Adults without kids - why do you visit characters?

[Hrhpd]

While I find it odd, it is none of my business. If it brings pleasure than so be it. As long as they (anybody whether kids or adults) don't monopolize the character, then I have no problem with it.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Is the 5 year old incapable of waiting just a bit longer?

(Actually in the past I have seen posters state that adults without kids should not be waiting in line to ride anything in Fantasyland. I've also seen posters state that people unaccompanied by children should not be able to book reservations at character meals. So some really do believe adults have no place there, although the adults do have as much right to be wherever in the park they wish to be as anyone else does.)

Disney has to pay the bills, and I am sure that it is the adult ticket prices that make it possible for many people to bring their children to Disney parks.
I have never flown First Class, but how much would my Coach ticket cost without those First Class flyers?

 

[jeankeri]

I've been wondering that myself since a not so pixie dust experience with Peter Pan. Was totally weird about the interaction, like there was something wrong with me because I wanted to get a picture with him Since then I make one of my sons stand with me.

 

[SanFranciscan]

This kind of reminds me of something that happened a few years ago. When DH and I were still dating we went to Disney and it was his first time ever. We met some friends who had recently moved to FL and they hadn’t been going to Disney for very long themselves. I was the most seasoned Disney traveler by far.

Well, we were leaving the MK midday and there weren’t a lot of people leaving at that time so when we were walking up the ramp to the monorail and we just missed one, I asked the CM if we could ride up front with the driver. They said sure and told us where to go.

I didn’t notice, but my friends did, there was a woman behind me with 2 kids who gave me a dirty look and called me that B word that rhymes with witch under her breath. My friends didn’t even tell me until after we were away from her, but I was like really? Don’t my friends and I have just as much right to enjoy this as anyone? If you want to do it then just do what my parents used to do: politely wait the few short minutes for the next one.

I do believe that there is a certain percentage of parents who wanted children solely to get preferential treatment as parents. These parents often show less maturity than their minor children. I think that this woman using hostile language against a harmless stranger in front of her children fits that description.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I see no problem with an adult taking a picture with a character. However no one adult or child should over do it and use up all the characters time.

 

[tony609]

I've been wondering that myself since a not so pixie dust experience with Peter Pan. Was totally weird about the interaction, like there was something wrong with me because I wanted to get a picture with him Since then I make one of my sons stand with me.

I had one with Peter and Wendy once, mostly Wendy she was a real .... But it didn't nor has it stopped me. I do prefer full costume over face characters though.

 

[juliebug1997]

I had one with Peter and Wendy once, mostly Wendy she was a real .... But it didn't nor has it stopped me. I do prefer full costume over face characters though.

That's sad! We've seen Peter (the same friend) several times and he always comments that we must still believe in magic and that it's good that adults like us do. Then we have to pose like him, with our arms crossed and legs apart.

 

[gator girl]

I kind of pity the people who are too "mature" for character meets or look down their noses at riding certain rides and are unable to let their sense of wonder out to romp, even in a place built around playful fantasies. It seems a rather joyless way to live.

 

[jeankeri]

That's sad! We've seen Peter (the same friend) several times and he always comments that we must still believe in magic and that it's good that adults like us do. Then we have to pose like him, with our arms crossed and legs apart.

Oh, I wish I had your Peter Pan! The one I had gave me a strange look and said, "Your had goes there"- pointing to his shoulder. Like I was about to put it somewhere else??? Now, I met Capt. Hook and he was very fun. Actually every other character, not Pan

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the characters the first time DH and I went together alone. But having grown up going to Disney, it took me straight back to childhood the minute I hugged one! He enjoyed it too. There's just nothing like a hug from Mickey or Pooh to make you feel better.

I don't bother with the autographs personally, but would not have a problem if someone did. It sounds like the guy you witnessed was taking too long, but I'd think that of anyone: solo adults or families.

I will say too that I've found the face characters aren't always as friendly. The experiences seem a bit rote sometime, and they move on quickly (at character meals).

 

[Fantasmiss]

AGREE!! I find that's always the case with judgemental people; they're the ones missing out because of their own short sightedness.

I kind of pity the people who are too "mature" for character meets or look down their noses at riding certain rides and are unable to let their sense of wonder out to romp, even in a place built around playful fantasies. It seems a rather joyless way to live.

 

[Cms674]

We made our first trip as a family this past April and I sometimes think I had more fun than my kids. Our youngest son and I stood in line to see Winnie the Pooh while my wife and other son were doing something else. I'll let you in on a secret... I am a lifelong Pooh fan. I love him. So our son was a "front" for his Dad.

We get to Pooh and our son gets a big hug. Next thing I know Pooh turns to me with arms wide open and gave me a big hug.

38 years old and I got teary eyed by a hug from Pooh.

The pic of me standing there smiling with Pooh shocked my friends, who thought I considered myself too " manly " or something. I just laugh and explain when Pooh Bear wants to hug you, you hug. Unfortunately my wife didnt have the camera ready for the hug. I wish she did !

Walking in those gates every care I had vanished.

"Oh to be a kid again." ?

Just go to Disney.

 

[Royal Consort]

We made our first trip as a family this past April and I sometimes think I had more fun than my kids. Our youngest son and I stood in line to see Winnie the Pooh while my wife and other son were doing something else. I'll let you in on a secret... I am a lifelong Pooh fan. I love him. So our son was a "front" for his Dad.

We get to Pooh and our son gets a big hug. Next thing I know Pooh turns to me with arms wide open and gave me a big hug.

38 years old and I got teary eyed by a hug from Pooh.

The pic of me standing there smiling with Pooh shocked my friends, who thought I considered myself too " manly " or something. I just laugh and explain when Pooh Bear wants to hug you, you hug. Unfortunately my wife didnt have the camera ready for the hug. I wish she did !

Walking in those gates every care I had vanished.

"Oh to be a kid again." ?

Just go to Disney.

Nice to see another guy getting into the spirit of it! Awesome.

And why not!

 

[kimmer1850]

Hey, who doesn't love a man in uniform? Hello, sailor!

Also who doesn't love a man with no pants?

 

[chigirl]

My first trip to Disney was when I was 7, in 1976, with my beloved Grandpa, whom I was visiting in Florida because he moved there from Chicago where we all lived. I was devastated when he and my grandma moved, but he promised me a trip to WDW to cheer me up...I swear, my Grandpa, who was 67 at the time and a crabbish old guy (think Walter Mattheu in Grumpy Old Men) kept saying before the trip, "We are leaving at 4pm to get back to St. Pete and you each get ONE book of tickets!"

...well, 4pm came and went and Grandpa said, "We are NOT leaving!" and he continued to buy more books of tickets! I rode Peter Pan with him and he was as bright-eyed as me! He was enthralled with every part of WDW!

Ar one point during the day, he posed for a picture with Snow White.....he had on an old-man cardigan, a wrinkly face, plaid shirt, suspenders and what I guess could be called a "trucker hat" (it was his Operating Engineers Local 150 hat) and the BIGGEST grin posing with Snow White!!! To this day, our family treasures this photo. Grandpa died the next year, so it was our only trip to WDW with him, but every time I see a character, it reminds me of him.
He was an elderly man (people were OLDER, I swear in the 1970s), but so happy to be posing with Snow White, and so child-like in WDW...the character interaction has always been one of the best parts of every trip to WDW and I look forward to more in September, as do my teenaged kids. WDW is my fountain of youth.

 

[chigirl]

We made our first trip as a family this past April and I sometimes think I had more fun than my kids. Our youngest son and I stood in line to see Winnie the Pooh while my wife and other son were doing something else. I'll let you in on a secret... I am a lifelong Pooh fan. I love him. So our son was a "front" for his Dad.

We get to Pooh and our son gets a big hug. Next thing I know Pooh turns to me with arms wide open and gave me a big hug.

38 years old and I got teary eyed by a hug from Pooh.

The pic of me standing there smiling with Pooh shocked my friends, who thought I considered myself too " manly " or something. I just laugh and explain when Pooh Bear wants to hug you, you hug. Unfortunately my wife didnt have the camera ready for the hug. I wish she did !

Walking in those gates every care I had vanished.

"Oh to be a kid again." ?

Just go to Disney.

"FEELS"!!!!
Your story got me misty eyed!!!

 

[kirstenb1]

My first trip to Disney was when I was 7, in 1976, with my beloved Grandpa, whom I was visiting in Florida because he moved there from Chicago where we all lived. I was devastated when he and my grandma moved, but he promised me a trip to WDW to cheer me up...I swear, my Grandpa, who was 67 at the time and a crabbish old guy (think Walter Mattheu in Grumpy Old Men) kept saying before the trip, "We are leaving at 4pm to get back to St. Pete and you each get ONE book of tickets!"

...well, 4pm came and went and Grandpa said, "We are NOT leaving!" and he continued to buy more books of tickets! I rode Peter Pan with him and he was as bright-eyed as me! He was enthralled with every part of WDW!

Ar one point during the day, he posed for a picture with Snow White.....he had on an old-man cardigan, a wrinkly face, plaid shirt, suspenders and what I guess could be called a "trucker hat" (it was his Operating Engineers Local 150 hat) and the BIGGEST grin posing with Snow White!!! To this day, our family treasures this photo. Grandpa died the next year, so it was our only trip to WDW with him, but every time I see a character, it reminds me of him.
He was an elderly man (people were OLDER, I swear in the 1970s), but so happy to be posing with Snow White, and so child-like in WDW...the character interaction has always been one of the best parts of every trip to WDW and I look forward to more in September, as do my teenaged kids. WDW is my fountain of youth.

I love this, and can picture every word you wrote!!

 

[si-am]

Oh, I wish I had your Peter Pan! The one I had gave me a strange look and said, "Your had goes there"- pointing to his shoulder. Like I was about to put it somewhere else??? Now, I met Capt. Hook and he was very fun. Actually every other character, not Pan

I've read a couple of stories about a snarky Peter Pan. Wonder if it's the same guy?

 

[msmith07101]

Well, for me because it is just fun to see the characters...the ones that go back to when I was a kid, and the ones from when my boys(now teens) were little. For me, WDW is a magical place...and the characters are part of that magic. Think of what it would be like without those characters?? Not quite the same experience...whether you stand in line for a meet and greet, or photo, or watch them in a parade, or just see them strolling around the parks...they are part of what makes a trip to WDW what it is. I don't stand in line or seek out characters on a trip to WDW, but on our Disney cruise I sure did! Characters are abundant on the cruise, and I have lots of photos of me with Captain Jack, MM, Lilo, Captain Hook, Carl fro the movie Up...and many others! It is all part of the experience of a Disney vacation

 

[stitchrulz]

We've also waited in line for character pics (no autographs). The very first time was in Toontown with Mickey. I convinced my DH we should get a picture with Mickey, so we patiently waited our turn. When we got up to Mickey, my DH tells him something to the effect that it was all my idea to come see him. Mickey "stomped" on DH's foot and wagged his finger at him. Then, he put his arms around us both as we're cracking up. It made for a great Disney memory. I also have a fantastic picture of Minnie kissing my DH on the top of his bald head.

We haven't done character pics for a while, but I still can't help but smile and get a flutter in my heart when I see them. Isn't that what it's all about?