Stupid Guest Tricks

Theme Park Where wrote:The situation with "Santa" was not that he looked like Santa, but that he was telling kids he WAS Santa when they asked. This was at Epcot during the holiday celebration, and Santa was already in the park. He was asked to stop and his answer was that he could tell them he was Santa if it made them happy and Disney couldn't do anything about it. Disney disagreed and did something about it, so kids wouldn't be confused by two different Santas.

Hmmm, touchy situation! I can understand not wanting to disappoint a kid if they asked,but I can see the issues involved in having someone appear as a "character" in a theme park, and that random person *could* have bad motives....I saw a man at Disneyland also who 'looked' like Santa, no costume, and he was staring intently at all the little kids running by-kind of gave me an uneasy feeling....
I had been told more than a few times years ago that I looked like a couple of different famous people, unhappily, nobody thin and gorgeous

Theme Park Where wrote:The situation with "Santa" was not that he looked like Santa, but that he was telling kids he WAS Santa when they asked. This was at Epcot during the holiday celebration, and Santa was already in the park. He was asked to stop and his answer was that he could tell them he was Santa if it made them happy and Disney couldn't do anything about it. Disney disagreed and did something about it, so kids wouldn't be confused by two different Santas.

I am sure he had a ready answer. He could have just as easily said that he was a helper, and that the real Santa was in the park somewhere else.

I get a little curious when people go out of their way to cause confusion like that.

DisneyMom wrote:Hmmm, touchy situation! I can understand not wanting to disappoint a kid if they asked,but I can see the issues involved in having someone appear as a "character" in a theme park, and that random person *could* have bad motives....I saw a man at Disneyland also who 'looked' like Santa, no costume, and he was staring intently at all the little kids running by-kind of gave me an uneasy feeling....
I had been told more than a few times years ago that I looked like a couple of different famous people, unhappily, nobody thin and gorgeous

Who? Gina Lollabridgida? Salma Hayek? Those would fit you, as would Sophia Loren? You have that hot sparking mediteranean glow :twisted: and you could pass for them. Do you tango? ;)
hehehe
sues

Theme Park Where wrote:The situation with "Santa" was not that he looked like Santa, but that he was telling kids he WAS Santa when they asked. This was at Epcot during the holiday celebration, and Santa was already in the park. He was asked to stop and his answer was that he could tell them he was Santa if it made them happy and Disney couldn't do anything about it. Disney disagreed and did something about it, so kids wouldn't be confused by two different Santas.

GRUMPY PIRATE wrote:I am sure he had a ready answer. He could have just as easily said that he was a helper, and that the real Santa was in the park somewhere else.

I get a little curious when people go out of their way to cause confusion like that.

I've known several "Santas" who really get into their role and, like CMs, they love the magic they can make in kids' lives. These guys still have to shop, eat out, etc., and of course even in "civilian" clothing they look like the Big Guy, so in a way they stay in character all the time. When they are inevitably asked if they are the real Santa, they don't like to spoil the magic or a child's belief, just like when a kid asks if the Mouse is the real Mickey.

That being said, I can understand that even (hopefully) innocent play-acting would cause problems in a Disney park. It's not right that the one guy kept insisting he was the real Santa. (Unless, of course, he was the real Santa -- did anyone think to check his i.d.??? :) ) If you want to actively play the part, go where you've been invited and won't cause confusion.

BTW, the funniest "Santa" situation I ever dealt with involved off-duty Santas. My family and I were eating out at a pizza buffet a couple of years ago, and seated at a table near by was a guy who was obviously a department store Santa (or possibly the real one -- he really looked the part!). Big white beard, white hair. No fur-lined coat or hat, but he was wearing a red shirt.

He was finishing his meal as we were starting ours, and of course he was drawing a lot of stares. He acted like he was pretty used to it. When he was done, he waved at the boys and the other kids there (nothing creepy) as he left the restaurant.

Less than a minute later, another department store Santa walked in and got in line for the buffet. You should have seen all the kids' eyes bug out then!!!

DisneyMom wrote:Hmmm, touchy situation! I can understand not wanting to disappoint a kid if they asked,but I can see the issues involved in having someone appear as a "character" in a theme park, and that random person *could* have bad motives....I saw a man at Disneyland also who 'looked' like Santa, no costume, and he was staring intently at all the little kids running by-kind of gave me an uneasy feeling....
I had been told more than a few times years ago that I looked like a couple of different famous people, unhappily, nobody thin and gorgeous

Yeah, it is a hard situation because Santa is already in the park (MK, and also Epcot).

Princess Susi wrote:Who? Gina Lollabridgida? Salma Hayek? Those would fit you, as would Sophia Loren? You have that hot sparking mediteranean glow :twisted: and you could pass for them. Do you tango? ;)
hehehe
sues

Awww, Susi, you are definitely too nice! I actually weigh LESS than I used to, so don't seem to get the comparisons anymore...a good thing! ;)

BRWombat wrote:He was finishing his meal as we were starting ours, and of course he was drawing a lot of stares. He acted like he was pretty used to it. When he was done, he waved at the boys and the other kids there (nothing creepy) as he left the restaurant.

Less than a minute later, another department store Santa walked in and got in line for the buffet. You should have seen all the kids' eyes bug out then!!!

Don't EVER let your kids see Bad Santa with Billy Bob Thornton.

hobie16 wrote:Don't EVER let your kids see Bad Santa with Billy Bob Thornton.

That is one of my more favorite movies. And of course the Dan Aykroyd Santa in "Trading Places"

Every year there is a convention in Branson for professional Santas. I wonder what the people who live there tell their kids about all th identical Santas wandering around?

Recently, there was a group of professional Santas with real beards. They formed their group because they were disgusted by Santas with fake beards. They had their luncheon in the Knott's Berry Farm hotel. No word as to how many survived the event after the food kicked in, if you know what I mean. :twisted: :barf: :ewww: :puke2: :sick: