The Disney Hug Rule Will Melt Your Heart—See What It Is!

The Cast Members at Disney go above and beyond every day to create magical moments and cherished memories for guests. There are so many heartwarming stories of how a Cast Member has made someone's day or went out of their way to spread a bit of extra kindness.

There are certain rules that Cast Members are required to follow in order to preserve the magic and immersive environment at Disney, but recently, some really moving videos of Cast Members interacting with children went viral as word of the “Disney hug rule” circulated. There have been several of these emotional videos showing characters at the Disney parks holding a prolonged hug initiated by a child.

If you've seen these videos, you might be wondering what exactly the “Disney hug rule” is and if it's an official rule Cast Members have to follow. Keep reading for more details!

You can see a full guide to characters at Disneyland and characters at Disney World for everything you need to know about how to meet characters at the parks.

What Is the Disney Hug Rule?

👉🏾 CLICK HERE to See This Super Cute Disneyland Freebie That Will Make Your Child Feel Even More in the Magic

The “Disney hug rule” is that characters at Disney can't be the first ones to let go of a hug and reportedly stems from Walt Disney saying, “You never know how much that child may need that hug.” The videos that have circulated as evidence of the Disney hug rule are truly too precious for words.

You can see the characters following the Disney hug rule to not let go before the child does in the videos that have circulated on social media below.

See this TikTok video shared by erinadvocates of a moving moment with Rapunzel that got everyone in the comments emotional:

@erinadvocates this destroyed me in the best way 😭😭 #disneymagic #disneyworld #wholesome #disneyhugrule #disneyhug #rapunzel #mybrother #downsyndrome #toddlersoftiktok #pure #sweetness ♬ When She Loved Me (From “Toy Story 2”) – Geek Music

While the moments are incredibly sweet, we can operate under the assumption that the Disney hug rule is not an official rule but more of an unofficial one that certain Cast Members may decide to adhere to when interacting with younger kids. This makes sense, as it wouldn't be feasible for this to happen for every interaction with a character, but it is extra special when it does happen.

This TikTok video shared by laneysites is a heartwarming example of these Cast Members holding onto the hug.

@laneysites The way she made every princess hold her #disneyhugrule #disney #wholesome ♬ These Memories – Hollow Coves

Watching these videos, you can clearly see why the Cast Members do it, as it means the world to these kids to be held by their favorite Disney characters. Many commenters on these videos share how they have implemented this “rule” in their daily lives outside the context of Disney.

See another cute Tik Tok video shared by stephanieb381:

@stephanieb381 Another reason Disney creates core memories for children and parents. 🥹 Have you heard of this rule before? Do you have a core memory interacting with a charcter at Disney? #disneyedit #disneyparks #disneytiktok #fyp #disneyworld #wdwtiktok #disneyfyp #disneywithtoddlers #hollywoodstudios #disneytipsandtricks ♬ beauty of pixar – nilsodinson

👉🏾 CLICK HERE to See the Attractions We Want Disneyland to Bring Back to the Parks

If you ask the community of Disney fans, chances are that adults and kids alike can tell you a story about an interaction with a character that really made their day. The magic that Cast Members create through their dedication is truly remarkable. Share your favorite character moment you've witnessed or experienced in the comments!

Plan Your Disney Vacation Today!

For the best resource and helpful information for planning your Disney vacation, make sure to subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter​. We’ll provide you with the most helpful planning information, breaking news, exclusive deals, and access to the best prices on tickets out there.