Free Republic

PYONGYANG, North Korea — Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh took the stage in North Korea during a concert for new leader Kim Jong Un, in an unusual performance featuring Disney characters. Performers dressed as Minnie Mouse, Tigger and others danced and pranced as footage from “Snow White,” “Dumbo,” “Beauty and the Beast” and other Disney movies played on a massive backdrop, according to still photos shown on state TV. The inclusion of characters popular in the West — particularly from the United States, North Korea’s wartime enemy — is a notable change in direction for performances in Pyongyang. Actors...

Just don't let Minnie wear a thong, please07/22/2003 Signs of the times at Disney World: Mickey Mouse can now sport cornrows, and Minnie can wear hoop earrings. The Associated Press reports that Walt Disney Co. is liberalizing dress codes for employees at its theme parks, whether or not Walt is turning over in his freezer (yes, we know it's an urban myth). New park policies allow men to wear braids, just so they're straight, are tied close to the scalp and don't touch the collar. "It is really becoming a mainstream look," said Melissa Valiquette, manager of Costuming, Cast...