New uniforms at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort have left out something cast members had been able to wear since 2021: a skirt. The costume change, spotted this week, affects workers across the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel, and Walt Disney World Resort hasn't commented on it.
How the Disney Look Evolved
For decades, the “Disney Look” guidelines set strict rules for cast member appearance. They grew out of Walt Disney's vision for Disneyland Park employees and originally prohibited all visible tattoos, required different uniforms for men and women, and controlled hair color, painted nails, piercings, and facial hair.
In 2021, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort announced the largest overhaul of those rules yet. Some unnatural hair colors, select visible tattoos and piercings, and greater latitude in jewelry and nail art became acceptable.
The most significant revision was the removal of all gender-specific language. Hair, nail polish, and grooming policies now apply to everyone, and cast members of any gender can wear any costume combination offered at their location. Before that, employees who presented as male couldn't wear the dresses and skirts available to female-presenting colleagues.
What Changed at the Polynesian
WDWNT reported on October 26 that cast members around the resort had begun wearing new shirts and pants. Unlike the previous outfits, the new look has no skirt option for employees who would rather wear one.
Each costume pairs a colorful short-sleeve button-up shirt with the same khaki pants. The shirt fabric varies by work location, such as merchandise, the Front Desk, or Concierge. Previously, cast members at the hotel wore floral-patterned tops with either skirts or pants.
What Comes Next
Employees told WDWNT the rollout started on Sunday, October 25, and that everyone at the hotel will switch to the new outfits over the coming weeks. As of Monday, Disney cast members at the Capt. Cook's Quick-Service dining location were still wearing the Moana (2016)-inspired costumes that debuted in 2021.
If you worked at Walt Disney World Resort, would you want to wear pants or a skirt? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
