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.
Walt’s Plane is Backstage
Cast members are able to see Walt Disney's plane backstage. Walt purchased the Grumman Gulfstream 1 model in 1964. He and his wife decorated it together. The plane seats 15 passengers and also features sofas and a desk. Walt Disney used the plane to look for spots in Florida when he set out to create Disney World. Nicknamed "The Mouse," the white plane as a Mickey logo painted on its tail. One of the perks of being a cast member is being privy to this plane.
Cast members aren't the only ones who can see the plane. Guests also can visit the plane if they go on the Backlot Tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
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.
Facial Hair Rules
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 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.