ABOVE: Screenshot via Disney Parks/YouTube.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products announced Tuesday that the Walt Disney Company would be applying additional focus on diversity and inclusivity across all parks and directed at the experiences of its guests and staff equally.
D’Amaro, writing on the Disney company website, said; “We’re reimagining our attractions to be more inclusive, like upcoming enhancements to Jungle Cruise and new adventures with Princess Tiana. We’re celebrating the diverse and inspiring stories of our cast and fans with creator collaborations and exciting experiences, like The Soul of Jazz exhibit at Walt Disney World Resort.”
“Our goal is also to have more representation and accountability across our organization, starting with my own leadership team and extending throughout our business worldwide, through tools and mentorship and learning programs that create awareness and foster leadership accountability,” D’Amaro added.
Last week the company had announced that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure park will April 30 with limited capacity and a new theme park reservation system which will limit capacity and requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. The company’s Florida parks and resorts including its flagship Walt Disney World have been open and operating for some time.
D’Amaro also wrote that, “We’re looking at other traditions, too – including the policies that guide how our cast members show up for work. 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.
Moving forward, we believe our cast, who are at the center of the magic that lives in all our experiences, can provide the best of Disney’s legendary guest service when they have more options for personal expression – creating richer, more personal and more engaging experiences with our guests.”
