As an adult, how do YOU interact with the characters?

[Welsh]

This may seem like a silly question, but I'm genuinely curious! Do you walk right up to the character when it's your turn and just pose for a picture? Do you say "Hi, Goofy!" and not much beyond that? How much do you talk to them, what do you say, etc.? I love meeting the characters but I get kind of shy and speechless around them (I think some childish part of me still sees it as meeting a celebrity), so I'm looking for anything that might help me loosen up around them, especially the "face characters."

 

[Bill Brown]

I treat them like real-life celebrities. I usually extend a common friendly greeting such as, "Glad to meet you Mickey..." After a picture I always let 'em know I appreciated it, thanks with a handshake, followed by an appropriate good-bye. Have to admit, I avoid hugs because I feel the castmember inside the costume must be hot and hugs from adults must make them even hotter. Any current or former castmembers here care to comment about my concern?

 

[Keneke]

I guess I always smile and say hello, and am open to hugs. Not that I go rushing up for them, but I know a good number of characters that seek hugs of their own from me. Maybe it's because I am tall?

Anyway, I am sure the kids who light up at the sight of Mickey don't want a big ol' overgrown kid getting in the way.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I've swooned in Jack Sparrow's arms and kissed Prince Caspian.

 

[SweetAmy31]

This may seem like a silly question, but I'm genuinely curious! Do you walk right up to the character when it's your turn and just pose for a picture? Do you say "Hi, Goofy!" and not much beyond that? How much do you talk to them, what do you say, etc.? I love meeting the characters but I get kind of shy and speechless around them (I think some childish part of me still sees it as meeting a celebrity), so I'm looking for anything that might help me loosen up around them, especially the "face characters."

Well, as you may know I've never been w/o the kids, but I went up with them to meet the characters and a friend told me if you bring up something about their movie it breaks the ice. Like when meeting Cpt Hook, instead of hello, my friend said "Tick Tock, Tick Tock. HAHA!" and then "mind standing for a pic?" thanked him and moved on.

My kids did the same thing, expecially my oldest cause he's a little more cautious of ppl in general. He told Stitch that he should stop climbing on Cinderella's castle, cause he can fall and Kim Possible that she had a nice belly, and asked where the rodent from the show is...sorry, i forget his name. Yeah, I might not open with the belly comment with you being a grown man and all, but its an idea.

 

[SweetAmy31]

I've swooned in Jack Sparrow's arms and kissed Prince Caspian.

I'm jealous, I would have tried to do more than swoon with Jack Sparrow thou.

 

[Nibbles]

I found myself shying away from the characters that were really crowded with lots of kids in line for the most part. Probably both because as adults we wanted to maximize our time and see more attractions but also because I would have been self-conscious. Why I would have been self-conscious at Disney, I don't know, but I'm insecure enough that it probably would have happened.

The characters I did approach though I wasn't shy about giving a (gentle) but big hug to while my girlfriend snapped the picture. Donald at Epcot Mexico was one of my favorites, and we also did a character dinner at the Crystal Palace and got to hug all the Pooh characters

 

[Shugardrawers]

I've always approached them with an attitude that says "We both know you are playing role let's have some fun with it" I've teased Minnie about not having a bathroom in her house and got the CM in the Goofy costume to laugh out loud by telling him the old NC-17 rated joked about why Mickey divorced Minnie (because she was youknowwhating Goofy) when there were no kids around. We won't even go into hysterical laughter Jennie got from all the CMs present with her Woody jokes

When there are kids around I usually let them go first and show slightly reserved enthusiasm when it's my turn. There's really nothing to be embarassed about. It's WDW. Reality is supposed to be left at the gate. It's ok to get excited over 5 foot tall mice in tuxedos. You aren't the first or even the most enthusiastic grown up fan they've ever seen.

 

[goofygrl4]

I just walk up when its my turn say "hi" and get my picture! I'll usually joke around a little, get/give a hug and on my way. My last trip was myself and my two best friends. (three 22 yr old giddy girls!) My one friend and I look like twins so we played that up a litte with our pictures and we always got a little extra attention from the characters when the three of us would walk up together. (we also corrdinated our outfits so that made it even better)

 

[Welsh]

My kids did the same thing, expecially my oldest cause he's a little more cautious of ppl in general. He told Stitch that he should stop climbing on Cinderella's castle, cause he can fall and Kim Possible that she had a nice belly, and asked where the rodent from the show is...sorry, i forget his name. Yeah, I might not open with the belly comment with you being a grown man and all, but its an idea.

I'm a girl, but even I wouldn't make the belly comment! The things kids get away with!

These are all helpful hints. I was afraid that I shouldn't make comments or ask them questions since most of them aren't allowed to speak, but they're so good with hand gestures, Goofy especially!

 

[Welsh]

I've always approached them with an attitude that says "We both know you are playing role let's have some fun with it" I've teased Minnie about not having a bathroom in her house and got the CM in the Goofy costume to laugh out loud by telling him the old NC-17 rated joked about why Mickey divorced Minnie (because she was youknowwhating Goofy) when there were no kids around. We won't even go into hysterical laughter Jennie got from all the CMs present with her Woody jokes

OMG, I would have LOVED to be there when you told him that joke!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Well, as you may know I've never been w/o the kids, but I went up with them to meet the characters and a friend told me if you bring up something about their movie it breaks the ice. Like when meeting Cpt Hook, instead of hello, my friend said "Tick Tock, Tick Tock. HAHA!" and then "mind standing for a pic?" thanked him and moved on.

My kids did the same thing, expecially my oldest cause he's a little more cautious of ppl in general. He told Stitch that he should stop climbing on Cinderella's castle, cause he can fall and Kim Possible that she had a nice belly, and asked where the rodent from the show is...sorry, i forget his name. Yeah, I might not open with the belly comment with you being a grown man and all, but its an idea.

The "rodent" (naked mole rat) is named Rufus.

I would go up and pose, hug, etc. I turn into a little kid and say thanks.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay, when Goofy scared the bejesus out of me at Cape May, I HAD to pose for a pic with him. . .he kept hand jesturing "i am sorry" over and over. . . It was hysterical. . .he kept coming back to our table after that. I really got into the character interaction after breaking the ice with Goofy. . .it was fun. . .

 

[SweetAmy31]

The "rodent" (naked mole rat) is named Rufus.

I would go up and pose, hug, etc. I turn into a little kid and say thanks.

Thanks, thats been bugging me. My kids knew his name but i dont watch the show much so, I have no clue . I also dont have my kids this weekend so I couldnt ask them. I did know it was a naked mole rat thou, my bro use to have one as a pet.

Useful fact BTW, my friend (who works for Disney) told me the characters are only allowed to stay out for 17 minutes because of the heat. My kids stood in line for Baloo last time twice and he had to leave both times before they made it to him, so they had 2 pics with King Louie and none with my fav Baloo. So watch the clock when your standing in line to make sure you get your turn.

 

[ANTSS2001]

This may seem like a silly question, but I'm genuinely curious! Do you walk right up to the character when it's your turn and just pose for a picture? Do you say "Hi, Goofy!" and not much beyond that? How much do you talk to them, what do you say, etc.? I love meeting the characters but I get kind of shy and speechless around them (I think some childish part of me still sees it as meeting a celebrity), so I'm looking for anything that might help me loosen up around them, especially the "face characters."

like I'm 5

 

[DisneyDreams21]

Okay, when Goofy scared the bejesus out of me at Cape May, I HAD to pose for a pic with him. . .he kept hand jesturing "i am sorry" over and over. . . It was hysterical. . .he kept coming back to our table after that. I really got into the character interaction after breaking the ice with Goofy. . .it was fun. . .

ROFLMAO Oh yes he did! I think Goofy flew into the next booth when you screamed! I'm not sure who was more surprised. Thanks for getting him to come back to our table so many times

 

[nurse.darcy]

ROFLMAO Oh yes he did! I think Goofy flew into the next booth when you screamed! I'm not sure who was more surprised. Thanks for getting him to come back to our table so many times

Yeah, sure, no problem. . .lol

 

[MaleficentRules]

On the Sunday of our trip, my brother and I were at EMH at MK. We saw a line for getting pics with Goofy and thought, Oh what the heck? It wasn't a long wait.

My brother was wearing a tshirt that said "Self-Taught Doctor" on it. He had been getting compliments on it all day. Well, when Goofy saw it, he thought it was hysterical! He motioned to his chest and pointed at my brother's shirt and made knee-slapping gestures, the whole nine yards. My brother and I were laughing so hard; it was great.

 

[luv4mylittleones]

I am the one of the least timid people in the world but for some reason I get all silly and shy around the characters. I ordinarily won't wait in line too long to see them...mostly because I'd rather ride rides but also because I feel like the children waiting shouldn't have to wait longer because of me. When I have my kiddos with me...no problem, we'll wait all day! When I do meet them I usually just say hi and will only hug if they initiate it, then I thank them and move on my way. On our honeymoon though, the characters went gaga over us. Minnie made a huge to-do about my ring and Goofy gestured to my husband that if it didn't work out he was going to call me...hahahaha!!! All in all I would say that a lot of the characters enjoy the adults as much or more than the kids!

 

[Starshine]

like I'm 5

Exactly! I've been known to scream "Stitch!" at the top of my lungs and take off running toward him with open arms. (Of course this only works if there's no line )