Riding crop costumes go bye bye

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Prudence

So, for those of you in favor of the "show," which show would you like Disneyland to emulate, exactly? The historical background of Main Street? Or the 1955 of the park's creation? A representation of a representation?

First off, I don't jive with iSm's interpretation of hiring CMs so they "match" the land they work in. I don't get how that would work, and I'd like to hear iSm explain that. I don't think I understand it, unless you're talking about race, which obviously, he is not.

I also don't think the costumes should represent 1955.

What I'm talking about is the inescapable fact that a restaurant that hires "attractive" waitstaff makes more money than a restaurant that does not. This has been proven over and over again in studies. It's the same reason that attractive people get acting jobs on stage and screen. You do not see overweight dancers, or overweight models. Yes, there are exceptions outside the mainstream, but they are just that.

I'm not saying society's standards are fair. But they do exist. If you built two identical Disneylands next to each other, and staffed one with hunky guys and big busted bomshells while the other had more normal types, which do you think would pull in more guests? I know I'm a weak human and have felt the affect of having a really cute waiter attend to me. I also am more likely to see a movie if it features Johnny Depp. Such is the human condition.

I'd like to reiterate that obviously looks shouldn't be the main hiring point. CMs need to be intelligent, capable, and friendly, whatever their position. Once they meet these qualifications though, it wouldn't be surprising that Disney would go for a more attractive employee, the same way a restaurant/theater company/Hollywood studio would.

On a pratical note, I don't understand the aversion to more universally flattering costumes. If costume A with a pleated, above-the-knee skirt is only flattering on a size 6 and costume B with an a-line, at-the-knee skirt is flattering on a range of sizes, why not go with the a-line skirt? I don't buy this notion that moving to styles that flatter more shapes is automatically equivalent to dressing everyone in shapeless sacks.

This depends on the focus of costuming. Are they shooting for something that shows off the person's body, or something that's simply flattering? There's a reason why the canoe guys have those fitted shirts with rolled up sleeves. They could easily do their job in more standard clothing that fits well, but they wouldn't look as good doing it. As the focus moves away from such things that will change.

Furthermore, why not make sure costumes actually fit? Don't CMs have their "own" costumes now? That they take home and launder? Why not have them tailored ?

CM turnover is huge. I don't see Disney condoning CMs customizing their garments when they're pretty sure the CM will quit in 3 months.