Policy on Adults in Costume

[Berlioz70]

The Policy (quoted from Disney's website) is:

Attire that is not appropriate for the theme parks (and which may result in refusal of admittance) includes but is not limited to:

* Adult costumes or clothing that can be viewed as representative of an actual Disney character
* Masks (unless you are dressing up for a particular event)
* Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics
* Excessively torn clothing
* Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
* Objectionable tattoos

This was the policy prior to the Tink interaction and remains the policy now. I have not seen the Sparrow Guest so I can't comment on him, but adults have been dressing up for a long time (I've been working in the parks since 08), but they're typically not close enough to resemble a real character and therefore haven't been bothered.

The tink girl, while not easily confused as the character, was in the right age range for the character and also was wearing very revealing clothing. So I can see why she was offered (FREE) clothing to change into.

 

[kamik86]

The closest I saw when there last was a woman dressed in a dress really close to Belle's blue dress. I wasn't sure if they were more relaxed or if it was just a harder one for Disney to object to as its really just a blue dress with a white apron.

 

[Ds4angels]

Not a huge fan of regular people dressed up as characters. Like others have said it can confuse little ones. Maybe they should designate a special time for people who'd like to dress up like that certain times of the year?

 

[mesaboy2]

Not a huge fan of regular people dressed up as characters. Like others have said it can confuse little ones. Maybe they should designate a special time for people who'd like to dress up like that certain times of the year?

Okay, I'll give the obvious answer: MNSSHP.

Over the plate, I gotta swing.

 

[TDC Nala]

A woman in a Minnie Mouse dress, it's going to be relatively obvious she is not the Disney-employed Minnie Mouse.

The problem with Santa Claus was that he was signing autographs and posing for photos. They asked him to stop and he said he wouldn't because he didn't want to hurt any kids' feelings. That's why he was asked to leave, because he wouldn't stop signing autographs and he was gathering a crowd.

I would assume though that the Jack Sparrow impersonator actually looks like Jack Sparrow. If they think it's enough to tell him not to sign any autographs or do photos and he abides by that rule, then they definitely have relaxed the rules.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Okay, I'll give the obvious answer: MNSSHP.

Over the plate, I gotta swing.

and knocked it outa da park

 

[Sparkly]

I was also about to say "Yes, the Halloween parties!" LOL

I don't see the problem, as long as it doesn't look so much like the character that you would get confused. Can't disappoint the kiddies.

 

[Ds4angels]

Okay, I'll give the obvious answer: MNSSHP.

Over the plate, I gotta swing.

Well yeah buy maybe in the spring as well?
If it's planned like that then those who are bothered by it can just plan to go at a different time

 

[mesaboy2]

Well yeah buy maybe in the spring as well?
If it's planned like that then those who are bothered by it can just plan to go at a different time

I don't think this is necessary. I think people-who-go-to-Disney-and-are-freaked-out-by-faux-characters-but-not-"real"-characters is a niche market.

 

[ttintagel]

You know, I was just wishing this morning that Halloween came twice a year!

 

[ghtx]

My daughter in costume at DTD for the Brave premier...No one said anything...I did call ahead and she is 16 so maybe that is why.

I think it's allowed at DTD.

 

[csharpwv]

I really hope that this isn't a full policy change.

I think it's a little silly for adults to dress up in the parks - first of all, those dresses aren't at all practical, and they can't be comfortable!

I can totally understand kids dressing up - it's all part of the fantasy for kids.

However, for grown adults - the 'fantasy' days are past - and I don't mean that in that in way of saying 'grow up'. I mean that in the manner that allow the kids to have their fantasy - without the competition of adults trying to do the same thing.

It's like a lady that I saw on the TV show What NOT to Wear - the lady wore fairy wings EVERY DAY. It was part of her regular wardrobe - she has several dozen pairs... to match everything she wore.......even to work.

I understand that some people have Peter Pan syndrome....they never want to grow up, but I see this erosion of policy as stealing from the fantasy and magic in the lives of young children.

What 'belongs' to kids these days?

There are the parents that rush their children to grow up just to live through them.

There are the parents who spend THOUSANDS of dollars on Jr. High dance dresses.

There are the parents that spend thousands of dollars hauling their kids around multiple states as part of traveling athletic teams.


When are kids allowed to be kids these days?

Then you have adults trying to be kids?
Are they going to fight for pecking order at Chuckee Cheese or try to steal tickets to get more spider rings?

I think it is a big mistake on Disney's part to allow it to take place.

 

[AuroraRosesMom]

On Tuesday, I saw a woman in Belle's yellow gown. She also had on a backpack and tennis shoes. It was silly, cute, and harmless. I think that's what most are going for? It's not something I would really do myself, but it doesn't bother me any. It's just an adult excited to dress up, much like the kids that attend in costume. If someone is a little too close to an actual Disney representation (which would take some real doing I would think) then I can understand that something should be said or done. But, I really think there is a glaring difference between costumed visitor and Disney employee. I don't see it taking away any of the special, magical excitement from the actual characters. It would take much much more for that to happen

 

[TDC Nala]

Not sure I agree that Disney should change the policy because it's "silly" for adults to dress up as characters and only kids should have the "pleasure" without adults "competing" with them. If adults want to have a little fun dressing up (I won't do it, but hey) and Disney has decided it doesn't interfere with their business, why not. Sorry, but Disney doesn't belong to kids. Costumes don't belong to kids.

However they have, had some issues with guests being mistaken for actual Disney employees, that's where the line should be drawn.

 

[mtdewlarissa]

my husband actually looks alot like santa. we can't go to the mall and out to eat at xmas with little kids following us, starting at us. when we last went to disney in june a couple years ago a little boy came up to my husband and asked where is red suit was. Dh responded that he was on vacation. the boy wanted a picture and dh smiled. yoiu don't even have to try to look the part. yes his is a big guy with a white bread but has tattoos down his arms. santa or hells angles take your pick

 

[parkhopping]

On Tuesday, I saw a woman in Belle's yellow gown. She also had on a backpack and tennis shoes. It was silly, cute, and harmless. I think that's what most are going for? It's not something I would really do myself, but it doesn't bother me any. It's just an adult excited to dress up, much like the kids that attend in costume. If someone is a little too close to an actual Disney representation (which would take some real doing I would think) then I can understand that something should be said or done. But, I really think there is a glaring difference between costumed visitor and Disney employee. I don't see it taking away any of the special, magical excitement from the actual characters. It would take much much more for that to happen

I think we may have seen the same person - were you at MK? I was there on Tuesday as well. The woman you described sounds like the one I saw, who I mentioned in my original post. She was with another woman similarly dressed as Cinderella. Also, I share your opinion.

Not sure I agree that Disney should change the policy because it's "silly" for adults to dress up as characters and only kids should have the "pleasure" without adults "competing" with them. If adults want to have a little fun dressing up (I won't do it, but hey) and Disney has decided it doesn't interfere with their business, why not. Sorry, but Disney doesn't belong to kids. Costumes don't belong to kids.

However they have, had some issues with guests being mistaken for actual Disney employees, that's where the line should be drawn.

Agree 100%.

 

[Magpie]

Have you guys heard of Disneybouding? The term now actually means wearing normal clothes that looks like characters outfits. The girl wearing the polka dot dress on the picture is Disneybouding as Minnie. There's a tumblr dedicated exclusively for that, it's full if cool ideas and clothe choices.

I'm actually Disneybouding as Donald, Mickey and Snow White on my upcoming trip.

Posted from my iPhone using DISBoards

I love Disneybound! I like to browse the pictures and imagine costumes I could come up with myself. I especially like the idea of being secretly "in costume" as a character, and only myself knowing.

Some of the comments on this thread make me sad. On our last trip, it was just my husband and me. So for the first time in 17 years, I got to shake off the role of "mother" and have fun with the man I love. I packed all my prettiest dresses. None of them are princess dresses, but some are a little bit on the dramatic side, I guess. I loved the all compliments I got from cast members and other tourists. Complete strangers would yell, "Love your dress!" at me, and it just made me feel really happy. And I even got called "princess" by a cast member!

I think every woman (and man!) should have the right to dress in any way that makes them happy, as long as they're not breaking any decency laws.

I'd hate to think of what some folks would have to say if they'd seen Giselle for real!

 

[AuroraRosesMom]

I think we may have seen the same person - were you at MK? I was there on Tuesday as well. The woman you described sounds like the one I saw, who I mentioned in my original post. She was with another woman similarly dressed as Cinderella. Also, I share your opinion.

Agree 100%.

Yep. We were there Monday and Tuesday... But, we saw her Tuesday. She looked happy as can be, and brought a smile to my face even!

 

[LucyBC80]

I love Disneybound! I like to browse the pictures and imagine costumes I could come up with myself. I especially like the idea of being secretly "in costume" as a character, and only myself knowing.

This is exactly why I love Disneybound! It's a silly, harmless way to pay homage to your favorite characters. Most of the outfits are pretty accurate without being a costume at all.

I see no problem enjoying the fantasy side of life as long as you follow the rules and do not try to pass as a real character.

 

[MonorailPilotMulan]

I can appreciate how adults like to dress up as their favorite Disney characters but my concern is not just for confused little ones. I'm even more concerned about adults that may dress up too convincingly and then behave in a manner that a Disney character would not. For example, I was on Main Street a couple years ago when I saw Alice walking down the street and I was quite surprised to find that I couldn't see her Character Attendant. After a little bit, I took a good look at her and realized that she not only didn't quite fit the bill for Alice, facially, but she was also missing the bangs and the Mary Jane-type shoes that Alice wears. I decided to get a spot for the upcoming parade right near where I found her and watched her as she waved to everybody politely. EVERYONE that saw her seemed to think she was real but I started having an issue with her when she joined in on a group of Audience Control CMs who were dancing to La Macarena. While characters are often found at Dance Parties around the parks on various occasions, I thought that her dancing style was quite inappropriate for the young British girl that Alice is supposed to be. She attracted quite a bit of attention from her dancing which prompted a line to form for pictures and autographs which she welcomed. I'm not sure what the policy was at the time, so I can't really understand why even the Main Street CMs let her do this....