If you’re familiar with most businesses, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “No shoes, no shirt, no service.” This applies to most places you’ll visit across the U.S. Each year, approximately 50 million people visit Disney World in Florida for family fun. There is a dress code for the park, and, of course, people will always try to test that. A Florida woman is speaking out after she was denied entry at Disney World. The reason? Well, apparently, her attire was deemed too inappropriate.
Nicole Arena (@arenalifts on TikTok) posted several photos of her trip. “Was so happy to be here that I didn’t realize I was “improperly dressed” and would be forced to buy a $45 tshirt or else I could not get on the ride I waited an hour for,” the caption to her video read. She posted a second video titled, “The outfit in question”. The combo was a black leggings, paired with a white Nike sports bra. For shame! (I’m kidding, of course).
Nicole went on to explain a Disney World employee called out her outfit. They allegedly told her she was “improperly dressed” in the bra. She’d have to buy a t-shirt—which is $45—if she wanted to board the ride. She claims nobody stopped them at the park all day beforehand. They even spoke to a park manager, who told them they shouldn’t have been stopped.
Though she felt like she should be compensated for having to ‘waste’ $45 on a shirt, that never happened and Nicole went about her day with her husband. Nicole said she felt the attendant “personally judged” her, and there was no actual clear policy. However, Disney World does actually have a clear policy on its official website. This states, “Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. The parks are a casual, family-oriented environment.” It then ends with, “We ask you to use your discretion and common sense.”
Nicole said she saw multiple people walking in the park wearing crop tops throughout the day and said she feels a sports bra is no different. However, it may fall under the park’s bullet point of, “Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment.”
Many commenters were in agreement with Nicole that her outfit was fine by today’s standards. Some noted they’ve seen more revealing outfits in the park. One commented, “There is literally nothing wrong with your outfit and I hope they paid for the shirt they forced you to buy.” Nicole verified, however, this was not the case: “We definitely felt like they should’ve done something, but nope lol.”
Others, however, were in agreement her outfit was too revealing by Disney World’s standards. One person said, “Ummm. You forgot your shirt, ma’am. I’m usually on the side of, “Eh, who cares. Let her wear what she wants.” But clothes are a fair thing to require.” Another chimed in, “It’s called staying classy. That’s a gym outfit at best. There is a dress code. Most places have them. Disney’s dresscode is put a shirt on. Gym, ok. Beach, ok. Jogging, ok. Church, no. Olive Garden, no. Taco Bell, maybe. Disney World, no.”
Disney World has the right to make these determinations on a case-by-case basis, but if a sports bra is deemed acceptable in public, then it should be OK at Disney World. Sports bras, by design, cover more of the body like a crop top. I see no difference between the two.
