Disney slammed over alleged character rule after performer faints at theme park and doesn't take off costume
Earlier this week, a video that showed someone dressed up as Winnie the Pooh's Tigger suffering from what appeared to be a medical emergency at Shanghai Disneyland Resort went viral on social media.
The clip showed the character laying on the floor seemingly passed out, as hoards of people stood around them using fans to try to cool them off.
Later, the character was seen attempting to stand as they loose their balance and fall back again, before one final clip showed them leaning on a fellow staffer as they slowly walked off.
Throughout the entire terrifying ordeal, even when the character seemed to lose consciousness, their mask was never removed.
It was reported that the incident had occurred during the parade at the theme park in China last weekend, and that the employee had collapsed after suffering from 'heatstroke.'
It occurred on a particularly scorching hot day, where temperatures soared to the mid-90s, and it can get even hotter inside the thick costumes.
After the video began circulating on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, many viewers were left outraged that the other workers assisting didn't take off the mask to give the person inside some air and help them cool off.
'Couldn't they remove the helmet to make him get enough air? Why did they leave the helmet?' one alarmed user asked on TikTok.
'I think they can't do that in Disneyland? I mean there's probably rule about not showing your face in front of kids and etc. or you'll get fired or something,' someone else replied.
'It's a man's life, I don't think rules are that important right now,' another person fired back.
'The fact they kept the head on just to keep the kids believing is crazy,' read a fourth comment.
A fifth said, 'Sorry but I think we shouldn't be risking someone's life to keep the magic of Disneyland. Get that costume off the poor person! Kids will get over it.'
'For those wondering "why not take of the mask" they can't. If they did, the person in the suit would most likely get fired,' a different user chimed in.
'Why? Because Disney is extremely strict with their mascots, and 'cause they need to keep the magic alive for the kids. I know dumb rule...'
'Disney values their brand more than their cast members,' scathed someone else.
After the video began circulating online, many viewers were left outraged that the other workers didn't take off the mask to give the person inside some air and help them cool off
The Daily Mail has reached out to Disney for comment.
Shanghai Disney Resort said in a statement afterwards that the performer 'was immediately taken to the nearest infirmary,' where 'staff and park nurses were quick to attend' to them, per Inside the Magic.
'The cast member is now recovering, and their health is being closely monitored,' the site added.
One TikToker who goes by Mouselets online previously claimed that Disney workers portraying characters will indeed be fired if they take off their heads at any time, even in an emergency.
An 'insider from the world of Disney' also previously told DMarge.com that the same applies to characters on Disney cruises.
'As one of the most tightly controlled brands on the planet, Disney has some very strict protocols aboard their cruises – especially regarding emergency evacuations,' the source said.
'For instance, if a Disney cruise is to be abandoned, any employee who is in costume at the time of the alarm sounding must stay in costume.
'They are not permitted to remove their heads and ruin the illusion for guests, so therefore have to navigate the deck dressed as a giant Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, etc.
'Elsewhere on the ship, it's somebody's job to head to the costume store and firmly lock it up. This is to ensure that if the ship does go down, the costumes go with it.
'They don't want to risk the empty costumes getting loose and floating up to the top – leaving children traumatized by seeing Goofy's lifeless body bobbing about on the surface.'
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