People are just discovering what the 'Disney Hug Rule' is when visiting worldwide theme parks

People are only now discovering that some Disney theme park staff follow what's called the ‘Disney Hug Rule,’ with many calling the practice ‘so classy.’

Disney Parks employees have been dressing up as their favorite film and TV characters for years.

Whilst in costume as Stitch, Mickey Mouse and more, their main job is to pose for photographs with fans, sign autographs, and bring the Disney dream to life by taking part in stage shows and flamboyant parades.

But did you know a plethora of these cast members also follow something called the ‘Disney Hug Rule’ when they’re in costume?

The idea is that if a child hugs you while you’re dressed as a Disney character - whether it be on the Disney Cruise Line or at a Disney Park and Resort - you shouldn’t break the embrace before they do.

While this doesn’t appear to be a black-and-white rule written in employees’ contracts, it does seem to be one that many across the world practice.

Staff who dress up as Disney characters apparently have a golden 'rule' they follow when it comes to fan interaction (Disney)

The so-called ‘Disney Hug’ went viral earlier this year when American author Simon Sinek discussed the alleged practice during his appearance on the popular Jay Shetty podcast.

“I learned this recently; it’s the best thing in the world. At Disney, all the characters are trained that when a little kid hugs you, you may not let go until the little kid lets go first,” he began.

Visibly getting tearful, Sinek continued to say that the actors must hug children for as long as they want to, adding that people should take this show of affection into their everyday lives.

People have been weighing in on the actors' 'rule' (Disneyland)

“Now do that with a friend,” he told Shetty. “Hug your fried until they let go.”

Interestingly, Disney fan site Inside the Magic also claimed the ‘Disney Hug’ is a rule.

The site writes that Walt Disney himself implemented it, saying: “You never know how much that child may need that hug.”

A clip of Sinek speaking about the rule was posted on TikTok last month and has since amassed hundreds of comments from viewers who’re only just realising the ‘Disney Hug’ is potentially a thing.

“This is so classy! Can we donate to Disney?!,” typed one user.

A second commented: “I can’t wait to have a kid, take them to Disney, and tell them to hug a character and don’t stop no matter what.”

Another user who’d had this kind of interaction at a Disney theme park wrote: “My daughter went back for a hug like 7 times and Piglet stayed on his knees and kept re-hugging her.”

“They do same for adults! Mickey motioned me to come in for a hug and I didn’t release for so long—until I ultimately cried. The most unforgettable hug of my 66 years of life,” a fourth commented.

Apparently not all the staff members are keen on the 'Disney Hug Rule' (Good Morning America)

However, others have been debating whether the ‘Disney Hug Rule’ is an official mandate or just a common courtesy some of the staff indulge in.

“As much as you wanna believe this, it’s not true,” one social media user penned. “Otherwise there would be kids holding on for an hour. It’s nice to think it’s true but it’s not.”

Another claimed that not all characters will grant you or your children a hug.

Referring to the Evil Queen, also known as the Wicked Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, one TikTok user wrote: “Except the Evil Queen! She does not hug! She tells you to get off!”

So the real challenge, it seems, is getting the Evil Queen to break character and for her to embrace you. Mission: accepted.