Disney in hot water again over character interaction or lack there of!!

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I agree here. We've never had the personal level of character interaction that some people seem to get (high-fives, hugs, "conversations" with the characters, etc.) The Blacks level of interaction seems similar to what we get (we're white). I think it must have more to do with my kids' body language than anything else. They like to get a photo now and then, but they are not character hounds. Admittedly, I do sometimes look at other families and wonder what they're doing differently, but as long as I get a decent picture, I'm satisfied.

In another situation, we were at a parade where the characters/performers often interact with people along the parade route. Throughout the parade, there were several performers who appeared to be coming up to my daughter (eye contact, big smile, the whole bit), then abruptly changed course at the last minute and interacted with someone else. I can only imagine that something on DD's face changed to "don't come any closer!" and the cast members were trained not to push it. I was kind of bummed because I would have loved for her to have that experience... but I have seen that look from DD before.

There is enough of a diverse population at Disneyland and WDW that I can't imagine that an employee could get by with refusing to serve people of a different skin color.

We have always had great interaction but I think it is because both of my children always initiate it by their level of excitement and the fact that they are not shy and will cozy up to just about anybody. I have 4 of the sweetest picture of my kids my DD as a toddler kissing Mickeys nose and then again at 10 smiling ear to ear when Cinderella hugs her even though she swears she is to big for princesses. The other two are of my son who as a baby had a bald head full of red lipstick lips thanks to Snow White and the other wearing his Woody cowboy hat being bear hugged by Woody himself. I will say before Snow White filled him with kisses she did ask if would be OK to steal a few.

 

[diznygirl]

Usually I take the characters' side (my husband has worked as a character attendant) but after seeing the story on the news and seeing the photos I don't know. The White Rabbit has some explaining to do. It could be that the person in the suit has some pretty strong feelings and let them come out in character. But I also think that unless that castmember is pretty new, it would have been noticeable before.

So I guess I'm undecided at this point. And we probably won't get to hear the White Rabbit's side of the story.

 

[LilyWDW]

I 100% do not see enough information for anyone to make a full conclusion about what happened. Interaction between only 2 different subjects can not even BEGIN to be used as proof one way or another. You don't have enough data!

 

[kidshop]

How did they know that the person inside the costume wasn't black? (At the time of the incident)

 

[Kim&Chris]

There are three sides to every story.

Just because they're claiming racism, doesn't necessarily mean it's true.

 

[Stitchfans]

Not sure what to say. There is too many reasons that could have happened for this incident to go on. Maybe the rabbit sensed something and decided it was better to be stand- offish.

 

[katiepants29]

This is ridiculous. I am sorry. I am trying to be sensitive, but I have read all you have said, and thought of a million other possibilities. Maybe it was hot, maybe the character was weary..who knows. But to go immediately to racism? Seriously?

My youngest is very handy with the characters. We have to be right on top of her because she doesn't realize how uncomfortable that can be for a cast member. Mostly because she doesn't realize yet that they are humans in that ball of fuzz. She is appropriate with the face characters, but she wants to touch the nose of each character with a mask. Obvi, we stop her, remind her constantly. But sometimes she's faster than we are. The characters are always silently firm with her. But we get the rules, and explain that they were firm because she broke the rules. Mickey doesn't like germs on his nose because he will get a cold and not get to play in the park with everyone. I certainly don't say it's because she wears glasses, so they must be prejudice.

Then again, I am white. I don't live with racism ( for the most part). So who knows.

 

[cats mom]

Usually I take the characters' side (my husband has worked as a character attendant) but after seeing the story on the news and seeing the photos I don't know. The White Rabbit has some explaining to do. It could be that the person in the suit has some pretty strong feelings and let them come out in character. But I also think that unless that castmember is pretty new, it would have been noticeable before.

So I guess I'm undecided at this point. And we probably won't get to hear the White Rabbit's side of the story.

Just curious what it was in the news story that made you come to the conclusion that "the White Rabbit has some explaining to do"?

Pics of my kids hugging characters are few and far between. Most look just like the one used as evidence of racism on the news story - posed with no physical contact.

As kids get older, boys in particular, isn't that what they're generally more comfortable with? I would think characters take cues from kids.

The picture of the little Black boy (using the families last name here btw) shows him standing next to the White Rabbit with arms crossed. That reads keep your distance to me.

The only thing in the news story that made me wonder about the incident was Disney offering cash to keep quiet. Cheaper than dealing with a law suit I guess, but I just don't think that looks good.

 

[lizabu]

Just curious what it was in the news story that made you come to the conclusion that "the White Rabbit has some explaining to do"?

Pics of my kids hugging characters are few and far between. Most look just like the one used as evidence of racism on the news story - posed with no physical contact.

As kids get older, boys in particular, isn't that what they're generally more comfortable with? I would think characters take cues from kids.

The picture of the little Black boy (using the families last name here btw) shows him standing next to the White Rabbit with arms crossed. That reads keep your distance to me.

The only thing in the news story that made me wonder about the incident was Disney offering cash to keep quiet. Cheaper than dealing with a law suit I guess, but I just don't think that looks good.

Not even just that. I work in customer service at a hotel. We will often give a person a free breakfast or a free night. Not because we did something wrong. We are in the hospitality industry. We want people to enjoy themselves and come back. Giving them VIP passes isn't an admission of guilt. The family had a perception that something bad happened. Disney is in the hospitality industry. They want to change that guests perception.

 

[foreUT]

With so many instances of inappropriate touching, unless the child initiates some type of physical contact, I would imagine that a character might be hesitant to hug, especially if the child is older, when he or she may "want their space."

Sounds like the time will be coming, soon, when Disney will just stop character interaction because it is too much of a legal headache.

 

[foreUT]

Not even just that. I work in customer service at a hotel. We will often give a person a free breakfast or a free night. Not because we did something wrong. We are in the hospitality industry. We want people to enjoy themselves and come back. Giving them VIP passes isn't an admission of guilt. The family had a perception that something bad happened. Disney is in the hospitality industry. They want to change that guests perception.

I think there is much to be said for stopping a public meltdown, too. (Not saying that there was a "meltdown" in this situation, but having been in the Customer Service on Main Street at MK and witnessing one, I can see how VIP passes would be a reasonable offer to forego that response.)

 

[DisneyElite4]

Idiotic claims like this are going to ruin it for the rest of us. I foresee a future without Meet-n-Greets, or at least Meet-N-Greets without ANY touching or autograph signing. The character will be standing behind a barrier and the kids will stand in front and wave.

I agree, and it's sad.

I know that I would be quite perturbed if someone waited around to take a picture of my son's interaction with a character. I highly doubt the family had permission to take or use the photograph of the other child.

 

[diznygirl]

Just curious what it was in the news story that made you come to the conclusion that "the White Rabbit has some explaining to do"?

Pics of my kids hugging characters are few and far between. Most look just like the one used as evidence of racism on the news story - posed with no physical contact.

As kids get older, boys in particular, isn't that what they're generally more comfortable with? I would think characters take cues from kids.

The picture of the little Black boy (using the families last name here btw) shows him standing next to the White Rabbit with arms crossed. That reads keep your distance to me.

The only thing in the news story that made me wonder about the incident was Disney offering cash to keep quiet. Cheaper than dealing with a law suit I guess, but I just don't think that looks good.

The news report I saw from a local LA news station showed a couple more photos than the story in the link. They also spoke to the kids. I would like to hear the White Rabbit's side of the story to find out if the kids jumped the line, or pulled his tail, etc. If they were being rowdy the character will pose but not interact. So yes, I think the White Rabbit needs to explain what happened.

http://ktla.com/2013/02/06/family-claims-racism-by-disneyland-character/#axzz2KDmIWGy8

 

[Planogirl]

This whole story sounds suspect to me. I'll reserve judgment too.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Assuming the performer doesn't come out and say "I only hug white kids" (which is unlikely), what explanation could the performer possibly give that would suffice? Every character doesn't hug every kid.

This family is always going to believe it was racism, even if it wasn't. They're claiming to be REALLY upset over the fact that another child got a hug and they want the performer fired. They were so upset that they hung around and took photos of the other kid getting hugs.

 

[asta]

I have a hard time seeing this as racism. From looking at the photos it looks like the Rabbit was dealing with two different aged children. I would expect him to be more huggy with the younger child.

I also think that there is a lot to be said about how the characters play off against the personalities of the guests. My daughters were not the cuddly type and beyond their toddler years I don't remember many pictures of them hugging. We still got plenty of cute pictures. And when we visited WDW when they were older teens the attention was totally different. It was all good.

 

[Planogirl]

Assuming the performer doesn't come out and say "I only hug white kids" (which is unlikely), what explanation could the performer possibly give that would suffice?

This family is always going to believe it was racism, even if it wasn't. They're claiming to be REALLY upset over the fact that another child got a hug and they want the performer fired.

They don't know who the performer is and Disney could simply refuse to release their hiring and firing practices. They will likely be "satisfied" at some point by whatever Disney pays them. Whether this really happened like they say, that is probably what will happen.

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree, and it's sad.

I know that I would be quite perturbed if someone waited around to take a picture of my son's interaction with a character. I highly doubt the family had permission to take or use the photograph of the other child.

I don't think the family needs permission to take or use (in a non-commercial way) the photographs.

Regarding the topic at hand... Disney should at least talk to the White Rabbit and his handler and see if they remember anything about the situation (I'm guessing not). Looking at surveillance footage is warranted too.

I find it hard to believe the White Rabbit is racist and this was the first time his racism showed.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

So they ask the performer "why didn't you hug that kid but you hugged the kid after him?" and the performer says "geez, I don't know. I don't hug every kid. I don't even remember that kid."

There's not a lot of detail in the story but I don't see them alleging that the kids went up to the Rabbit with open arms and he shunned them.

I'd guess the family won't accept that. Either they're in it to get him/her fired because they were just that humiliated, or they'll settle up for a good bit more money than what they were offered at the park.

 

[dmiller64152]

Ridiculous. I'm a Caucasian and shouldn't judge but this sounds like a family either looking for money or being WAY oversensitive. I would feel the same way if the child were overweight or handicapped or in any other way "different." Before I claimed unfair treatment, I would expect to see a pattern of actions. You can't compare just two situations and say the only difference is the color of the skin.