4 Weird Dress Code Rules Cast Members Still Have to Follow at Disney World

We love Cast Members and all the magic that they create for us every day!

Cast Members are truly what brings the magic to life at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Cast Members are all part of the “show” at Disney World. This means that they are given a role, which is their job, and a costume, which is their uniform. They also refer to guest areas as being onstage and Cast Member only areas as backstage. To keep up with the “show” Cast Members have to follow certain dress code guidelines which fall within “The Disney Look.”

While dress code guidelines have been more relaxed in recent years with the addition of the fifth key, inclusion, there are still rules Cast Members have to follow. 

Cast Members check out their costumes at certain costuming locations around the resort depending on where they work. Each costume piece has a tag that checks out the piece to the Cast Member. Cast Member’s footwear also has to meet specific standards.

Depending on the role, Disney may provide the Cast Member shoes. Some roles are on their own and have to purchase their own shoes. Some Cast Members who get shoes from Disney still prefer to buy their own. Regardless of what a Cast Member chooses to do, their shoes still must fit within the dress code rules. 

In most cases and depending on the role, Cast Members must wear black or white close toed shoes. Some roles allow for Cast Members to wear combat boots to match with the theme of their costume better. 

Along with the shoe color, Cast Members must also match their socks to the color of their shoes. For example if the Cast Member is wearing black shoes they also must have on black socks. If the Cast Member is wearing white shoes they must wear white socks. 

Believe it or not, it can actually get chilly in Florida. Depending on their role, a jacket may be part of a Cast Member costume. If a Cast Member is looking for a solution to stay warm and not wear a jacket, they can wear either a white or black shirt under their costume. These shirts are also a way for Cast Members to protect themselves from the sun. This shirt can be short or long sleeved but must be plain black or plain white. 

Speaking of what Cast Members can wear under their costumes, character performers also have rules of what they can wear underneath their costumes. 

Character performers must wear “basics” underneath their costume. These basics are checked out through costuming and are a protection barrier between the Cast Member’s body and the costume. Some of our former Cast Member team members shared that they knew character performers that would have to check out multiple basics in a day due to sweating in the heat.

Five Things that Characters Can’t Do in Disney World!

While the rules on facial hair have been relaxed, there are still guidelines that Cast Members must follow. Below are a few examples of what is allowed.

To stay within Disney Look, it is important for Cast Members to maintain any facial hair to still make sure it looks clean and groomed.

It is nice to see that Disney is continuing allowing for Cast Members to express themselves as they continue to relax the Disney Look, but there are still of course rules like these four that they have to follow.

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Have you ever had a magical moment with a Cast Member? Let us know in the comments!

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