A few thoughts from our recent DL trip

[smartlabelprint]

I always hear about the Matterhorn hurts backs, bottoms, necks, etc. but I rode it and felt perfectly fine. I was in the last seat. The way people described it I thought I would walk off cramped but I felt that it was quite smooth and enjoyable. I wonder if I’m just immune?

It’s called young.

 

[midnight star]

Batterhorn is one of my favorites lol It’s def a rough ride but you’re going down a mountain so it’s not supposed to be smooth. I have found that if you don’t put your back against the seat and just brace yourself, it’s not as rough.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

It’s called young.

I had the same thought! Youth is wasted on the young. @StarSpeckledSky will have to report back in 30 years and let us know how it is then.

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

On Matterhorn if you just lean forward a little bit instead of sitting back it’s way better

 

[friedela]

Roaming characters. I do NOT like the roaming character thing. Trying to catch them, have them sign, wait...where is the line? Is there one? Etc. My son wanted all the signatures and it was stressful trying to figure out where they might be. Several times were told the wrong place only to wait then to realize they were on the other side the area. Yes, I would much rather wait in line!! And we did wait in alot of lines... more than 30 characters takes time!

Totally agree! I also found the roaming characters super frustrating, especially for trying to get any kind of picture of them, not even necessarily WITH them, just any picture at all! Everyone was literally tripping over everyone else to get a shot of Mary Poppins, I almost fell over backwards on a stroller behind me because she wouldn't stop for not even a second. I would rather wait in line for a character and actually have some space and time with them than try to chase them and dodge everyone else trying to say hello.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

It's interesting how opinions differ and experiences vary. We like the roaming characters -- they add magic to the parks. We don't know when they'll appear and they don't feel artificial or imposed. The fixed M&Gs are really fun, too; but there is something really special about Peter Pan just appearing, teasing and playing, then running off -- totally in character! Or Chewbacca and Rey playing with the kids in SWGE instead of posing for fixed photos. We like the more casual, spontaneous, unexpected magic -- it feels more in tune with the DLR vibe. And it makes a marked difference between DLR and WDW -- which is a good thing in my book -- two different resorts, two very different grooves. Just my thoughts...

 

[cinnaminny]

I've walked out of the Alice in Wonderland area bathroom only to have a white rabbit cross my path with Alice. I've also been near a wishing well and ran into an evil queen.

They felt spontaneous, both times hardly anyone else was around. Did I get a picture? Nope, but I have a magical memory that lives in my head. It is fun to get a picture but standing in line for an hour is a totally different feel to running into these characters in their "natural habitat".

 

[lovethesun12]

Thanks for your post! I learned a lot

I can see both sides of this character thing. We just got back from WDW and while there aren't many roaming characters in general, we stayed at BCV and ran into goofy, donald, minnie and daisy quite a few times at the pool/beach and my kids absolutely loved it! We are planning our next Summer vacation (at DL) already and roaming characters were really magical so I'm definitely looking forward to how that works at DL.

On the other hand my son loves Sorcerer Mickey and it was so awesome knowing he would have that meet and greet at WDW and he did love it. My daughter loves Minnie but pretty certain seeing Minnie won't be an issue in DL =)

 

[mouschievous]

Thanks for your post! I learned a lot

I can see both sides of this character thing. We just got back from WDW and while there aren't many roaming characters in general, we stayed at BCV and ran into goofy, donald, minnie and daisy quite a few times at the pool/beach and my kids absolutely loved it! We are planning our next Summer vacation (at DL) already and roaming characters were really magical so I'm definitely looking forward to how that works at DL.

On the other hand my son loves Sorcerer Mickey and it was so awesome knowing he would have that meet and greet at WDW and he did love it. My daughter loves Minnie but pretty certain seeing Minnie won't be an issue in DL =)

There are still meet and greets at Disneyland. We stood in line for many characters. But there are also lots of wandering characters, which is it's own kind of magic, for sure. That first day, when we came around the corner and there was Pluto just hanging out, and that was the kids' very first Disney magic experience, it was amazing. The look of awe from that interaction is not captured in the photos we have from the times they stood in line.

I remember as a kid, wandering characters were the only thing. There were no lines or anything, you just hoped you were in the right place at the right time. My how things have changed!

 

[goooof1]

Saw Alice and the Mad Hatter RIDING in the Teacups with guests !!! Can you imagine sitting in a Teacup, waiting for the ride to start and Alice and the Hatter hop in with you ?!!! magic !!!!
or, sneaking up on Captain Hook ??!! So many FUN interactions when characters are roaming... and that will stick with you !

 

[TikiTikiFan]

My son’s first trip we ran directly into Dale immediately upon entering Main Street and he just scooped him up in a hug and it’s my absolute favorite memory. It was so magical and it was a great introduction for him to the park. The roaming characters truly are magic.

 

[LizzyS]

On Matterhorn if you just lean forward a little bit instead of sitting back it’s way better

I instinctively do this and don't have much problem.

 

[poptart90]

I think one side might be worse than the other lol I do not remember which side.

I've always liked the Matterhorn.

YES!! There’s a huge difference! I went on it a few times (reluctantly) with DS the last trip. Hey, not too bad!!...going on the RIGHT SIDE chute if looking at the mountain from the queue. The last time we ended up on the LEFT SIDE (me in the last car!) and holy bananas I worked so hard to keep myself upright and stable, grunting and sweating bullets, legs shaking and abs quaking...felt like giving birth!!

My advice is request the right side!!

 

[midnight star]

YES!! There’s a huge difference! I went on it a few times (reluctantly) with DS the last trip. Hey, not too bad!!...going on the RIGHT SIDE chute if looking at the mountain from the queue. The last time we ended up on the LEFT SIDE (me in the last car!) and holy bananas I worked so hard to keep myself upright and stable, grunting and sweating bullets, legs shaking and abs quaking...felt like giving birth!!

My advice is request the right side!!

LOL I’m the exact opposite. The left side is so slow to me. I ask for the right side.

 

[midnight star]

LOL I’m the exact opposite. The left side is so slow to me. I ask for the right side.

Gah I meant right side is too slow. LEFT side is my favorite lol

 

[Malcon10t]

I love the roaming characters, but being a DL vet, I know they aren't there to sign autographs or take pics, they are there to "play". I loved having Peter Pan come along and join my granddaughter while we were sitting on a bench waiting on her aunt to ride Matterhorn. Or the Mad Hatter to just take her hand and take off with her! Or Goofy taking my daughter to meet Max! It's fun things that you may not get a photo op, but you get a memory!

 

[Mamabun]

Agree with previous posters totally in that I don't think roaming characters are for autographs and photos, and it's certain to cause you frustration if you try. We were at DL last week and the Beast rode the carousel with us - it was magic - no photo, no meet, but a great memory.

 

[ktlm]

LOL Batterhorn

Batterhorn! That is great! We are forever now going to call it the Batterhorn in my family! DD and I rode it last year after about a 3 year break---- got off and said "Oh yeah, it is as bad as we remember, we are good for another 3 years!" DD was only 12 too-- she said "It hurts!" DH hasn't set foot on it in years.

 

[mickeymom22]

We recently got back from our first family trip to DL. Matterhorn is a one and done for us too! Wow...it is a neck breaker! We are WDW veterans too! We enjoyed the roaming characters. It just seemed to make the interactions more special. The Beast and Belle were roaming when the Beast spotted my youngest daughter. He stopped and spent a lot of time with her. It was sweet. She is 13 so she isn't too much into standing in line to see the characters, but she was thrilled with this spontaneous interaction. For us, WDW wins in the food department. We only ran into one really rude CM. We did notice that the DL CM's while they were nice, they didn't seem to bend over backward as much as WDW CM's do.

We liked maxpass and made great use of it, but I think you have us beat on how many attractions you got to!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I love the roaming characters, but being a DL vet, I know they aren't there to sign autographs or take pics, they are there to "play"... It's fun things that you may not get a photo op, but you get a memory!...

... it was magic - no photo, no meet, but a great memory.

Yes! To me, the roaming characters are about "Magic in the Moment," not about trying to document every minute of your trip. (For that, we do the fixed M&Gs and the character meals.) The roaming characters are great reminders to "be in the moment" and let the magic happen!