Top 11 Giant Disney Costume Characters - DIStory Dan

*Patreon - / disneydan
*Magic Candle Company - www.magiccandlecompany.com/di...
*Disney Dan Shirts - teespring.com/stores/distory
*Subscribe - / @distorydan
Edited by Kenny Johnson
Subscribe to the VLOG : / @pleasestopvlogging
Follow, Like & Subscribe on:
*Twitter - / disneydan
*Disney Dan Facebook - / distorydan
*Instagram - / thedisneydan
*Lego Gaming Facebook & Twitter- / brickstolife & / brickstolife
*Character Resources thanks to great blogs like Character Central, Puppeppets, Kenny The Pirates, and more.

[@carterkleoppel8977]

In terms of sheer height, I think Kevin at Animal Kingdom might take the cake; she's pretty much to scale of her movie counterpart, which is 13 feet tall!

[@bluegold1026]

Yeah now that you mentioned it, Kevin should have been mentioned on the list! Now that's a costume that takes a lot of work to manipulate!

[@beautifuldancer]

Yeah, I hoped Kevin would have been on the list.

[@RamanN00B]

yup i can attest to that! i met her a few years ago as she photobombed some selfies with me.

[@emily91303]

☝️ with you, Carter!

[@bob_marlee03]

i remember being at the animal kingdom a few years ago and hearing kevin, and seeing this absolutely massive bird that took like a third of the walkway just ambling through the crowd

[@telephonewyre]

I remember meeting Baymax a few years ago and I just could not take it seriously, I just couldn't stop thinking about the cast member inside and how much of a weird costume to wear it must be. I also fully felt like if I hugged him I'd just, see the person inside like some creepy baymax nightmare skeleton lol They should do a D+ show about the costumes inside, it would be fascinating to see!!

[@haleyhersh3850]

Yes!!!!

[@allygator651]

There's a series of ancient Disney Parks costume training videos that someone put on KZbin a few years back! Not sure if they're still there, but they provide really good insight on how Disney trains their cast members in-costume and how character costumes are put on. The videos are definitely older/outdated because they feature that one Pooh costume with the honeypot on top of his head, but it's so fascinating to see how the costumes work.

[@lillianward2810]

I’d love that.

[@WishyBot]

Honestly surprised that they haven’t made a show or anything about how the costumes worked ( minus the training vid someone here mentioned, but considering it’s outdated eh ), probably because of how it’ll “”ruin the magic”” but then again they did made a show(?) about how the rides work/were made, so I don’t see a problem on how making a show about the costumes and such. I would’ve definitely watch it since I’ve been curious about it

[@allygator651]

@@WishyBot If you look on KZbin, there have been behind the scene videos of the parks' theatrical productions (notably Mickey and the Magical Map where they showed the costume department and rehearsals). There's also an old series of videos from Disneyland (about 10 years ago) called "Every Role a Starring Role" that covered a LOT of cast member roles including a parade performer and a technician for Fantasmic. All the videos I mentioned are short, but they provide a really great glimpse into the backstage aspect of the parks. I'd love to see a series like you mentioned someday though!

[@MicheleKlinger]

Another reminder that there is not a Panda Mei in the parks! She’s a big floofy girl, but this video proves they can make a costume work. She would be PERFECT to hug

[@blackbearish]

they'd have to be careful of her tail though. that would be one looong tail.

[@MicheleKlinger]

@@blackbearish they would make it work somehow.

[@amyvasquez4268]

Let’s be real honest, guys. Character meet n greets are one of the best and most entertaining things to do at Disney nowadays, and one of the reasons why I’m going next month.

[@MrStickman1997]

I've noticed the most popular modern Disney characters nowadays, even after the pandemic, are Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, for so many reasons; flawless design, fluffiness, adorableness and such devotion from any actors who play them at California or Florida that I really think playing Nick and Judy provides a huge morale boost to them. I am still hoping Mei Lee will make a debut soon, Turning Red was a great movie, better than the hot mess that is Lightyear.

[@ImpishMATT]

I had no idea there ever even was a Goliath costume! That's amazing! Would love to see that come back for one of their many throwback 90s nights or whatever nostalgic ploy they're pulling this week.

[@TimeBombRosette]

came here to say the same thing. I had no idea they had a Goliath costume. Dan, please do a video on it!

[@Blobitech]

Bonkers costume come back challenge

[@MrStickman1997]

I've been constantly pondering how big a Mei Lee costume would be at the Disney Parks...

[@donaldtrumpling2016]

If they can get sully to work, they can get a giant red panda to work lol. Just can't get her to 8 feet for obvious reasons...unless....

[@blackbearish]

@@donaldtrumpling2016 a performer would only have to be around six 2 or 6 ft 3. one for the taller performers for sure. add in the costume and you'd get pretty close.

[@alexpaul9678]

Before the pandemic I worked in entertainment costuming at WDW and was trained to dress a few of the characters you mentioned. Brought back a lot of fond memories of the characters and my extremely tall coworkers ❤️

[@harmc2301]

That’s so cool!

[@bluegold1026]

I got to meet Little John (w/ Robin Hood) at MK in 2019 and I remember feeling some sort of large, wooden brace inside the Little John costume when he went to give me a hug. Can't imagine how hard it is to manipulate such a giant costume. The same can be said with all the costumes listed! The characters I would have put on the list include Mr. Incredible, Baloo, the Beast and Kevin.

[@ConMan-ye4ou]

The fact that we still don’t have Panda Mei in the parks is inexcusable.

[@allygator651]

Exactly, and with Disney's recent venture into exoskeleton character suits, it's possible

[@MrStickman1997]

You took the exact words out of my mouth.

[@MrStickman1997]

I know she'd be a tidal wave of fluffiness.

[@UrSammich]

I agree. Even if not panda, human Mei with creepy head sculpt would be fine. It's like Disney wants to burry this movie under the rug and most of pixar. Did Luca get a costume meet and greet? Cause I don't remember either.

[@blackbearish]

yes, that would be one for the larger performer.

[@thedisneyverse9201]

Met Groot a few years ago, the costume is amazing! Probably the best character I've ever met.

[@NathanSpies]

If only Disney could do 4 legged character costumes. People want to meet characters like Simba!

[@shinyagumon7015]

We could finally get a good Pluto design too.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Four-legged animal characters other than Pluto, Bolt, Dug, Bullseye, Dumbo, Santa’s Reindeer, Flower the Skunk, Scar’s hyena minions, the Aristo-kittens, and other four-legged animal characters with two-legged costume character appearances could use some two-legged costume character appearances like Simba, Nala, Pumbaa, and Scar from The Lion King, Bambi and Faline from Bambi, Bagheera the Panther from The Jungle Book, Sven the Reindeer from Frozen, Pongo, Perdita and their puppies from 101 Dalmatians, Rajah from Aladdin, and certain other four-legged animal characters that would appear on two hind legs like their other costume character brethren!

[@bluegold1026]

I know that somewhere out there are fursuit makers who have make quadsuits. But they're extremely rare.

[@TheVillageMan95]

Eric's dog Max exists as a quadsuit costume! If they can do Max, they can do other 4-legged characters as well!

[@bluegold1026]

@@shinyagumon7015 Meh. I like Pluto the way that he is. Quad suits will have limited intractability when compared to the bipedal counterparts.

[@Maswartz226]

Any plans for an evolution of Princess Jasmine in the parks?

[@magdalenafernald1116]

The Lil' John "yeah!" after Dan says Little John the first time SENDS ME every time

[@mightyfilm]

Sweetums is DA MAN! You never really notice that he has that one limp arm because the puppeteer only has two hands, and one's in the face. Of course, a certain large yellow not Disney owned bird has a special wire to make his other arm a little more mobile.

[@a.m.2198]

Where is Beast? He's big too!

[@LizzyLoves91]

I met a friend of Chewbacca once while I was working at WDW. Dude was HUGE. Little 5’1” me never felt so teeny tiny lol

[@carminecdinoproductions]

We need a costume character of the OG Disney villain Pete from the earliest days of Disney that should be among the giant costumed character brethren! Someone who can play massive Disney characters can definitely fit inside a giant Pete costume!

[@showbyrockclips4277]

Something interesting to discuss is possibly what characters have unnerved people. We were all once children, and either cried upon seeing a character or to this day feel uneasy? It's called Masklophobia. I'm able to greet characters like Minnie or Stitch just fine. But something about the Hyenas or Baloo kind of gives me the willies

[@violetcupcake]

I mean I don’t know if Luisa would count from Encanto but I would really want to see a video talking about why she has a character costume head while the rest of the Family Madrigal has actually Actors playing them?! 😆

[@LeodeLeandro]

Dude, I once danced at Disney Parades that ran here im Brazil back in 2010 and the first time I arrived at the rehearsal that featured the caracteres, Hades has just arrived from underworld and I SWEAR I felt legit fear. It took some time to get used to look at him and keep working...

[@RPena98]

The Lil John bit was so good! Always love your videos and that contagious laughter of yours 😂

[@o.bpuppetdesign9312]

Now do the smallest characters!!

[@TheItachiIshtar]

This list really shows how much Pete could work as a walkaround character. Make it happen, Disney!

[@MiladyMacabre]

The WDW Baymax performers are terrific. If you tell them you're satisfied with your care, they will start to "deflate" (squat down very slowly) until you say "Ow!"

[@BloodMoonCosplays]

I wanna see him so bad, but I know they don’t have him anymore like unless you go during a parade or you’re really really lucky

[@HeyitsMabel618]

Does anyone else remember that video a couple months/year ago showcasing new parks technology, and they showed an animatronic-type costume suit for cast members to wear that had like massive arms and huge boots? Does anyone know when/if they ever used that?

[@allygator651]

I remember that one, there was speculation it was going to be used for the Hulk but they haven't been seen yet as far as I know (there were also feet with fur so my first thought was the Yeti from Matterhorn Bobsleds)

[@stephballchange5050]

I think Mei’s Giant Panda would work for this

[@ZadnoleyaEdits]

It turned out to be Smart Hulk/ Professor Hulk from Endgame!

[@allygator651]

@@ZadnoleyaEdits I saw! So happy that they finally made the Hulk, the costume looks fantastic. Putting him in the Quantum suit was a strange decision... Maybe it had technical limitations and they couldn't do a full Hulk suit?

[@WyattVI]

I think it would be cool if you could make videos talking about Lightning McQueen and Mater in the theme parks. They are probably the most unique characters in the parks, since they are sentient vehicles.

[@billbolton7108]

No the Autobots are

[@WyattVI]

@@billbolton7108 Those are from Universal. I'm talking about The Disney Parks.

[@billbolton7108]

@@WyattVI no the original ones

[@laevateintechnology5634]

I haven't met Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Cruz Ramirez yet in disney CA Adventure yet

[@samanthamaynard4447]

In 1996, my dad and I took the Magic Kingdom behind the scenes tour, and while we were in the Utilidor, I saw the Queen of Hearts without his head. That was the first time I ever thought about the physicality required to play some of those characters.

[@alliegonzales9301]

Now time to do the smallest characters because this got me thinking how a cast member can even fit comfortably wearing Mike's costume without being 4 ft. tall haha

[@andreromero240]

Count on Disney Dan to to make you smile

[@Powherkrangunch]

This was fabulous! I can certainly see why Hades is unsettling for you, and yeah I imagine not too many guests want his autograph. He is a terrific villain though! Wonderful stories! I hope I will get to go back to Disney World someday.

[@LucasBradleylpbproductions6]

What about Baloo from Jungle Book? Or Mr. Incredible? Or even Br’er Bear? They’re also giant costumes.

[@collinlangston6980]

I remember when I went and saw Baymax for the first time, I was in a wheelchair. So the cast member literally had to somehow crouch down inside the costume in order to hug me. The funny part is that they took a picture of that moment and afterwards my mom posted it on Facebook with the caption “Where’s my kid?!”

[@davidwilliams5497]

“You can be up to 6’4” and play Sweetums in the park.” As someone who is 6’3”, I now have a new life goal. Thanks, Dan.

[@kaylambirch]

Sulley is the best. I never got to meet Baymax because I was too scared haha I feel awkward meeting characters but he looks so cute

[@coleruttley2631]

Here’s a few ideas for a part two of Giant Disney Characters. Baloo The Beast Genie Mei Pete and of course, Goofy! Goofy has always been kinda tall and dangly, but still very friendly, kind, and polite to others!

[@mr.wafflesutttpbeeson1358]

Hey, why don’t you do a video on that

[@sasamichan]

The Walrus from Alice in Wonderland and Prince John where two I recall being huge along with all the bears and Little John. I saw those as a kid so maybe they just looked huge. Remember captain hook looking big too.

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

13:11 If you talk about the Headless Horseman next time, I just gotta say they don't do the design from the cartoon any justice in the parks. His design in cartoon is black, on black, on black. Black shirt, black pants, black gloves, and black boots with a red cape. And here he's got this whole monkey suit with a jacket and bow tie and no cape which doesn't look intimidating in the least. Also where is his sword, I mean how is he supposed to chop people's heads off without a sword. Plus Prince Philip and Li Shang both have swords in the parks so why not him.

[@ciarak669]

I don’t think I can watch any of your videos without laughing!!! Thanks Dan for another great video

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I’d love to see a gigantic gorilla costume for a gorilla for parades at the Disney Parks as well as a massive 2-person elephant costume for 2 people to fit inside the costume with 1 person in the front half for the head and front legs and another in the back half for the back legs and that could be used for multiple massive elephants!

[@joebobaggins]

Kind of an obscure one but the Coca Cola bear at the Coca Cola store in Disney Springs is gigantic.

[@blackbearish]

yes, anyone who is six ft plus could perform as a polar bear.

[@Dontmakemerun]

While it's not technically a Disney character, it was made by the Jim Henson Creature Shop and was originally puppeted by Brian Henson. Was looking at it the other day because it's really beautiful, but oh boy is white hard to keep clean.

[@christopherstroud190]

I just busted out laughing when I heard the Yeah!! Nicely done sir

[@Emthe30something]

is my biggest regret of my life not meeting Baymax when I worked at WDW? maybe... maybe

[@BubblyDayz]

Ok I love your commentary and laugh lol. I didn’t even know little John was a character you could meet. Sweetums used to scare the poo out of me as a little kid lol.

[@AlolaMasked_BettyRubbleFan]

4:36 Did Ralph just trip over Vanellope?

[@haleyg6991]

I learn so much from this channel. One of my favorite facts being that Baymax is the width of an entire generation. A fact that I will now never forget.

[@nw827]

This makes me excited for project exo

[@jonathanoosterhof2201]

Some great bulky characters that come to mind for me are The Hyenas, Colonel Hathi, and Flounder. Yes those are legit costumes characters, they just don't make many apperances

[@energizerbunnn]

A few years ago at mickeys not so scary Halloween party sully whacked me in the head at the dance party in Tomorrowland lol. He’s such a huge character to be moving around like that it was impressive but also seemed very unwieldy.

[@BloodMoonCosplays]

ME AND MY FIANCÉ SAT HERE WITH THE VIDEO PAUSED FOR LIKE FIVE MINUTES LAUGHING AT THE IMAGE OF THIS HAPPENING THANK YOU FOR A GOOD LAUGH

[@RJ_Halloween]

Can you do a costume evolution of figment?

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

I love Sweetums is included in this video!

[@cam4894]

I dressed at Luisa for Halloween and several people at work said I should dress as her for parties and at Disney. I haven't been able to find a photo of her in the parks, but I feel like she's going to be one of those arm muscle sleeves or full foam and plastic characters. I was a hit at the campuses of the community college I work at!

[@SpiritKitten]

You missed Beast!!! Belle’s beautiful beast! His performers need to be I believe 6’0” to 6’3”. They are so very sweet to work with!

[@ArtfullyGifted]

I actuality built a Goliath costume. Although I'm of small stature my wings were 7 feet wide.

[@donttouchmysilver8202]

I remember Captain Hook, The Beast , Baloo & Jafar’s costumes were massive when I was a kid

[@DiabloSandwich59]

I'm hoping this was a teaser for a video on Magic Happens cuz you've got me intrigued now. Also, Kenny's editing was on point this episode.

[@petereyp]

Thank you so much for bringin the Sweetums paradox !! Ive noticed it from the 1st time I saw the show and it always confused me..and why nobody else would notice haha

[@emolgana]

It's so tragic that we dont have Panda Mei yet. She'd be SO popular for photos and hugs but I'm worried that it'll never happen at this point.

[@Slicedude2004]

Some of these costumes work better than others but they're all works of art!

[@lugialover2496]

11:19 Your laugh 😆

[@ashleypemberton9892]

Last week I went on a Keys to the Kingdom tour and our guide mentioned that Sulley’s head weighs 40 pounds, but there’s something in the costume that takes the brunt of most of that weight!

[@wetturtlefarts]

Dan making every Disney costume list imaginable.

[@Ireton06]

Excellent episode, can’t wait for you to cover Baloo and Alice

[@23skiddsy6]

It's always interesting to figure out where the eyeline for the performer is in these giant suits.

[@Coloradorivr]

"He's the width of an entire generation" sounds like a rare insult at best lmao

[@emilyhogan4973]

The costume for Ferb from Phineas and Ferb is pretty tall, I think he had to duck through doorways.

[@nodesire9291]

I've seen Groot from afar and that costume is AMAZING.

[@kylekeller3398]

Goofy, Big Bad Wolf, Br'er Bear, Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook, Baloo, Jessica Rabbit, Don Karnage, Beast, Genie, Jafar, Governor Ratcliffe, Frollo, Mr. Incredible, and Frozone.

[@pika23]

awwww I wanna meet sweetums! I've loved him since I was a little girl! I remember him from the muppet show

[@travonyayoung4569]

I've been watching your channel for a few years and still love it!! Thanks for the great content and fun facts Disney Dan 🎉😁

[@alyfaith]

Not the Lil Jon "YEEAAYAH" 💀

[@shinyagumon7015]

Great video as always, although I have to say I don't like the Little John costume. He's way to under stuffed and lanky compared to what he's supposed to look like. Like John I'm glad you lost weight but it's look good on you. 🤣

[@Anime_theatre_lover]

The part with Little John made me laugh when I heard “YEAH” 😂😂😂😂

[@bubblylemon9471]

I would absolutly ADORE meeting olivet costume character...

[@anniestudios4531]

His laugh made me laugh because it’s so loud and funny 😭🤣

[@katiewarren4866]

Brer bear! He’s so big his head wasn’t in the pic 😂

[@lateramae]

I love Sulley!!!! I met him at Disney's Hollywood Studios months ago and he was absolutely adorable!!!!

[@hayabusa19]

Fun fact: Pluto is also in the ending of Muppets

[@idiotsland242]

Hey look it’s little John

[@aether7508]

Being someone who is big and mascots its pretty fun

[@bluexray7319]

Beast from Beauty and the beast is another really cool one!

[@cruiseduck]

Boo is an adult now though..

[@frankiepresents0922]

I think that Beast is a pretty big character

[@hoshizoracaresmixes]

The Beast at Be Our Guest Restaurant has always seemed pretty tall to me.

[@joezelljr]

Kinda off topic but I love when u laugh in ur videos! I can't explain it but it's just a "I'm having the time of my life" kinda laugh xD and with the beard, dude, some studio needs to hire you for a Christmas carol movie. You'd be a perfect present

[@SecretUser2000]

I'm glad you didn't mention Baloo, because when Disney recycled him from The Jungle Book to Talespin, they totally ruined him.

[@ghastlycreations5627]

Hades is always looking down to looking t your shoes and say what are those.

[@PrincessSnowbelle]

I had my pic taken with Belle and the Beast in Epcot once. The Beast was HUGE!!!!

[@theglitchygamingking]

Dan you are awesome. Speaking of Disney, I've never been to any of the parks

[@theprodigiousspiderstarTM]

I feel Shan Yu and Jafar are not “big” but Tall atleast Jafar is tall and Id considered Shan yu Big. Also I remember when I first got pictures with Baymax it was very hilarious because of when you hug him he feels like a giant inflatable

[@blackleague212]

5:20 Mesmoriffic. I like it, and I will be using it. Thanks lol

[@dwqween8569]

I think a character you forgot to mention that could have been an honorable mention is Jafar. He's a pretty tall one. Tall than Genie! I met him at the Halloween party at magic kingdom and I was the smol bean next to him! Intimidating!🤧🤣

[@IsabelSager]

The underwater door isn't for the young Ariel? Maybe. Just throwing some thoughts. hahaha I love your laugh!

[@bellaknightR597]

Do a costume evolution for Hades please

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

I'm surprised that none of those little kids started crying at the sight of Baymax!

[@MrChrisDanger]

The Beast in the Restaurant Belle´s Castle in WDW MK. Tweedledee and -Dum, Goofy, Kevin from UP, Dug, In the Future like they teased us will be a possible HULK, THANOS and others coming that will be huge Characters meanwhile Winnie the POOH isn´t small either. The Sherriff of Nottingham in DL, BALU and KING LOUIE, The Country Bears in WDW.

[@Grandpa_Joe]

Groot sounds like a living walking stack of styrofoam cups

[@happilyeverafterhanna]

Groot blew my mind the first time I met him at marvel day at sea on Disney cruise line! I couldn’t believe Disney was able to make him a character!

[@judeorth7252]

do you think anyone's ever gone up to the Hades costume person and asked "do you miss Persephone?"

[@steventuscano9233]

6:45- SWEETUMS!!! 😍😍😍

[@Happymali10]

With some of the costumes I wonder if they got well-placed mesh for the actor to see or if they go sesame street style with a tv-feed inside the costume, or if they just got a handler telling them left/right/etc.