Disney OKs staff beards, goatees -- to a point

David McNew / Getty Images

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., is among the Disney parks where visitors reportedly will soon see some staff sporting well-kept beards and goatees.

By msnbc.com staff

Ending a?rule that dates back to?their founding in 1955, Disney theme parks will allow employees to wear goatees?or beards as long as they?"create an overall neat, polished and professional look,"?the company announced Monday in a memo to staff.

The update to the guidelines known as the "Disney Look" go into effect on Feb. 3, according to the memo, parts of which were published?by insidethemagic.net.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts confirmed?to msnbc.com that the change had been made.

There is,?however, a well-defined?limit to the facial hair.?The memo states that any facial hair must be "neatly groomed and well-maintained at no longer than a quarter of an inch in length."

Disney in the memo added that it?also is starting a "Casual Friday" attire for staff not working directly with park visitors.

Disney last updated its "look" two years ago, the Orlando Sentinel reported, when it allowed female workers to forego panty hose when wearing skirts.

In 2000, Disney allowed staff to wear moustaches. Insidethemagic.net noted that Disney seemed to be behind the times back then, given that founder Walt Disney himself had one.

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Source: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/23/10217843-disney-oks-staff-beards-goatees-to-a-point

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