Tigger punches kid during photo op

POSTED BY: Redlava
UPDATED: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 22:11
VIEWED: 2687
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RIVER6213

Thursday, January 11, 2007 5:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Redlava:

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Walt Disney World employee dressed as the character "Tigger" was accused of hitting a child while posing for a photo, a spokeswoman for the theme park said Saturday.

Park officials temporarily suspended Michael J. Fedelem while they investigate the accusations, Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said.

"Naturally, physical altercations between cast members and guests are not tolerated," Suarez said.

Jerry Monaco of New Hampshire videotaped his son, Jerry Jr., posing with the costumed character at Disney-MGM Studios on Friday and recorded the confrontation, according to a statement from the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

The father said Fedelem intentionally hit his son "on or about the head," said sheriff's spokesman Carlos M. Padilla. "The tape only shows a fraction of what happened. Now it's up to us to find out what led up to that."

A message left by The Associated Press for Monaco was not immediately returned. A telephone listing for Fedelem could not be located.

In 2004 a Walt Disney World employee dressed as Tigger was accused of touching the breast of a 13-year-old girl while she posed with him for a photo. A jury found the man not guilty.

Bet you $20 bucks that a Fruity Oaty Bar commercial was playing somewhere.

*laughter*

SIGNYM

Thursday, January 11, 2007 5:15 PM

It looked to me like Tigger stumbled more than anything.

---------------------------------
Reality sucks. Especially when it contradicts our cherished ideas.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, January 11, 2007 6:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
It looked to me like Tigger stumbled more than anything.

Ahhh, trademark of the Drunken Style of Kung-Fu!

Deceptive Chrisisall

THATWEIRDGIRL

Thursday, January 11, 2007 6:44 PM

Poor Tigger. That guy puts up with all kinds of jerks all day, all year, I think he'd have a good reason for smackin the kid upside the head. I think the kid did something to his suit and he fell back and then BOOM. Kid hits back awfully quickly, like he knew it was coming...sheesh, teens...Now this guy doesn't have a job. Thanks dad!

---
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charlie Brown

CAUSAL

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 6:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Tigger was responding to a tail-pull, and as a trained martial artist, I must say that Tigger was severely off-balance to land an effective blow which leads me to surmise that it was merely a 'fun' shot, not meant to hurt, but diplay a good-natured retaliation to a teen that had it coming, and seemed to have no problem with it.

I agree that Tigger wasn't throwing a punch. I've got some experience with punching myself, and I can tell you that you don't strike when you're off balance. You probably won't connect and even if you do, you won't have any power, and you might even make your balance issue worse. Also, you don't bother to arm-bar someone before you hit them, because that ties up half your weapons. You would however, arm-bar someone who you needed to get control of, and quick, and if you're in a top-heavy Tigger costume, and someone is pulling you off balance, you better get control of that someone PDQ. I don't even think the paw-to-the-face was a strike as such; looks to me like Tigger is going for the kid's left shoulder to peel him off--which makes more sense if indeed the kid was pulling him off balance.

________________________________________________________________________
Grand High Poobah of the Mythical Land of Iowa, and Keeper of State Secrets

I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

Vote Firefly! http://www.richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 8:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Causal:
Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Tigger was responding to a tail-pull, and as a trained martial artist, I must say that Tigger was severely off-balance to land an effective blow which leads me to surmise that it was merely a 'fun' shot, not meant to hurt, but diplay a good-natured retaliation to a teen that had it coming, and seemed to have no problem with it.

I agree that Tigger wasn't throwing a punch. I've got some experience with punching myself, and I can tell you that you don't strike when you're off balance. You probably won't connect and even if you do, you won't have any power, and you might even make your balance issue worse. Also, you don't bother to arm-bar someone before you hit them, because that ties up half your weapons. You would however, arm-bar someone who you needed to get control of, and quick, and if you're in a top-heavy Tigger costume, and someone is pulling you off balance, you better get control of that someone PDQ. I don't even think the paw-to-the-face was a strike as such; looks to me like Tigger is going for the kid's left shoulder to peel him off--which makes more sense if indeed the kid was pulling him off balance.

Causal, you and I gave serious consideration to the martial antics of a guy in a tiger suit.

I think we need help Chrisisall

CAUSAL

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 8:56 PM

Oh, God--we did, huh? I think I'm going to swear off FFF.net for a while to regain my obviously tenuous grasp on reality.

Wait, no I'm not.

________________________________________________________________________
Grand High Poobah of the Mythical Land of Iowa, and Keeper of State Secrets

I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

Vote Firefly! http://www.richlabonte.net/tvvote/index.html

THATWEIRDGIRL

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 9:10 PM

Quote:
: posted by chrisisall
Causal, you and I gave serious consideration to the martial antics of a guy in a tiger suit.

I think we need help Chrisisall

You need help? I keep picturing Tigger in a unifrom with a black belt around his waist.

---
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charlie Brown

FREMDFIRMA

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:05 PM

See, now yer gettin him confused with Hong Kong Phooey.

That was Hanna Barbera, Tigger is Disney.

*laughing evilly now*

-Frem

*Cue 'Tash for HKP pics, I KNOW he's got em...

THATWEIRDGIRL

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:11 PM

Alright now you've done it! I've got the Charlie's Angels of animation in my head. Phooey, Tigger, and Cpt. Caveman. Not the most competent group, but effective nonetheless.

---
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charlie Brown

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