Can characters hold babies?

[FlowerInAdversity]

Not to mention the lawsuit if they accidentally dropped the little snowflake.

It would be rather difficult to drop a child sitting on her lap.

But as for actually holding kids, I always tell people to notice how many times in an hour Mickey might drop a pen or a book. Now why would you think it would be a good idea to hand him a baby?! Mickey's just a mouse and isn't quite strong enough to hold babies!

 

[cobright]

An old Jewish friend saw me getting excited about a WDW trip and asked if they did special character interactions. Like something extra you pay for.

I mentioned character dining, he says more private than that. I said you can request (and pay for) a character visit to a party or wedding. He says he wants something more private.

I'm about to call him a dirty old man when he says, I just thought it would be really special to have Goofy at my grandsons bris.

I flippin lost it. He was so sincere about it too but I kept picturing Goofy in a yarmulke holding a scalpel. "Garsh!"

 

[Gruff320]

I was in Entertainment from 94 - 05 and holding babies was not allowed. I used to do the baby on the lap pose often, though. As far as I recall, the lap pose wasn't against the rules, but it's been a while.

Yes, some break the rules and hold kids. There were a lot of rules that we fudged a bit like taking kids hats off, mussing hair, etc., but the holding of babies and kids was a big No-No. However, there were often times that the parents would shove the babies into your arms and let go basically forcing you to hold the kid or risk dropping them. LOL. It was not cool when that happened, but what are you gonna do?

It's like when the parents force a truly terrified child who was screaming hysterically at the characters. We would basically act just as scared of the child by backing up, covering eyes, shaking/shivering, etc. to try to get the point across to the parent that this isn't good and they are just traumatizing their kid further.

Many parents will go to extreme lengths for that "perfect" picture

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I think it might depend on the costume they are wearing.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Ariel held my (at the time) 3 year old last January (2013)

 

[FlowerInAdversity]

I was in Entertainment from 94 - 05 and holding babies was not allowed. I used to do the baby on the lap pose often, though. As far as I recall, the lap pose wasn't against the rules, but it's been a while.

Yes, some break the rules and hold kids. There were a lot of rules that we fudged a bit like taking kids hats off, mussing hair, etc., but the holding of babies and kids was a big No-No. However, there were often times that the parents would shove the babies into your arms and let go basically forcing you to hold the kid or risk dropping them. LOL. It was not cool when that happened, but what are you gonna do?

It's like when the parents force a truly terrified child who was screaming hysterically at the characters. We would basically act just as scared of the child by backing up, covering eyes, shaking/shivering, etc. to try to get the point across to the parent that this isn't good and they are just traumatizing their kid further.

Many parents will go to extreme lengths for that "perfect" picture

They are now no longer allowed to hold kids in their lap either (primarily because of the bodily fluids issue). That doesn't mean the characters listen to that rule, though. And as for when a parent shoves a kid in your hands, they now teach Mickey and all the characters a perfect way to deal with that and get down on the ground to a safer level and hopefully the attendant will speak up.

 

[Gruff320]

They are now no longer allowed to hold kids in their lap either (primarily because of the bodily fluids issue). That doesn't mean the characters listen to that rule, though. And as for when a parent shoves a kid in your hands, they now teach Mickey and all the characters a perfect way to deal with that and get down on the ground to a safer level and hopefully the attendant will speak up.

Interesting! Thanks for the update. One of the most helpful things for both performer and guest is a competent greeter who is paying attention ;-)

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

I didn't think they could, but when we went in May, the Princesses all sat and held my 4 month old (and gave him kisses!) It was an amazing surprise and the pictures are priceless!

Those are so sweet!!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I didn't realize it was a big no-no. I didn't think characters could hold babies, but Cinderella sat and the floor and asked if she could pose for pictures with "my little prince". I had never actually gone to see the princesses before and while I knew that fur characters couldn't hold children, I thought maybe it was something that was unique to the princesses (or just face characters in general).

Maybe this Cindy just likes babies, because she spent a decent amount of time cuddling and loving on him. I never would have even though to ask if she hadn't initiated.

 

[FlowerInAdversity]

I didn't realize it was a big no-no. I didn't think characters could hold babies, but Cinderella sat and the floor and asked if she could pose for pictures with "my little prince". I had never actually gone to see the princesses before and while I knew that fur characters couldn't hold children, I thought maybe it was something that was unique to the princesses (or just face characters in general).

Maybe this Cindy just likes babies, because she spent a decent amount of time cuddling and loving on him. I never would have even though to ask if she hadn't initiated.

And that's a great example of following the character's lead! If they initiate it, it certainly makes for an extremely cute moment and photo op! The princesses must have really liked your adorable little prince.

Honestly, it's just one of those things they shouldn't do but many of them will do it anyway for an especially cute child. It's just nice when they can make the choice rather than having a parent request it!

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Not only the "overflow" issue, but if you're at all germophobic you may want to remember how many kids and adults those characters are kissing and touching throughout the rest of their day. I've seen people try to hand over their weeks old baby to characters and could only hope that the babies wouldn't somehow catch anything!

 

[Catrinabeach]

Our first visit my DD was 6 wks old, and our DS's were 9 & 12. We would of loved to have pics of DD with each character but that never entered our thoughts. We just assumed we couldn't and we had DS 12 hold her in each pic with the characters arms around DS 9 & 12. Made for great pics.

Even when she was 2 all the character's would hug her, or sit down and put her beside them if they could. A few she sat on them and didn't give them the choice lol. She wanted Aurora to kiss her like Snow White and Belle had but they had each used one cheek, and when Aurora asked where she should put her kiss my DD said her lips. I stepped in and said No another on your cheek. Aurora smiled at me and agreed. Kids don't know better.

All of them will sit next to your child and cuddle them for a pic. We have alot like that and they are adorable. They even danced with her for some pics, and taught her to curtsy

 

[smallblackstars]

Last March my DD (2 at the time) was held on the knees of Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Mickey. I think with an older toddler age child this is not uncommon and also at the princess meet and greet (Belle, Aurora and Cinderella) we saw them hold a few babies on their laps for a photo. You are probably best forgetting the 'full costume' characters this time round and see if you can get some great photos with the princesses and other non masked characters.