Disney Theme Park Workers Now Allowed To Sport Tattoos, 'Gender-Inclusive' Hairstyles In A First

Thanks to a significant change in Disney's dress code, cast members at the company's theme parks can now show up to work with visible tattoos and in whatever gender costume they choose.

The new rules will take effect immediately when Disneyland and Disney California Adventure reopen on Apr. 30 after being closed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, the Disneyland Resort announced the recall of thousands of furloughed workers.

"We want our guests to see their own backgrounds and traditions reflected in the stories, experiences, and products they encounter in their interactions with Disney," Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, wrote on a company blog post. "And we want our cast members - and future cast members - to feel a sense of belonging at work."

Gender references have been omitted from Disney's employee dress policies, which no longer specify the length of men's hair and eliminates a previous ban on men wearing nail polish. Hair color must still appear natural, with pink, green, and blue tresses still prohibited.

Visible tattoos on Disney employees are now permitted as long as they are not on the face, head, or neck. They must also be free of offensive language, symbols, and nudity.

Disney has also started reimagining some attractions, including the Jungle Cruise ride, and is transforming Splash Mountain into a new adventure ride featuring Princess Tiana and other characters from "The Princess and the Frog."

There will also be no separate provisions for male and female employees. D'Amaro stated that all cast members would adhere to the same rules, which include gender-neutral hairstyles, jewelry, and nail styles.

Cast members must still follow some of the previous guidelines, such as never covering their name tag.

"The world is changing, and we will change with it," he said.