Even fairytale kingdoms must have rules, and Disneyland has a surprising requirement for their staff.
DISNEYLAND is the most magical place in the world for children (and some adults).
But a magical kingdom must abide by some strict rules to ensure all visitors believe that they are in a fairytale world.
10. Never break character
Each character has his or her own personality, voice, likes, interests and background story – and each actor must never deviate from the part they are playing.
This inevitably means actors playing the parts of the likes of Snow White or Aladdin are unaware of anything that does not fall under the Disney realm.
As an extension of this, cast members must also be able to sign autographs in the style of whichever character they are playing, and are again given training to be able to do so.
Actors are required to stay in character at all time and are supposed to be unaware of anything outside the Disney realm – unless they meet under special circumstances, of course +9
Actors are required to stay in character at all time and are supposed to be unaware of anything outside the Disney realm – unless they meet under special circumstances, of course
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9. Never point with just one finger
Employees at Disney World are not allowed to point using just one finger for two reasons.
The first is because in some cultures pointing with one finger is considered rude.
The second reason, according to ahfunny.com, is using two fingers makes it easier for children to see.
8. The only way to pick up trash
Every employee at Disney World is required to pick up trash whenever they see it.
But they are not allowed to just stop, bend over and pick the rubbish up – they have to gracefully pick it up using what is described as a ‘swooping’ motion.
Every employee at Disney World is required to pick up trash whenever they see it +9
Every employee at Disney World is required to pick up trash whenever they see it
7.You have to look the part
While you may think looks aren’t that important for an actor in a large costume, at Disney cast members are required to even look the right way in order to play their character.
This means part of the audition process is making sure the actors are the correct height – Disney Princesses are traditionally around 5’4″ to 5’8″.
Cast members have to look the part, which means many have to be of a certain height +9
Cast members have to look the part, which means many have to be of a certain height
6. No Tweeting
Cast members employed by Disney are not allowed to use social media sites to discuss their roles.
In a Reddit AMA two years ago, a poster describing herself as a former Disney Princess explained the restrictions placed on employees.
She said: ‘Social media is a big problem there, we weren’t allowed to post or talk about the things we did as a character, or even to tell people what character we were.’
While employed by Disney, cast members are not allowed to use social media sites to discuss their roles (file picture) +9
While employed by Disney, cast members are not allowed to use social media sites to discuss their roles (file picture)
5. Be on your best behavior
While every company has its own set of rules for how to behave while at work, staff at Disney are required to abide by a number of behavioral rules which other workers probably don’t come across, including no frowning, no bad posture and no mobile phones.
Staff at Disney are required to abide by a number of behavioral rules including, no frowning, no bad posture and no mobile phones +9
Staff at Disney are required to abide by a number of behavioral rules including no frowning, no bad posture and no mobile phones
4. The Disney Look
All employees at Disney’s parks and resorts have to stick to the organisations ‘appearance standards’, or as it is also known, the Disney Look.
This encompasses a range of rules, from how to wear your hair to how long your nails are allowed to be.
For men, 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’, according to the Disney website.
Women meanwhile should neatly comb their hair and arrange it ‘in a classic, easy-to-maintain style.’
Both men and women are required to keep their nails clean and must keep them cut to a certain length.
All employees at Disney’s park and resorts have to stick to the organisations ‘appearance standards’, or as it is also known, the Disney Look +9
All employees at Disney’s parks and resorts have to stick to the organisations ‘appearance standards’, or as it is also known, the Disney Look
3. No tattoos or body piercings
In keeping with Disney’s strict rules on appearance, any kind of body alteration among staff members is not allowed.
This includes tattoos, body piercing, earlobe expansion and disfiguring skin implants.
The guidelines on its website, however, says tattoos are allowed, so long as they are ‘discreetly and completely covered at all times.’
Even these Disney-related tattoos would not be allowed to be on view if they belonged to a Disney staff member +9
Even these Disney-related tattoos would not be allowed to be on view if they belonged to a Disney staff member
2. How to wear glasses and shades
Staff members at Disney parks and resorts are allowed to wear glasses while at work, although there are definite rules to make sure they fit in with the Disney Look.
Employees are advised that glasses and sunglasses should be of a ‘conservative color and style’, while they must also contain no other brands or logos.
The company’s website states: ‘Eyeglasses and sunglasses should not detract from the costume or contradict the theme of the show.’
1.There’s no ‘I don’t know’
Bright and beautiful: Disney princesses have to be all-knowing.
The Disney actors are not allowed to say “I don’t know” under any circumstances.
Speaking to Popsugar, a former Disney employee explained: “If a guest asks you a question, you always have to have an answer, no exceptions.”
“If you don’t know it, find out, but don’t say you don’t know. If it’s a silly question, make up a silly answer.”
Staff members have to come up with an answer quickly, so next time you’re at Disneyland, perhaps try and coax a funny answer from Cinderella.
Even if you’re the man behind Goofy, you can never say that you don’t know the answer.
The magical kingdom depends on its enthusiastic team.
The former employee said that “if a child asks you what Tinker Bell eats before her flight across the Magic Kingdom during the fireworks, you better come up with an answer quickly. (Answer: very tiny apples.)”
At least it means that if you ever ask Goofy where the loos are, you know that you are in safe hands.
Credits: thesun.co.uk
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