I started out quoting people in the beginning of this post, but there were so many, and I didn't want my post to be huge so I'll just respond
We are a childless couple, not by choice, however we LOVE Disney and go every year, we were married in the wedding pavilion, and it's our happy place
The title of this post totally infuriated me, but I'll leave it at that.
I wanted to respond to the parade issue being discussed. We have had this happen SO many times. We get there early, stake out our spot, 5 minutes before the parade, little cutie pie comes up behind us and the parents (often not even nicely) ask for cutie pie to go in front of us. We politely say yes, we're tall, we can see over cutie pie. For the next 10 minutes cutie pie is back and forth over us, around us, mommy, I need____, mommy, can I have my _______, mommy, come stand with me. So then mommy proceeds to join cutie pie. Followed by dad with the camera, and soon enough grandma, grandma, and the whole crew. Disney is for EVERYONE, and I get tired of people who act like the happiness of their children is more important than ours because we're adults.
It may be because my first experience with this was actually at the age of 16. We lost my dad to cancer, and my mom took us to WDW for the first Christmas after that because it was just too hard to be home. My sisters and I were 16, 14, and 11. It was our first time EVER in WDW, and we were so happy to meet the characters (16 in the 90's was a little more innocent than it is now
) Now this was Christmas week, so it was BUSY, tensions were high with many families. This woman in line proceeded to yell at my sisters and I because we were "teenagers" (we are tall and probably looked older than we were) and her little one was having to wait longer because "teenagers" were wasting the time of the characters.
It feels like I could have written the same with some changes, I so feel where you are coming from
My DH and I can't have children (believe you me, if we could I'd be over the moon, alas, it hasn't happened and it probably never will).
I first visited WDW at age 24. I grew up in Europe, I never dreamed that I would visit a Disney park, not even
Disneyland Paris, because it was too far and my family didn't have the time or resources.
When I became an adult I ended up living in Florida, and I lived here for 4 years without even giving WDW a second thought, since I never dreamed of going there, I just didn't think "Oh, hold on, I am so close! I should visit!"
It wasn't until I ended up going to the hospital and nearly loosing my life in the process that my DH decided I needed to cheer up and have an escape.
He chose WDW. The very first time we went I felt apprehensive about visiting characters, I was still recovering from surgery, and rather sad, so I didn't feel like encountering judgmental adults that would give me evil looks or outright be nasty about me waiting in line for something they perceived was too childish.
I had read posts from people like that online, so I refrained from booking character meals or waiting on meet and greet lines... until one morning at MK.
DH and I are early birds, and we were strolling around by the carousel of progress on a rather empty park when suddenly Stitch came out of nowhere, ran to me and started playing with me. I was delighted and it was so much fun! We played together for a long while with my DH and the character handler playing along as well, and suddenly I didn't feel so silly.
I understood it was part of the experience, that it wasn't just meant for kids, and that I could play along if I wanted. It also made me feel like a carefree 7 year old again, if only for a bit.
DH and decided to renew our vows at WDW, for many reasons, sentimental and practical ones. Our ceremony was very formal, same with our reception (we had a justice of the peace courtroom wedding when we first got married, so we did it up this time), one of the things I struggled with while planning our Disney Fairy Tale renewal, was wether or not to have Mickey and Minnie come in to entertain guests at our reception.
My planner said that they ALWAYS were a hit, even in adult-only weddings. We had kids at ours, so we booked them thinking, at least us two and the kids would have a ball with it.
Well, to my surprise, when Mickey and Minnie arrived (dressed on their finest clothes), all of the adults, even the most serious and non fun-loving ones were sooo excited! Everybody wanted to hug Mickey and Minnie, and all of them wanted to dance with them.
I don't fret anymore about being judged for meeting characters. Life is too short, one day you are there, the next you are not. If I wanted to go on a more mature holiday, I would probably just go somewhere else (and I do, but Disney World is so close, we go rather often). Waiting for characters to me is just part of the Disney experience, just like waiting for rides, fireworks, parades.
I might also point out that, thanks to having experience meeting characters, I am a much better Disney guide to my nieces, nephews and friends who have never been to WDW or are experiencing it at a young age. I know what to expect, how to interact with them and help them have an awesome time.
One of my favorite things now is to take my friends and family regardless of the age, to meet their favorite character. There is nothing quite as sweet/fun as watching a grown man suddenly remember what it was like to be a little kid again when Mickey interacts with them.
Do I wait in very long lines to meet characters? Only at ticketed events for rare ones, like villains or Rapunzel along with Flyn, because they are not normally around and they are part of the party deal. Otherwise, I only go meet characters when I know the lines will be short or if I happen to see them standing somewhere without anybody coming by to play. I do book character meals on time to time, and I have a ball along with DH or friends that come along with us.
people just run into you with out looking back.
