Even on Down Time, There’s a Dress Code
You would think that during training or off hours when cast members don’t need to be in full costume, that they can lounge around in whatever they want. Wrong. they are required to dress in business casual attire. And if they break that rule, there’s a punishment. They need to put on a costume. Seeing as though you probably don’t want to be wearing a costume while you’re in a classroom training session… you’d be best to follow this rule. Apparently, it was important for Walt Disney to have his employees looking professional and sharp 24/7.
The Disney Careers website labels the Disney employee dress code as “The Disney Look.” Women are allowed to wear either a dress, suit, capri, or dress pants with a formal blouse. In terms of footwear, they can wear closed-toe shoes or ones which are slightly open at the toes. Men, on the other hand, must wear a suit or dress pants with a collared, professional shirt. They should also show up in socks and dress shoes to complete the look.
Like a Real Jungle
Disney's Animal Kingdom reportedly cost nearly 1 billion dollars to construct. It covers an area of around 500 acres of land in the park. Animal Kingdom first opened to visitors on Earth Day in 1998. A lot of work was put into designing the park. Disney Imagineers traveled all the way to Africa and Asia to study the landscapes and wildlife in order to replicate them in a realistic fashion. They also brought back seeds from 37 countries to plan in the park. Talk about commitment! The Animal Kingdom was built sunken several feet into the ground. Several theories exist as to the reason for this. Some people claim that it’s the result of central Florida’s many sinkholes. But, this isn’t exactly why. Animal Kingdom was built in this way in order to create a more fitting environment for both animals and guests. You can see that Disney does everything to make the guest experience the best it can possibly be.
Disney also goes great distances to protect the animals of the park. There is a ban on all things plastic, including plastic straws, cups, cup lids, and balloons. The reason for this is so that they don't end up in the animals' cages. Another interesting fact about Animal Kingdom is that it houses the most expensive roller coaster ever built in the world. Expedition Everest, Legend of the Forbidden Mountain cost $100,000,000. It took six years to plan and build the ride.
Never Break Character
Disney World cast members are strictly forbidden from breaking character when in costume. There are no exceptions. Even a cast member who becomes sick isn't allowed to break character. This rule is in place to maintain the magic that guests feel when they're in the park. There is a deep commitment to the guest experience in the company.
Remember “the flu game” when Michael Jordan played in the 1997 NBA finals with the flu and managed to score 38 points in 44 pants? Kind of like that... Keep reading for a funny remark from cast members!
The Costumes are Usually Very Small
Disney costumes succeed in setting the mood of Disney theme parks in a way that standard amusement parks aren’t able to. But, there’s one problem with the costumes; they reportedly run very small. This is apparently a vestige of the 1970s.
Whatever the real reason is, employees who get hired must order up a few sizes. Keep reading to learn how you know if you've aggravated a Disney employee.
Worlds Must Never Crossover
Every time you visit a new part of the park, whether it’s a restaurant, shop, or ride, the cast members wear outfits that represent the theme of that specific spot. It’s a subtle and effective move that Disney does to create an authentic guest experience. So, if you're wondering what it would be like if Harry Potter and Peter Pan became friends, you can stop wondering because this wouldn't happen. Actually, when they are in character, Cast Members aren’t even allowed to talk or acknowledge the existence of other characters or brands outside of the world of Disney.
In specific situations, Disney employees have made exceptions for guests. Unfortunately, the guests aren’t as appreciative of the efforts, maybe because they aren’t aware of how much it requires to make the Disney experience possible. Someone shared a story online about their sister who was a Disney World Cast Member. They said that their sister was working in a gift store when a parent and her son with cancer asked to meet Darth Vader. The Disney worker told them that the story doesn’t carry Darth Vader costumes or Star Wars memorabilia. The child started to freak out and the parent demanded to speak to one of the managers. After an hour of them waiting, the Disney worker ended up putting on a Darth Vader costume and greeting the young boy. The sister shared that the boy’s response was ‘I knew we wouldn’t have to walk to the other side of the park! I love cancer.'