Isn't this why the characters now have "handlers"? I remember years (and years) ago, characters pretty much just walked around on their own and were left to their own devices. In particular, I remember back in 1980 I was a senior in High School. I wanted a picture with Pooh who was headed back stage (through a door in Fantasyland... where Philharmagic is now). We begged him (her?) to take a picture with us, and s/he was half way in the door and begrudgingly took a pic with us. (Looking back, I'm sorry I made you take that picture, Pooh!!!)
My point, though, is Poor Pooh didn't have any handler with him which would have resolved this situation very easily.