I wrote to Disney concerning the Tigger/Monaco family incident

[Crokette]

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

That's exactly what I thought when I saw the video in the news today!

 

[Southern4sure]

I'm not sure if anyone saw this but while Tigger is holding the arm of the teen at the end of the video, the teen hits Tigger on the head with his other hand. It is not hard but looks like he is ready to have an altercation.

 

[TammyNC]

From the video, it sure seems unlikely that he was hit hard enough to have neck pains bad enough to lead to a trip to the ER. I'm thinking a ploy to make things seem worse than they truly were.

 

[Charade]

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

Huh? It sure has. The news station edited (or the dad did) it before they aired it. I would like to see the ORIGINAL (out of the camera) tape. And am I the only one that's irked about the lead pic on the news website? It shows the moment of contact which will lead people into believing it's an intentional punch.

 

[firemanslady09]

Sounds like each day the family embelishes the incident just a little more. Originally when the dad was interviewed there was no talk of tigger being mean before. He said it just came out of the blue. And the kid said he wasnt hurt.

 

[Keggy]

I definitely think the kid was up to no good. It seems like he is doing something behind tiggers back. It doesn't look to me like tigger punched the kid intentionally, it looks like tigger is falling backwards and couldn't balance himself. The way the kid was laughing the whole time makes me think he was up to no good.

You would be surprised at how many scam artists try to pull stuff off in the parks. It is sad what people will do to get something.

Kelly

 

[KristinBelle]

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.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've sent in my email in Tigger's defense! The thing I noticed, among many things, is that when Jerry Jr is being questioned by the reporter, on the video, he is asked if he had done anything to warrant the 'attack'...no, he says, nothing. But...as he says this his eyes drop and look off to the side. Those who are devotees of 'body language' will tell that as soon as someone starts to tell untruths, their eyes drop right down. It takes an incredibly experienced lier to look someone in the eye as they are spinning their story.
I've been in one of those costumes, and I'll tell you..as soon as I put it on, I had new respect for the characters. I could see nothing....only what was directly in front of me, about 3'-4' out in front. Beside me? Nothing at all. And poor Tigger would have had to really wind up in order to 'hurt' anyone with a punch from those paws!!!

 

[Sherri]

I don't have sound on my computer. Can someone post an article about what the situation was? Thanks

 

[JR6ooo4]

here are my thoughts, copied from the other thread:

From my perspective.
The kid was looking for a little additional fun. He has a devious smile on his face, not one of wonder being next to a character like a 3 year old would get. CMs are entrusted to keep the fairy tale aura alive. The juvenile (he is no kid) appears to have his hand stuck into the costume or he is pulling the zipper. When Tigger realizes He/She may be disrobed in public, his right arm loops around the left arm of the boy. When tigger spins, to grab the boys arm with his left hand, the boy does not let go and is dragged (slightly) into the clockwise spin causing his face to be in the path of tiggers left arm and very fuzzy and padded paw. If he would have let go there would be no contact from hand to face. His face would not have been in that spot. Also at the point of impact there is no considerable reaction of the boys head to the contact. Barely a one inch movement, no "back and to the left", no hair moving etc... so no significant force was applied. You can see the smile get bigger on the boys face as tigger reacts.

The magic needs to go both ways otherwise you are just watching a play.

Shame on this boy for pulling a prank, oh wait, that is what teens do.
Shame on this dad for being as he is.

MIkeeee

 

[Mom2Ashli]

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.

That is exactly what I was thinking. The kids arm is really high around his Tiggers back. Like maybe he was trying to unzip his costume or something. And I noticed that Tigger caught the kids arm, as if to stop him from doing something.

I know when I put my arm around somebody it is normally around the waist not that high up.

 

[DizBelle]

My impression from the video:

I don't think Tigger made an intentional punch to Jerry Jr.

It looks like that, for whatever reason, Tigger was trying to turn to his right and remove his back from being accessible to Jerry Jr. When he turned, his left arm was raised slightly and when he turned, his hand made contact with the kid's head. It doesn't appear intentional to me at all. With the giant head, I doubt Tigger would have been able to make an intentional hit to Jerry Jr's head.

It looks like Tigger was trying to avoid something. Real or perceived? I don't know and I don't think it matters.

 

[Kirby]

I heard on the radio this morning that the kid was definately trying to sabotage Tigger's outfit. Can you imagine that look on all the little kid's faces that were in line to meet Tigger if his head had fell off? I saw the news clip and I don't think that Tigger was planning to punch him, just shove him out of the way. But on the flip side, maybe Tigger could have just moved backward or away from the kid too. I don't know, I wasn't there but if I were that kid's parent, he would be in a heap of trouble for trying to spoil the magic for other kids.

 

[ericamanda01]

Every time I see the video it just reconfirms that the young man who was hit, was up to something. I mean the devious smile on his face speaks volumes. I seriously doubt that Tigger was having such a bad day that he decided to suddenly start hitting guests. And the more that this father and son talk about it, the worse the "injuries" become. I mean really does anyone truly believe that slap would cause long term pain requiring an ER visit?! Give me a break!

 

[poohluvrs]

Thanks for the address, this incident is ruining disney magic. I sent an email too...

I am writing regarding the widely televised Tigger incident.

While I understand your position in having to deal with a disgruntled guest, the video that is circulating seems questionable at best.

I certainly do not want to take my kids to vacation in a place where harassing characters my little ones still believe in is encouraged and/or rewarded.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Diz_knee62]

I sent a letter to Disney as well.

The father definitely appears to be very 'claim savy' and said all the right things to ensure this becomes a big deal.

By now, I'm sure an attorney has contacted them, the teen is on meds for neck pain, and no doubt he'll need psychiatric counseling for the trauma. I'm betting the rest of the family will, too.

 

[marlasmom]

Years ago I worked for the law firm that represented Disney in California. Winnie the Pooh stepped back and knocked a little girl to the ground. SHE WAS NOT HURT. The parents sued and got into court. Winnie doesn't talk of course, but he mimed the incident for the court. The entire courtroom was laughing and the charges were dismissed. It was so obvious the parents were out for a free ride. The real shame is that court time and expenses were incurred for this greedy family.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I saw the news clip and I oculd see the kid's hand behind Tigger's back. Even the expressions on thier faces were strange- like look what we're doing. A scam if you ask me.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Years ago I worked for the law firm that represented Disney in California. Winnie the Pooh stepped back and knocked a little girl to the ground. SHE WAS NOT HURT. The parents sued and got into court. Winnie doesn't talk of course, but he mimed the incident for the court. The entire courtroom was laughing and the charges were dismissed. It was so obvious the parents were out for a free ride. The real shame is that court time and expenses were incurred for this greedy family.

Oh that's priceless

FWIW, I think the teen was trying to stir up trouble.

 

[cardaway]

I saw the news clip and I oculd see the kid's hand behind Tigger's back. Even the expressions on thier faces were strange- like look what we're doing. A scam if you ask me.

Yes, IMO the only thing we can all but be sure of when watching the video is the boy in question was looking to do something he knew Tigger would not like for the amusement of the person behind the camera.