Characters

Cast Member Injuries

In 2005, Walt Disney World reported 773 injuries to OSHA for cast members portraying one of 270 different characters at the parks.

282 were related to costuming issues, such as costume weight affecting the head, neck and shoulders.

107 were caused by park guests’ interactions with the characters, where the guest hit, pushed, or otherwise hurt the costumed cast member.

Other injuries were heat related issues, skin rashes, bruises and sprains.

Lawsuits against Characters

In 1976, a woman filed a lawsuit claiming that one of the Three Little Pigs ran up to hear at the “It’s a Small World” attraction, grabbing and fondling her. As a result, she claimed to have gained 50 pounds, seeking $150,000 in damages for assault and battery, false imprisonment, and humiliation. The plaintiff dropped charges after Disney’s lawyers presented her with a photo of the costume, which only had stubs, not operable arms.

Only 3 days after I left Disney, a big scandal involving Tigger emerged, which was very publicized. On January 5, 2007, 14 year old Jerry Monaco Jr. of Greenville, New Hampshire was allegedly punched in the head by Tigger during a photo opportunity at the MGM Studios. The family felt that the act was deliberate and filed a police report of battery against Michael Fedelem. Fedelem was suspended during the investigation. He claimed to be acting in self defense as Monaco was pulling on the back of his costume, causing him to lose his breath. On February 15, 2007, the State Attorney General’s office announced that no charges would be filed against Fedelem.

In April 2004, Disney cast member Michael Chartrand was arrested for allegedly fondling a 13 year old girl and her mother while dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity. He was charged with one court of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 15 years old, and one count of simple battery. The case went to trial, where the jury’s deliberation lasted less than one hour. Chartrand was acquitted of all charges and returned to work at Disney.

A 1981 case tried Robert Hill, who was playing Winnie the Pooh in 1978. He apparently slapped a child which caused bruising, recurring headaches and possible brain damage. Hill testified that the girl was tugging at his costume from behind. Turning to see who it was, he accidentally struck her ear. He was acquitted on all charges because Disney demonstrated that the arms on the costume were too low to the ground to slap the girl at her height.