If you’re hoping to work on growing your beard while working at Disney World, you may want to stick to your job as a barista. Disney requires its employees to go completely clean-shaven. From the start of the park in the 1950’s, men were forbidden from growing their facial hair. In 2000, the rules were loosened a little to allow male Cast Members to have a mustache. But, not just any mustache. Their mustache must adhere to Disney standards which includes not extending beyond the corners of their mouths.
In 2012, the rules were once again lightened. Nowadays, cast Members can have beards and goatees. But, their beards must be trimmed neatly and not be longer than 1/4” in length. While Disney is more accepting of facial hair than it is of tattoos, it still is pretty exhaustive and probably deters a lot of creative minds from working for Disney.
No Selfies Backstage
You know by now that cast members can't share pictures or post anything on social media. But, they aren't even allowed to take photos backstage. This rule was only adopted in the last few years, which makes sense considering the explosion of social media.
Even if you spot a celebrity which you are a die hard fan of in the area, you can't take a picture with them.
Disney Pin Trading
Cast members at Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, and Disneyland Paris are always required to wear a lanyard with at least 12 pins on it. The pins are meant to be traded with guests. So, if you spot an employee wearing a pin you want, you can ask if they're willing to trade. The company’s official website shares that the Disney Pin Trading program is “an exciting, interactive experience where our Guests can trade Disney pins with our Disney Cast Members and other Guests. It’s fun for the whole family and CREATES cherished ‘pin pals’ to last a lifetime!”
Of course, there are specific rules for the Pin Trading program, like everything else at Disney. One of the rules is that the Pins traded must be in good condition. They should also be traded one at a time in a hand-to-hand transaction.
No Long Hair
You can expect that if Disney will have a rule for beards and tattoos, then they most definitely have a rule for hair length. Disney’s whole point for all of these rules is so that nobody stands out. Similarly, hair and hairstyles shouldn't stand out. Male cast members can't have long hair. More specifically, they state that men’s hair must extend over their ears or fall in their eyes. It seems that for some characters, like Gaston, they are willing to make an exception.
Which, can you blame them letting him slide with that gorgeous full set of hair? If you are a male with long locks hoping to work as a costumed character, you might have to wait for a Disney Prince with long hair to be created.
And You Must Have Eyebrows
Disney doesn’t only set forth rules regarding men’s hair. There are also some very stringent rules when it comes to how female cast members can wear their hair. The Disney Look encourages “classic, simple hair styling whether it be a classic up-do or a shoulder-length cut.” Perhaps thanks to Pocahontas or Rapunzel, braided hairstyles are acceptable at Disney as long as there are no embellishments involved since “no beads or ornamentation are permitted.” Hair color also needs to look natural, so if you’re hoping to keep your purple dye in, you better be okay to go back to being a brunette. For cast members not in costume, their hairstyles also bear importance. Female cast members aren’t allowed to shave their eyebrows. Their hair must also be in a neat fashion, weather brushed and down or tightly pulled back. Earrings shouldn’t be any bigger than a quarter, and fingernails should be kept short.
There is a good reason for Disney’s stringent rules when it comes to appearance. Disney spokeswoman Angela Bliss shares that the reason for Disney’s fresh and clean look is so that all guests feel comfortable when they are present with the cast.