News The 'Disney Look' to be further relaxed at Walt Disney World

[TrainsOfDisney]

But why not allow the AppleWatch?

They were already allowed... i mean I’ve seen them on cast members I know that.

 

[_caleb]

Seems like an Apple Watch could be a distraction (notifications) and could inhibit job performance (for fear of losing/damaging the watch).

I get that you guys are trying to push opinions to their logical conclusions, though.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Because it’s an electronic communication device and could be distracting- I would equate that to having your phone out. Not because it’s some piece of technology that doesn’t fit the era.. they are using touchscreen cash registers after all.

So what items should match the theme?

 

[Lilofan]

Seems like an Apple Watch could be a distraction (notifications) and could inhibit job performance (for fear of losing/damaging the watch).

I get that you guys are trying to push opinions to their logical conclusions, though.

Before, it was distracted driving. Now everywhere you see, it's distracted walking with people in love with their smartphones.

 

[WDWTank]

The 'Disney Look' to be further relaxed at Walt Disney World

Disney is making some changes to the approved look for its costumed Cast Members at the parks.

www.wdwmagic.com

This makes no sense. When will reality stop shaping the magic of Disney?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Personal grooming and not wearing a bracelet are now forms of abusive behavior?

No-one is saying that people shouldn't be well-groomed, it's just recognizing that what is considered well-groomed in 2019 is different to what it was in 1955.

For those who are arguing this has to do with theme, it has little to nothing to do with theme. If it was about that, we would want CMs in Adventureland and Frontierland to be far less well-groomed than they will be under these regulations. This has to do with the wholesome image Disney wishes to project at the parks, often at the expense of theme. Disney is just updating that image to accord with the passing of time.

 

[_caleb]

So what items should match the theme?

Disneyland Railroad and Frontierland CMs:

[Edit: just being silly!]

 

[lazyboy97o]

No-one is saying that people shouldn't be well-groomed, it's just recognizing that what is considered well-groomed in 2019 is different to what it was in 1955.

For those who are arguing this has to do with theme, it has little to nothing to do with theme. If it was about that, we would want CMs in Adventureland and Frontierland to be far less well-groomed than they will be under these regulations. This has to do with the wholesome image Disney wishes to project at the parks, often at the expense of theme. Disney is just updating that image to accord with the passing of time.

Personal accessories are all about theme.

 

[Mouse Trap]

So what items should match the theme?

For Frontierland we need calfskin (buffalo or elk will suffice) boots, prairie skirts (must be made by hand, too much machine use wouldn’t be authentic), materials all around should be represent the era as well. Chaps need to still have some animal fur on them for that real ruggedness.

Otherwise what’s the point? It’s these little details that matter! Not realistic and breaks the theme otherwise... may as well get rid of costumes all together.

 

[Obobru]

Disney's staffing has gone downhill over the past 15+ years with many looking like slobs. I am not sure what difference a bit of facial hair is going to make at this stage when you have obese people who look sloppy in uniforms, older people who should have long retired but have no pension so have to work until they die and are bitter to guests, any old pervert being hired as characters touching up kids and a lot of people who are one step above working at a fastfood place. Disney can't be picky as they pay peanuts and need a huge amount of staff, the slim pickings will only get worse unless they pay better and give better benifits to attract people who see it as a job and company worth working for.

 

[lazyboy97o]

For Frontierland we need calfskin (buffalo or elk will suffice) boots, prairie skirts (must be made by hand, too much machine use wouldn’t be authentic), materials all around should be represent the era as well. Chaps need to still have some animal fur on them for that real ruggedness.

Otherwise what’s the point? Not realistic and breaks the theme...may as well get rid of costumes all together.

And yet no one is actually articulating why costumes should stay.

 

[Mouse Trap]

And yet no one is actually articulating why costumes should stay.

Can’t imagine why they should...

 

[The_Jobu]

So... there is no more Disney-look? They should just say so.

Either it exists and Disney is special, or it doesnt and its just like everywhere else.

 

[Lilofan]

Disney's staffing has gone downhill over the past 15+ years with many looking like slobs. I am not sure what difference a bit of facial hair is going to make at this stage when you have obese people who look sloppy in uniforms, older people who should have long retired but have no pension so have to work until they die and are bitter to guests, any old pervert being hired as characters touching up kids and a lot of people who are one step above working at a fastfood place. Disney can't be picky as they pay peanuts and need a huge amount of staff, the slim pickings will only get worse unless they pay better and give better benifits to attract people who see it as a job and company worth working for.

The contractors that did work on my house were respectful, hard working, very humble, cleaned up after themselves and did a great job. The landscaping guys that come weekly are built from the same mold. Disney would be happy to hire these guys in a heartbeat. Just a minor item, is that they only speak Spanish and don't have legal papers.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Can’t imagine why they should...

Because none of the stated reasons for supporting the change include any rationale for why the remaining requirements should stay in place. They’re statement like “I don’t care” or examples of other dress codes more radically being relaxed that cast a far wider net than just allowing a bracelet.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

So... there is no more Disney-look? They should just say so.

Either it exists and Disney is special, or it doesnt and its just like everywhere else.

Fair point. They fact Disney is going to allow its workers to show up sporting a beard of up to 1 inch in length and wear a single bracelet and a single necklace, including a pendant an inch or less in size, speaks not just to the decline of Disney but of society as a whole.

Perfectly reasonable to suggest they may as well just get rid of uniforms all together considering the anarchic new reality that awaits us at the parks.

 

[_caleb]

And yet no one is actually articulating why costumes should stay.

I think costumes should stay because they add to the experience by helping to establish the theme and to make it clear who the Cast Members are. They don’t just look like employees, but Disney workers in particular places/areas of the parks. The costume helps tell the story of the make-believe places we experience in the parks.

I don’t, however, think the costumes have to be 100% authentic in order to do this. We are not at Colonial Williamsburg, this is a theme park. Too authentic, and it becomes more difficult to relate to them properly as park staff. Too generic would make guests feel like they’re in a Best Buy. Cast Members should be ready to provide customer service, keep guests safe, and keep the parks operating smoothly. Their costumes should not get in the way of this.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think costumes should stay because they add to the experience by helping to establish the theme and to make it clear who the Cast Members are. They don’t just look like employees, but Disney workers in particular places/areas of the parks. The costume helps tell the story of the make-believe places we experience in the parks.

I don’t, however, think the costumes have to be 100% authentic in order to do this. We are not at Colonial Williamsburg, this is a theme park. Too authentic, and it becomes more difficult to relate to them properly as park staff. Too generic would make guests feel like they’re in a Best Buy. Cast Members should be ready to provide customer service, keep guests safe, and keep the parks operating smoothly. Their costumes should not get in the way of this.

So how do personal accessories that can contradict the theme support any of these objectives? They don’t help tell the story, provide customer service, keep people safe or the parks operating smoothly.

 

[_caleb]

So how do personal accessories that can contradict the theme support any of these objectives? They don’t help tell the story, provide customer service, keep people safe or the parks operating smoothly.

Right.

 

[The_Jobu]

Fair point. They fact Disney is going to allow its workers to show up sporting a beard of up to 1 inch in length and wear a single bracelet and a single necklace, including a pendant an inch or less in size, speaks not just to the decline of Disney but of society as a whole.

Perfectly reasonable to suggest they may as well just get rid of uniforms all together considering the anarchic new reality that awaits us at the parks.

Slow your roll friend, save the strawmen for the cornfields. I'm actually trying to communicate.

Uniforms are a standard component of employment, they are not part of the "Disney look". Having people dressed as bellhops, for example, is a particular uniform, lots of places have them. They are not special. The Disney-look does not allow stubble or jewlery, it is very specific, hence the name "Disney look". It exists because it is different from the norm. If you make it more like everywhere else, it ceases to exist.

Do you follow? Irrespective of however people feel about it, it either exists or it doesnt. Either it is special and abnormal, or it is lax and no longer particular to Disney.