Disney Park employees have a new dress code

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In a blog post this week, Josh D’Amaro, the chairman of Disney’s parks division, pledged to update attractions, modernize the values ​​of the parks and, perhaps most visibly, change the guidelines for how park employees – better known as Disney Cast Members – Look and Dress.

D’Amaro said the company will provide “more flexibility” to their Cast Member’s outfits with regard to “forms of personal expression around gender-specific hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles and costume choices.” In the parks, cast members can even show off “ 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,” wrote D’Amaro.

Historically, Disney has been specific about the appearance of Cast Members – for a clean look, to stay consistent with the company’s family-friendly image. For example, in the past cast members were not allowed to have facial hair.

However, Disney DIS is now looking for ways to adapt its parks to a changing world where inclusion is becoming an important business value.
Disney is striving to make its theme parks - "The happiest place on Earth" - more inclusive.

“We want our guests to see their own backgrounds and traditions reflected in the stories, experiences and products they encounter in their interactions with Disney. And we want our cast members – and future cast members – to feel they belong at work. , “D’Amaro wrote.” That means cultivating an environment where all people feel welcome and valued for their unique life experiences, perspectives and culture. Where we celebrate alliance and support for each other. And where different views and ideas are sought. as critical contributions to our collective success. ”

Disney previously announced that it will also be making significant updates to two of its classic attractions to make them more inclusive: Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain.

Jungle Cruise, where guests take a journey through the wilderness with a comic skipper, is updated with new scenes and characters. The ride has been criticized for its depictions of wild ‘natives’.

Splash Mountain, a ride based on the controversial 1946 film “Song of the South”, will be completely remade to feature characters from the 2009 animated film “The Princess and the Frog”, which featured Disney’s first black princess. seeing is.

"Inclusion is essential to our culture," Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro wrote this week.

D’Amaro explained that in 2019 the company sought input from Cast Members on how to update the culture of the parks. One suggestion was to add a fifth key to Disney’s “Four Keys,” which has long been the park’s guest service. The cast members suggested adding a fifth key, in addition to security, courtesy, show, and efficiency.

“Inclusion is essential to our culture and moves us forward as we continue to realize our rich legacy of compelling storytelling, exceptional service and Disney magic,” wrote D’Amaro.

The changes come after the park department has had one of its most difficult years on record due to closures and layoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is what the Disney parks of the future will look like
The announcements are also taking place as other big companies like JPMorgan Chase are investing billions to promote racial equality.
Another Disney unit, ABC News, is breaking barriers this week. The news organization announced on Wednesday that Kimberly Godwin will become the president of ABC News, making her the first Black executive to lead one of America’s largest newsrooms.

D’Amaro ended his blog post by saying the world is changing and Disney will keep changing with it.

“We will never stop working to make Disney a welcoming place for everyone,” he wrote.

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