What is the "official" reason costumed characters don't talk?

[rw_hadley]

I've got maybe a strange question. I realize that the costumed characters don't talk because the cast member can't duplicate the voice, but is there an "official" reason that Disney gives as to why they don't talk?
(Maybe they all have sore throats that day....?)
I'm not sure my question makes sense, but if DD asks why Goofy doesn't talk when she sees him, I'd like to give her the "Disney" answer.
What have other parents out there told the kids is the reason?

 

[Mickey1122]

Well, the mouths technically can't move, so unless they have had botox and can't really move their mouth, they have to be silent. Their eyes are actually supposed to be where the neck of the character is. I'd say something like, "They don't want to get a sore throat. They have to perform Mickey's Philharmagic in ten minutes."

 

[sistertrip]

I've never had much contact with the characters. Do the "live" characters (like the princesses, peter pan, etc - the ones whose faces you can actually see) talk?

 

[HollisterSweetie]

I've never had much contact with the characters. Do the "live" characters (like the princesses, peter pan, etc - the ones whose faces you can actually see) talk?

Yes the face characters do

 

[tchrrx]

I told my daughter that it's because they have to talk to so many kids each day. Instead of them choosing just a few to talk to before their voices 'wear out,' they don't talk to anyone in order to be fair.

 

[babiesX2]

When my oldest was small and would ask that question, I told her honestly that I didn't know why they don't talk.

 

[DebbieB]

It would be kind of hard for them all to sound the same. The tigger you meet today would have to sound the same as the tigger you meet tomorrow.

I remember Michael Eisner told a story on TV where he was in the back of a limo with Mickey. He said to him, come on you can talk, I'm your boss. He wouldn't do it!

 

[wtpntigger2]

My dd3 told me the Mickey at WDW isn't the real Mickey because he can't talk. She still loves all the characters though, so it obviously doesn't bother her to be hanging with an "imposter".

 

[3princesses4us]

I've never had much contact with the characters. Do the "live" characters (like the princesses, peter pan, etc - the ones whose faces you can actually see) talk?

Yes and boy do they stay in character! DH and I took a picture with Peter Pan and Wendy (no kids were with us) and DH starts asking them how long they've been working here and Peter says "Say, have you seen Tink today?" and Wendy says something equally dorky (considering we're in our mid-30's). We were dying to say "We're not 7, the jig is up."

And before you start bashing me, yes I know that's their jobs. It just seemed funny to two adults that they couldn't let their guards down for even a minute.

 

[Robo]

Yes and boy do they stay in character! DH and I took a picture with Peter Pan and Wendy (no kids were with us) and DH starts asking them how long they've been working here and Peter says "Say, have you seen Tink today?" and Wendy says something equally dorky (considering we're in our mid-30's). We were dying to say "We're not 7, the jig is up."

And before you start bashing me, yes I know that's their jobs. It just seemed funny to two adults that they couldn't let their guards down for even a minute.

There is a rule in show-business that says an actor must stay in character while "on-stage".

All guest areas at WDW are considered "on-stage" so no breaking of character would be considered proper.

There are many show-biz rules that simply are NOT broken for professional, traditional, and even "superstitious" reasons.

Staying in character while on stage is one of the most basic and "sacred" of these rules.

I would NEVER expect a character to reveal anything but the most professional demeaner while on-stage at WDW.

 

[Dizzyworld]

When I took the Backstage Tour a couple of years ago, we were told that as long as they are in costume they were to be in character even "off stage."

 

[philaround]

I would think that the real reason is that it would be very difficult to train these cast members to sound like the character they are portaying and even if they could you have to dual problem of the non moving mouth and the fact that the costume itself would muffle the, and possibly change to sound of, voice.
I would also guess that the official on stage explanation is that if they spoke to everyone thay would very soon get a sore throat and not be able to talk to any one and not do any shows.

 

[DebIreland]

As others have said, it would be impossible for every character actor to have the exact accent that the character had in the movie and even if they were pretty close, each person doing that job would need to sound exactly the same as each his/her colleagues doing the same role. Imagine the headaches Disney would go through when they're casting. They can't discriminate on the grounds of nationality so imagine an Irish person (just to use my own nationality as an example) who meets all the criteria but obviously has a harder time grasping the right accent. Think Colin Farrell in a Mickey costume and speaking. Oh my!

 

[3princesses4us]

There is a rule in show-business that says an actor must stay in character while "on-stage".

All guest areas at WDW are considered "on-stage" so no breaking of character would be considered proper.

There are many show-biz rules that simply are NOT broken for professional, traditional, and even "superstitious" reasons.

Staying in character while on stage is one of the most basic and "sacred" of these rules.

I would NEVER expect a character to reveal anything but the most professional demeaner while on-stage at WDW.

Okay, chill out Robo. I thought I had pre-empted this speech by stating don't bash me, I knew they were just doing their jobs. It just seemed FUNNY to us that 4 adults couldn't have a normal conversation without children present because they were wearing costumes. Lighten up.

 

[Robo]

Okay, chill out Robo. I thought I had pre-empted this speech by stating don't bash me, I knew they were just doing their jobs. It just seemed FUNNY to us that 4 adults couldn't have a normal conversation without children present because they were wearing costumes. Lighten up.

I was merely stating a fact.
But if you WANTED to take it personally, it was my pleasure to help you.

 

[3princesses4us]

Fair enough. I just didn't feel like we should be lectured for being friendly. It was my first ever trip and DH's 2nd (only other one being in the early 90's) so we were unaware of protocol. And DH insists on talking to everyone he meets. Just wanted to give someone else the head's up so they wouldn't feel as stupid as we did. Truce?

 

[myprinceandprincess]

Well 3princesses4us, I did think it was a funny story. Sounds like something my DH and I would ask if the children weren't present. I would get a kick out of them staying in character, just for us adults!!

As for the not speaking, I guess I'm going to have to use the sore throat excuse for our up coming trip, because I know my DD4 is going to ask that question.