Does Disney World Ban Tattoos? The Truth About the WDW Policy

Tattooed woman standing in Magic Kingdom park in Disney World

I am a woman with visible tattoos. I have large pieces of art covering my arms and chest as well as a few sizable tattoos on my legs. And on my most recent trip to Disney World in April of 2024, I received nothing but compliments as I walked around the parks, resorts, and restaurants with my ink on full display. 

Disney has always been an inclusive place, so imagine my dismay when I started seeing forums, news articles, and social posts about Disney World banning tattoos. Could the crazy rumors be true? Was Disney cracking down on visible tattoos in their theme parks? 

If you’ve also seen this rumor floating around — don’t freak out. We’ll outline the Disney World tattoo policy and everything you need to know before visiting the parks. 

Is the Disney World Tattoo Ban for Real? 

The short answer is — absolutely not. Disney World does not ban people with visible tattoos from their theme parks, resorts, or restaurants. 

It turns out that around 32 percent of American adults have at least one tattoo, according to a Pew Research Center Survey. And 22 percent actually have more than one. Imagine the revenue the Mouse would lose if Disney suddenly stopped allowing people with tattoos into their attractions. 

The whole “Disney bans tattoos” hullabaloo can be credited to those pranksters over at Mouse Trap News, a satirical news website that publishes fake, completely made-up articles (like this one about Mickey and Minnie divorcing) about things happening in the Disney universe. A silly story about a tattoo ban at Disney World was published on July 5, 2024 and people began to panic thinking it was real. 

Rest assured, you can still show off your ink when walking around the Disney parks. 

The Disney World Tattoo Policy: What It Actually Says

While most people with tattoos will be able to visit Disney World without any concerns about getting kicked out or denied entry, there can be certain exceptions. 

The official Disney World park rules and regulations states: “Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate, such as those containing objectionable language or designs, are not permitted.”

This policy means that Disney reserves the right to ask guests to cover tattoos or even turn away or remove individuals who are showing visible tattoos that may be considered offensive to other guests or Cast Members. This likely refers to tattoos that reflect racist or hate-filled messaging or tattoos that depict nudity or sexual situations — though the Disney policy does not specifically define what would be considered objectionable.  

Can Disney Cast Members Have Tattoos? 

But what about the people who work for the Walt Disney Company? Does Disney World ban tattoos for Cast Members?

Disney Cast Members can have visible tattoos, but there are some strict tattoo rules that Disney World employees have to follow. 

According to the Disney Look, which outlines guidelines for Cast Member appearance and dress, those working in the parks:

  • Can not have visible tattoos on their face, neck, or hands
  • Can not have visible tattoos larger than that Cast Member’s hand when fully extended
  • Can not have tattoos that depict nudity or offensive or inappropriate language or images
  • Can not have tattoos that violate company policies

However, Disney Cast Members were not always allowed to have visible tattoos — which may also be fueling the Disney tattoo ban rumors. In fact, the change allowing Cast Member tattoos only came about in 2021 as Disney Parks focused more effort on diversity and inclusion initiatives. 

Tips for Having Tattoos in Disney World

Now that you know tattoos aren’t fully banned, it’s worth offering up a couple tips when it comes to tattoos and Disney World. Take them or leave them.

Cover Up Inappropriate Tattoos

You’ll get no judgment from me for what you decide to put on your body (unless it’s racist or hateful). But the Disney World tattoo policy clearly states that offensive tattoos are not permitted, so it’s a good idea to cover or hide any ink that may be inappropriate. 

If you have a tattoo like this, you know you have a tattoo like this. Cover it with clothing, breathable bandages, or tattoo concealer to play it safe and keep other guests and everyone in your group happy. 

Slather on The Sunscreen

If you do have tattoos that will be visible and exposed to the hot, Florida sun, don’t forget to apply (and reapply) sunscreen. Prolonged sun exposure can really damage the appearance of tattoos over time and lead to color fading and dullness. Tattoos are not cheap and wearing sunscreen is a simple and affordable way to protect your investment and keep your ink looking fresh for a long time. 

Schedule New Tattoo Appointments Appropriately

While Disney World may not ban tattoos, please don’t go to on your trip with a fresh tattoo that is not fully healed. Just don’t do it. The same goes for making a tattoo appointment in the middle of your vacation. While there are probably plenty of great tattoo artists in Orlando and it sounds like a fun souvenir to take home, it’s important to think through the consequences. 

Tattoos typically take 2-4 weeks to fully heal. While a tattoo is healing, prolonged sun exposure, swimming, and hanging out in hot tubs are all considered prohibited activities. These things can damage the tattoo and also lead to infection if you’re not careful. If you have a Disney trip booked, make sure to avoid tattoo appointments in the weeks leading up to your vacation. And if your heart is set on getting a tattoo while you’re in Disney World, schedule with an artist at the very end of your trip so that you can fully enjoy your vacation and properly heal the tattoo when you arrive home. 

About Deidre Grieves 30 Articles
Deidre Grieves is a Philadelphia-based writer, editor, and the founder of DisneyTourist.com. She spent her childhood taking family trips to Disney World and is now sharing those experiences and creating new memories with her two young sons.