Family sues Disneyland, claims rabbit character is 'racist'

[Running_Bell]

In 2009, we were in MK and had waited with our daughter for an hour to see Minnie during the Halloween party. The line was very long and we were about the 3rd in line when a dad ran up the area on the other side of where Minnie's line was and honestly... shoved.. his maybe 5 year old son in the gazebo with Minnie. Of course, the family next in line started yelling and the cast member watching the lines was trying to very nicely handle the situation. One thing I remember is that Minnie crossed her arms. She didn't walk away or act rude... she simply crossed her arms and didn't engage with the child. The dad of course was trying to snap photos while the CM was getting the child away from minnie while trying to be nice to the child (it wasn't his fault his dad was an idiot) and had them escorted away from the area... I don't know if this is what could have happened here... when I saw the photo of the rabbit with his arms crossed... I just thought of that episode.

 

[StarWarsJez]

The only time I've ever seen a character ignore a child was when he/she pushed in or else interrupted while another child was having their turn. And I've spent years and years waiting in line!

I'd also add that I've also been a costumed character (Star Wars obviously) and can tell you that it's extremely hard work and very often you can't really see what's going on - especially when it gets hot and your 'eyes' are steaming up!

You have to ask yourself precisely WHY someone would engage with a law firm because the felt their kid was ignored by someone dressed up in a character suit. Dare I say that money seem to always be a factor!

 

[tigmickey]

Here are my thought:

1) If the parents were there with their kids, any pictures? I always have my camera ready when my kids are walking up to their "favorite" characters.

2) The $500 sounds like the max a park manager is allowed to offer. Not trying to "buy" them off.

3) The fact that it is the "white" rabbit, sketchy.

4) They claim racist but don't know the ethnicity of the actor. (Huff Post article)

I think the kids ran up, out of line and the character did his/her best to get them to go in line. I have seen kids, of all ethnicity, do this and have wondered where are there parents? Why are they letting their kids do this.

This sounds like someone looking to find racism and was going to find it somewhere!

 

[MerlinsApprentice]

Most reports indicate that the White Rabbit was impatient with them. It's as if he was late for something.... Anyone think he may have just been pointing to his watch to stay in character?

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Here are my thought:

1) If the parents were there with their kids, any pictures? I always have my camera ready when my kids are walking up to their "favorite" characters.

2) The $500 sounds like the max a park manager is allowed to offer. Not trying to "buy" them off.

3) The fact that it is the "white" rabbit, sketchy.

4) They claim racist but don't know the ethnicity of the actor. (Huff Post article)

I think the kids ran up, out of line and the character did his/her best to get them to go in line. I have seen kids, of all ethnicity, do this and have wondered where are there parents? Why are they letting their kids do this.

This sounds like someone looking to find racism and was going to find it somewhere!

My nephew who was 6 at the time ran up to Pluto in the rotating restaurant in the Land Pavillion as we exited Soarin'. He didn't know any better, but took off into the restaurant before any of us knew what was happening. Pluto was really cool with it. I bet my nephew wasn't the first kid to run in there. Some parents really do try their best.

 

[rebeccaariel]

So apparently the Black family will be using this story in their lawsuit:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...4-year-old-girl-shouts-Dont-start-s-t-me.html

What do we think of this? I personally think that if what the White Rabbit allegedly did is true, it's not appropriate at all. That being said, those girls were being little brats, and shame on their father for encouraging their poor behaviour. It's people like them that cause random encounters with characters to be so infrequent. I guess carefully scheduling and monitoring character interactions is the only way to prevent characters from being tormented like that.

But my question is how it's relevant to the lawsuit. It could only be used if it's the same character performer that is involved in both these incidents, right? Or could it be used in an attempt to prove that there's some larger issue of misconduct going on at Disneyland? It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[GAN]

If they're going to accuse the rabbit of being I racist, I say go try and prove it. I don't think Disney is too worried about this one. Now, going after the girl is another story - that should have been left for security personnel.

 

[beer dave]

There comes a point (hopefully) in everyones life where they learn to accept responsibility for their actions. There is a person in the costume doing his or her best to do their job. Time to grow up people.

 

[tigmickey]

My nephew who was 6 at the time ran up to Pluto in the rotating restaurant in the Land Pavillion as we exited Soarin'. He didn't know any better, but took off into the restaurant before any of us knew what was happening. Pluto was really cool with it. I bet my nephew wasn't the first kid to run in there. Some parents really do try their best.

Sorry, the story doesn't sound like what happened to you (or many of us with little kids). It sounds like the parents were watching.