Disney Character Interaction Goes Viral After Child Ran Away Screaming
A young Disney Park guest experienced an unexpected realization during what started as a typical character greeting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the footage has since captured the attention of nearly one million social media users.
Instagram user @aspoonfullofsugar77 shared video documentation of her daughter’s encounter with Vampirina, a character from the Disney Junior television series. The meet-and-greet took place in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an area that permanently closed its doors in September 2025, placing the footage at least several months back.
I had no idea what happened until we watched the video back. Poor Vampjrina felt terrible! Our daughter just kept saying she saw a face in her mouth 🤣 #vampirina#disneymagicmoments#disneyworld#orlandomemories
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The Meet-And-Greet Begins Normally
The video captures what appears to be a standard character interaction at Walt Disney World Resort. Vampirina bends down with arms extended, ready to embrace the excited little girl approaching her. The young guest’s enthusiasm is immediately apparent as she rushes toward the Disney character.
The pair share a hug that seems entirely routine for the first few seconds. Disney character meet-and-greets follow predictable patterns, with performers trained to create magical moments through physical interactions, such as hugs and high-fives, before posing for family photos and signing autographs.
The Moment Everything Changed
After pulling away from the embrace, the little girl’s demeanor shifts dramatically. She glances briefly at Vampirina’s mouth area before suddenly covering both eyes with her hands. The child then screams and runs away from the Disney character.
The explanation for the sudden panic didn’t become clear until later. According to the caption provided by the child’s mother, her daughter spent the remainder of their visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios repeatedly mentioning that she had spotted something unexpected.
The little girl kept saying she “saw a person” in Vampirina’s mouth. She had glimpsed the face of the costume performer through the character’s mouth mesh, a common construction element in many full-body character costumes that allows performers to see and breathe.
Social Media Response
The clip has garnered massive online engagement, accumulating nearly one million likes alongside thousands of comments from users sharing their own memories of similar childhood discoveries.
“I still remember being little and meeting the Easter bunny,” @katbrat21 commented. “I was traumatized seeing the person’s head in it’s mouth. I was convinced he ate them.”
“I remember seeing Barney at 5,” @_.ladylove._ wrote. “He was my favorite show and at the birthday party I noticed and said out loud to everyone ‘Why is there a Man in your mouth!?'”
With any luck, this young Disney Park guest will eventually look back on her Vampirina encounter with laughter rather than fear, adding her story to the countless others shared by adults recounting their own childhood discoveries about how the magic really works.
Does your family have a favorite Disney character meet-and-greet memory? Share it with Disney Dining in the comments!
