Man at Shanghai Disneyland hits 'Winnie the Pooh' mascot, causes Pooh to fall over

A man in China was reportedly dealt with after he hit a "Winnie the Pooh" mascot at Shanghai Disneyland, causing the performer wearing the suit to fall.

According to Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP), the middle-aged man had done so while the mascot was parading, and was later reprimanded by staff and other visitors nearby.

Mascot fell, visibly distressed

The video was originally shared on Chinese social media site Xiaohongshu and spread on Sep. 22, 2024.

At the beginning of the 30-second clip, the "Winnie the Pooh" mascot could be seen parading and waving at visitors.

A middle-aged man wearing a striped T-shirt and a black backpack, who was standing in the front line, then struck the right side of the mascot's head.

He laughed it off when a staff member escorting the mascot from behind pushed his arm away.

Other onlookers around him were filmed laughing as well.

Mascot collapsed

However, a woman who was walking behind the staff had appeared to have told him off for his behaviour.

The video later cut off to show the mascot collapsed on the ground, as the amusement park's staff and other visitors swarmed around it in concern.

A female employee then helped the performer up while another held on to them as they both walked away from the crowd.

The performer was visibly distressed as they held onto the mascot's head.

"Rest well! Rest well," a woman behind the camera said as they walked past before the video cut off.

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

Man has been dealt with

According to SCMP, Shanghai Disneyland confirmed that the performer was not injured.

The park management had also taken appropriate action against the man responsible for hitting the mascot.

However, details of the resolution was not disclosed.

In their statement, Shanghai Disneyland also said that there are no barriers or policies in place at the park to prevent similar incidents from happening as the mascots are required to closely interact with visitors.

The incident garnered mixed reactions from netizens.

Some expressed their sympathy for the performer while others urged Disneyland to "protect its staff".

Top photos via YamayaT/X