Disney Beards Now Allowed

Disney is loosening up a bit, announcing a change to its dress code that will allow employees to grow beards.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World announced that the “Disney Look” now allows employees to grow more facial hair. Beginning February 3, employees can show up with a beard or a goatee, as long as it’s shorter than a quarter of an inch and it can’t be a soul patch (a patch of hair just below the lower lip).

The “Disney Look”, a key part of the theme parks’ brand, is “clean, natural, polished and professional,” according to the company’s website. The conservative dress code outlines the importance of appearance for Disney’s costumed and non-costumed cast. All employees who interact face-to-face with visitors at the park as referred to as part of the Disney cast.

“Disney Look guidelines are periodically reviewed in relation to industry standards, as well as the unique environment of our theme parks and resorts,” says Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

“While we are careful to maintain our heritage and the integrity of our brand, a recent review of our guidelines led to a decision that an update was appropriate at this time.”

Several changes have been made to the “Disney Look” in recent years. In 2010, Disney said women didn’t need to wear pantyhose with skirts and permitted sleeveless tops, just as long as the shoulder straps were at least 3 inches wide.  Men were also allowed to wear untucked, casual shirts.

In 2000, Disney allowed employees to grow mustaches, overturning a 43-year-old ban on facial hair.

Despite the new changes, there are still plenty of style choices that are still off the menu for Disney employees.  They still aren’t allowed to have visible tattoos, body piercings (except for women’s ears), “extreme” hair styles (or colors), and muttonchops.

A shaved head is acceptable for men but not for women.

Related articles

• The BEARDS Have Spoken! Disney Allows Employees To Sport More Facial Hair (perezhilton.com)
• Disney to Allow Its Employees to Grow Beards (towleroad.com)
• Disneyland to Be Overrun by Terrifying Goatees, Mustaches, Beards [Disney] (jezebel.com)