Santa is a disney character

[yaytezIOA]

I really dont know what to say, other than a lot of CM's will have coal in their stockings. It kills me the way they are even with a guy who does it for a living. Perhaps they could have used this guy as a santa, because frankly....the ones they have suck.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6189521.stm
When James Worley paid a visit to Disney World in Florida his portly frame and white beard soon had kids asking: "Are you Santa Claus?"
Not wanting to disappoint, Mr Worley, 60, played along with some "ho-ho-hos".

But Disney officials descended, telling him to stop the impersonation or get out of the park. They said they wanted to preserve the magic of Santa.

Mr Worley took off his red hat and red shirt but said: "I look this way 24/7, 365 days a year. This is me."

'Confusing'

Even after bowing to the request to alter his appearance, Mr Worley, from Tampa, said children continued to ask if he was Santa.

"How do you tell a little kid, 'No, go away, little kid'," Mr Worley told local television.

He said Disney had told him "Santa was considered a Disney character".

Officials at Disney World's Epcot park said they had had complaints from "several guests who were very upset".

Disney said it had its own Santa at Epcot and Mr Worley was "confusing" the children.

Mr Worley said he had played a jolly elf at charity events for a number of years, while his wife sometimes dressed up as Mrs Claus.

Mr Worley said he still loved Disney and Christmas

 

[cardaway]

Interesting because we saw a guy who looked very Santa like in the parks riding an ECV. He even had on a red sweatshirt with something about Santa on it. Wonder if it's the same guy?

 

[amy4bruce]

First of all, if Disney has its own Santa, no matter how bad he might be, they can't allow another Santa to walk around. It's simply a commercial decision, one they have to make.

Besides, if Disney allows this, they become liable for problems. Here in Pittsburgh, we had a Santa in a department store who told two kids they were too fat, and suggested diets. The store fired him immediately, rather than be sued.

Given the state of the economy and today's society, Disney simply can't afford to have someone walking around the parks claiming to be Santa.

You might want to check out MousePlanet, where they have a more detailed explanation as to why Disney was right.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

when we were down there last year at Xmas time, we saw a number of "Santas" - we assumed they were officially at the park, but "off duty".

first, we walk into POR for the first time. there is a guy sitting right under the Xmas tree (i am pretty sure he had that red sweatshirt on)- we looked at him and smiled - he responded with a "hohoho"

another time - we were waiting for the second parade at MVMCP - we were sitting on one of the walls by Presidents and a "Santa" walks by - DD is pleasantly shocked. I am pretty sure he had on a Xmas type flannel shirt much like Santa would. He asks her if she has been a good girl and hands her a Santa business card (what an awesome memory and wonderful momento!!!! ). He goes over to sit in the wheel chair area - Mrs Claus was in an ECV. (I had not been there for the moment - went off to find cookies and cocoa - but as DD and DH were telling me about it - I glanced over to see "Santa" and he waved and winked at me and gave DD the thumbs up!!!) I think he may actually have been one of the official Santas 'cause he got a special wave from the Santa in the parade!

I still view those encounters as part of the magic..though maybe not official...I can see Disneys point, but I can see his as well......

I am sure the "official" Santas are briefed on how to conduct themselves when in the park. I would hate to have them told they can't enjoy the parks while off duty!!!

 

[Acklander]

OK, I can see why Disney might complain after reading this article. Disney's Santa may not be great, but I bet he's been thru a background check.





COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 19) - A man dressed as Santa Claus lured an 8-year-old girl onto his motorcycle and drove away, and her father chased him until he pulled over and gave her back, authorities said. The man, John Michael Barton, 55, was charged with kidnapping, police said. He was being held in jail Monday night on $100,000 bond.

The girl, of Augusta, Ga., and her family stopped at a convenience store off Interstate 20 on Sunday night when they noticed Barton, dressed in a Santa Claus suit, refueling his motorcycle, police said.

Parents told police that Barton asked the children to come over and look at a stuffed Rudolph he had in his sidecar. Then, parents saw Barton driving away with their 8-year-old girl, authorities said.

The girl's father followed Barton, reaching speeds up to 80 mph and flashing his headlights repeatedly, police said. Barton eventually stopped at a parking lot and the father picked up the girl, who was not injured.



Barton was arrested later Sunday when police found him hiding in a utility room at a nearby bar, authorities said.

Barton had been portraying Santa Claus for several weeks and had given rides to other children in the area and had posed for photographs with children by his motorcycle, Sheriff James Metts said in a release.

Barton did not have an attorney at a bond hearing on Monday, said Lexington County sheriff's spokesman John Allard. A call to the Lexington County public defender's office was not immediately returned.

A charge of kidnapping carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Look I understand why disney needs to be careful...but the guy was first of all with his wife for gods sake. And little kids were coming up to him. If he was "luring" kids or even advertising that he was "santa" then I could understand the concern. But the guy was just walking around minding his own business. Kids came up to him, and he talked to them. Its not like he was charging money for pictures with him, or even sitting up in a resturant saying "well...come over here and tell santa what you want". Its that kind of nonsensical thinking that disney has been putting over on people that make me not want to go. Of course a disney site can tell me why disney was right, and for the safety issuse I agree....but thats it. The line that they are telling people is because it was that safety issue, but to actually sit there and say santa is a disney character is absurd. Disney needs to lighten up a bit and relax, in my opinion.
And while you are all arguing about taking away from the "magic of disney" you might want to remember that having Santa carted away and being told thats no the real santa might put some real damage on your kids. And...there was a scene in a hit disney movie that had the same kind of thing. Kids walking up to a guy they thought to be Santa on the street.......talk about life imitating art. Disney ought to capitalize on THAT. Lord knows they try with everything else.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I think I am the only one who mentioned the "magic of Disney" and I wasn't arguing anything....all I said was I understood both sides

the other stuff was just relating experiences I had that I totally enjoyed involving Santa "out of uniform" - official or not.

 

[nuke]

See I think Disney has the best looking Santa out there.

From this year.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And while you are all arguing about taking away from the "magic of disney" you might want to remember that having Santa carted away and being told thats no the real santa might put some real damage on your kids. And...there was a scene in a hit disney movie that had the same kind of thing. Kids walking up to a guy they thought to be Santa on the street.......talk about life imitating art. Disney ought to capitalize on THAT. Lord knows they try with everything else.

Didn't Disney make that movie?

 

[hiwaygal]

I think Disney got this one wrong...

there are folks who look like Santa...and at this time of year kids are going to ask, wonder, try to get on his "good side"

This man could have told them to "bug off kid, this is my vacation" but he didn't. If anything he was PRESERVING the spirit of the image.

Is Disney going to throw out every "celebrity" look alike because they want to "preserve the magic"?

Gee...if they are allowing only ONE Santa (theirs) then I suppose there is only one Mickey, and only one Minnie, etc.

I will admit though, that there may be more to the story...if this guy was being so nice, why were people complaining?

 

[gallaj0]

If someone dressed up in a Mickey suit, and played it like he was the "real" Disney Mickey for pictures with your kids, would you care then about what Disney let happened in their park?

 

[Linzybrooke]

During the holiday season Santa is a Disney Character in the parks and resorts and his appearance is treated as that of any of their costumed characters. I couldn't put on my Snow White Costume and go to the park when I go next month because it is against the rules for adults to dress like and/or portray a character in the parks.

While I don't really thing the situation was handled ideally I do understand why they did what they did. Their character rules and the simple liability factor if something where to happen give them the right to make this call.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If someone dressed up in a Mickey suit, and played it like he was the "real" Disney Mickey for pictures with your kids, would you care then about what Disney let happened in their park?

If someone naturally looked like a mouse--then sure.

This man naturally looks like Santa Claus. He didn't dress in a Santa Suit.

 

[autumnbaby9]

I love Disney but I don't care what they say, Santa is not a Disney Character.

From reading the article this man wasn't dressing up as Santa(except for the hat and we all where those) he just happens to look like Santa. If parents have a problem with their kids thinking this man is Santa then they need to tell their kids not to go up to him and explain he is not really the jolly man in red.

 

[luvmyfam444]

If someone naturally looked like a mouse--then sure.

This man naturally looks like Santa Claus. He didn't dress in a Santa Suit.

BUT he DID wear a red Santa hat...& THAT"S not natural - though he "claimed" during the interview I saw with him that he looks like theis 24/7 365 days a year - so I'm guessing his red Santa hat never comes off....

I have to agree - wear something else if you dont want to be approached no matter where you are ( mall or Disney) or don't go @ Christmas if you must wear a silly Santa hat all the time!

 

[Twinkles6892]

I will admit though, that there may be more to the story...if this guy was being so nice, why were people complaining?

Because their children were being confused at the presence of two Santa Clauses.

Gee...if they are allowing only ONE Santa (theirs) then I suppose there is only one Mickey, and only one Minnie, etc.

YOU MEAN THERE'S MORE THAN ONE MICKEY MOUSE?!

 

[truebelievers]

I don't think anyone at Disney meant that Santa is a Disney character, at least not in the way Mickey is. They are saying that they have a Santa in Epcot who is employed by the company.

I agree with the action Disney took. It was wrong of the man to admit to being Santa and fully act the part. Now I'm not saying that older men can't grow white beards and wear red, but it's one thing to have stylistic preferences and something else to intentionally create a charade and lead children on. Just my opinion.

 

[autumnbaby9]

BUT he DID wear a red Santa hat...& THAT"S not natural

Wearing a Santa hat during the christmas holiday is normal where I come from. I just got back from DL and people were wearing santa hats all over the place.

 

[hiwaygal]

YOU MEAN THERE'S MORE THAN ONE MICKEY MOUSE?!

shhh!!! of course there's only ONE Mickey Mouse

 

[hiwaygal]

I don't think anyone at Disney meant that Santa is a Disney character, at least not in the way Mickey is. They are saying that they have a Santa in Epcot who is employed by the company.

I agree with the action Disney took. It was wrong of the man to admit to being Santa and fully act the part. Now I'm not saying that older men can't grow white beards and wear red, but it's one thing to have stylistic preferences and something else to intentionally create a charade and lead children on. Just my opinion.

Aren't there actually SEVERAL Santa's in Epcot? One for each country, or is that only at certain times/certain programs?

I agree that lots of folks wear santa hats at this time of year...it's not like there's a trademark on those. This man was not portraying Santa per se...he was RESPONDING to children who already thought he was Santa. I think his response was one of kindness. It scares me to think that some man who looks like Santa might treat a child rudely or brusquely.