Other than the Seven Dwarves, employees (or 'cast members,' as they are called in the world of Disney) aren't allowed to grow a beard... But that's going to change on February 3, according to CBS News, for Disney workers in Florida and California.
Walt Disney wore a mustache, but up until 2000, mustaches weren't allowed on the faces of Disneyland's male employees, either. CBS News added, also, that these mustaches were allowed provided they were grown while on vacation and not at work.
It took a another decade for Disneyland park to accept goatees and beards, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
"They are casting characters, rather than hiring employees," David Koenig, author of "Mouse Tales" and chronicler of Disney culture, told L.A. Times. Reasoning behind this new dress code policy, Koenig said, is because Disney wants "to stay tradition-based, and they also want to be current. What was clean-cut in the 1950s isn't quite the same today."
There is a particular "Disney Look," according to Walt Disney Co. spokeswoman Andrea Finger. Up until the 2000 dress code amendment allowing mustaches, male workers were expected to be fresh-shaven, just like Prince Charming. "While we're careful to maintain our heritage and the integrity of our brand," Finger said, "a recent review of our guidelines led to a decision that an update was appropriate at this time."
Disney's grooming requirements are tight; although beards and goatees are now allowed, they must be well-groomed and kept shorter than a quarter of an inch, L.A. Times reports.
However, soul patches are still unacceptable.
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