My other car is a…

I am a planner (duh!). But even the best-laid plans can fail when you neglect to check and double-check the details. So, even if you’ve made impeccably detailed touring plans for every day of your vacation, here a Thursday’s Tip for you: check the Park hours and Times Guide again upon your arrival. You might find that the information has changed since you made your original plans. It is not at all uncommon for Disney to extend Park hours after they have initially been released or cancel a parade or fireworks display here or there. (Just this week, Disney extended previously-released hours for the Magic Kingdom for most days in February.) Likewise, special events, such as last week’s presidential visit, can put a monkey wrench in your plans.

A copy of the current Times Guide is available at all Disney Parks as well as at the front desk of WDW Resorts. Cast Members–particularly those at the concierge desk–should be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information  and answer any questions that might help you tweak your plans and avoid hiccups.

I’m feeling this quote from Walt today, as I have several “projects” on my desk that seem to have been there indefinitely. I think it’s time for a few self-imposed deadlines!

“Everyone needs deadlines. Even the beavers. They loaf around all summer, but when they are faced with the winter deadline, they work like fury. If we didn’t have deadlines, we’d stagnate.”  

–Walt Disney

You might be seeing a little more facial hair on your next visit to Walt Disney World as the “Disney Look”–the standard by which all Cast Members must maintain their personal appearance–has just made a few official changes that will go into effect February 3. Most notable: facial hair is no longer outlawed. Actually, mustaches were allowed as far back as 2000, but for the first time goatees and beards are now permitted. Of course, you won’t be seeing any long, unkempt masses of whiskers at Disney–they still have rather strict standards. Here’s the language from the The Disney Look guidebook:

For all male Cast Members, a fully grown in, well-maintained mustache, beard, or goatee is permitted, unless otherwise restricted by regulatory codes and standards. Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and may not present an unkempt appearance. Extreme styles are prohibited.

All facial hair (beards, goatees and mustaches) must create an overall neat, polished and professional look.

All facial hair must be fully grown in, neatly groomed and well maintained at no longer than a quarter of an inch in length.

Mustaches may extend below the corners of the mouth to meet with the facial beard.
Shaping the mustache or beard to a particular style is not permitted.

Mustaches (without lower facial hair) must not extend onto or over the upper lip and must extend to the corners of the mouth, but not beyond or below the corners.

Cast Members without a mustache, beard, or goatee are expected to be clean-shaven every day.

For clarification on whether a mustache, beard or goatee is acceptable, please consult your area leader or contact the Cast Image and Appearance team.

Another notable change is the addition of “Casual Friday.” No, you won’t see Cast Members manning the attractions or front desk of a Resort in their Levi’s, but all CMs in non-guest areas will be permitted to wear casual attire on Fridays, as outlined here:

Also effective Friday, Feb. 3, non-costumed Cast Members in non-Guest facing locations can wear casual attire on Fridays for all U.S. based Theme Parks and Resorts. The “Casual Friday” dress parameters are outlined and additional resources are available on the Disney Look module of The Hub. Although we are a seven day a week operation, Friday is the only acceptable day for this option.

I have no problem with a goatee here or there, and I think Casual Fridays are great. That said, I really appreciate the “Disney Look” and don’t particularly want to see tatted-up or heavily-pierced Cast Members when I’m visiting WDW. If that makes me old-fashioned, well, I’m OK with that.

Our newest family pets–a pair of platy fish–provide today’s Hidden Mickey. We’ve named them after Mickey’s predecessors, Moritmer and Oswald. We’ve had them just over a week, and despite Mortimer’s unfortunate swim into the filter on their first day with us (a bit of a Finding Nemo moment), they both seem to be doing quite well now.

The Muppets will be released for home viewing –DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, Digital Download, and On-Demand–on March 20, 2012. Now I know what my girls will be getting in their Easter baskets! I’ll be on the lookout for coupons and deals to share with you as the release date grows closer.