Adults and Characters?

[Luv0fDisney]

I have been going to the world since 05 and never really been a huge character fan where I would wait for a turn to get a picture with one, i have on a few occasions mostly because there either wasn't a line or a rather small line. On other occassions i would take a solo picture of the character when it was my turn or get that quick shot between kids shot from the bystanders.

Adults, what have your experience with characters in the past?
I remember one time i was snubbed by a green army man, i was next in line and he saw me and walked away. hmmph.

 

[lynypixie]

I've been to disney 3 times, and always loved meeting the caracters. But I never had "funny" interaction with them, mainly due to my heavy french accent I guess.

 

[karly05]

I had a couple of character priorities on my solo trip this year - while I've done a couple of character breakfasts on prior trips (CP, Ohana-pre-Stitch), this was the first time I had gotten in a line for meet and greet.

First full day, freezing cold morning at DHS, I stopped for a Photopass photo in front of the Hat so I could get my card, hightailed it to TSM for a fastpass, then it was off to one of my top priorities for the whole trip: meeting Phineas and Ferb! They were just coming out as I was walking up the street toward them, and I was the only one in sight; they were waving, I was waving, I gave my card to the photog (I think I said something to him about having ordered the CD and to snap away). Talk about totally silly awkward adult lady meeting her idols... I have no idea what I would have said to them otherwise, but it was so cold out, I told them, "You guys made winter in summer - you need to work on making summer in winter because it is WAY too cold out!" They liked this idea. I got hugs and pics, even asked the Photopass guy to take a couple with my camera, too. I made such a fuss over hugging Ferb, Phineas got jealous (I love them both, really, and he got his hug, too). I think there were finally some other people coming up the street when I left. Sorry, didn't mean to ramble so much, but it was a highlight of the trip. I suspect P&F are used to getting a fair number of adult fans.

Even sillier, I got in line and met Handy Manny - Yep, I'm a fan. I thanked him for helping me with my Spanish, and told him to give Pat (the hammer) a big hug for me, because he's my favorite of the tools; Manny was sweet and gave me a big hug. I suspect he's NOT used to getting a lot of solo adult fans.

On a whim, I popped into Town Square to meet Mickey (and Minnie). They were really sweet; I thanked them for making a place where Big Kids like me can have as much fun as the Little Kids, and they appreciated that.

If Dug & Russell are still meeting at AK when I go back, they will be a big priority, because Up is one of my all-time favorites (see avatar).

 

[pirateprincess1976]

I had some of the best character interactions on my last trip. I met Lady Tremaine and the step sister and they were hilarious! Lady Tremaine asked if I had a prince and I said no so she told me that was ok, she told her daughters not to pick the first prince that comes along lol. Then she noticed my teal color toe nail polish and told me I should come over to the chateau and paint Druzilla's nails since the color matched her dress. Lol they were great, so much fun.

 

[Bonniec]

I remember one time i was snubbed by a green army man, i was next in line and he saw me and walked away. hmmph.

Green army men walk around. I'm fairly sure it's in their job description not to let a big line form. That's just a guess from what I've seen happen. If you go through that area during Star Wars weekends, you will see the same thing. Several characters walk around back there and people try to get pictures. They will stop for a few. But as a line forms, they will move away.

So if it makes you feel any better, I don't think you were being snubbed,

 

[Mom2Cody06]

I had some of the best character interactions on my last trip. I met Lady Tremaine and the step sister and they were hilarious! Lady Tremaine asked if I had a prince and I said no so she told me that was ok, she told her daughters not to pick the first prince that comes along lol. Then she noticed my teal color toe nail polish and told me I should come over to the chateau and paint Druzilla's nails since the color matched her dress. Lol they were great, so much fun.

I really want to meet them, wonder if they are at MVMCP?? I heard they are hilarious.

 

[jseargent]

In January I was at WDW attending a conference for work. I had breakfast at Chef Mickey's and all the characters except Mickey came to my table. I didn't make a big deal out of it; but I did mention to Mickey's handler that I would appreciate Mickey stopping by - I did make the decision to attend a character breakfast after all. Daisy was hilarious, Timon kissed me, and dinner at 1900 Park Fare was such a terrific experience that I booked it for our family vacation in October. Even trips with my family I have stood in line without DS or DD to see Pooh and Eyeore.

 

[Poohs100AcreWood]

I am a regular solo visitor to Disneyland and will be taking my first visit to WDW in just a couple weeks.

I get great interaction with the characters being an adult. I think the face characters are able to carry on a conversation with you that they don't get with children a lot of times. I've never been overlooked or skipped just because I was an adult. And I do visit ALL the characters, including Jake and Handy Manny, both who were very sweet. Disney is for all ages.

 

[lylone]

I have also been to the world many times and even as a child didn't get pictures with the characters. I am thinking maybe this time may be different. I am glad that there are other big kids out there that do the same... I don't feel so silly now

 

[Lori1960]

Go and see all the charcaters you want to and have them sign something for you.Get a 9 inch vinylamtion or buy postcards at the hotels or parks.Have fun with it and dont worry about what other people are thinking plus who said the characters are for kids only

 

[LSchrow]

we don't usually wait on line for characters (or most attractions for that matter), but when we saw stitch (27yo DD's favorite) with a young girl and no line, we asked the handler if we could get a photo with him.
as we approached, a man shoved his toddler boy between stitch and ourselves. the handler looked at us, shaking her head, and i mouthed "its okay" (can't blame a toddler for rude parents).
it became one of our most memorable moments when the child finally left (dad kept telling the kid to stay when he wanted to leave), and stitch grabbed our hands, as the three of us skipped thru MK!

btw, as my kids hit the pre-teens, they would often get pushed out of the way by overzealous parents - that's when we started booking meals for more civilized character interaction

 

[FigmentHair]

we don't usually wait on line for characters (or most attractions for that matter), but when we saw stitch (27yo DD's favorite) with a young girl and no line, we asked the handler if we could get a photo with him.
as we approached, a man shoved his toddler boy between stitch and ourselves. the handler looked at us, shaking her head, and i mouthed "its okay" (can't blame a toddler for rude parents).
it became one of our most memorable moments when the child finally left (dad kept telling the kid to stay when he wanted to leave), and stitch grabbed our hands, as the three of us skipped thru MK!

btw, as my kids hit the pre-teens, they would often get pushed out of the way by overzealous parents - that's when we started booking meals for more civilized character interaction

The same thing often happened to my boyfriend and I when we went alone. We are 22 and 21 years old. We even had a lady tell us that some people didn't understand when they are too old for Disney while we waited in line to meet pooh.

 

[candielips]

The same thing often happened to my boyfriend and I when we went alone. We are 22 and 21 years old. We even had a lady tell us that some people didn't understand when they are too old for Disney while we waited in line to meet pooh.

Too old for Disney?!?!?!?!?!?!?

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[missdisney1017]

I stand in line for all the characters I wish. I think its a wonderful reminder of each trip no matter how old you are!

 

[vkandrew]

The same thing often happened to my boyfriend and I when we went alone. We are 22 and 21 years old. We even had a lady tell us that some people didn't understand when they are too old for Disney while we waited in line to meet pooh.

Well just because she felt too old to enjoy the magic doesn't mean she should try to make the rest of us feel weird for embracing our inner kid

 

[Dani C]

Never too old for character interaction. I've had characters initiate it (parks and dining, multiple occasions), so never feel you can't enjoy the fun regardless of your age.

Also, the little ones that are more timid seem to relax a bit if they see a grown person playing with the character, hugging them, etc.

 

[The Wise One]

My first visit to Disney World was on my honeymoon in 2009, and I was 21 and if I saw a character I loved, we stopped and got pictures! I had a blast and I was wearing my bridal veil Minnie ears and my husband wore the Mickey top hat so we got lots of attention and hilarious interactions with all the characters. We went again in 2011 and again met with lots of characters and had lots of fun.

You're NEVER too old for Disney or the magic. =)

 

[MonorailPilotMulan]

Characters are absolutely NOT only for kids! I see too many parents refuse to step into a picture with their kids because they are embarrassed to take a picture with characters. At Disney, you are only as limited as your imagination and your creativity (and Disney's rules of course). Adults tend to interact with characters in ways that some kids just can't. While kids are seen as the focus of a character meet and greet, sometimes they get scared sometimes or just plain star struck. I've never seen a character who was not just as happy to meet an adult than a child.

It's important to realize that characters are not just cardboard cutouts or topiaries to take pictures with. They are three dimensional personalities that want to interact with you just as much as you want to interact with them. Ask them questions. Tell them about your favorite part of their movie or show. Come up with a fun conversation you'd like to have with your favorite characters. You'll have a much better time than you would if you just walked up to take a picture and leave

 

[Kelchip10]

I've never had any trouble with characters. My funniest photo was with Chip n Dale. They hid my then-boyfriend so all you see is his face peeking from behind the three of us.

 

[Summer Daydream]

I always get pictures with characters. We go to several character meals just for that purpose. I have never been snubbed or ignored because I am an adult. In fact, at Ohana, every time Pluto walked by our table he would come and pretend to kiss me after I told him he was my favorite.