I wrote to Disney concerning the Tigger/Monaco family incident

[SamRoc]

I think that the fact the Tigger CM was suspended was awful. This video by the Monaco family either was a scam from the beginning, or is now going to turn into a lawsuit by the father. If anyone else wants to write to Disney about this to make sure the Tigger CM gets to keep his job, the address is:
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Another Tigger incident.

Oh Pooh...

Link: (Just add the triple w's and the (.) before it.

youtube.com/watch?v=b8dBhPjx5bw

That's your video..right?? Or is it a friend of yours?? I ask because I'm wondering if there will be more coming??

 

[SplshMtn99]

EDITED MY POST COMPLETELY.

I don't believe THAT Utube video is the video related to the story. The description of incident & age of child don't match AT ALL.

http://www.wetmtv.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=11b4caa3-3e94-4279-a1d5-cd17230d3e75

 

[firemanslady09]

Watched the dads video, seems like the kid must have done something behind tiggers back.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Does anyone know if the REAL VIDEO is available online?

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Does anyone know if the REAL VIDEO is available online?

Do you mean the one the dad shot and not the one cut up by the news channel?? If so I would think one of our resident DIS sleuths would've found it by now!!! I keep coming back hoping someone found it and posted a link!!

 

[PryncessChrysty]

This video shows the incident, it's a news link but doesn't appear to have been doctored: http://www.local6.com/firstnews/10685989/detail.html

 

[SplshMtn99]

OK, saw the real one now. Not sure what to make of it. Definately odd Tigger behavior.

It certainly looks like Tigger made a swinging motion....as I can't figure out how such an action would relate to Tigger's character otherwise. But, it certainly wasn't a hard punch like I guess I was expecting after reading the story.

The son was laughing & smiling before & up til. I would have liked to have seen his reaction just after to get a better sense of how hard the "punch" was, but the video ends practically during the incident.

Watching it again, I think the kid was up to something behind Tiggers back. Tigger rotated body, kid didn't let go so got pulled towards Tigger just a bit, kid smiling even bigger now, & Tigger makes contact. Yeah, kid was doing SOMETHING back there.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Watching it again, I think the kid was up to something behind Tiggers back. Tigger rotated body, kid didn't let go so got pulled towards Tigger just a bit, kid smiling even bigger now, & Tigger makes contact. Yeah, kid was doing SOMETHING back there.

I agree, in that video link I posted above the kid says he wasn't doing anything, but when Tigger starts to go in for the 'hit', it looks like Tigger was definitely reacting to something. Like it was sudden. And it also didn't look like Tigger hit the kid hard, not that that necessarily matters, but still. It's not like Tigger put the kid in a half nelson or anything.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

it's all too wierd!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I think the kid was trying to get his hand under the "head" and push it off. In the video you can see the hand behind Tigger's head, then Tigger tries to pull away. The kid holds on and Tigger slaps him.

Even Matt Lauer seems to be on Tigger's side this morning. He said "you know, those people really put up with a lot, sometimes the kids do things and it's hot in those costumes."

I was thinking about how they really can't see that well in those things either. Have you ever seen how they autograph? They have to hold the books so awkwardly to see what they're writing.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Two more opinions here.. my husband and I watched it last night and we thought the kid was doing something at Tigger's back.. not sure, but it almost looked like Tigger lost his balance a bit..

I do know that it is hot, hot, hot in that costume then add many screaming children and adults wanting a picture with Tigger into the mix, people are people and can lose it for many reasons never mind the two above. Something is fishy here for sure and hopefully we will get some answers after the investigation.

Where was the handler that goes out with the characters, usually they are close by.. I did not see one.. just wondering.

 

[SeaSpray]

Right before Tigger "swings" at the kid, you can see him (Tigger) clamp down on the kid's right hand/arm, apparently in order to stop the kid from doing whatever he was doing back there behind Tigger's back!! I firmly believe that the kid was doing *something* which Tigger felt was going to either unzip his costume or it felt like the kid was feeling for the zipper, or something like that.

Tigger reacted in an instant, and clamped down on the kid's arm, so to me, that shows that something was definitely going on behind his back!


Edited to add: For what it's worth, I just sent an email, expressing my feeling on this matter.

 

[schnerk]

OK, saw the real one now. Not sure what to make of it. Definately odd Tigger behavior.

It certainly looks like Tigger made a swinging motion....as I can't figure out how such an action would relate to Tigger's character otherwise. But, it certainly wasn't a hard punch like I guess I was expecting after reading the story.

The son was laughing & smiling before & up til. I would have liked to have seen his reaction just after to get a better sense of how hard the "punch" was, but the video ends practically during the incident.

Watching it again, I think the kid was up to something behind Tiggers back. Tigger rotated body, kid didn't let go so got pulled towards Tigger just a bit, kid smiling even bigger now, & Tigger makes contact. Yeah, kid was doing SOMETHING back there.

I agree. It is just a shame...

 

[4cruisin]

I think the kid was trying to get his hand under the "head" and push it off. In the video you can see the hand behind Tigger's head, then Tigger tries to pull away. The kid holds on and Tigger slaps him.

Even Matt Lauer seems to be on Tigger's side this morning. He said "you know, those people really put up with a lot, sometimes the kids do things and it's hot in those costumes."

I was thinking about how they really can't see that well in those things either. Have you ever seen how they autograph? They have to hold the books so awkwardly to see what they're writing.

I thought that the kid was trying to pull off the head too. It definetly looks like the kid was trying to do something. Also, the kid is grinning. Just looks like he instigated something to me.

 

[PoohnPglet]

Where was the handler that goes out with the characters, usually they are close by.. I did not see one.. just wondering.

The handler (we prefer the term greeter/attendant BTW) was probably near by, but not near enough to be caught on the tape. Or could have been in charge of two characters at the same time and with the other character at that moment.

That kid was 100% up to no good. He was either messing with the tail or yanking on the back of the costume. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen behaviour like this, and not just from kids. There are some people out there that just have to destroy the magic - maybe it makes them feel "cool"? I don't know.

Thank you to any of you that will write in on Tigger's behalf. It is amazing how so many people will stand in line to complain about CM's, but it is rare for people to take time out to give formal support.

 

[JunieJay]

I'm actually surprised more kids aren't "punched" by costumed characters. I would guess its probably really difficult to walk around with no peripheral vision and have kids swarming all over you....this video looks like Tigger was in no way trying to sucker punch this kid -- to me, it clearly looks like an accident and a natural reaction to something the kid did behind Tigger's back.

 

[Allison]

The fact is none of us know the facts. People are forming opinions based on the video but we weren't there to see the whole thing and know who was in the wrong.

 

[mrsmom]

I am a mascot for a company not Disney, But i can tell you . I have been punched ,kicked, Hit and they try to pull the costume off. It's no fun, These are adults who try this and children with parents who stand right there and laugh. I seen the tape on a news network and it looks to me he is holding on to the back of tigger doing something. I hope disney doesn't take thsi guys word.

Kim

 

[OhMari]

The Early Show had the dad and the son on this morning. Hannah Storm interviewed them. She asked the boy if he was hurt and the dad said, the son woke up with a sore neck and he took him to the emergency room. The dad said it was all a blur. Hannah asked the son if he provoked Tigger and he said no, and then he said it was all to wierd.

The dad said before their family posed with Tigger, Tigger was mean to a little girl getting an autograph. When it was their turn, Tigger shoved the dad away when he left to go video and then his son stepped into the picture. Tigger put his arm out for the son and the next video showed Tigger turning toward the boy and stopping him for doing something and then using his hand to swat, hit, the kids face. (The reaction looked like the kid was pinching him in the neck).

Then the lawyer came into the interview and Hannah read a statement from WDW that Tigger is on suspension and no hitting or aggravation is tolerated. The lawyer said they want an apology from WDW. Ya right, get a lawyer involved. If this family sues, I hope the judge throws them out on their Mickey ears.