Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, I am a theme park character. Not just any character though, I am Universal Studio Orlando’s Mickey Mouse - Shrek.
I’m still fairly new at the job, only on it for about 4 weeks, but if you have a question I’ll be more than glad to answer it.
So hereis what I look like in costume. I’m of course on the right and that is the Ogre Fiona on the left. The costume for her was only used in the grand opening; now in the park we have human Fionas.
So… ask away -
Patrick
Hahahaha…say hello to the girls in the wheelchair and stroller office for me 
How many kids have kicked you in the nuts?
How do you breathe in that thing?
Do you have to take it off to make wee-wee?
Has a kid yet seen you with your head off?
I’ve always wondered in the middle of the summer how do you guys cope with the humid sultry nastiness in Florida?
Is there really a built in cooling system, if so what is it?
How many kids have you flattened by “patting the child on the head” by way of retaliation for getting kicked in the nuts? 
Is it heavy? Do you have to be built like Shrek or is it all padding? Can you speak in a Mike Myers scots accent?
Dude, take the costume off, you’ll be able to see the posts and free up your hands to respond.
Do you have a ‘handler’? If so do you have special signals for bathroom break or I’m about to pass out?
Yeah she’s cute - I’ll pass on a good word
None yet, but I’ve had ears pulled, feet stepped on, hands nearly pulled off, punched in the gut by an adult (thought he was play fighting but got a little rough).
Well the suit is designed for some ventilation, the head has holes for inflow and the back of the neck has some foam to let the air move through. So I breathe normally but the air isn’t always refreshing.
As for wee-wee-ing I go before every set whether I have too or not. The suit takes 10-15minutes to put on and around 3 to 4 to take off. So if I’m on set and my bladder sends emergency signals I’m in deep trouble because in addition to the suit time, I’m also away from the breakrooms and thus would also have a hike back to the room.
As for traumatizing kids - not to my knowledge. With the suit designed as it is, the head doesn’t come off. The torso comes off as a whole with the head on. So I’m “in costume” the entire time I’m outside the breakroom. If a kid saw me off set they would only see human hands, since we take the gloves and ogre hands off while walking.
For most suits, there is no cooling system. For Shrek and Barney, they both have fans inside. I don’t use the fan in Shrek because it is positioned over the head and not even down onto it, it’s designed to encourage the air flow but in truth the air flow isn’t worth the noise which it puts off and thus interferes with my hearing (the main sense I use in the suit).
The suit itself weighs 20 to 30 pounds depending on which torso it is and the different sets of pads which we use… and if it is dry or not.
As for being built like Shrek, it’s padding - we have to be tall. The audition required 6’2" and up. As for the Scottish Accent, they used to have people play Shrek’s with prosthetic heads and use their own face and talk and interact with the guests but this suit is full outfit so we can’t talk. We are allowed to burp, and make the kissing sound. We had to get special permission to burp, normally the only allowable sound is the kissing sound.
Hey you’re right! It is much easier! Thanks!
We have one main action which is a signal for get me the hell off set, we use it as an all purpose escape. If your suit is messed up, if you’re feeling dizzy, if you’re hurt or anything.
Universal calls our handlers “escorts” and we aren’t allowed on set without one.
Thanks for all the questions! Keep them coming!
What signs do you look for to see if somebody is intending on harassing you?
I’m 28. But there are certain characters I love to have my picture taken with. I treasure the pic of me and a certain square-panted dude. How do I make it clear that my interest in wandering characters is of the friendly sort?
Just remember, DocCathode, they’re as scared of you as you are of them. Approach gently, perhaps with an offering of some kibble or a slice of wildebeest.
I know you’ve only been at it a short time, but what’s the most obnoxious thing a kid or parent has done to you?
Weapons are also generally bad when one needs to get across benevolence… I’d approach with some cheese. I’ll bet all theme park characters like cheese.
Give him a ginger ale, preferably one with Shrekervescence.
Well I haven’t had someone approaching me with obvious intent to harm. But if you want to get the character to play with you, play with them and go along with them. If I’m on set and I take your hat, then I am teasing you into interacting.
As for your love for the Sponge, I can only console you.
Well it really bothered me when a kid came up to me and began maliciously stomping on my foot, while the mother looked on and just giggled thinking it was just Sooo cute.
It’s also rather annoying when people take photos overly serious, such as the people who carry a camera on a tripod, or the ones who have a 7 person group and take singles then different pairs and then a group photo, then decide that one of the kids wasn’t looking at the camera.
Yeah - be responsible and don’t act like this is Olan Mills.
And in general they ask you don’t feed the park characters. We’re not supposed to touch guests’ food in any way.
As for Shrek, he’s partial to ear wax.
Have you ever read Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen? If so, is your job anything like what’s portrayed there? And goddamn, I really hope not.
Do you get breaks? How is that set up? What do you do on your breaks?
(OK, actually I know the answer because the OP is my little–er, younger–brother. But I think it’s pretty interesting.)
What is this “set” of which you speak? Do you perform in a show or walk around the park? (and do I hit “submit reply” if I’m asking a question?)
