China has a tumultuous relationship with Winnie The Pooh, to say the least. Everyone’s favorite tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff has been essentially banned and censored in the People’s Republic of China since a series of internet memes comparing Pooh Bear to Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a nerve with the communist leader.
Winnie the Pooh in Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (2011), Walt Disney Animation Studios
The Disney film Christopher Robin, starring Ewan McGregor and Jim Cummings, was banned from the country. Since then, it has become something of an ongoing punchline surrounding the Chinese president that was prominently featured in an episode of the Comedy Central show South Park.
However, one place in China where guests can spot Pooh Bear is in Shanghai Disneyland. The character is featured in two attractions (The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh and Honey Pot Spin) and guests can meet Pooh as part of a regular character experience. However, one unruly park guest took things too far when he reached out to strike Winnie The Pooh on the side of the heavy headpiece worn by all of Disney’s “fur” characters.
上海ディズニーでプーさんが！🥺 pic.twitter.com/7iC246dCp8
— 山谷剛史 アジア中国ITライター＆異国飯 (@YamayaT) September 22, 2024
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The silly old bear then goes down, collapsing to the ground in front of guests as a cast member shoves the attacker back by the arm. While cast members attended to Pooh Bear, it seemed as though the Disney character Piglet then advanced on the attacker before being restrained by another cast member and pulled back to the spot where Pooh was laying on the ground.
Pooh bear was eventually helped back to his feet and guided away from guests, hopefully to receive medical attention. There has been no update on the cast member’s physical condition, but we hope that he or she is not injured from the encounter.
Winnie the Pooh in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), Walt Disney Productions
There is also no word on what happened to the man who struck Pooh Bear. However, Disney has a zero tolerance policy for this kind of guest behavior. If Shanghai Disneyland has similar policies to the American theme parks, it’s likely that he was, at the very least, ejected from the park and banned from returning permanently. There is no word on whether Chinese authorities arrested the man.
Have you ever seen unruly behavior in a Disney Park? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!
Marvin The Movie Monster Montanaro is a YouTube commentator and personality specializing in movies, TV, video games, and professional wrestling. He can be found on his channels Tooney Town TV and Tooney Town Wrestling with daily content and weekly livestreams. He can also be found on That Game Place, the That Park Place video game channel.
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