At WDW and Disneyland, Disney Cast Members are famous for their friendly, classic appearance.
This look is not a coincidence, but a result of cast members’ support of the Disney Appearance Standards or, as it’s called, the ‘Disney Look’.
Hairstyling for Female Cast Members
The following are the Disney Look guidelines for Female Cast Member hairstyles:
- Hair should be neatly combed and arranged in a classic, easy-to-maintain style. Extreme styles are not permitted.
- Hair below shoulder length should be confined if it falls forward over the face while working.
- Conservative braided hairstyles without beads or ornamentation are permitted.
- Hair products may be used to create a soft, natural hairstyle within these guidelines.
- Shaving of the head or any portion of the head or eyebrows is not permitted.
- Artificial hair is permitted if it looks natural and meets all of the above requirements.
Hair Coloring
The Disney Look does not permit extremes in dyeing, bleaching or coloring. If the hair color is changed, it must be natural-looking and well maintained. Subtle highlighting or frosting is permitted as long as it creates a uniform look over the whole head and meets all of the previously listed guidelines.
Makeup
If makeup is worn, it should be applied in a blended manner and in appropriate, neutral colors.
Read a lot more on Nails and Tattoos: Tattoos, Nails, and More: Having The Disney Look
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Men’s Hairstyling Guidelines
Following are the Disney Look guidelines for Male Cast Member hairstyles:
- Hair must be neatly cut on the back and sides, forming a smooth, symmetrical appearance so that it does not extend beyond or cover any part of the ears or the shirt collar. The overall style must be neat, natural and balanced proportionally.
- A shaved head is permitted, as well as a very short military-style cut. Shaving of the eyebrows is not permitted.
- Conservative braided hairstyles for men without beads or ornamentation are permitted. They must be styled above the ears and cut above the collar and be neatly braided close to the scalp in straight rows.
- Tucking hair behind the ears, or pinning or tucking it under a hat to conceal an unacceptable hairstyle will not be permitted.
- Extreme or bi-level styles are not permitted.
- Hair products may be used to create a soft, natural hairstyle within these guidelines.
- Artificial hair is permitted if it looks natural and meets all of the above requirements.
Acceptable
Not Acceptable
Hairstyles Traditionally Associated with Race
Disney’s equal employment opportunity policy prohibits discrimination based not only on Cast Members’ race but on traits traditionally associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles including locks, braids and twists. If a Cast Member believes a hairstyle, otherwise prohibited under the Disney Look, should be allowed under this provision, the Cast Member should inform Employee Relations. Read more: Disneycasting.net under Accommodations.
Hair Coloring
The Disney Look does not permit extremes in dyeing, bleaching or coloring. If hair color is changed, it must be natural-looking and well maintained. Subtle highlighting or frosting is permitted as long as it creates a uniform look over the whole head and meets all of the previously listed guidelines.
Beards
October 28, 2019 Update: Starting today, cast members can grow their facial hair up to one inch (1″), with visible stubble now allowed during the grow-out process.
Previous rules stated that facial hair was limited to a quarter inch and beard growth had to be done while the cast member was on vacation, no unshaven stubble was allowed.
For all Male Cast Members, a fully grown in, well-maintained mustache, beard, or goatee is permitted, unless otherwise restricted by regulatory codes and standards.
- Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and may not present an unkempt appearance. Extreme styles are prohibited.
- All facial hair (beards, goatees and mustaches) must create an overall neat, polished and professional look.
- All facial hair must be fully grown in, neatly groomed and well maintained at no longer than a quarter of an inch in length. Mustaches may extend below the corners of the mouth to meet with the facial beard.
- Shaping the mustache or beard to a particular style is not permitted. Mustaches (without lower facial hair) must not extend onto or over the upper lip and must extend to the corners of the mouth, but not beyond or below the corners.
- Cast Members without a mustache, beard, or goatee are expected to be clean-shaven every day.
For clarification on whether a mustache, beard or goatee is acceptable, please consult your area leader or contact the Cast Image and Appearance team.
Sideburns
Sideburns should be neatly trimmed, straight and even in width, and are permitted to extend to the bottom of the earlobe. They should blend naturally from the hairline and from the length of hair on the head. Flares or muttonchops are not permitted.
(adapted from the Disney Program Blog)
Read more on the Disney Look:
Disney Look for Acceptable Eyewear
Disney Look for Acceptable Watches and FitBits
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We’ve written two books about our time working – and playing – as Disney Cast Members at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Both are available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle: Two Girls and a Mouse Tale and Adventures in the Animal Kingdom.
If you’d like to follow our daily Disney blog, here’s the link: https://collinsrace1.wordpress.com/
Have a magical day!
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Our Magical Disney Moments 
I know this is off topic but I’m looking into starting my
own weblog and was curious what all is needed to get set up?
I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any recommendations or advice would
be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it.
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Nope, blogging is free. We use WordPress.
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As custodial or a buster, does hair have to be clipped back in a ponytail or braid? Or can you do like half up half down?
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It can be down – or 1/2 down – but it’s so hot that most custodials with long hair put it back in a ponytail to keep it off their sweaty face. (Don’t forget, a lot of the time they are wearing gloves too.)
“Hair below shoulder length should be confined if it falls forward while working.”
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Hello! I was accepted into the dcp and will be working outdoor vending at Animal Kingdom. I have very thick curly hair that’s about two inches past my shoulders. Would wearing my hair back in a low ponytail be acceptable or do I have to put it in a bun or something more confined? I just want to make sure because I’ll be working around food. Thanks!
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Yes, a low ponytail would be fine.
If you’re in QSFB (Quick Service Food & Beverage), there will be a hat with your costume to restrain your hair.
Outdoor vending at DAK is VERY HOT.
Caroline was outside DAK for her summer 2015 program and that took some getting used to!
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Is african braid allowed?
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I can’t remember ever seeing a cast member with african braids, so the hairstyle might be considered too extreme.
I’m going to say maybe if the braids were put up and neat.
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I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
I’m going to bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite sure I will learn lots of new stuff right here!
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Hi I just recently got my haircut and I’ve been looking through blogs and website trying to find out if my haircut meets the Disney Look? IIt looks somewhat like this pic taken from google image: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/db/b9/04/dbb904da3c4f6d1bddc4dbfdeb289b66.jpg
Can you please help?
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That haircut is beautiful and certainly fits the Disney Look.
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Thank you. I appreciate the quick reply! ^_^ I couldn’t figure out if girls were allowed to have the short hairstyles as I have yet to see anyone sporting one. This is a load off my mind!
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I just applied for the college program. My hair is very short- think pixie cut short. Is this considered extreme? Should I start letting it grow out?
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As long as it’s not shaved on any side you should be OK.
If it’s buzzed so short that you can see your scalp skin, you might want to let it grow out to at least 1/2″.
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Hi! I’m a male with long hair. Are men allowed to wear it up in a ponytail? I’m an attractions crew member and would hate to have to cut my hair! Thanks so much!
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No. Ponytails are not allowed on men.
If you follow our blog, you know that our brother did the Spring 2019 DCP program in Tomorrowland.
His hair was maybe 2″ long on top, 1″ on the sides in April and his manager told him not to come in the next day without getting a haircut first.
All cast members must follow the Disney Look hairstyle guidelines.
Enjoy your cooler hairstyle!
😉
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can you be bald as a man and work at Disney. I don’t get on here much I am 54 I worked there as a Disney college program and am looking for a change in career I am a supervisor but have been a manager as well. am looking to get back at Disney what advice can you give. Myemail is pricevanray@gmail.com or text me at 4134336456 thanks
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Yes! Men can be bald….and I suppose women too!
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I’m a woman with short curly hair but I didn’t see any blogs saying what should I do with curly hair or if it is allowed… can you answer me? It looks like this pic: https://static1.segredosdesalao.com.br/articles/2/20/25/2/@/257210-a-finalizacao-para-cabelo-cacheado-3c-po-article_media_item_mobile-2.jpg
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Beautiful hair.
Not a problem, natural hairstyles and colors are allowed.
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You made some good points in your blog.
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I’m working quick service food and beverage for fall 2020 and i heard bangs aren’t allowed? The reason I have bangs is to hide my large forehead 😂 I’d hate to have to pull them up. Does every QS food and beverage location have this rule? What’s some extreme hairstyles that aren’t allowed? Thanks!
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Bangs are fine.
QBFS costumes have hats and require hair be restrained.
More on costumes: Disney Costuming
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Awesome write-up. I appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.
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