This is simply the lowering of standards. People may squawk and yell at that as if it's not the case, but it's the truth.
Some companies and inustries still have standards. Large succesful airlines, for example, don't allow their airport or in-flight staff to have visible tattoos and purple hair and weird piercings. It makes the flying public nervous.
In-N-Out Burger here in SoCal, as another example of a company that still has high standards. Their employees obey strict grooming and appearance standards, and they look great! Their sharp appearance matches their extremely courteous and efficient work habits.
Disneyland used to have standards like that. It was all part of making sure Disneyland was the star, and everything else (including employees) were merely in the supporting role.
"Disneyland is the star. Everything else is in the supporting role." -Walt Disney, 1961
But that old Walt idea is unfashionable now. Now, it's...
Every Role A Starring Role! Every CM flipping burgers or waving a flashlight at parade crowds or cleaning out the oil from the bottom of the popcorn machine is a
STAR! (
SPOILER: They actually aren't, and their company doesn't treat them like a star, but let's pretend and maybe they won't notice?)
All Disney has done here is lower the standards of Disney theme park CM's to that of Wal-Mart or McDonald's employees. Disney CM's no longer have to live up to higher standards like In-N-Out Burger. It's not really a surprise, as it's been happening in the US parks for over 20 years now. Lower maintenance standards, lower customer service standards, lower showmanship standards. This is simply the latest step down to lower standards; now including employee grooming and appearance.
Not surprisingly, none of these new appearance rules apply at Tokyo Disneyland. They still have higher standards there.