Disney tosses Santa

[Tonio]

"J.D. has been playing Santa for a long time," says his wife, Darlene. "He plays Santa and I play Mrs. Claus. We do it for charity, and we march in parades. We’ve done it for the troops in our local National Guard, and for disabled vets at the local VA hospital."

The difference there was that those appearances were by invitation. If a mall has already hired a Santa for the day, and another guy shows up on his own to play Santa, I think parents would be justified at questioning the guy's motivation.

Plus, I see it as partly a liability issue. If Worley had hurt a child deliberately or accidentally, the parents would have sued Disney. Whether or not the suit would have any standing is irrelevant.

But I also agree with kom526 that Disney can't claim any copyright on the Man in Red. I would phrase it differently - when I take my kids to Orlando, I think I have a reasonable expectation that the characters are people who are accountable to Disney, either as employees or as people hired for the day.

 

[flomaster]

I guess he could have just siad that he was one of Santa's helpers that looked like him. Little kids will believe anything from someone who looks like Santa. Amazing how things get so out of control. Maybe we should send him to downtown Fallujah to see what kind of reaction we get there.

 

[mv_princess]

I am not sure I understand what everyone is so upset about, If someone walked into Disney World wearing a Mickey outfit they would have asked him to leave. They have signs up saying costumes aren't allowed. Play by the rules or leave.

 

[Merlin99]

Do you believe for one minute that this guy didnt go to Disney to be noticed by the kids? He was on an ego trip to begin with. He was there playing Santa on his own for his own purposes, whatever they were, probably ,innocently, he just enjoys it. Thats fine , but he went to the wrong place and inserted himself. Disney was right to ask him to cut the act.

Following your thinking I can't imagine a time when it would be legal to be a dwarf at disney world, you'd either be infringing on their Snow White copyright, or be accused of impersonating an elf.

 

[Merlin99]

I am not sure I understand what everyone is so upset about, If someone walked into Disney World wearing a Mickey outfit they would have asked him to leave. They have signs up saying costumes aren't allowed. Play by the rules or leave.

The extent of his costume was wearing a hat, removing the hat was not good enough, he was told to alter his appearance.

 

[mv_princess]

The extent of his costume was wearing a hat, removing the hat was not good enough, he was told to alter his appearance.

I would bet, and probably put money that he was asked to remove the hat. And that was it. People wear santa hats there all time, I saw a few old dudes like looked like that. They weren't asked to leave or remove the hat.

how do you know he didn't have a full costume on?

 

[Merlin99]

I would bet, and probably put money that he was asked to remove the hat. And that was it. People wear santa hats there all time, I saw a few old dudes like looked like that. They weren't asked to leave or remove the hat.

how do you know he didn't have a full costume on?

He did an interview with his hometown newspaper over the weekend. The picture is him and his wife from the article, I'm assuming it's from the parking lot at disney.

 

[signora]

I would bet, and probably put money that he was asked to remove the hat. And that was it. People wear santa hats there all time, I saw a few old dudes like looked like that. They weren't asked to leave or remove the hat.

how do you know he didn't have a full costume on?

According to the news clip he had a Santa Hat, red shirt and green vest on. He said he can't help his appearance - he looks like Santa. But I thought for a 60 year old man - he looks old and I do think he likes to draw attention to himself otherwise he could update his appearance by trimming the beard, etc.

Too what Disney got upset about was when kids where going up asking him if he was Santa, he said, yes. I guess it can be confusing to a child especially if they have another Santa going around in a parade w/the costume on and this other guy walking around the park telling you he is Santa.

 

[mv_princess]

He did an interview with his hometown newspaper over the weekend. The picture is him and his wife from the article, I'm assuming it's from the parking lot at disney.

I doubt it. what a great way to try and screw over disney. Let's blow the story up, make them look like total jerks.

 

[scottrobts]

Disney did the right thing

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I would imagine if a dwarf appeared in costume and the kids were asking him where Snow White was, Disney would also ask him to shuck the costume.

 

[nitwhit3286]

I would imagine if a dwarf appeared in costume and the kids were asking him where Snow White was, Disney would also ask him to shuck the costume.

and thats sad.... I could understand about the santa costume but who the hell cares if he has a white beard and belly?? Like children aren't confused enough every year when they go and sit on a different santa's lap..don't you think they know the difference from the one at present and the previous year? All parents must think their kids are complete morons!