Adults in Line to meet Characters

[wld]

While we haven't had problems in line this did remind me of one of our priceless moments. Several years ago it was our first trip to WDW. There were no meet and greets and no lines really. Everyone kind of formed a half circle and most people took turns. My DD was 8 and quite shy. Minnie was there!! She was the biggest kid there I guess because we were there during school season. Anyway every time she would start to walk up to Minnie a littler kidwould run up. Sometimes they were just excited and sometimes, well, parents can be pushy. Anyway after just a couple of minutes Minnie noticed. She put out her hand and stopped all the other little kids or sent them back. She then pointed at my DD and motioned her forward. She was absolutely thrilled.........and Minnie spent a bit of time with her.....

 

[Licorice]

She was in line and a little Kid cut her And when she spoke up the mother said "WEll The Charicters are for Kids not Adults"
For those of you who Feel this way I have one thing to say "WHAT are adults in disney world, THey are Just Big Kids" That is how walt intended it.

I know it is hard for some to believe, but not every adult is in Disney because he or she is a big kid. Some are there to take their kids, nothing more, nothing less. I'm sure most enjoy themselves while they are there, although some sure don't look like it.

I'm not sure what Walt intended, probably to make money.

 

[TDC Nala]

unfortunatly this is probably just one more example of the "WDW is for kids" line of thought...wrong wrong wrong! wish people would get over that as it sure causes lots of problems.

It's not so much the "WDW is for kids" (which we all know isn't entirely true) attitude that is the problem, it's the "WDW is for MY kids first, and you and your kids, if you have any, can wait."

 

[eblack0409]

There have been a few times over the past several years when my daughter (now 23) was in line to have her picture taken with a character, and parents with young children, who are in line behind her, just go ahead of her. I would politely tell them that she was next in line because she would not say anything.

What is the proper etiquette in a situation like this?

I had the same thing happen to me (age 25) when we went in September, and I am one who speaks my mind....I politely reminded the parents that although I realize their kids are excited, they need to wait their turn....after all that is the purpose of having a line. Most just rolled their eyes, but if there isn't a line then it's just chaos!

 

[lorli]

I have always had my daughter with me, but I'm more excited about characters than she is. Even at 4 she said "Mommy, seeing Rabbit made your trip, next time you'll find Daisy." I don't always get a picture but I always have an encounter.

 

[debbiedoo]

When I saw the Tittle I was totally thinking thinking something else
I would and have done exactly what you said and just politly say i was next.
My friend was on Vacation with her Parents and Brother all basically adults it was for her Brothers graduation--- She was in line and a little Kid cut her And when she spoke up the mother said "WEll The Charicters are for Kids not Adults"
For those of you who Feel this way I have one thing to say "WHAT are adults in disney world, THey are Just Big Kids" That is how walt intended it. He created the original Disneyland so that Parents had a place they could play with thier kids not just watch them play he wanted a place to have fun with his daughters.
So where this started THE CHARICTERS ARE FOR EVERYONE
Parents Please remind your kids that mickey loves every one and wants to visit with everyone not just the little kids

Very well said

 

[SaraMc]

My first trip ever to Walt Disney world when I was 11 I saw 1 character the whole entire trip. Prince John. No Mickey, No Minnie nobody. It was 1986 and my parents and I were there at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot for 2 days.
Jump ahead to 1999, Ive always loved everything Disney, I started as a CM with TDS in 1994 and finally decided in 1998 after graduating from University that I was treating myself to a trip to Disneyworld. My bestfriend came along as well. We were in Animal Kingdom in Camp Mickey Minnie. Mel ( my bestfriend) was in line to see Mickey, I was in line to see Goofy. We made it a must to see as many characters as possible and get autographs. We were both 24 at the time. Goofy is one of my all time favorite's. Im the next in line, this very very loud man and his family push me out of the way and go see Goofy. The CM notices me ( In my goofy jacket no less, looking like, what's going on here?) THe CM asks the man, " sir were you next, because I belive this lady was next?" The man says that his kids have been waiting for this trip for months and that the characters are for children. I dont want to make a scene, I just decide to leave. I poliety say that yes, Disneyworld is just for kids and what about all those kids who never got to go when they were kids is that ok for them to be treated like that? ( Now I have to watch really what Im saying because Im wearing a Company D hat, which is a from the Cast member only stores on WDW property for those of you who dont know) The guys tells me to "*&@$!! off!!! And to grow up! The CM working says that that language is innaporpriate and asks the man and his family to leave. Im so upset at this point I start to head down the trail back to find my friend. The man and his family now all yelling at me, ( I was personally thanked for ruining thier vacation) and push by me. Then I feel this hand on my shoulder stopping me and its Goofy and he gives me the biggest hug and basically pulls me back to the photo area, the CM takes my photo, Im crying mostly out of frustration at the jerky guy. Goofy pulls out is hanky from his costume ( he was dressed like a fisherman) and starts to wipe my eyes. So they are the wost pictures of me ever with Goofy but none the less I got my picture with Goofy.

On my way out of Animal Kingdom that day I went to Guest services and told them about how the CM and Goofy made that bad experience a great one and that they needed to be recognized.

Now I make it a habbit that we see as many characters as we can. Now DH and I go and we try to find characters that are hard to find. Coming up in Feb Im looking for Piglet, Rabbit and hoping to find the Evil Queen.

Sara

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Oh SaraMc, bless your heart! That's awful!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I know it is hard for some to believe, but not every adult is in Disney because he or she is a big kid. Some are there to take their kids, nothing more, nothing less. I'm sure most enjoy themselves while they are there, although some sure don't look like it.

I'm not sure what Walt intended, probably to make money.

I'm kind of wondering what the purpose of this post is? Can you explain? Do you think adults should not be in line for characters?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Maxie, I think what Licorice is saying is that you don't have to be a "big kid" to enjoy the characters and whatnot. That you can simply be an who likes the characters. Make sense?

 

[eam]

The CM notices me ( In my goofy jacket no less, looking like, what's going on here?) THe CM asks the man, " sir were you next, because I belive this lady was next?" The man says that his kids have been waiting for this trip for months and that the characters are for children. I dont want to make a scene, I just decide to leave. I poliety say that yes, Disneyworld is just for kids and what about all those kids who never got to go when they were kids is that ok for them to be treated like that?

How sad for you. You deserve to see the characters too -- no matter what age! I am 44, my DH 43 and we just made our first WDW vacation ever. We were pretty excited to see the characters also.

 

[Moosysmom]

A few years ago, I was on the Magic and stood in line for Goofy (who has helped my sister thru many illnesses with his movies), and I wanted a picture so I could give it to her as a souvenier--Anyway, I was behind all the kids and when the kids were done, Goofy started to leave, I asked a CM what about me, and Goofy grabbed my hand, and we walked to the rail of the ship and posed for a picture. (sorry I know this is about cutting in line),
Anyway,
When I was in the Park for my birthday the beginning of October-I wanted my picture with Mickey in all the Parks and as I was alone, there were quite a few times, people tried to cut in front of me---I just stood my ground and said I'm next. There were a few times the line was cut off right after me, and I'd here but she's alone, I guess I've gotten used to it and just try to patiently wait my turn.

 

[Darian]

At least there ARE lines at WDW. My DW and I went to Disneyland in California this July and chaos reined there. Everyone was massing around the characters and handlers in large semi-circles of pushing & jostling. The aggressive and rude got their photos & autographes while the polite and timid got walked over, stepped on and pushed aside. It was very ugly. I asked the CM about it (the lack of lines) and he replied that lines were incompatible with the culture of many guests. So to improve "guest relations" they were eliminated. I replied that this policy is unbelievable and undisney. I filed a complaint at City Hall. <sigh> I just don't understand this thinking. Am I wrong about this?

 

[Licorice]

I'm kind of wondering what the purpose of this post is? Can you explain? Do you think adults should not be in line for characters?

I think it is fine for adults to enjoy the characters and wait in line to see them if it is your cup of tea. We do not plan our vacation around meeting characters. Not every adult that goes to Disney is a big kid who was somehow deprived of Disney as a child, and needs to meet characters or their life would not be complete. We go because we enjoy going as a family. We go every 2-3 years, mostly because it is the kids choice. I enjoy Disney, but I enjoy other vacations just as much.

Having a child doesn't give you the right to cut the line. Adults with children should explain to them why there is a line, and insist that they wait their turn. Everybody should play by the same rules. I can't think of a better way to teach your kids about waiting in lines than to take them to Disney. If they don't understand, they will after a few days at Disney!!!

I mostly posted, because the the other poster's notion of Walt's intention in building Disneyland, for kids and "big kids". I'd bet that if he didn't think he'd make any money, there would be no DisneyLand/World.

 

[phisigprincess]

When I was there for my senior trip, some guy with his kids started literally yelling about how his kids weren't going to see the characters because certain adults who didn't need to see the characters were in line before him. He was making this HUGE scene because I was in front of his kids. (And it was just me, not a whole group or anything). I pretended like I didn't hear him (because I didn't want to make an even bigger scene) but he just kept yelling about how they should kick me out of line, etc. etc. Luckily a CM intervened on my behalf, but it was unreal!! People get crazy in WDW!

 

[pjlla]

I mostly posted, because the the other poster's notion of Walt's intention in building Disneyland, for kids and "big kids". I'd bet that if he didn't think he'd make any money, there would be no DisneyLand/World.

Totally off topic, but I must reply....

I just finished reading an excellent biography of Walt Disney. And I truly believe that he did NOT build DL to make money. He was a very talented, gifted, creative man who enjoyed trying new ventures. And he and his company were in DEBT most of the time. He never had any real person wealth until later in life. I believe that he intended DL to make money to support itself, but I don't believe he built it to increase his personal wealth. DL was an ENORMOUS risk to build. It cost a LOT of money.... he put his family in personal debt, borrowed on his life insurance, ect to build it. And he had NO assurances that DL would pay for itself, let alone show a profit in the future. I think that he just ENJOYED CREATING and enjoyed the challenge of creating something new and different. I'm sure that the financial security that eventually came with the success of DL was welcomed, but I don't believe it was the REASON that he created DL.

Just a difference point of view here, not trying to start anything..............P

BTW, I LOVE the characters. Even if the kids don't care to wait to meet a particular character, I will wait alone while they go on a ride. We have had trouble with line cutters, but not real often. As a previous poster mentioned, probably more trouble in DL than at WDW.... but maybe because it was a busier time of year??..............P

 

[jordancej]

Well, last year was my first time at Disney.... (I was 36) And man did me and my mom go crazy with the characters!! We freaked out everytime we saw them, so say the least we felt like the "big kids". We saw so many, and got such awesome pics! One in particular i love, it with me and my sister. It seems like everytime she gets something, i always buy it. So when people see us, they ask if are twins. (we are 3 years apart). Anyway, we found tweedle dum and tweedle tee... and got a picture with them!!! What fun we had!! I'm trying to find the link that my sister made with our pics.

So, i dont think you are ever too old to have a pics made with the characters.

 

[jordancej]

Ok here it is!!

 

[MaryannF]

Thanks for this thread. DD,DS,DDinlaw and I will be in WDW in December. It is my DDinlaws first time to WDW and she is excited to have pictures taken with the characters. She even asked me if I thought she could get autographs. She asked my DD if people would mind that she was in line with all the little kids. I told her that WDW if for everyone not just kids and that if she wanted to stand in line then we would make sure that pictures get taken and she can ask for autographs. I'll have to buy her an autograph book and fat pen as soon as we land.

 

[dani0622]

There have been a few times over the past several years when my daughter (now 23) was in line to have her picture taken with a character, and parents with young children, who are in line behind her, just go ahead of her. I would politely tell them that she was next in line because she would not say anything.

What is the proper etiquette in a situation like this?

I think you already displayed proper etiquette My husband and I are in our 30's and while I have been to WDW many times at many ages, my DH had his first trip several years ago with me when he was in his early 30s. We both love getting our pics with characters, me moreso than him. But he did love the princesses! We have been fortunate enough to never have anyone say anything while we were in line, but if it ever did happen, I would react the same way as OP.

I also wanted to add on to what was already said about Walt making money. I too have read many books and articles on him and agree that money was not his ultimate goal. Like mentioned previously, the man was in debt most of his life and what he did have was put into building the parks and making the movies.