# Ask the Theme Park Character **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 2, 2003, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747 "2003-07-02T11:12:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/1 "2003-07-02T11:12:43Z")
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 [here](http://www.ronincyberpunk.com/archives/shrek.jpg)is 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 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/2 "2003-07-02T11:39:05Z")
Hahahaha…say hello to the girls in the wheelchair and stroller office for me 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![isthatsowrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/35a633/32.png) [@isthatsowrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isthatsowrong)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/3 "2003-07-02T12:18:35Z")
How many kids have kicked you in the nuts? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/4 "2003-07-02T12:29:34Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/5 "2003-07-02T12:32:42Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/6 "2003-07-02T12:36:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by isthatsowrong? \* > \*\*How many kids have kicked you in the nuts? \*\* How many kids have you flattened by “patting the child on the head” by way of retaliation for getting kicked in the nuts? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/7 "2003-07-02T13:15:58Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/8 "2003-07-02T13:26:47Z")
Dude, take the costume off, you’ll be able to see the posts and free up your hands to respond. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/9 "2003-07-02T13:37:31Z")
Do you have a ‘handler’? If so do you have special signals for bathroom break or I’m about to pass out? ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/10 "2003-07-02T14:25:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dutchboy208 \* > \*\*Hahahaha…say hello to the girls in the wheelchair and stroller office for me 🙂 \*\* Yeah she’s cute - I’ll pass on a good word > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by isthatsowrong? \* > \*\*How many kids have kicked you in the nuts? \*\* 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). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*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? \*\* 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. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > \*\*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? \*\* 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). ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/11 "2003-07-02T14:29:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \* > \*\*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? \*\* 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. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Philster \* > \*\*Dude, take the costume off, you’ll be able to see the posts and free up your hands to respond. \*\* Hey you’re right! It is much easier! Thanks! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zebra \* > \*\*Do you have a ‘handler’? If so do you have special signals for bathroom break or I’m about to pass out? \*\* 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! ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/12 "2003-07-02T14:40:15Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/13 "2003-07-02T15:13:09Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/14 "2003-07-02T15:31:39Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/15 "2003-07-02T15:52:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*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. \*\* 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. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/16 "2003-07-02T15:54:23Z")
Give him a ginger ale, preferably one with Shrekervescence. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/17 "2003-07-02T16:12:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*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? \*\* 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. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by h.sapiens \* > \*\*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? \*\* 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. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/18 "2003-07-02T16:28:27Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/19 "2003-07-02T18:20:39Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747/20 "2003-07-02T18:36:58Z")
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?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-theme-park-character/185747.md?page=2)