Classic Rant #279 (June 17, 2010): Bare Legs At Disney

Land sales alive! The Walt Disney Co. has cast off its long-time rule about bear legs. Female employees are now granted the right to bear their legs while at work!

The company announced that it has adopted a new dress code that allows these workers to bear their legs--no pantyhose is required anymore--while wearing skirts.

Although the changes apply to mostly behind-the-scenes workers, this is still quite significant.

Disney has always had a strict dress policy, even for people visiting the park.

At one time, it actually turned away guys who wore their hair too long or wore bandanas. A famous case was that Little Steven, the actor and singer, was turned away from one of the parks because he had long hair and wore a bandana. And it happened to thousands more over the years.

In addition, due to the new rules, women are also permitted to wear sleeveless tops, as long as the shoulder straps are at least three inches wide. They can also wear open-toed shoes.

And male workers are now permitted to wear casual, untucked shirts.

Of course, costumed characters have to continue to wear their, um, costumes.

If you have been to one of Disney's parks, you know that today, pretty much anything goes. These parks are operating in such hot areas that it is not uncommon to see both men and women in various stages of dress and undress. And the attractions often warrant it--who wants to be formally dressed when they are going to be doused with water?

Now, at least the workers get a break, too.

Oh, I know, Mr. Walt Disney himself is probably turning over in his grave about this, but at least he is doing it while he counts his money.

But it's time that Disney loosened up a bit.

I mean, it's not like Minnie Mouse is going to go topless, nor will any of the workers, but at least people who are in the Disney employ will be comfortable.

Now, onto a bigger question: what is the difference between Pluto and Goofy, and why does one stand on two legs and the other on four?