Adults without kids - why do you visit characters?

[DznyCrzy11]

Have no problem with anyone seeing characters, young, old, 50, sick or not. I just have more tolerance for kids who may not know any better, than adults who DEFINITELY know better when it comes to common courtesy.

So the adults with the kids don't know better either? As the adult and parent, they have the responsibility of pulling their child away when their time is up.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

I'm genuinely curious why adults without kids visit characters. Obviously by that point in your life, you know that it's not *really* Mickey or a princess standing in front of you and you don't actually have Cinderella's signature in your book, so what's the draw to the characters?

I'm asking because on our trip last week, we were in line to see Tiana and there was a couple who were most likely in their mid-20's a couple of families in front of us. They both had autograph books and the guy took an unusually long time talking to Tiana and doing different poses with her. So much so that that one mom in front of us started getting testy and said in a loud voice "Come on. There are KIDS waiting to see her. You had your time."

Now I do get that Disney is not just for kids, but I don't understand why an adult would stand in line to meet a character. Character meals are a little different since you get food there, but all you get in a character line is to meet the character. Can you tell that I really can't wait until my girls don't want to stand in character lines any more?

And why wouldn't you? I'll admit, I was one of those shy kids that did not want their picture taken with a character, now I would any day! The first year my husband and I went there together (his 1st time there) we had got pictures with Minnie & Mickey at MK and Chip & Dale at DHS, that was back in 2003 so it's been awhile. The only time we get pictures with them now is at the character meals, otherwise my husband could care less. Me on the other hand.......I'm still waiting for my picture with Beauty and the Beast, hehehe.

 

[Douvres Family]

I'm genuinely curious why adults without kids visit characters. Obviously by that point in your life, you know that it's not *really* Mickey or a princess standing in front of you and you don't actually have Cinderella's signature in your book, so what's the draw to the characters?

I'm asking because on our trip last week, we were in line to see Tiana and there was a couple who were most likely in their mid-20's a couple of families in front of us. They both had autograph books and the guy took an unusually long time talking to Tiana and doing different poses with her. So much so that that one mom in front of us started getting testy and said in a loud voice "Come on. There are KIDS waiting to see her. You had your time."

Now I do get that Disney is not just for kids, but I don't understand why an adult would stand in line to meet a character. Character meals are a little different since you get food there, but all you get in a character line is to meet the character. Can you tell that I really can't wait until my girls don't want to stand in character lines any more?

I really don’t understand this "?". Well, let me rephrase that. Most adults that are kids at heart and especially Disney fans might understand.

When I was engaged to my DH we stood on line for 45min at Macy's 34th to take a picture with Santa. After our honeymoon, our following vacation was WDW...no kids yet.
When our son was born we were all just as eager to ride Thomas the Tank Engine, and meet Sesame Street characters, WB characters, and especially Disney characters.
It's not creepy or absurd...it’s just being young at heart. When there were adults in front of us taking their time with the characters...we had fun with it too. ITS NICE to see other ppl happy having fun. I guess it helped that my son was hardly ever crossed or cranky.

It appears the woman in front of you didn’t feel the Disney Magic or wasn’t touched by any pixie dust. She obviously doesn’t know Mary Poppins (and I don’t mean that literally)

Pesonally, I have a very stressful job. I look forward to my Disney Vacations, water parks, and roller coasters. I love running into adults without children in the parks...and enjoying the magic of it...characters and all!

 

[Douvres Family]

You are telling me mickey is just in a costume and we shouldn't interact with him we should just stand there and take a pic and leave

if i was to tell my mom that she would be like "mickey's real and that i should have to wash my mouth out with soap for all that nonsense" good ole mom my mom and even my dad love to joke around with the characters and if people waiting think they are taking up too much time with the character tough luck adults have just as much as a right to be with characters as kids do.

maybe it was how i was raised but I love going to character meals and taking pics with the characters they are a lot of fun and when i take all my college age friends to disney we always take wait in line and take pics with characters and usually we are the only adults in line but we don't care and we have a good time

 

[PAcpl]

I know a couple of CMs that are characters and they both have the same attitude when it comes to grown ups in line. The kids are great, but it is a VERY nice change to get a grown up to talk to. Especially the CMs who play princesses and can really interact back and forth.

 

[UpstateMick]

So the adults with the kids don't know better either? As the adult and parent, they have the responsibility of pulling their child away when their time is up.

Don't have a problem with them at all...the majority of parents with kids I have encountered in lines...and I have happily stood in many of those lines with my daughter... have been 100X better at spending an appropriate amount of time than the groups of just adults I have watched interact with Mickey and the gang Not saying they can't or shouldn't...just hoping they might be a little more self-aware

 

[stitchrulz]

Don't have a problem with them at all...the majority of parents with kids I have encountered in lines...and I have happily stood in many of those lines with my daughter... have been 100X better at spending an appropriate amount of time than the groups of just adults I have watched interact with Mickey and the gang Not saying they can't or shouldn't...just hoping they might be a little more self-aware

Once again, the adults have the same "right" to take their time with the characters as everyone else who waited in line. I've been to Disney many times, and I don't recall there being a huge problem with roving bands of adults clogging up the character meet and greets. As a matter of fact, some of those families take quite a long time while everyone else is waiting in line. So, shouldn't they be more "self-aware" as well? BTW, those without children patiently wait for many, many things where families are concerned without complaint (sometimes even with poor screaming/crying kiddos who are worn out). It might be good to keep that in mind as well.

Bottom line is, some folks honestly just don't think adults really should be there "taking time away" from the children period, and that's fine. Unfortunately, at Disney, we're ALL children! Heck, Disney even had an entire promo based on that. Remember, the one where mom and dad shrink to "become" children, riding and running around the park in over-sized clothes with their kids?

EVERYONE should be courteous and respectful.

 

[UpstateMick]

... I don't recall there being a huge problem with roving bands of adults clogging up the character meet and greets. As a matter of fact, some of those families take quite a long time while everyone else is waiting in line. So, shouldn't they be more "self-aware" as well?

Bottom line is, some folks honestly just don't think adults really should be there "taking time away" from the children period, and that's fine. Unfortunately, at Disney, we're ALL children! Heck, Disney even had an entire promo based on that. Remember, the one where mom and dad shrink to "become" children, riding and running around the park in over-sized clothes with their kids?

EVERYONE should be courteous and respectful.

Well, I'm glad you didn't see a problem, but I certainly did. Bottom line, as I stated before, if you pay to get in, you deserve what everyone else gets...I agree. Most people that I have encountered are both respectful and courteous as well, but that doesn't mean that they are always self-aware. Get in line, have a great time, but just be aware of your surroundings.

 

[LilyWDW]

Well, I'm glad you didn't see a problem, but I certainly did. Bottom line, as I stated before, if you pay to get in, you deserve what everyone else gets...I agree. Most people that I have encountered are both respectful and courteous as well, but that doesn't mean that they are always self-aware. Get in line, have a great time, but just be aware of your surroundings.

Okay... then what is the "right" amount of time to spend with a character? Is it different if it is an adult versus a child? Is it different if it is obvious that the character is starting and keeping up interaction with the person?

 

[UpstateMick]

Okay... then what is the "right" amount of time to spend with a character? Is it different if it is an adult versus a child? Is it different if it is obvious that the character is starting and keeping up interaction with the person?

Adults: 37 seconds per adult x number of character(s) interaction (add 4 seconds per every 5 years after 50) (subtract 6 seconds for college students and/or wedding parties).

Families: 54 seconds per child x number of character(s) interaction (add 9 seconds for ages 2 and under) (subtract 3 seconds per year after 8 until the 37 second mark of adulthood is attained).

Problem solved (barring any reduction of EMH or increase in DDP fees...oh wait!)

 

[juliebug1997]

Have no problem with anyone seeing characters, young, old, 50, sick or not. I just have more tolerance for kids who may not know any better, than adults who DEFINITELY know better when it comes to common courtesy.

I'm confused. What does common courtesy have to do with why adults visit characters?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Okay... then what is the "right" amount of time to spend with a character? Is it different if it is an adult versus a child? Is it different if it is obvious that the character is starting and keeping up interaction with the person?

I think this is key. I think every once in a while I wound up with a "longer" character interaction because the character initiated it. Right around the time that the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel was released, I was at Disneyland and asked Chip and Dale when Disney was going to come to their senses give them a movie since they were infinitely cooler than those squirrels.

Next thing I knew, Chip and Dale proceeded to show me precisely why they should be in a movie. Let me tell you, you've never seen The Matrix until you've seen it reenacted by 5 foot tall chipmunks.

So, if you want to know why, I as a single adult male in his mid 30s stands in lines to see characters, this is why. Seeing Chip and Dale recreate The Matrix by the Disneyland Opera House was priceless. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for their antics that I've witnessed.

I always try to be respectful of other guests. To be honest, sometimes I think that autograph books shorten your interaction because the signing takes up so much of your time.

 

[visualgirl]

Shouldn't it be the cast members/photographer controlling how quickly people are going through? With that said, I'm 42 years old with no children and every time my husband and I are in any of the parks we stop to meet the characters. It brings me such indescribable joy when I'm hugging or shaking hands with a character. For just that one moment in time I'm an innocent child again. I wish I could bottle it and take a swig whenever I'm in the middle of my daily doldrums.

 

[UpstateMick]

I'm confused. What does common courtesy have to do with why adults visit characters?

To alleviate your confusion, I was commenting on the awareness of the actual one-one-one character time that anyone is spending in the meets/greets. The common courtesy is the awareness not to monopolize the time. Hope that helps.

 

[stitchrulz]

Shouldn't it be the cast members/photographer controlling how quickly people are going through? With that said, I'm 42 years old with no children and every time my husband and I are in any of the parks we stop to meet the characters. It brings me such indescribable joy when I'm hugging or shaking hands with a character. For just that one moment in time I'm an innocent child again. I wish I could bottle it and take a swig whenever I'm in the middle of my daily doldrums.

Absolutely. I'm sure if ANYONE, adults or families, is really taking up too much time, they've been trained in polite ways to move them along. Isn't that part of the handler's role, after all? They have no problem cutting off the line when it's time to go, so I'm quite certain they could cut off a too-long interaction as well. I think the issue is the perception of those waiting in line on how long it's taking. Time always crawls when you're standing in the line, but it seems to fly once you get up there. People have to wait while families drop bottles, fumble for pens and autograph books, situate the kiddos in the proper spacing, get individual pics with each person, try to get the crying one to stop, and on and on and on. That's just part of it. And, it's clear some don't think those without children should be there at all, so even one nanosecond beyond snapping the pic is too long.

 

[Cherinva]

Because I like to....not that I stand in long lines to "meet" characters, but if I run accross them and they aren't busy, I will ask to have my picture taken with them. It's fun...it's Disney...why not?

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Absolutely. I'm sure if ANYONE, adults or families, is really taking up too much time, they've been trained in polite ways to move them along. Isn't that part of the handler's role, after all? They have no problem cutting off the line when it's time to go, so I'm quite certain they could cut off a too-long interaction as well. I think the issue is the perception of those waiting in line on how long it's taking. Time always crawls when you're standing in the line, but it seems to fly once you get up there. People have to wait while families drop bottles, fumble for pens and autograph books, situate the kiddos in the proper spacing, get individual pics with each person, try to get the crying one to stop, and on and on and on. That's just part of it. And, it's clear some don't think those without children should be there at all, so even one nanosecond beyond snapping the pic is too long.

Exactly! Sometimes I am annoyed by those crying and screaming kids, or the parents who take so much stuff in the parks with them that they take a year long to find what they need before the meet and photo, when they should have already been prepared.

I think the bottom line is being a child does not automatically grant you additional time with a character. Whether you're an adult or child, the time a character spends with each guest should be about equal.

 

[Butterbunkins]

Shouldn't it be the cast members/photographer controlling how quickly people are going through? With that said, I'm 42 years old with no children and every time my husband and I are in any of the parks we stop to meet the characters. It brings me such indescribable joy when I'm hugging or shaking hands with a character. For just that one moment in time I'm an innocent child again. I wish I could bottle it and take a swig whenever I'm in the middle of my daily doldrums.

From my encounters this IS how it is. When DH and I (no kids ) stand in line, we wait our turn and the CM "bodyguard" along with the photopass CM kind of indicate when it's your turn and when your time is up. Little kids don't always get the clues, but most of their parents are good about moving them along. Adults by themselves almost always get it, say goodbye and thank you to the character and go on their way.

No one is timing anything. Kids that are more outgoing tend to get a little more face time than the shy kids. Just as when DH and I were on our honeymoon the characters tended to have more interaction with us because of our buttons than on past trips.

Anytime I have waited a long time to see a character it's because the line was long, not because ANYONE has over stayed their time.

 

[juliebug1997]

To alleviate your confusion, I was commenting on the awareness of the actual one-one-one character time that anyone is spending in the meets/greets. The common courtesy is the awareness not to monopolize the time. Hope that helps.

No, I'm still confused. Are you saying that adults are the ONLY people who monopolize time with characters? I've stood behind a family that took so long with a character (close to five minutes), that I ended up missing meeting Rabbit. I've stood behind adults who take less than two minutes.

 

[Jungle mansion]

Disney is the place where kids get to be kids and adults get to be kids. If an adult wants to visit Mickey or Snow White let them! I cant see any reason why they shouldn't. I thought disney was the place to meet your childhood heroes!