Meeting characters...tips to make standing in line more fun?

[MommyBryn]

Last time we went DD1 was a few weeks away from turning 3. We didn't get to "meet" any characters that she really knew of...we did meet Aurora in Epcot only because we were standing there when she came out and mommy didn't have to wait in any line. n Thankfully DD was happy enough with seeing her beloved Cinderella and Mickey and the gang in the parades and such.

However, this next time she'll be a few weeks from turning 5, and I am determined to make an effort for her meet more characters. Is there a way to make standing in the long lines more tolerable? Also, are there any places that aren't usually as busy or popular and don't have quite as long of lines for the characters? (like every time we've ever gone and seen Aurora at that same place in Epcot there's NEVER a line)

[The Moonk's Mom]

We have only one time in our trips felt the need to find something to do in line, but we always play little games with our kids like "I Spy" or we play a little "game show" that we made up....Like..."For a million kisses can you name all of the dwarfs" make it questions she can get...that way she's not frustated if she gets them wrong...we make funny game show sounds and all. I think it is better to not have a bunch of stuff out because the line is moving and you don't want to be trying to gather stuff up.

But...the one time we found the need for a distraction...I always keep little playdoh cans, hot wheel cars or something like that. Something easy to put away and they can carry with just one hand.

Really I have found they are so excited about what is going on that they don't care about the lines!

[Withacy]

When I take children (my nieces, my godchildren) we have a deal - we do some character meals, but no lines. They seem great with that - more time for the rides! And no need to keep them entertained while waiting for characters. That way they get their one-on-one time, I get great pictures, no one stands in line & everyone's happy!

[allyphoe]

Originally Posted by MommyBryn

However, this next time she'll be a few weeks from turning 5, and I am determined to make an effort for her meet more characters. Is there a way to make standing in the long lines more tolerable?

For a 5yo, my method of choice is "If you want to meet [insert character here], you can wait in the line. Otherwise, we'll do something else." I will say that DDthen-5 often chose to do something else, so if its you who wants to meet the characters, rather than her that wants to meet them, you'd need some other method. We had a "the DS is only for the long car ride" rule, but I'd have considered "mom wants to stand in a long boring line for something kid has insufficient interest in" to be an acceptable reason for bringing the DS into the park, in a bag I carried and controlled.

[bjscheel]

We think of what we're going to say to/ask the character when it's our turn! If it's a line where you can see the character the whole time, just watch their interactions with the other guests, too.

[bjscheel]

Also, we do this other times, but one of us will say, "I'm thinking of a Disney character who..." and give one hint. The others ask questions or make guesses till they get it!

[Perditamarie]

Here are some of our line strategies:

* eat a snack/drink or look at pics in dig camera

* collect autographs at character meals to avoid lines!

* The Character Connection at Epcot is an efficient way to collect autographs from the fab 5 if you don't have a character meal that covers them.

* keep and eye on the line....if you get in a long line, chances are the character will have to take a break before your turn and the same character may not return to that spot

* schedule in your autograph time...otherwise it will take a huge chunk out of your day, which may or may not be a problem, depending on which rides you want to accomplish and crowds.

* Meeting the fairies in Toontown is usually a LLLOOOOOONNNNGGGGG wait...over an hour, so plan for that as well. It is so charming, that it is worth it if you haven't waited in many other lines that day!

Have a great trip!!

[MommyBryn]

Originally Posted by allyphoe

For a 5yo, my method of choice is "If you want to meet [insert character here], you can wait in the line. Otherwise, we'll do something else." I will say that DDthen-5 often chose to do something else, so if its you who wants to meet the characters, rather than her that wants to meet them, you'd need some other method. We had a "the DS is only for the long car ride" rule, but I'd have considered "mom wants to stand in a long boring line for something kid has insufficient interest in" to be an acceptable reason for bringing the DS into the park, in a bag I carried and controlled.

Oh NO! It's not me at ALL. Actually, that's mostly the reason I ask, because *I* despise waiting in line. I couldn't care less about meeting the characters for myself...it's definitely for her, and only the ones she WANTS to meet.

[MommyBryn]

Originally Posted by Withacy

When I take children (my nieces, my godchildren) we have a deal - we do some character meals, but no lines. They seem great with that - more time for the rides! And no need to keep them entertained while waiting for characters. That way they get their one-on-one time, I get great pictures, no one stands in line & everyone's happy!

Hmm, that's something to think about! Although we'd have to make it work with the DDP since it would take up multiple credits.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

[happymommy]

I agree with the no lines. We have never waited in a line to meet a character. If we come across a character without anyone waiting to meet, we'll go get a photo. My kids have never begged to see any specific one.

I sometimes think, especially at the MK, that the characters in front of the castle also serve to distract guests, give them something to do, so the attractions are less busy. Way back when, before kids and fastpasses, my DH and I went a few times to WDW. We used to go to popular rides during parades, so we never waited.

I'd wave and walk on by, but not spend our vacation time waiting in line just for a photo with a character. That is just our mentality - I know some love to get their autographs, but we don't enjoy that. We do enjoy the meals! One character meal we stumbled upon was at Cape May Cafe - the breakfast. We only went because we had a TS credit to use up our last morning. Turned out to be a delicious breakfast - excellent food! And there were some characters - but we really just wanted a good breakfast.

[Perditamarie]

I believe only Cinderella's Royal Table is 2 credits...the rest are 1. Akershus in Norway, Epcot is fab for sweet, talkative princesses, Crystal Palace in MK has Pooh characters and pretty good food. Chef Mickey's in Contemporary Resort has fab 5 characters and stunningly mediocre food. Also, Lilo and Stitch at Poly, Cindy , Prince and Stepsisters at Grand Floridian and also character meals at DHS, Epcot, and AK.

Happy planning....you have a ton of 1 credit character dining options!

[happymommy]

Originally Posted by MommyBryn

Hmm, that's something to think about! Although we'd have to make it work with the DDP since it would take up multiple credits.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Oh - a character meal is only one credit - if you're on the dining plan. If not, they are quite pricey - I don't think they're really worth the real cost, but on the plan it's fine!

Honestly, the characters are cute and all, but there is so much to see and do, that meeting one or two for a young one is usually plenty.

Have a great time!!!!!!

[MommyBryn]

Any of the character meals (besides the one in the castle? I think) have the princesses? They're the main ones DD wants to see.

[Perditamarie]

Akershus in Norway is 1 credit and there are 5 princesses that interact wonderfully with EVERYONE!!! Included is a photo package w/Belle and you can also meet a variety: Snow White, Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mary Poppins, Mulan....it depends on what princessess are there that day. There is also a Cinderella, Prince and Stepsisters w/Step Mother at Grand Floridian for dinner.....Alice and Mad Hatter are there for Breakfast.

[esk]

Avoid it like the plague!

We do a princess meal for DD4 and then, if we see one and there are like less than 10 people in line, we'll wait but other than that, forget it.

We do visit Toontown right after opening and that usually means we can see some princesses, and we seem to come across Tigger and buddies in AK, all by themselves a lot.

Have run into Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Rafiki in Epcot.

But really, the character meals are truly the best, for one on one time. I'm very familiar with princesses and I recommend either Akershus (kids were not to excited with the food, we did breakfast) or the Cinderalla Stepsister meal at GF. Akershus has an assortment of princesses and they will stop at your table and visit.

Side note; in DisneyParis, DD didn't blink an eye when Aurora's accent was heavily French, Ariel was heavily British, I don't know where Snow White was from....