Santa Kicked Out Of Disney World?

[happygirl]

I agree with Disney on this, what if this guy didn't have the best intentions, some kids goes off with him, then where does the blame go Disney for allowing this Santa

 

[goofie4goofy]

I think we saw this guy at the MK too. He really looks like Santa. After reading a post above abot his tee shirt, I now do recall that as well. His tee shirt stated he was Santa.

I agree with Disney. The problem is not that he looks like Santa, the problem is that he was telling children he WAS Santa. You are not permitted to go to the parks in costume - only children wearing princess/pirates and there is an age limit. Wearing a tee shirt stating you are Santa and a Santa hat definately consitutes impersonating Santa. Since Santa is not a real person, it would be the same as if I went to the park wearing a blue skirt, a tiara and a tee shirt saying I am the real Cinderella (also not a "real" person).

If you want to be Santa, the stores pay very well for an authentic looking Santa, and he would be making lots of children happy as well.

 

[Madi100]

I think they did a good thing. While the one poster said her dad looks like Santa and even lets kids believe he is the real thing, he is not in a place where people are exposed to many, many characters that are presumed to be real. Disney has their own Santa. You know how Mickey is only allowed to be seen in one place? What if little Sally goes and sees Santa by City Hall and then walks down Main Street five minutes later and sees Santa Claus dressed in a t-shirt? There goes that magic.

Just two weeks ago there was a man in the street of MGM who was pretending to be a Jersey "magician". He dressed the part, he talked the part, and he had the props. He did not have a Disney nametag, because that would take away from the character. Did I ever once think that he was just a guest wanting some attention? No, I assumed he was hired by Disney. Which is what I'm sure a lot of people thought about this Santa.

We don't know that Disney didn't offer to let this man stay in the parks if he was willing to change his shirt and quit acting the part.

 

[kldmom2000]

As a former cast member of the Disney Store (10+ yrs ago) Disney was right in what they did. Whenever we left the store on lunch break or to go home, we were not permitted to wear the Letterman Sweater that was part of our "costume".... the idea is that when you are IN COSTUME in the Disney Store/parks/etc., you are representing DISNEY and you have a lot riding on your behavior. What if this man acted very "un-Disney like" at some point-everyone would be up in arms at Disney for allowing THEIR character to behave that way.....They would not know that he was not hired by Disney esp. during the Christmas season (when there ARE indeed paid Santas present in some parks). Just my 2 cents....

 

[dejr_8]

Last Christmas we ran into this Santa and his wife while waiting to get on the monorail at Grand Floridian. He was dressed in red and green and had on a Santa hat. While he may be eccentric, he was very pleasant and our kids were fascinated with him. It was a mystery to the kids why “Santa” was not really dressed like Santa (except for the hat). We told the kids that Santa was relaxing before the big day.

I don’t see how Disney can ask him not to come to the park. Let’s say he was dressed in a plain flannel shirt and blue jeans but still had a Santa hat on. Kids would still take a second look at him and wonder who he was. – was he the real Santa? The guys LOOKS like Santa.

Is it really harmful for him to tell kids that he is Santa?

The argument that he isn’t a Disney employee and might behave inappropriately is bunk. He “believes” he is Santa and plays the role as it should be played.

 

[elastigirl]

If an adult looked like, dressed like, and claimed to be Snow White in the parks, she would be asked to leave. There is a reason you don't find ADULT costumes of the characters in WDW stores. You can't buy an adult Cinderella costume at WDW. Impersonation of characters by guests isn't allowed. Disney provides the entertainment and characters, and shouldn't let guests carry out their own characters on their private property.

 

[Viki]

Uhm ... how do we know he ISN'T the real Santa?

 

[FigNewton]

At the most, he should have been told to stop telling kids he was santa, and explained the reasons why, not immediately ejected. I've known several people who just naturally look like Santa, and they enjoy playing it up for the kids, because kids get a kick out of it. It's a bit of magic in their lives.

Further more, all you people who say "omg what if he did something inappropriate!?!?" and "red flag red flag" need a reality check. Tens of thousands of visitors a day and you're worried about the guy who stands out in the crowd and draws attention? You should be more worried about the guy standing next to your kid in line at Peter Pan that barely says a word, and blends in with everyone else in the crowd. But we can't eject a guy from the parks for looking too normal, can we?

The level of suspicion in some people just makes me sick sometimes.

 

[King Triton]

Well, me and Santa go way back.

It's Christmas time and so what if someone looks like Santa. Where do you draw the line? If you wear red? If you have a white beard? If you get into the spirit and say, "HO, Ho, "Ho?" He is in the spirit of Christmas and I think that's great. I have a white beard, does that mean the secret Disney police will ruff me up at the gate during Christmas time? During the Christmas party, I saw a lady who dressed in red and green and looked like Mrs. Claus....should Disney push her out of the gates?? It's just plain silly.

This guy looks like this year round. It's no big deal. Do you want him to shave off his beard before entering Disney? Of course you're going to kid around with the kids and be in the Christmas spirit. News Flash: He is not trying to take a job away from Mickey. We see Santa look alikes at Disney for the past ten years. It adds to the enjoyment of the holiday season. I love it. Having a white beard, a Santa hat AT CHRISTMAS TIME and saying, "HO, HO, HO" isn't a CRIME.

Hmmmm, I've seen some people looking like pirates in the park too. Better call the Disney police to kick them out of the park. They remind me too much of the Pirates of the Carribean ride.

 

[mousehouselover]

The clip I saw was from CNN and the statement made was; if he didn't claim to be Santa they had no problem with him being in the parks. He chose to leave, Disney didn't kick him out.

 

[goofie4goofy]

UMMMMM..... some people are missing the point. The problem is not that he looks like Santa, the problem is that he was telling children in WDW that he IS Santa. Since WDW already has "the" Santa, who is an employee of WDW is where the conflict lies, this man is not an employee of WDW. If children asked him if he is Santa and said NO, then that would be ok (on WDW property). I am sure he can apply for the job of Santa at WDW/MK and see if he get the position. He can also get "enjoyment" by telling kids he is Santa off WDW property. The problem is not in the way he looks, it is what he says to children. I think the man is harmelss. Hey some people collect coins, others like to looks like Santa....whatever

Anyone can look like anyone, but claiming you are the person when in fact you are not makes you an imposter. The only way he can say he is Santa Claus if indeed his legal name is Santa Claus.....now that would be "news worthy"...

 

[Karnak]

,,, With all the serious problems in the world, do we really need to pick on jolly Santa?

Hoo Boy! I guess Disney should just let anybody who feels like it put on a Mickey Mouse suit and sign autographs for the kids?

Wow! Just think if people started doing this. WDW would soon have to quit all the character greeting stuff, because the kids couldn't tell the fakes from the Disney CMs. I can see how this could really lead to some real problems.

I think it's a no brainer! They were quite right to expell the imposter from the park.

 

[Kisha3018]

It doesnt seem that bad to me, he basically wasnt on there payrole. He was a liability if he was promoting himself as Santa.

 

[HolliePoppins]

We met a guy in WDW several years ago. Waiting in line for a bus- my kids just stared. This guy looked like Santa 100%. He was obviously quite used to it, and played it up to my kids.

That said, for those of us who work or have worked in a major city (NYC for me) , seeing someone pretending to be Santa is minor league stuff.

WDW was right. Every other business establishment in the country would have likely done the same thing. Do you think a mall would have let this guy wander around? Or how about a Wal-Mart or Target?

What year was this? It could have been my father in-law. We were there back in Nov 2003. He looks just like santa. There were several times waiting in line for a bus and the children were staring at him. One time the parents did say to him the kids think you are santa. Even the parents were telling the kids "well santa has to take a vacation too". He did play up the part a little to the kids. He gets this everywhere he goes. Even at Who wants to be a millionare the three ladies that did the pre show one of them said SANTA is her and came over and sat on his lap. He also had several CM's say SANTA is here. I guess I really dont see the harm. Please post again and let me know when that was. Wouldnt that be something if it was my father in-law.

 

[crzy4mk]

Disney is private property. Read your ticket. Disney reserves the right to deny anyone entry or access to their parks.

THANK YOU! Regardless of whether someone thought he was creepy, or a child molester, or whatever, it is Disney's RIGHT as a business to refuse to allow him to stay. I'm sure WDW has to make judgement calls every day about not allowing someone in the parks, or asking them to leave. We just don't hear about it because it's not Santa. One more example of the media making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[SaraMc]

Remember it is private property and really than can choose who they want to have in thier parks, which sucks I know. But the guy did do all those interviews looking like Santa, yet he say's he was just enjoying the park? Im not too sure what to think of that.

 

[finnster77]

At the most, he should have been told to stop telling kids he was santa, and explained the reasons why, not immediately ejected. I've known several people who just naturally look like Santa, and they enjoy playing it up for the kids, because kids get a kick out of it. It's a bit of magic in their lives.

Further more, all you people who say "omg what if he did something inappropriate!?!?" and "red flag red flag" need a reality check. Tens of thousands of visitors a day and you're worried about the guy who stands out in the crowd and draws attention? You should be more worried about the guy standing next to your kid in line at Peter Pan that barely says a word, and blends in with everyone else in the crowd. But we can't eject a guy from the parks for looking too normal, can we?

The level of suspicion in some people just makes me sick sometimes.

Who said he was immediately ejected? He chose to leave rather than give up his facade. The "guy at Peter Pan who blends in with the crowds" is NOT drawing the CHILDRENS' attention to himself like this guy. To compare the two is completely ridiculous. I suppose Mickey and Donald impersonators should be allowed as well? When I purchase our tickets to Disney or any other show, I'm there to see the PERFORMERS not the WANNABES.

 

[themudd4]

If an adult looked like, dressed like, and claimed to be Snow White in the parks, she would be asked to leave. There is a reason you don't find ADULT costumes of the characters in WDW stores. You can't buy an adult Cinderella costume at WDW. Impersonation of characters by guests isn't allowed. Disney provides the entertainment and characters, and shouldn't let guests carry out their own characters on their private property.

But the thing is Disney owns the copyrights to all of those characters...Not the copyrights to Santa. He wasn't dressed like Santa...he had a t-shirt on that said he was santa...Big Deal! I have a Christmas t-shirt that says Elf in Training....Does that mean I can't wear it to WDW?

If all the man did was say Ho Ho Ho, make a child smile, and wear a t-shirt then Disney was just upset over nothing. Now I am the first to say...if he was doing something wrong, then kick him to the curb...but he wasn't. It is not as if Spiderman "web"ed his way over from Universal to steal the show. Give the man a break...to close to Christmas for me to make the man in red mad at me!

 

[Viki]

When I purchase our tickets to Disney or any other show, I'm there to see the PERFORMERS not the WANNABES.

Who says he was a WANNABE???

 

[disneydancer1969]

Oh My God....let me at this now. Disney was 100% WRONG!!!! So this Santa look alike says, "ho, ho, ho" and get's kicked out of Disney World? That is INSANE! It's just goofy CRAZY!

I'm sorry, but you don't mess with my Santa buddy. I went to the Very Merry Christmas Party a couple of weeks ago and saw several Santa look alikes. I thought that was so COOL. It created more of a festive atmosphere and everyone enjoyed it. I can't imagine how that would offend Disney??? I can't picture the Disney police pushing Santa out the gate just because he said, "Ho, Ho, Ho." Sorry Disney, you've gone too far on this blunder.

With all the serious problems in the world, do we really need to pick on jolly Santa?

Well, I am writing some angry letters to Disney over this. I think Walt would have walked over and shared his popcorn with the Santa dude. NOT KICK HIM OUT! I can't wait to dress up as Santa and yell, "Ho, Ho, Ho" at the top of my lungs at the next Very Merry Christmas Party. I already have the white beard.

Shame on you Disney for trying to crush Santa. This has to be a new low.

I encourage everyone to stand up for Santa!!

i all i can say is i am extremely confused. i know no one should pick on old st.nick but if her was claiming he was the real santa then disney was right. but if not then why kick him out? by the way about you in the santa suit shouting ho, ho, ho at mk at mvmcp i will be there so if i hear that i will know who did it.