Adults and characters

[groovy~disney]

Just wondering if anyone else that travels without kids feels a little weird getting their pics taken w/ characters. I personally love it and I really get a kick out of it! I know it is WDW and everyone is entitled to be a big kid and have fun, but the only reason I'm a little hesitant is when I'm in line and parents are in line with their kids I can sometimes hear them comment about how I shouldn't be in line b/c their kids are waiting to see a character and I'm sans children. Again, I know I have as much right as anyone else but it does make me feel a little uneasy. Anyone else have similar experiences and feelings? :confused3

[MsTinkerChele]

Hey! u waited in line! not ur fault the parents with kids are behind you and may get cut off right after you. they just get jealous that ur one step closer than they are. Im 21 years old and have pictures of smiles i never knew i had. Next time you hear a parent say something you say..." Arent we a little too OLD to be so impatient and whiny? :thumbsup2

[gismo1554]

You actually see loads of people doing it! I don't think it matters. I've been dragged to have a pic with characters before because they haven't had anyone waiting and the photo guy decided he wanted to take more pics! Who cares? We're all kids at Disney

[Cassian]

no! i don't feel weird at all! i AM the tallest one waiting their turn, but the passion in my heart is the same as all those little kids. i don't think my Disney trips are complete without a few key cast members standing in the pictures with me :)

[NMPTheatre]

Yup, I enjoy getting my pictures taken with a Character too! I generally don't do it if there's much of a line, but if the opportunities there, I take it. Agreed with Cassian - the trip wouldn't be complete without one. Of course this year, it'll probably be a video. Only nine days left!!! :banana: - Michael

[Missec]

Just wondering if anyone else that travels without kids feels a little weird getting their pics taken w/ characters. I personally love it and I really get a kick out of it! I know it is WDW and everyone is entitled to be a big kid and have fun, but the only reason I'm a little hesitant is when I'm in line and parents are in line with their kids I can sometimes hear them comment about how I shouldn't be in line b/c their kids are waiting to see a character and I'm sans children. Again, I know I have as much right as anyone else but it does make me feel a little uneasy. Anyone else have similar experiences and feelings? :confused3

I have my pics taken with all kinds of characters. And yes even though I was a Cast Member at the time, I too waited in line like every one else. Don't feel bad about what others say, you paid your money to get into the park just like they did. You have every right to do that. So don't allow them to make you feel bad.

[hallie615]

I love getting my pictures taken. :jumping1:

[CB in Paradise]

I have waited in lines with my children and grandchildren to have pictures taken. Now I wait in line with my bride of 37 years to have our pictures taken. I love it as much today as I did 34 years ago when we made our first trip to WDW. I would not let someone else's opinion of what I am doing in line, without children, interfer with my happiness. :banana: :cheer2: :yay:

[spiceycat]

I don't have my picture taken....

[brightspark]

Hi,
I'm 33 (no kids) and I love having my photo taken and getting autographs from characters! Have felt a bit 'old' from time to time, but quickly get over it when I'm with the character.
We found a great way to stand out from the crowd too... we took a pen which was a foot long and very chunky, for the characters to sign with, and we had so much fun... chip and dale had a sword fight with it and aladin pretended he was weight lifting... LOL.
We pay a lot for our tickets so why should we be deprived of some of the fun... Disney is the place to be a child again and forget all the worries and stresses that we usually carry around with us!

[wvjovifan]

I love having my pic taken with the characters!!! My DH is usually the photographer and he waits patiently for me whenever I want to stop!!! We usually include at least one character meal with each trip too! He's a good sport!! :thumbsup2

[Care]

Thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts and experiences. I was a bit worried that I would receive glares from parents with young children because I'll be travelling solo. It's my first trip to Disney and I want to make the most of my time there, and interact with every character I meet.

Does anyone know how difficult it might be to have someone help to take photos for me? I often travel solo, but rarely feel the urge to be in the photos I take. Except this time, I want to be in nearly ALL of them! :sunny:

[Forever a Princess]

Go for it! Many CM have told me that the characters love the "big kids" just as much as the little kids.

Have your camera/pen and autograph book ready.

[brightspark]

Hi,
The person who cares for the characters is always ready to take a photo for you... as is are the official park photographers. We usually get our photo taken together, so we give our camera to one or other of them.

If we are elsewhere in the park (eg wanting a pic of us across the water from mount everest) and we want a photo we've never had trouble getting a passing holiday maker to stop for a moment. A good tip is to spot someone (maybe a couple) who is taking a photo of their 'other half' and offer to take one of them together, and then get them to return the favour! This has worked for us many times.

Hope you have a fab time and get all the photo's you want!
Lots of love and mickey ears

[Care]

Thanks brightspark. I wasn't sure whether there are companions for the characters as they make their rounds in restaurants and around the theme parks. I'll definitely ask if they wouldn't mind taking a photo or two for me.

As for asking a fellow visitor for a hand, it didn't even cross my mind until you mentioned it. I usually offer my services to others when they're trying to take photos, but since I normally opt to stay out of photos, I have never taken up anyone's offer to return the favour.

I can hardly wait for the next 5 weeks to breeze right by... I have memory cards a-plenty for photos and video clilps, and plan to stock up on some 35mm film for my regular camera, too.

[brightspark]

Hi again...
I'm so excited for you taking your first trip!!! You're just going to have such a wonderful time. When do you go?

[Belle62442]

Care,
Are there any characters in particular that you want to meet?

[magicmama]

I've had my pix taken with characters and it was great fun! But there are a few times I felt strange doing it, but I got over that soon enough!

If there are lots of kids wanting their pix made, I have walked out of line if its closer to the character time limit.

[hniki234]

I felt weird at first, too. We were the only people in the lines that didn't have kids. I got over it really quick, though. And I do wait in those long lines for character pictures! :rotfl: Those pictures are my best souvenirs!

[Care]

Brightspark... It's just 5 weeks until my holidays. I head to Disney on Jan 15 for 7 nights. I'm so excited! I just bought a plastic (disposable) rain poncho yesterday specifically for the trip. I've been told that I'm acting like a little kid just before Christmas morning :bounce:

Belle62442... There are so many characters that I want to see and meet, but if I had to choose just 5, I'd have to say: Mickey and Minnie, Pooh, Cinderella and Donald. This probably explains why I've signed up for almost every character dining experience, including Cinderella's Royal Table, for the time that I'm there. Believe it or not, I've even been looking around for a little tiara! princess:

Stumbling upon the DIS forums has been the best thing to happen for my Disney holiday. Most of my friends and colleagues, plus my parents/sisters think I'm a bit odd for being so eager to go a place for little kids. Being able to share my enthusiasm here has been just awesome.

[Mouse511]

We just got back from WDW and DH and I had pictures taken with characters. We saw many adults in line to have their pictures taken with their favorite characters.

[Euromir]

Have to admit i always bottled out of the character pics, i been on 4 trips to Disney parks (4 Paris 1 WDW) and every damn time i stand watching people have pics with Mickey etc and i think everytime i should get some, as i always wanted one as a kid but never visisted Disney til i got to 30!

BUT, somehow i always persuade myself i am too "old" and Solo so let the kids have there fun, maybe next week i can pluck courage to go meet Mickey!

[brightspark]

GO FOR IT Euromir... don't let another chance slip by... it's the best thing having your photo taken with your fave Characters. The first time I went to WDW I was with my sister and I was just 30... I nearly chickened out of lining up for them because it seemed to be all kids in the lines... but I'm so glad I did it... Now you can't stop me and I will be 34 (and dh 35, plus we have no kids) when we go in Jan so please, please, please JUST DO IT!!!!!

[PoohnPglet]

Thanks brightspark. I wasn't sure whether there are companions for the characters as they make their rounds in restaurants and around the theme parks. I'll definitely ask if they wouldn't mind taking a photo or two for me.

Care -
Yes - all the characters have attendants on hand, even in the dining locations. Look for the cm's wearing a white/yellow shirt with Mickey sketches and black pants. If it is cold out - they might be wearing a black and red letterman style jacket with a pointing Mickey hand on the back. (And yes - I am familiar with this costume for a reason!! :teeth: )

As for any adult that feels hesitant about approaching the characters - PLEASE don't. EVERYONE is more than welcome. (I have even been known to stand in a few lines on my days off.)

[flying_babyb]

thnks for the photo tip. I have about 8 million vacation photos of my sister and my preschools class mascot but none of me.

[kimis]

My dh and I have our picture taken with whatever character I can see!! I make sure my dh has his picture taken with Eyeore because he is just like Eyeore. LOL

[Care]

Care -
Yes - all the characters have attendants on hand, even in the dining locations. Look for the cm's wearing a white/yellow shirt with Mickey sketches and black pants. If it is cold out - they might be wearing a black and red letterman style jacket with a pointing Mickey hand on the back. (And yes - I am familiar with this costume for a reason!! :teeth: )

As for any adult that feels hesitant about approaching the characters - PLEASE don't. EVERYONE is more than welcome. (I have even been known to stand in a few lines on my days off.)

Thanks for the info, PoohnPiglet. I'll be sure to look for the character attendants and ask for their help in taking photos. I can hardly wait... 3 more weeks to go!

[DaisyDuck001]

Care -
Yes - all the characters have attendants on hand, even in the dining locations. Look for the cm's wearing a white/yellow shirt with Mickey sketches and black pants. If it is cold out - they might be wearing a black and red letterman style jacket with a pointing Mickey hand on the back.


At MVMCP earlier this month, there was one of the bears from the Country Bear Jamboree, standing outside for photos, but I couldn't see a character handler anywhere. Fortunately, a guest in line volunteered to take my picture, and she did a great job! I returned the favor and took one of her and her husband with the bear.

[UrsulasShadow]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e377/rosamindy/MomslonelyDisneyvacation120.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e377/rosamindy/MomslonelyDisneyvacation118.jpg

If you catch the Character Connection in FW while everyone else is riding the rides (at opening), you, too, can get a pic with ALL the characters without having to wrastle with all the little ankle-biters....ummmm, I mean all the deserving little prince-and-princesses...waiting in line....

[flying_babyb]

I was told by my little cousin that if i dont get a picture with minnie mouse she will just never speak to me again! The other cousin is hounding me for a tee shirt lol

[Goofy4Disney!]

Heck go for it!!! I was so hesitant to even take a solo trip...and I have to admit for the first half a day or so I was sad...but after that? Ahhhh I had a great time. I was hesitant to stand in line for the characters too...but after the first time, you couldn't STOP me from standing in line. The characters are great with adults...it's a lot of fun. Heck, I even waited in line to sit on Santa's lap!!!!!! Now if I can do THAT...I can do anything!! LOL

(I just told the other people in line that my kids dared me to do it...it made them all laugh..and it became like an event...they were all cheering me on LOL..)

[flying_babyb]

I sat on santas lap to prove to a little preschooler that it was not scary at all. Santa kissed my cheek too (helps that I knew him)

[AdioSkater]

edited to say: oops - wrong thread!

[Mrs.PrinceCharming]

I usually avoid having my picture taken, but while at the Character Meals this past trip I did it several times. I told the Characters that I was a kindergarten teacher and the pics were for my class. I got some great pictures and I am having a pic of Mickey and Me made into Valentines for my kindergarteners.

[WDWToby]

I'm a big kid and I don't have kids so I don't mind getting my pics taken with the character. I do put the kids first though. Like if a mom with kids is behind me I take the pic for them first then get my pic taken.

[Sherrypooh]

Hi, Im 43 and I stand in line and wait for characters and pics... even when I am without my kids! :rolleyes1

[kimis]

Brightspark... It's just 5 weeks until my holidays. I head to Disney on Jan 15 for 7 nights. I'm so excited! I just bought a plastic (disposable) rain poncho yesterday specifically for the trip. I've been told that I'm acting like a little kid just before Christmas morning :bounce:

Belle62442... There are so many characters that I want to see and meet, but if I had to choose just 5, I'd have to say: Mickey and Minnie, Pooh, Cinderella and Donald. This probably explains why I've signed up for almost every character dining experience, including Cinderella's Royal Table, for the time that I'm there. Believe it or not, I've even been looking around for a little tiara! princess:

Stumbling upon the DIS forums has been the best thing to happen for my Disney holiday. Most of my friends and colleagues, plus my parents/sisters think I'm a bit odd for being so eager to go a place for little kids. Being able to share my enthusiasm here has been just awesome.
You go girl!

[Care]

I had such a fabulous first trip to Disney World, and can't wait to go back... Despite the best of my intentions, I didn't get to see/do everything that I wanted to do, but I did get to meet all 5 of the characters on my "top 5" list and even have the photos to prove it. Many photos with Mickey and Minnie, and photos with Cinderella from CRT, Pooh from lunch at Crystal Palace, and Donald from a visit at EPCOT plus Chef Mickey's. Of the many character meals I booked, there was only one that I cancelled because I was starting to come down with a bad cold. At least I only got sick at the end of my trip, rather than at the beginning of it. So now I'm home sick, trying to muster up the energy to unpack and download my photos for viewing. If only a little pixie dust could make it all happen without any effort from me :wizard:

[Suzflee]

Care,
Congrats on a memorable trip! Your body probably got sick cuz it was sad that it had to leave such a magnificent place.
Glad you have so many photos to treasure. Make yourself some chicken soup, put them all in a slide show and kick back and relive the moments!

Three sisters dancing down Main Street in 29 days!
:dance3:

[Suzflee]

This will be my first trip without kids but you better believe I'll be dragging my sis' in line with me.

Last time my kids thought I was crazy when we found Pooh and his buddies at AK with no line and we had them all to ourselves. I went wild with excitement and they just didn't get it....

Growing older but not up!

three sisters singing "It's a Small World"
:dance3:

[Care]

There was always a line-up for Pooh and friends, the princesses, and Mickey and his friends. However, the cast members were always trying to get people to visit with Rafiki, Baloo, King Louie, and some lesser known characters.

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Both of us love getting our pictures taken with the characters. We figure we spend 50 weeks of the year pretending to be responsible, mature adults so for the 2 weeks we're at Disney we can just have fun and act like the big kids we are! :thumbsup2

[magicmama]

Both of us love getting our pictures taken with the characters. We figure we spend 50 weeks of the year pretending to be responsible, mature adults so for the 2 weeks we're at Disney we can just have fun and act like the big kids we are! :thumbsup2

I like your attitude!!!

:cool1:

[Poppinsme]

Im 50 and my DH is 63 and when we go in nov. we will be taking pics with them ALL!! Yahoo!!!!! Cant wait. :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: pirate:

[OCD for WD]

I've had my picture taken with characters as an adult plenty of times and I've also stood in lines with my neices and nephews waiting for them to have their pictures taken. All I can say about the parents who make comments to adults who are in line by themselves is "what kind of lesson are you teaching your children?" Yes, I know we want the children to have a great magical time at Disney. And I do get upset at the adults who stand up in front of children at parades (after waiting for the parade while being seated). But learning about patience and waiting your turn in line is a lesson they have to learn someday. And openly complaining about the adults in front of the children teaches them a lack of tact also. I guess some parents think their princes and princesses deserve special treatment. :confused3

[FlowersChild]

no! i don't feel weird at all! i AM the tallest one waiting their turn, but the passion in my heart is the same as all those little kids. i don't think my Disney trips are complete without a few key cast members standing in the pictures with me :)

Not only am I basically the tallest one in line who gets photos taken with the characters, but most of the time I am taller than all the mothers and fathers of the children :p :goodvibes I am 6 foot 3 and 30 years old, but I am a shy little child, who loves getting photos taken with the characters :hug:

Here are some photos of me with characters from my 30th birthday trip :hug: I don't think I stood up straight in any of these photos, those characters are so tiny next to me ;) You all might can see that I look really shy in these photos :blush: I am very shy and I love being shy :blush:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation174.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation045.jpg


Even in photos like these I am still bending my knees ;)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation044.jpg


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation734.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation037.jpg


I wanted Minnie to hold some of my Minnie dolls ;)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation-1.jpg


Minnie is taller than me in this photo ;)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation341.jpg


This is a very cute and funny photo :p

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation331.jpg


Here is a photo of Suzy and Perla together :cloud9:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation361.jpg


Now here is a photo of shy little me with Suzy and Perla :blush:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/FlowersChild/Photosfrommy30thBirthdayVacation286.jpg