More tales from Disney…..

As a bit of history as I recall that’s interesting and contains some interesting lessons.

You’re probably aware that Disney is HUGE in Broadway Musicals.

It goes back to Michael Eisner – who moved from Paramount to become CEO bringing with him Frank Wells.

Eisner turned around Disney and revitalized their parks and, more importantly their movie business which included launching Touchstone Pictures with movies such as Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam.

Eisner was raised in NY and was a huge fan of Broadway.

Their first launch was Beauty and the Beast.

Their entry into New York was controversial.??? One thing that Eisner insisted upon before entering was a clean-up of Times Square.?? Anyone who remembers Pre-Rudy Guiliani New York City will remember that crime was rampant and that Times Square was overrun with Porn Shops, Strip clubs,? Vagrancy and of course rampant crime.

Mayors Koch then Dinkins had let the city fall into truly “Gathom” of Batman Fame.

That cleanup was locally controversial since some considered it the “character of the city.”?? Eisner had trouble picturing Disney Families passing Hookers and Porn Shops to get to their family friendly musicals in the Theater District (adjacent to Times-Square.)

While making progress on that clean-up the next controversy which gets to my point was their “Disney Look” policies for employee grooming, appearance, and dress.

They insisted upon the “Disney Look”

Controversially, rejecting employees with multiple visible piercings, visible tattoos, unnaturally colored hair, or with strange or unusual hair styles.

Good for Eisner and the rest of the leadership team for not backing down on either the clean-up or, their own staffing requirements.

I was reminded of that story at D23 as they announced two new musicals:? Hercules and, The Greatest Showman.

I was excited having hoping for a adaptation from the movie – one that I very much enjoyed, although the historical accuracy is questionable at best.? Regardless, one of my favorite Huge Jackman roles.

In and around Disney I noticed significant changes to the “Disney Look.”

A big change quite a few years ago now was changing the “no facial hair” policy.

It was a bit entertaining with statues and portraits of “Uncle Walt” sporting his mustache with the policy of absolutely no facial hair.??? Walt was looking to move away from the disreputable “Carny” image of such parks to create a safe, clean environment staffed by the clean-cut boy or girl next door.

I did notice a lowering of standards for that “boy or girl next door” look.

Their were men with multiple earrings.?? Various hairstyles that wouldn’t have been allowed in the past and other changes.

From their description regarding the most recent change:

A big part of the revision is the removal of all gender references. The company said that all cast members now have the same options, including when it comes to makeup jewelry and nail polish.?Hair length is also now at the discretion of the cast member, however, non-natural colors are still not allowed.

Make your own decisions about what your conclusions are about their changing standards.

For my own businesses I pretty copied their earlier versions for the Disney look.

A VERY clear Uniform Policy.??

A Uniform Policy for entering and leaving the school.? A Uniform policy for those “in uniform.”?? A grooming policy.?? Jewelry policy (wedding ring and watch only.).? And, much more.

You’re welcome to whatever approach you’d like to adopt.

However, I’m not sure families from across the country should be encountering men with multiple earrings, purple nail polish, multiple tattoos and complete make-up.