When You Wish Upon A Star, You Get Tattoos
May 11, 2021
By Kezziah Hernandez
Social Media Editor
Disneyland unfortunately has been known to suppress its employees from free expression with clothing, tattoos, and hairstyles. The Disney company wants things to change to be more inclusive with their cast members and their 18.6 million annual visitors.
Disneyland made a statement to The Guardian stating, “Our new approach provides greater flexibility with respect to forms of personal expression surrounding gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles and costume choices; and allowing appropriate visible tattoos. We’re updating them to not only remain relevant in today’s workplace, but also enable our cast members to better express their cultures and individuality at work.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALI RYAN
Ali Ryan, 12th grade COMPASS student holds pink sparkly Mickey Mouse ears up against the entrance gate to Disneyland Park.
It actually was not until nine years ago in 2012 that the cast was allowed to have facial hair, they also are remodeling any racial insensitive attractions and sights from the park such as “Splash Mountain” and “Jungle Cruise”; they are now remodeling “Splash Mountain” to be “Adventures with Princess Tiana.”
There are many Disney fans around campus and in Southern California due to the amusement park being so profoundly close to us in Anaheim.
Sharlie Cinco, an 11th grade COMPASS student says, ¨I am so happy that Disney is becoming more inclusive and that some rides are changing. It’s a great step towards more diversity and inclusion especially with Disney reaching so many people. However I think they could’ve waited a little longer for the reopening.¨
Another COMPASS junior, Heather Malin says, ¨I think that tattoos and the way you style your hair is your decision and unless they’re blatantly offensive I feel that people shouldn’t have to go to excessive lengths to cover them.¨
Excitement with the reopening is also weighing on top of us, It’s even greater with modifications to be inclusive and welcome everyone no matter how diverse we may be. Disneyland definitely made a move into the right direction
Raymond Arnold • Oct 22, 2021 at 11:42 am
I’m still mad that they’re replacing splash mountain.
Itzel Gomez • May 12, 2021 at 9:46 pm
May 12, 2021
Dear Corydon Editor,
In Issue 8 (May 11, 2021), Kezziah Hernandez wrote an article titled “When You Wish Upon A Star, You Get Tattoos.” In this article Kezziah goes on to explain how Disneylad is now changing their conduct. The family friendly amusement park is now allowing for their cast members to have more freedom in their appearance. The author touches very briefly on the fact that Disneyland has had very strict rules in place before. Cast members were not allowed to have facial hair until the year 2012. The author putting in that information allows for readers to fully understand how severe the rules have been for this company, thus this change being a big deal. Apparently workers for the company can now have more liberty in styling their hair, styling their work outfits, and having visible tattoos. Due to the fact that this is a family friendly company the tattoos and outfits have to fall under their rules, can’t be anything offensive. The Diseyland cast members have been under a tight leash for years but the company has finally decided to move forwards and keep up with the times. Aside from that Hernandez also sheds light on the fact that Disneyland is now renovating rides so that they are not offensive. For example, as stated in the article, “they are now remodeling “Splash Mountain” to be “Adventures with Princess Tiana.” Disneyland is now being diverse and inclusive in all aspects which I find very admirable. It takes a lot for a country to change for the better and Disneyland is doing just that.
Sincerely,
Itzel Gomez, Grade 12