Any one seen Jiminy?

[loriandmatt]

I won't go into the story of my long love affair with Mr. Cricket (i have on these boards many times in the past) but suffice it to say that i have been searching for him to no avail for a few years now.

A while back, i got my hopes up by having some folks post that they had met him.
During my last visit, i made a hard effort to:
- call the Character info line before leaving FW each day and asking if/when/where Jiminy might be out that day
- ask every CM "escorting" every other character i saw if Jiminy ever makes an appearance
- stoped by the info desk at the front of each park and asked of his whereabouts

All the answers were always the same: He only does meet and greets on or around Earth Day.

BUMMER!

Any one see him in the last year (or two) when it was not on or around Earth Day? If so where? Did you stumble upon him by accident, or get info from someone/place? If you did get a tip off, from where?

- lori

 

[meeko_33785]

Jiminy is a very rare Cricket indeed. I have not personally seen him since 2000 when he and Pinocchio were over in the Italy Pavillion in EPCOT, but I know that he sometimes makes appearences on the Characters on Holiday Bus at EPCOT and at the Sorcerer's Hat in the afternoons at MGM (although not very often . )

 

[ktglads]

I got to see the cricket in May 2003 (the 18th to be exact)! This was during the Flower and Garden Festival. He was on the characters on holiday bus in Epcot.

This was totally by accident, since we have tried to get the info about him before. We weren't going to stay for the bus, but once we saw him, well, we had to stay. I mean, how many people call friends at home to brag that they met him?

I think it may have just been pure luck, but he is around on days other than Earthday.

 

[crazywig]

i'm pretty sure i also saw him on the epcot character bus back in january.

 

[WendyCFG]

Loriandmatt:

you mentioned the "Character info line"... What is that?

Our favorite thing to do in Disney is meet the characters. We do 2 character meals everyday and spend the rest of our time running between meet and greet spots. I've never heard of an info line... Would you mind to send the number?

Thanks, Wendy

 

[loriandmatt]

wendy - not sure of the number or if you can get to it from the "outside", but while staying at a WDW resort, from any house phone (either in your room or at the comfort stations in FW) you can call the two or three digit number for park info and when a person picks up ask to speak to the person who would have the character appearance info for the day.

You can name a character and they can tell you if/when/where that character is scheduled to appear that day.

- lori

 

[WendyCFG]

Thanks!!!

We stay on site... but I didn't know I could do that! That's the best tip I've found since our last trip. Thank you... Thank you ... Thank you

Wendy

 

[HugsForEeyore]

ktglads wrote:

I got to see the cricket in May 2003 (the 18th to be exact)! This was during the Flower and Garden Festival. He was on the characters on holiday bus in Epcot.

This was the exact same time I saw Jiminy Cricket, too!! I was there at Epcot on Sunday May 18th, and had no idea he would be there! I also had to meet him when I saw him on that bus - got pics and an autograph! He was wearing an orange Home Depot apron, I guess for the Flower Festival. I love meeting characters and I never thought I would ever find him!

WendyCFG - you sound just like my family! All we want to do is meet characters and see who's around. I also run around between meet and greet spots! Nice to know I am not the only one! I spend hours in Dinoland on my last trip just to find Conniesaurus!!

As for asking CM's, don't put all your trust in them to call about locating characters. One time I asked at MK Guest Services if Brer Bear would be out that day. The CM told me no - Brer Bear hardly ever makes appearances anymore. I sadly thanked the CM and stepped outside - and literally Brer Bear walks out that second! That incident told me that the "hotline" is not set in stone - I think CM's only know certain popular meet and greet schedules. Nowadays I hardly ever use the hotline, I just keep my eyes open.

Hope you find Jiminy!!!

 

[jiminy579]

Well, you sound just like me!! I have been on the hunt to see my "love" Jiminy for years, and have only seen him at Disneyland during their Christmas Parade! I guess I will just have to go to WDW on Earth Day. Does anyone know if Disneyland celebrates Earth Day as well?


<IMG HEIGHT="325" WIDTH="225" SRC=http://members.cox.net/deeannstansbury/jiminy.jpg>

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Here's a picture of Jiminy at Epcot, back when I saw him in May:

It's the only time I ever seen him, and I love to character-hunt!

<img src="http://home.att.net/~disneysue/characters/jiminycricket.jpg">

 

[DianeL]

I saw Jiminy on the Characters on Holiday Bus in January 2003. We caught sight of him that day in both locations, in front of Spaceship Earth and in the afternoon down by the water between the 2 stores. It was a very nice surprise.

Off topic a bit, September 2002 we saw Mushu on the Characters on Holiday Bus and I was very very surprised and happy about it. Luckily my Dad was with us that trip since that is his fave character. And on that trip we did not see Jiminy.

Hope you are able to track him down for a photo.

 

[jiminy579]

Originally posted by HugsForEeyore
Here's a picture of Jiminy at Epcot, back when I saw him in May:

It's the only time I ever seen him, and I love to character-hunt!

<img src="http://home.att.net/~disneysue/characters/jiminycricket.jpg">

Oh, I can't even begin to tell you how jealous I am of your beautiful photo!!!! I just adore Jiminy!!! Thank you for posting it!!

 

[loriandmatt]

OH, i am getting all hopefull again.....

DianeL - when you say "in front of SE" do you mean the side where you enter the ride or the side facing the rest of the park?

(what to know specifics for my Jiminy Hunt in March.)

Sigh - i have a 20something year old pic of me and JC from my first trip. (back when all that was there was MK and they had those large paper admission tixs with the elastic band so you could wear them on your wrist, tanktop strap or belt loop.) He is why i fell for that place the first time. I will be a bawling mess if/when i catch him again and show him that pic (I carry a copy of it with me when we visit) and thank him for one of my best childhood memories. (poor CM that will be inside him that day - they will sure get an ear full and think i am a real nutjob!)

- lori

 

[stonecreekboys]

In Feb. 2003, 2nd week, we saw Jiminy in Toontown fair just as we were leaving the Judge's Tent I believe. He was tucked away, behind a ride, and nowhere near the main traffic flow. We were able to walk right up and take our son's picture with him. It was in the afternoon.

 

[janner]

Oh, I have found my people. On our last trip, I stopped at guest relations at whatever theme park we were visiting, and asked the cast member to call to see if Jiminy was appearing anywhere that day. NO luck, but I like to think I created a little buzz about Jiminy's popularity.
I was so bummed to find out he was being replaced as the safety spokesperson. Now his picture won't be all over the brochures they give you when you check in to your hotel.
Sigh.
Thanks to all you Jiminy fans who posted.
Janner (whose given name is Janet Christy--lucky to have the same initials as our beloved cricket)

 

[DianeL]

Hi loriandmatt

In the morning the bus comes out somewhere along the EAST side of SE or in since in my case I can never remember which way is E and W *lol* When entering the pack and facing SE, the bus came out along the left side of SE if you have the park entrance at your back. Never give me E & W directions, I'll be lost for days The bus then comes to the front and the characters go in between the Leave A Legacy blocks, and though they say there isn't a que, thankfully the blocks kinda form one. It was out there we first saw him and the first and only time I've spotted Mushu. Those are for me the 2 big surprises, never thought I'd see either of them and very happy I did. After the bus reloads it goes back the way it came which was nice since we were able to take pictures as we walked to Test Track.

That morning I was only able to take a quick snap of Jiminy by himself as the music was calling them back, later that day I lucked into getting one with him.

I hope you can find him, seeing him definitely is a highlight since he is rare.

ok, now i'm back to really missing WDW again, I'm homesick *smiles*

 

[jiminyfan]

I never got a chance to have my picture taken with him or my son as they were packing up when we got there. I never did see him again on that trip (12 days). It was a Sunday afternoon.

I am going to be there for an extended vacation starting Sunday, I hope to see him this trip.

 

[cathyz]

We were fortunate enough to have met the most magical CM at EPCOT who helped us meet Jiminy. DS was 8 in Dec. 2000. Just he & I were at WDW for a short 5 day spin. Our last day, 1 hr. before leaving EPCOT we searched the Character Bus - no Jiminy - AGAIN! I thought DS would burst out in tears! He was/is totally obsessed with Jiminy. This really sweet CM saw how upset he was and asked what was wrong. "Jiminy's not here. I've looked for him all week." "You really want to meet Jiminy?" "More than Anything in the World!" "OK, hold on!"...Enter Disney Magic...

It took over an hour, but...this lovely CM (along with many others) arranged a private meeting for us with Jiminy. They actually drove him over from MK after the parade just to meet My Jimmy! Trip to Disney...$2,000, Look on DS's face...PRICELESS!

As wonderful as this was for us, I DEFINITELY AM NOT suggesting that people should ask for this sort of thing! It was one of those once in a lifetime things. We did not ask, expect or even dream that this would happen!

Suffice it to say, we have not see him since! He is a very tough character to find!

 

[cubsfan]

My daughter is a huge character fan. She drags me all over the parks chasing CM's. But that's OK.....I love the to see the look on her face. If we see Jiminy on this trip, I'll let you all know when we get back. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

[meeko_33785]

cathyz- That is an amazing story. It was so nice of the CMs to do that for your son. I do agree that I wouldn't sugest asking a cM for this kid of treetment, but it's so wonderful when a CM goes above and beyond the call of duty like that to make a child happy.