What You’re Not Allowed to Do While Working for Disney, According to Ex-Employees

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Disney World and Disneyland are two of the busiest and most popular theme parks in the world. Over 58 million people visit Disney World annually, which is about 159,000 daily visits.

So, why do people love visiting these theme parks? Well, Disney does a fantastic job with theming. From the rides, to the grounds, to even the outfits Disney crew members wear and the language they use - Disney creates magic.

To do this, though, there are a few rules that Disney employees must follow. Don't take it from us. Ex-Disney employees frequently post online discussing their past experiences and the long list of rules. To find their experiences, 24/7 Tempo scoured the internet and reviewed tourist websites, forums like Reddit, and personal blogs by ex-Disney employees.

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

While Disney theme parks have become more relaxed over the years, there are a few things they still don't allow, including visible tattoos. Kinda. Although it used to be not allowed, you can now show off your tattoos as an employee as long as they aren't on your face, neck, or head. They also can't include any nudity or offensive language.

Never Break Character

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

The magic of Disney is all the pretending. Staying in character is a must for employees. This rule isn't limited to just characters, either. Park employees, like ride operators, have lines they must say to stay in character/theme.

Use Specific Words

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Since Disney is all about creating a magical atmosphere, they don't want to break the perfect illusion. Because of this, there are code words that Disney employees use with each other, like code v, which is said when somebody vomits. Vomit is a word that is frowned upon while working.

Eat In The Parks

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Another rule that Disney employees have to follow is not to eat in front of park guests while in uniform. Instead, to eat something at the park, they have to change out of their clothes and ditch the name tag. Another option is to eat at one of the employee cafeterias backstage.

"I Don't Know"

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

According to ex-Disney employees, one of the many words/phrases that can't slip out of their mouths is "I Don't Know." Instead, even if the question or concern isn't their department, they have to solve it, or call another crew member to help.

Refer To Themselves as a Character

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Disney employees who play character roles can't publicly share this information. Instead, they have to be careful when sharing images on social media and talking with others. One way character actors get away with this is by using language like, "I'm friends with Cinderella."

No Taking Home Costumes

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Disney is especially strict on their costumes and how you use them. One of their biggest rules is that the costumes must stay on the property, meaning you can't take them home! No matter how cool they are.

Vibrant and Showy Nails

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

While Disney is known for creating a magical and imaginative experience, they want you to leave the showy nails at home. While you can wear nail polish, it has to be a neutral color.

Point

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

To remain polite and not offend anyone, Disney employees aren't allowed to point with a finger. Instead, you must point with two fingers when directing a guest.

Not Employees

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Although we've been using the word employees, this isn't how the Disney crew talks about themselves. Instead of employees, they are cast members. Disney cast members are taught that the parks are like a show.

Long Beards

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

One of Disney's many rules is that your beard has to be trimmed. It can't be longer than a quarter of an inch. Although this might seem harsh and too specific, there was once a time when beards weren't allowed at all!

Ignoring Garbage

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

While there are staff members in Disney who pick up trash and keep the parks clean, it's also the job of every crew member. Even Disney princesses have to pick up the trash.

Not Everybody Can Be A Princess

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Since Disney parks are all about creating magical moments, everything has to be perfect. This includes each character. Because of this, each Disney character, princess or not, has specific requirements, including height and weight. The same goes for the look. You have to look like the character to get cast.

Bending Down

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

Although everyone has to pick up trash and do their part, it's with a gentle swoop. Why? Well, Disney cast members aren't allowed to bend down. Instead, they have to discreetly and quietly pick up the trash.

Children Aren't Lost

Visible Tattoos with Profanity or Nudity, Never Break Character, Use Specific Words, Eat In The Parks, "I Don't Know", Refer To Themselves as a Character, No Taking Home Costumes, Vibrant and Showy Nails, Not Employees, Long Beards, Ignoring Garbage, Not Everybody Can Be A Princess, Bending Down, Children Aren't Lost

You know how we mentioned there are specific words and phrases you can't use? Here we have another. When a cast member finds a child who seems to be lost or confused, they aren't. Instead, the parents are the ones who are lost. You can't break the magic with a panic.

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