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Good Judgment and Stage Presence

As with all of your duties and responsibilities as a Walt Disney World®; Cast Member, you are expected to demonstrate professionalism and good judgment at all times related to your appearance. For this reason, if you are ever in doubt about the appropriateness of your appearance, please keep in mind that anything that could be considered distracting or not in the best interest of our Disney show will not be permitted.

No matter where you work or what your role is, anytime you are in a public area, you are 'on stage.' Your attitude and performance are direct reflections on the quality of our Disney show. It's those things that you don't always think of that detract from our guests' enjoyment--chewing gum, having poor posture, using a cell phone...or frowning. Like these actions, smoking and eating on stage are also strictly prohibited. All of this adds up to one of the most important aspects of your role in our show: good stage presence.

Please keep in mind that when you're in costume walking to and from your work location, these guidelines for on stage presence still apply. Nametags and full costumes (shirts tucked in, ties tied, etc.) must be worn whenever you are in the presence of guests. Nametags and/or costumes may not be worn while visiting our property as a guest, so engaging in any activities such as shopping or eating in on stage areas is not permitted in costume or while wearing your nametag, even if you're "off the clock." When necessary, ask your area leader or the Cast Image and Appearance Team for clarification on these policies.

Non-costumed Cast Members must remain especially aware of their appearance on stage. In addition to our guests' high expectations for professionalism, Cast Members look to you as a role model. When participating in meetings or other activities backstage, even when not on Disney property, you are representing the Company and naturally, all Disney Look guidelines still apply. For our non-costumed Cast, it is important to realize your "stage" is a very broad one!

Nametags

We are a first-name organization. All Cast Members have been issued a nametag, which should be worn with pride in an upright, readable position on your outer-most layer of clothing. Nametags should be worn on the left shoulder area. Based on costume design, this placement may occasionally vary. Please check with your area leader for clarification. Nametags should not be worn on lanyards, ties, hats, waistbands, or on shirt or blouse collars.

All names on company nametags shall be the Cast Members' full, legal, first or middle name, or a derivative of their name. Cast Members are permitted to have their hometown city and state or country engraved on the nametag. Participants in the College Program may choose to have the name of their college or university in place of their hometown on the nametag.

Cast Members with additional language skills may participate in the Language Program. Language Program participants will be issued a special nametag that can accommodate up to five approved language flags.

Pins & Buttons

All Cast Members have the option of wearing up to two approved pins on their nametag, in addition to any approved language flags. Stickers or other decorations are not permitted on the nametag or costume. The approved pins are:

• Most recent service pin
• Partners in Excellence pin
• 1971 Opening Team pin

In addition to the nametag and the nametag pins described above, up to two separate approved pins/buttons may be worn directly on the costume. These pins should be worn on the upper right shoulder, although this placement may occasionally vary due to costume design. The Trainer pin is included in this guideline as well as any pin or button approved in advance for a significant property anniversary or major celebration.

Any request to allow a pin or button (other than the Trainer pin) to be worn on the costume must be approved in advance by the Cast Image and Appearance Team. Following approval, a pin or button may be worn for one week from date of issue or, when appropriate, for the duration of the event. For example, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival buttons would be permitted for the duration of the festival.

Company Identification Cards

To help ensure the safety and security of our guests and Cast Members, all Cast Members are required to follow the policy below regarding Company ID cards.

Costumed Cast: Cast Members in costume must have their Walt Disney Company photo ID with them at all times, but they do not need to wear it. While backstage in costume, your ID may be worn on a lanyard (if you choose) for convenience. However, to preserve the theming of our guest show, your Company ID may not be worn while onstage.

Non-costumed Cast: Cast Members who are not wearing a costume are required to visibly wear their Walt Disney Company photo ID card in backstage areas at all times. Non-costumed Cast Members are not required to wear their Company ID while onstage but may choose to do so for convenience. Your Company ID may be worn on a pin-trading lanyard or traditional black lanyard as outlined below. In addition:

• Nametags are not permitted on the lanyard.
• No ribbons, buttons, pins, etc., should be attached to the ID holder or lanyard strap (except as appropriate on the pin trading lanyard).
• The lanyards sold in Company D stores, which have a cloisonné Character attachment, are permitted in place of the standard black lanyard.
• Lanyard cords are not permitted in any color other than solid black.

Photo ID Requirement: Cast Members with a company ID card that does not include a photo must be prepared to show secondary photo identification (driver's license, state identification card, etc.) in conjunction with their Walt Disney Company ID card.

Eyewear

Sunglasses are a block to interpersonal communication with guests and should be avoided if possible. As a general rule, they may be worn in jobs where glare from water, counter tops, direct sunlight, etc., would prevent you from doing your job safely or efficiently. Only sunglasses that allow your eyes to be seen are permitted. No mirrored or dark, opaque lenses are allowed. Sunglasses are not to be worn at night, in dark areas, or indoors. They should be removed when engaging in extended interactions with a guest. Sunglasses should not be visible when not in use.

The frames and lenses of both eyeglasses and sunglasses should be a neutral color, such as black, brown, or metal rimmed (for frames), with a conservative style and no contrasting logos. Frames and lenses in shades such as blue, green, pink, yellow, etc. will not be permitted, as they are not neutral colors. Glasses and sunglasses should not detract from the costume or contradict the theme of the show. Prescription eyewear must also meet these guidelines.

The use of leashes or cords with glasses or sunglasses is permitted on an exception basis only, for Cast in certain limited roles. If a specific department or area requires the use of leashes or cords for safety reasons, please contact the Cast Image and Appearance Office for approval.

If colored or tinted contact lenses are worn, the resulting eye color must be natural looking and appropriate to your skin tone. Decorated lenses are not permitted, nor are any looks which would be considered distracting or not in the best interest of our Disney show.

Body Alteration or Modification

Intentional body alteration or modification for the purpose of achieving a visible, physical effect that disfigures, deforms or similarly detracts from a professional image is prohibited. Examples include, but are not limited to, visible tattoos, brands, body piercing (other than traditional ear piercing for women), tongue piercing or splitting, tooth filing, earlobe expansion, and acquiring visible, disfiguring skin implants.

Methods to conceal an unacceptable piercing or tattoo, such as using a bandage, are not permitted. For tattoo coverage, opaque makeup will be permitted if it completely conceals the tattoo. Spacers or retainers are not permitted in any visible body piercing while working. Jewelry worn in non-visible piercings that may pose a safety risk because of costume design and/or job responsibilities will not be permitted.

Personal Hygiene

Due to close contact with guests and fellow Cast Members, the use of an anti-perspirant or deodorant is required. For the same reasons, the use of strong, heavy scents and fragrances is not permitted. If you choose to wear a scent or fragrance product, please be considerate of others and select a light, mild scent.
 

Medical Restrictions/Religious Accommodation Requests

Requests for an exception to the Disney Look policy for medical reasons must be presented to the Health Services Department with supporting medical documentation.

• A copy of the request and medical information will be retained at Health Services.
• A statement of approved restrictions will be issued at Health Services to be delivered to your manager.

Any request for an exception to the Disney Look policy for religious beliefs or questions regarding the accommodation of medical restrictions or religious beliefs must be directed to the Cast Image and Appearance office.

Entertainers

If an exception to the appearance guidelines is required for a particular role in a staged show or production, approval must be obtained from the Vice President of Entertainment and the Cast Image and Appearance Team.

Otherwise, all entertainers must adhere to the appearance standards as set forth in this manual.

Appearance Policy Discipline

The appearance guidelines contained in this handbook have been established for the Walt Disney World® Resort and may be changed at any time. Failure of any Cast Member to adhere to these or any subsequently established or modified standards will result in appropriate disciplinary action, not excluding termination. Cast Members, including those covered by a collective bargaining agreement, may be disciplined when the Appearance Policy is not followed.

Ensuring consistent administration of the Walt Disney World® Appearance Policy is the responsibility of Management, the Cast Image and Appearance Team, your Human Resources representative and Employee Relations. Specific questionable deviations from the policy should be referred to the Cast Image and Appearance Team for further assessment.