Just like the food rule, cast members aren’t allowed to chew gum while on the job, which also makes sense. I don’t think that Ariel was able to get her hands on gum under the sea nor was Aladdin popping gum bubbles while flying on his magic carpet. It’s crucial that cast members stay in their fictional character the entire time even if they feel a wave of bad breath come over them and feel the need to pop a breath mint. The no slouching, no eating, and no chewing gum rule may seem very strict, but hey, the job is not for everyone.
Actually, there isn’t even gum sold in any of the Disney parks. It is such a mess to clean, that they’ve done away with it entirely. Guests who can’t live without gum for a day should come prepared with gum from home. And let’s be real, if Disney did sell chew gum it would be majorly overpriced.
And They Always Maintain Good Posture
When you're on the clock at Disney, you need to be on your A game, 100% of the time. This means no looking tired, sad, and being alert at all times. Unless a cast member needs to bend down to sign a young visitor's autograph book or snap a photo with a cast, they are expected to maintain good posture at all times. This doesn't sound so bad for perhaps characters like Ariel, but for soldiers who are carrying all that extra weight in a holiday parade, it must get very hot and heavy under all that weight.
While it's probably challenging to keep a smile on your face all of the time, especially if you're in pain, cast members handle it like the champs that they are, or because they have to.
No Eating in Public
This next one is pretty obvious: eating while being on stage is strictly forbidden. A cast member’s job requires being active all of the time. Whether it’s smiling at guests, posing for pictures, or helping guests, they are on their feet the whole day long. You can imagine the kind of hunger they experience from this level of intensity. But, cast members are forbidden from eating in front of guests. Can you imagine how much willpower you must have to not eat with all those smellitizers hanging around?
When the cast members do go for lunch, they have special cafeterias they can visit backstage and down in the tunnels. At the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando, for example, there are five different employee restaurants. These cafeterias feature different menus, snacks, beverages, and special prices for employees. Cast Members are also eligible to receive 20-40% discounts at visitor restaurants on their days off, with their valid ID.
Find Somewhere Else to Smoke
Another rule which is completely understandable: cast members aren't able to smoke on the clock at all. In general, smoking laws around the country are more strict in the last five years and there aren’t many places that still allow smokers to smoke in public. So, Mr. Caterpillar, stop what you’re doing. Put that hookah down!
Interestingly enough, Walt Disney was a big smoker and eventually, his smoking habits let to dying from lung cancer. According to his longtime nurse Hazel George, Walt once said, “You’re right about one thing. Smoking and drinking are sins. Because you are one of God’s creatures and if you don’t take care of the body He gave you, you are committing a sin.”
Walt’s Wasn't Into Body Art
The Disney Internships & Programs website goes into greater detail about body modifications. They state in clear terms that they prohibit body modification or alteration for the sake of a visible and physical effect that takes away from a professional appearance. This includes visible tattoos, wearing name-brand clothing, body piercings other than ear piercings for women, and earlobe expansion. Cast members can have tattoos as long as they are covered at all times while at work.
Workers are also prohibited from wearing jewelry and plugs while working. While Disney seems really strict with some of these rules, it makes sense considering how many children visit the park. Extreme body modifications can be scary for young children who have never been exposed to them before.