The things that mascot character performers have to worry about

Mascot (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is a "short" list to worry about and consider for those that show up as different characters or mascots at birthdays or sports events.

Not event specific:
1. Travel time to and from the venue when you do not live there.
2. Hiding the costume before and after the event to prevent breaking the character illusion.
3. Being able to get into and out of the costume before and after the event without anyone running into the dressing room or bathroom.
4. Storage of clothing or personal items while in costume.
5. Driving in costume is very often not an option, same with getting dressed in the car unless it is a van.

Event specific:
1. Not scaring children since that could have a very long lasting effect.
2. Being aware of your surroundings due to often being wider and taller as well as having less eyesight. Mascot costumes in particular have a size and eyesight problem. Washing lines are evil when they hang too low.
3. Heat while in the costume due to time duration.
4. Children becoming naughty once they get used to a character and they get bored of the event.
5. At birthdays in particular the children tend to follow when the mascot or character leaves to get undressed. This is a problem when being cornered somewhere and sweating a lot in the costume plus time pressure.