Has anyone actually spotted a bearded cast member?

[VoiceInTheCrowd]

So since the new policy of allowing cast members to have beards and goatees went into effect towards the beginning of this year, has anyone actually seen any cast member with such facial hair? I haven't when I've been. A friend of mine has an interview in a few weeks though he has a goatee. I'm afraid that even with the implementation of this new policy, once they take one look at his facial hair he'll be shown the door.

Any thoughts on the policy? Have we actually witnessed bearded cast members or was it truly just a ploy to strictly attract cast members applying at the international parks?

 

[FettFan]

 

[wilkeliza]

So since the new policy of allowing cast members to have beards and goatees went into effect towards the beginning of this year, has anyone actually seen any cast member with such facial hair? I haven't when I've been. A friend of mine has an interview in a few weeks though he has a goatee. I'm afraid that even with the implementation of this new policy, once they take one look at his facial hair he'll be shown the door.

Any thoughts on the policy? Have we actually witnessed bearded cast members or was it truly just a ploy to strictly attract cast members applying at the international parks?

Even if they don't like the goatee that wouldn't make them show him the door. If it is outside of the Disney look they will ask him if he is willing to comply with the Disney look including the facial hair rules. If he says yes he'll be okay. If he says no then they will thank him for coming in and then show him the door.

Disney hires all types of people who don't necessarily meet the Disney look in their interviews and then tells them what has to be changed (dyed hair, crazy color contacts, glasses that aren't conservative in color or design, tattoos, etc) and then lets them know what they have to change in time for traditions. Most of the college program kids get hired and end up having to change some stuff.

I have a tattoo on my leg which is against the Disney look but I was honest about it and still hired and was told exactly how I will need to cover it for work. No big deal.

 

[AswaySuller]

A couple of women.

 

[Tip Top Club]

Plenty of Cast Members have beards now. And just like Everyone else in the entire world, it looks fine on some people, and it looks bad on others. I wasn't a fan of the change, but there are bigger fish to fry.

 

[stuey222]

I know there's one Nov-Dec every year...

 

[bethymouse]

Few and far between. I never really thought about it though.

 

[TropicalFig8]

Look who broke the rules before

 

[TubaGeek]

My roommate, for one.
But, as a CM, I see them here and there. The problem is that not everyone can grow a Disney-Look beard overnight, and they have to shave it before it can mature into a flourishing facial masterpiece.

 

[SinginSarah]

My dentist told me a story that back when WDW opened he and his wife tried to get jobs there. He was sporting a very 70s stache at the time, and during his interview they asked if he'd be okay shaving it off. As it happens, there was a photo of Walt on the wall, and he pointed to it and said, "He didn't shave."

He was shown the door. He said he kicks himself for that remark today, but I'm sure he gets better wages as a dentist anyway.

When I went to work at WDW, I had highlights in my hair, but nothing unnatural looking. The "Disney Look" CM had to think about it for a minute before she said she wouldn't make my dye it. But by the time I was working a few months and my naturally dirty blonde hair was in the sun all day, the highlights didn't make a difference.

 

[CaptainShortty]

The reason you won't see very many is because of the way the rule is worded. Since it has to be fully grown in to be within Disney standards most men have to grow it during a vacation because it takes longer than two days to have it fully grown in. Generally you'll see it on seasoned CMs who have grown it in on vacation time or those that have recently joined the company.

 

[FettFan]

The reason you won't see very many is because of the way the rule is worded. Since it has to be fully grown in to be within Disney standards most men have to grow it during a vacation because it takes longer than two days to have it fully grown in. Generally you'll see it on seasoned CMs who have grown it in on vacation time or those that have recently joined the company.

Which is kind of a shame. If I were the one making the rules, I would at least allow male Jungle Cruise cast members to sport a rugged Humphrey Bogart-esque 3-4 days of stubble.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I actually like the dress code standards of Disney. That being said, how did they ever get around not hiring someone with a beard? I am just shocked this has never been fully challenged. Someone could be a Sikh and have it for religious reasons. I like how Disney doesn't hire someone full of tatoos and piercings all over their body, that's more of a Six Flags thing and it shows you just how much more quality Disney has overall. But that being said, how did that not get challenged all these years? Even the people who don't comply with a certain "Disney" look I often wonder how they never fought it.

Lastly, why did Walt put in that policy regarding cast members not having mustaches when he himself had one?

 

[Nemo14]

I actually like the dress code standards of Disney. That being said, how did they ever get around not hiring someone with a beard? I am just shocked this has never been fully challenged. Someone could be a Sikh and have it for religious reasons. I like how Disney doesn't hire someone full of tatoos and piercings all over their body, that's more of a Six Flags thing and it shows you just how much more quality Disney has overall. But that being said, how did that not get challenged all these years? Even the people who don't comply with a certain "Disney" look I often wonder how they never fought it.

Many companies still have a no-beards policy.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Many companies still have a no-beards policy.

I know most police departments have it. I still don't understand why Walt implemented the "no moustache" policy though when he had one himself. It is as hard to believe as the fact that Disneyland used to not allow guests with long hair (males) into the parks. Didn't a member of the Animals actually once get denied entry because of that?

 

[Nemo14]

Around here, even part-time shuttle bus drivers (airport to hotel) cannot have facial hair.

 

[MLIDisney10]

I like how Disney doesn't hire someone full of tatoos and piercings all over their body, that's more of a Six Flags thing and it shows you just how much more quality Disney has overall.

You would actually be surprised. There are plenty of cast members who have full arm tattoos and giant calf tattoos. Don't you ever wonder why someone is standing outside in July in 100 degree weather in long sleeves and pants? Its not necessarily just the costume, but because they have to cover up tattoos. There are a lot of things band-aids, make-up and extra clothing can do to hide tattoos. Now with the piercings, just look closely. You will see cast members with more holes in ears than earrings. The only thing you won't see is the large gauges. After work I will see friends throw in a brow ring, nose ring, tongue ring and 3 extra earrings. As long as the hole isn't noticeable, it won't cause any problems during the day.

It's not that Disney has more quality, it's that the Cast Members who work for Disney understand and respect the rules for a company that they want to work for.


And as has been commented on from the OP: I really see beards all the time. When the change began it was more of how many guys took "Beard-cations" and when they came back if it really worked for them or not. I still see beards on some of my friends and try to avoid telling them to shave. My DH is one wanting a "beard-cation" just so he can avoid shaving every morning before work!

 

[wilkeliza]

Disney is a private company and its rules are listed and known before being hired they can not be challenged on the religious front. If you follow a religion that says you must have something that is outside of the Disney look they can decide not to hire you or tell you to change. You accept their rules when you begin working for them and can't decide to sue after the fact. This has come up several times. To my knowledge most recently a Muslim woman at Walt Disney World suddenly decided to start wearing her head scarf to work with out notifying management and after working for the company for several years with out it and it broke out into a huge legal battle. Disney won the battle as they proved they worked to accommodate her and make something fit into the costume so she could continue in her current postion and was even offered another out of customer view position if she did not want to wear the replacement. When Disney did all of this the case was thrown out because you only have to make reasonable accommodations. Someone who has a beard for religious reasons could get hired in a non-customer interaction position and I'm sure many are. Also Disney isn't not hiring them because of the religion they follow but rather because they do not want to fit into to their dress code so they aren't doing anything illegal.

I will be one of those sad people wearing pants in 100 degree Florida weather because I have a calf tattoo. I don't consider myself an awful person or trashy at all and my tattoo is very personal to me and is only 3" wide and wraps around my leg between my calf and ankle. The other possible option for me is tall socks but even then it sucks.

Oh by the way the band-aids and make-up option is not always offered to every Disney employee. I was specifically told at my interview that I will have a mark put in my file for costuming that cloth is the only option because of the size of my tattoo. I was lead to believe that if it is bigger than a quarter make-up can not be used.

 

[cheezbat]

Plenty of Cast Members have beards now. And just like Everyone else in the entire world, it looks fine on some people, and it looks bad on others. I wasn't a fan of the change, but there are bigger fish to fry.

for those of us that HATE having to shave for our jobs(no I no longer work at Disney, but my current job follows the same facial hair standards), it was a victory for people who have facial hair.

My friends always tease me that I look younger without a beard, but sexier with it!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Um..Why is this of importance...Are they as rare as Bigfoot or something?? Lol