Why no employee beards?

[Wilt Dasney]

I'm wondering if it was because of a certain person Walt disliked or had bad dealings with. Seems an odd mandate. I don't know of any other companies with such a policy these days.

The Disney Look is essentially an unchanged ideal of "proper" grooming from the American 1950s.

Public mores have changed since then, but Disney's grooming standards have stayed largely the same (with the allowance for mustaches being one of the biggest concessions). Whether that's good or not is up to individual judgment.

 

[maelstrom]

Joe Rohde would have a hell of a time if the grooming standards of park CM's applied to Imagineers... that man IS the yeti!

 

[BrerFrog]

I am not sure if this is true, correct me if I am wrong, but I heard that the main reason behind those guidelines is because without any limits some CMs would go over-the-top with their looks and call more attention than the park’s visuals themselves. The park must always be the show, not the CMs looks.

I still have the small book with all the guidelines.

 

[jzimm]

I've heard from several HR type people over the years that facial hair is a subconscience effort to hide something. I remember the placement office at my college recommended shaving for job interviews also. A clean face is a sign of a clean life.

Not my opinion just saying what I have heard

 

[luckyeye13]

I'm wondering if it was because of a certain person Walt disliked or had bad dealings with. Seems an odd mandate. I don't know of any other companies with such a policy these days.

Actually, when I worked for British Airways and Air Canada, it was the same policy on beards. Even the local waterpark where I worked for a month during the summer had that policy.

 

[cdunbar]

Imagineering life for me. gy hair and scruffy face all the way. They got rides to build and cool looking jackets to wear anyways, no time for hair cutting and shaving...too busy being cool.

But as the saying goes Travis, you have to start at the bottom of the ladder in order to climb it...:animwink:

 

[tazhughes]

When I interviewed with Sesame Place (an Anheuser Busch park for those not familiar) I had a goatee and I was asked during the interview whether I would have a problem shaving it since they required all employees to be clean shaven. I told them I would consider it but I found it odd and funny that a company which offered 2 free cases of beer (a week or paycheck I can't recall) would have an issue with facial hair. I mean seriously what kind of mixed message is that, it's okay to be a drunk but not have a beard? :shrug:

I don't know if their standards are the same now, that was over 5 years ago.

 

[raven]

A rule from Walt himself. He felt that it did not look professional for a man to have a beard. Any more of a definitive answer would have to come from him.

Walt didn't want any facial hair what so ever. But years ago they finally allowed mustaches.

Aren't beards and mustaches now allowed but you can not grow it while on stage?

You can grow a stache on vacation or time off. A friend of mine grew one anyway telling management to bug off (we work midnights and no one sees us anyways).

But there are also a few Hatians in my department that have full beards that have never been told by management to shave it off, even though they tell everyone else to do so. Management is actually afraid to confront them however because they will file a racism complaint.

 

[Monty]

Walt didn't want any facial hair what so ever.

But he had his own:

Hardly seems fair. :shrug:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

But he had his own:

Hardly seems fair. :shrug:

As said, since then, they do allow mustaches, so maybe they do it out of tribute?:lol:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

As said, since then, they do allow mustaches, so maybe they do it out of tribute?:lol:

I always thought it was because the old rules limited their pool of potential hires too severely.

 

[dreamfinder]

Beards can look iffy if not kept properly. I imagine its easier for them to keep the rule than to have to determine what is well maintained for each individual. One manager likes a scruffy beard look, while another doesn't, and their two respective employees would have differing standards.

 

[rct247]

Another reason has been that based on guest surveys. When they started allowing clean-kept mustaches, I heard it was based on a survey they asked guests. The Disney Look in general is based on these surveys which ask a guest to describe or point out in pictures a person that look approachable to ask questions, etc. I guess the survey found that more guests were less likely to approach a cast member with facial hair, but that a mustache that was clean and well kept was acceptable. These surveys also determine hair color, makeup, jewelry, fingernails, etc.

While I am not 100% positive on this or have proof to back it up. It seems plausible to me. Walt probably based his initial guidelines on what he didn't like seeing at other places as a guest. Over the years, guest feedback and Walt's own opinions has helped shape that into the Disney Look we know today.

 

[DecWDW]

Aren't some small children afraid of men with beards? I think that may be one of Santa's problems with the little ones too.

 

[Monty]

Aren't some small children afraid of men with beards? I think that may be one of Santa's problems with the little ones too.

I've had a beard for over 30 years and can honestly say no, children aren't afraid of men with beards. I interact with children without any problems at all.

People being surveyed may say they'd approach a clean-shaven man over a man with a beard, but I'm regularly approached with questions while in the parks and no-one seems even the slightest bit off-put by my beard.

I wear a beard for medical reasons and have always been disappointed with the "Disney Look" prohibition on beards, it's nonsense that has been perpetuated for years for entirely unfounded reasons.

 

[ChrisFL]

I've seen after-hours custodial CM's with beards :shrug:

 

[krankenstein]

I've seen after-hours custodial CM's with beards :shrug:

That's the difference. After hours and certain roles that do not require CMs to interact with guests are allowed to have them. :wave:

 

[papamouse1]

I've had a beard for over 30 years and can honestly say no, children aren't afraid of men with beards. I interact with children without any problems at all.

People being surveyed may say they'd approach a clean-shaven man over a man with a beard, but I'm regularly approached with questions while in the parks and no-one seems even the slightest bit off-put by my beard.

I wear a beard for medical reasons and have always been disappointed with the "Disney Look" prohibition on beards, it's nonsense that has been perpetuated for years for entirely unfounded reasons.

I had a beard for many years and always kept it close cut and clean. I never had probs with kids. I do have a good friend, however, who worked in a childcare industry. He grew out a mountain man beard, and started seeing kids react differently. When he trimmed it down, he had no more probs. Of course, any comment on whether kids do or do not like beards is purely subjective.

Let's face it, some guys can grow a nice beard, and others "think" they can but look like bums. Like the one poster said, maybe the reason they hold on to this archaic plan is it's simpler than trying to define an acceptable beard and then to control it.

I agree, it seems silly, but I can see their point as well.

 

[BrerFrog]

Another reason has been that based on guest surveys. When they started allowing clean-kept mustaches, I heard it was based on a survey they asked guests. The Disney Look in general is based on these surveys which ask a guest to describe or point out in pictures a person that look approachable to ask questions, etc. I guess the survey found that more guests were less likely to approach a cast member with facial hair, but that a mustache that was clean and well kept was acceptable. These surveys also determine hair color, makeup, jewelry, fingernails, etc.

While I am not 100% positive on this or have proof to back it up. It seems plausible to me. Walt probably based his initial guidelines on what he didn't like seeing at other places as a guest. Over the years, guest feedback and Walt's own opinions has helped shape that into the Disney Look we know today.

I have also heard something like that.

 

[draybook]

The Yankees also do not allowed beards (and also long hair).
Ahh my two favorites things have something in common!

Yeah but it seems that Disney does have a salary cap.