Disney Parks Allow Gender Flexible Costumes, Employee Tattoos – Deadline

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced Tuesday that Disney properties are making changes and “creating a place where everyone is welcome.”

D’Amaro said that as of 2019, the company engaged employees and came up with a new guiding principle: inclusion.

D’Amaro wrote in a blog post, “Every Disney Parks cast member is familiar with our longstanding tradition of The Four Keys – Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency – which has guided our approach to guest service for over 65 years.” He announced that ‘Inclusion’ would become the fifth key that, along with the others, ‘will guide us in interacting with guests, working together, creating the next generation of Disney products and experiences, and making critical decisions about the future of our company. . “

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Disney Parks “are rediscovering our attractions to be more inclusive … celebrate the diverse and inspiring stories of our cast and fans … look at ways we can support and uplift our communities through programs such as our Disney Dreamers Academy mentorship programs, and we are adding more diverse companies to our supply chain, ”wrote the chairman of the parks.

One of the most visible changes among park visitors can be the appearance of cast members.

“We are also looking at other traditions,” wrote D’Amaro, “including the policies that govern how our cast members appear at work. Our new approach offers more flexibility in ways of personal expression around gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles. and costume choices; and allowing appropriate visible tattoos. We update them to not only remain relevant in today’s workplace, but also to enable our cast members to better express their cultures and individuality at work. “

That is a long way from the Disneyland of yesteryear. When the company’s first park opened in 1955, all facial hair was banned for cast members, even though Walt Disney himself had a mustache. It wasn’t until 2012 that park workers were finally allowed to have a beard.

Disneyland will reopen on April 30, more than a year after the gates closed.

“Looking ahead, we believe our cast, who are central to the magic that lives in all of our experiences, can deliver the best of Disney’s legendary guest service when they have more options for personal expression – making them richer, more personal and more engaging. our guests ”, wrote D’Amaro.

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