Disney’s Hug Rule: The theme park tradition you’ve probably never heard of

There are a number of rules at Disney’s theme parks that guests and employees have to abide by that are in place for everyone’s safety as well as keeping the experience magical for all. Some of these may seem a bit silly or even annoying but there is one rule that pretty much everyone finds absolutely adorable, Disney’s hug rule.

Getting a hug is a simple gesture but it can mean the world to the person that gets one and the Disney hug rule ensures that each one is magical. The internet is full of videos of children, and even pets, getting a hug from their favorite characters. One thing you’ll notice is that the characters will never be the ones to let go first.

Walt Disney’s adorable rule for hugs

The unofficial guideline for Disney Park employees dressed up as characters is that they should never be the one to let go of a hug first. There are even cases where you can see parents in videos moving in to try to get their child to let go but the Disney character will wave them off.

The idea is that the child never feels that the character that they cherish is pulling away from them. The rule goes back to Walt Disney himself who reportedly said that “you never know how much that child may need that hug.”

Unfortunately for adults, the same guidelines don’t apply. Nor are they allowed to dress up as their favorite character when at a Disney amusement park. That’s only allowed for those under the age of 14.

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