial purposes). The fact that when you take photos for yourself, other guests are in them, is just simply uncontrollable and an accepted risk any guest takes. But if you were photo stalking someone, that would be far more legal on the streets than it might be in the parks, for example.

As to the OP's question, it was basically answered by that the turnstile CMs are supposed to prevent guests from entering the parks altogether, but where there is a will, there is a way. a guest wearing a coat or with the ability to change clothes once inside the park is free to do so. I recall a story with an 'arieloholic' who loved to dress up as Ariel. Not enough to convince anyone, mind you, but still against policy. She was denied at the gates and then ended up getting inside in street clothes and then changing into her 'costume.' Although she was dealt with in that particular case.

and as for French Connection UK, although I'm sure their clothing is sold on property, it's a national brand in the US and they absolutely do love the FCUK play on words. One of the most popular shirts actually reads FCUK KING.

And as for the public vs private, there are laws that define the spaces and the parks (at least) clearly are favored as private spaces legally. Add to that the fact that the property is owned by the company, none of the streets actually exist as far as the United States Postal Service is concerned and each and every CM is entitled to eject any guest for any reason and there you have it. Of course, there's the business principles in action again.

And just to bottom line why CMs are reluctant sometimes to confront guests: (a) same reason why you may not want to confront a stranger somewhere, you have no idea what the person is capable of; (b) consider what they're paid to consider a; (c) CMs need to ensure that they don't infringe upon the happiness of a guest's vacation and, unfortunately, this sometimes means a guest's happiness infringes upon the happiness of others. Only when it becomes a 'public' nuisance, do they tend to get involved (or if it's a safety issue).

 

[2Tiggies]

I've always worked within the park and was told that it's the main turnstile CMs that monitor clothing. Once inside, the CMs are not trained to handle the situation but may bring the shirt to the attention of a manager.

It is possible, since he knew he may have a problem with the shirt and was therefore aware of the (or a) policy, and had another top on over the shirt when he entered.

My 8 year old was intrigued at our resort last year when she saw a guy, clearly on his way to MNSSHP, dressed up in a bikini top. He had nothing else on his torso aside from whatever he had used to stuff it and a very revealing paper hoola skirt on his lower half. I wondered if he would be turned back at the gates, despite that he would pass it off as 'fancy dress' Although I didn't find that offensive, there are policies in place regarding revealing attire - as posted above.

 

[mistyt]

And just to bottom line why CMs are reluctant sometimes to confront guests: (a) same reason why you may not want to confront a stranger somewhere, you have no idea what the person is capable of; (b) consider what they're paid to consider a; (c) CMs need to ensure that they don't infringe upon the happiness of a guest's vacation and, unfortunately, this sometimes means a guest's happiness infringes upon the happiness of others. Only when it becomes a 'public' nuisance, do they tend to get involved (or if it's a safety issue).

I think you bring up a good point. While the CMS at the front are "supposed" to be the folks who catch these things, it does happen that others get by into the parks. The turnstile CMs encounter literally thousands of guests a day and of course some things are going to go unnoticed (yep, even in disney).

When I was a CM there were several occasions I had to ask guests to do things (such as ask women wearing VERY revealing bikini tops to put shirts on) that while I didn't want to do, I just had to do.

Always best when you would ask them to put on their shirt...they would walk 20 feet away from you...and take it back off.

 

[X_x_Minnie_x_X]

I think that there should be a dress code because I think that it is unfair for the kids to be looking at t shirts with whatever bad words they have on it!

 

[Magicbus]

each and every CM is entitled to eject any guest for any reason.

Is that really true?

 

[toodycat]

Thanks everyone. We were just curious. DS said that the T-shirt posed a question as in, "What the **** is__________?" I forget what the subject was. DS is too old to pick up the word because he saw it on a T-shirt; he was just surprised to see it at WDW where everything seems so wholesome and family friendly. I can totally understand why a CM might not pull a person out about something like that. Perhaps the guy was a dad and had little kids with him. It might have been ugly to turn their dad away. I'm a teacher and it is not always pleasant to send a kid in a rude T-shirt or too revealing outfit to the office either, but sometimes it has to be done.

 

[larryz]

IMNSHO, if you can't say the word during family time on TV, it should not be on a shirt in the Magic Kingdom.

I note with some amusement and gratitude that DIS posters are reluctant to use those same words on these forums, but are not shy about discussing their use in the parks.

 

[212456]

A teenager our party was asked to change their shirt one morning at DHS. They were wearing a band t-shirt which happened to have a gun on it. The shirt had been worn previously in other parks so i guess it must just depend on how the CMs are feeling that day