Character appearances - the future?

[DLPDreams]

Following a few comments on here about there not being as many random character appearances in the parks recently, I just wondered how people felt DLRP should take this forward?

It appears from someone on here who was told on their visit (as well as a US friend of mine who has said a similar thing is happening at WDW?), that random appearances are becoming fewer due to the mobbing that tends to occur. It is a safety issue not only for the poor character, but also the public involved. So, there is a move towards organised, queued meets like Princess Pavilion, Duffy etc.

However, I did feel from our last visit that the meets overlapped quite a bit, and as queues were very long it was almost impossible to do more than one during a period of time, and with the Park not closing until 11 pm, that meets finishing mid afternoon wasn't really appropriate.

JothP has just made a very valid point on another post - why can't they just use random characters at organised meet points in the Park? There is plenty of space to set them up. The one downside I can see to this is if you have been queuing for quite some time and find a character arrives that you have seen several times already, then it can be a bit of a waste of time. I suppose they could get around it slightly but doing what they have done in Adventureland with the Jungle Book characters by advertising a theme but not saying which character - like Alice In Wonderland or Toy Story or something?

I really think DLRP needs to act a bit quicker on sorting this issue out. I heard a few families discuss it in our hotel and express their disappointment at not seeing many characters out and about (they, like us, were clearly repeat visitors). Someone on here said it might have been because it wasn't classed as high season but I've been before in low season (as well as high) and met many more characters from random appearances .

How can they get around this issue? Any bright ideas .....

 

[DLPdaft]

I agree the "themed but random" meet n greets in designated spots was a great way to do it last year when they had a themed Alice one (in the area where the tea party table is set up near the Labyrinth), and also the Aladdin themed one in Adventureland, and the continuing Rhythms of the Jungle one. We met Alice and Hatter last year with no problems at all, and Genie was postively desperate for some interaction at the Aladdin spot too . No scrumming either, as they were positioned in such a way that you really had to queue as there was no room for them to be surrounded, iyswim.

I'd go for that approach at DLP, don't get me wrong when my DD was younger and enjoyed meeting lots of characters, we did the scrums and didn't find them too bad. But this week, with the characters coming off the train at the castle, oh my goodness it was bedlam!

eta - I don't like the queued meet n greets like the Princess Pavilion where folk are queueing 50-deep 45 minutes before they open the doors (as I saw this week), that to me is ridiculous and needs looking at. We've never really done the queued ones unless we can be in and out in 20 minutes or less.

 

[DLPDreams]

I know Elaine - we saw the train a few times and although DD1 was begging to go near it when it finished I just wasn't going there as it was horrible to see . We managed to get caught up in Goofy taking some children in wheelchairs off to the side (near Adventureland), and the ensuing scrum that went with him, and that was awful as I lost both DH and DD1 at one point . We saw most of the characters from it at character meals/hotel anyway .

I was really disappointed to see the Aladdin & Alice random meets weren't on while we were there - they weren't even on the programme? And when I asked at City Hall about meets the CM told me it was just the ones scheduled . I wonder if they were all on holiday or something . To be fair, I know some people did see a few random ones about but it tended to be more near the weekends. I mean we were there 6 days and we saw hardly any - and we were all over the park most days . Even DD1 noticed the lack of them around.

We did see a glimpse of Aladdin & Jasmine and Mary Poppins in the Studios one afternoon (I think they were on the programme as just random). But they were both on their way back to 'base' and the scrums were horrific so we kept away .

Just saw your ETA and yes, I think the Princess Pavilion needs a good look at. I wonder why they can't have 2 Princesses in each room and TELL you who is in there. That way people would get through the Princesses quicker as they'd see more together and those they have seen they wouldn't queue for. We got in line one day (this was before DDs knew we were doing Auberge), and it hadn't opened - the queue was huge and when a CM moved along the line I asked how long the queue was from us - she said 2 hours and it still had an hour to go to open (so 3 hours!!). DD1 promptly said she would prefer to spend her time on rides etc (DD2 wasn't bothered at all!). They were both happy with being Princesses at Auberge so didn't miss out really. Having said that, I did think Auberge was so expensive this time for what we got/the meal/the service etc (and I've always been a huge fan) but other than queuing it's the only way to see Princesses now in the Park!!

 

[tinkertaylor05]

It must be an impossible task to work this out to please everyone and meet everyone's expectations, I don't know how I feel about it in truth. Random character appearances have felt like part of the magic on our trips and it's a shame these may not be happening but the safety aspect I totally understand.

I agree that the scheduled themed meets on our last trip seemed to work really well. I for one won't be waiting 2 hours at the princess pavillion. We waited for Rapunzel last year and that was a similar story. We got in line almost an hour before the scheduled time and by 30 mins prior to the start time people were being turned away, I found it really sad that for the average visitor a lot of these meets wouldn't turn into a reality.

 

[jothp]

We did the scrums for the train on one occasion to meet Clarice and Daisy but it was total mayhem. I did notice though that the characters always stood in the same place when they got off the train so why couldn't they have some queue lines roped off ready for them to go and stand at the front of? The train was only three times a day so they could go out just before the first train and be taken down after the last train to leave more room for viewing dreams.

Also when random characters do appear they seem to have fixed spots in the park that they go to so why couldn't they have roped off queue lines in those areas. They could even leave the poles/ropes tucked away to one side and bring them out when the characters are coming. They mostly go to stand in out of the way places anyway so that they don't cause congestion so I really don't think it would be a problem.

I also think that if they had more character meets scheduled in the park then people would be less likely to go so mad over the random characters that do come out.

In my opinion they should:
1) Reopen Woody's roundup and use it for a themed character meet and greet with one queue line to meet several characters as before.
2) Adapt the princess pavillion so that it works more like woody's roundup and you get to meet 3 or 4 princesses in one go - then people are far more likely to only queue once per trip so queues should be shorter.
3) Use the queued meet for Pooh for much longer during the day and instead of just being Pooh make it one of the Pooh characters.
4) Start using the gazebo on mainstreet for meets again like they did for princess Tiana because it is easy to make an orderly queue line.
5) As above have roped off areas ready for the characters off the train
6) Start regularly using the Alice and Alladin meet areas again (with roped queues if it is getting to chaotic)
7) Alter some of the character meals so that you are likely to see a greater range of characters by doing them all. For example make inventions classic disney movie characters such as pinocchio, alice in wonderland, 101 dalmations, peter pan, cinderella (obviously without the main lady as she would be at auberge). The characters wouldn't have to be fixed but could mainly be picked from a different selection than cafe mickey which could stay mickey and co + pooh and co etc.

Sorry I seem to have written a bit of an essay and probably repeated myself more than once but imo they need to find ways to get guest to be able to interact with the characters in a fun and safe environment for both the characters and the guests.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I agree with jothp, and I've said if before too..Woody's Roundup is the way to go

By far the easiest meet we've ever done. Queue up to get in, then progress through several areas to meet a variety of characters. This would work fantastically well at the Princess Pavilion where you could meet every princess in succession. I think if you're queueing more than 20 minutes then you wouldn't mind so much if you saw all the princess'.

It is such a simple idea, but would work very well.

Many years ago, during our first visits, Town Square would be full of random characters, usually in the mornings. We met so many there and because there were so many, there were only small amounts of people at each character. I think the scrums happen now because it's so rare to see them.

I hope they sort it out. For small children this is the sole reason they love DLP. It's not the rides. Their eyes light up when they see a character from the books and films they've been so immersed in before they go. It is truly magical when your lo sees their favourite character

 

[scampbunny]

have to agree on this.....

more meets is what small children do want - and in our case, what ds2 cud cope with......

i really cant see the problem, but, maybe its down to not enuf cms too??? maybe it will b a bit different for the main summer season?? this is remains to be seen i guess.... know alot more cms have contracts for just the summer (one friend is going back just for a month....)

definately need to be sorted....

 

[DLPDreams]

Totally agree with you all - it is a crying shame that Woody's Roundup is boarded up - we saw the back of it when we were on the train at the station. It really looks awful . I remember we met Mickey and Minnie there on our first trip and it was like Minnie's little house all dressed up - anyone else see them there? They were dressed in the cutest Country n Western outfits . It's lovely to meet characters but as I said earlier, it's nice to see them in different outfits too - that was end Sept so hardly high season!

I think we need to be on the Board of Entertainment - it's official. I will be interested to hear how the summer goes. It doesn't bode well for our trip end November though does it, as we won't have time to fit in 4 character meals like we did this time!

I'm sure they could come up with the ideas we have to be fair, so it must come down to resources and money at the end of the day .

Like I said though, they are apparently getting tougher at WDW with character appearances as well so maybe it's a global cost cutting exercise as well as a safety one?

I'm already writing to Disney about the hotel issues so don't really want to write again (I don't need a penfriend ) but if it hasn't improved by our next trip I think I might write.

I totally agree that characters are what little ones want to see - Julie, yes, it does make their day! And imo it's one of the main things that makes Disney different to your average amusement park. I've just been reading a bit of the new 20th book and it mentions the differences between a theme park (which is what Disney is) and an amusement park - it basically states you can take the rides away from a theme park and still have something there, take them away from an amusement park and you have nothing. If they start killing off the character meets by rationing them, what happens then!

 

[Vala]

have to agree on this.....

more meets is what small children do want - and in our case, what ds2 cud cope with......

Not only small children.

I don't see how they can get this fixed truth to be told. They let the scrums go on for too long. In the US random character meetings don't seem to be a problem. The characters have a handler and if the character can't do it themselves (the face characters often organise their on line) they will have everyone in a line. Even on the train where they have handlers they are not stepping in, just let the mayhem continue. The only time there a handler has been helpful is when some parents squeezing through bumped me against him, I made a noise, he looked at me, saw my drawing and got Chip's attention so it wouldn't be squished.

If they try to start organising lines now.... people are too used to the scrums. They'd need some really good CMs and it would take too long to get it into peoples' heads.

So set up meets with random switching characters do sound like the quickest solution to me. At least you know you'll meet *someone* without getting injured. The bruises I got from the character train took weeks to heal.

I did write about this last year by the way, and all I got in reply was "our customers prefer it that way."

7) Alter some of the character meals so that you are likely to see a greater range of characters by doing them all. For example make inventions classic disney movie characters such as pinocchio, alice in wonderland, 101 dalmations, peter pan, cinderella (obviously without the main lady as she would be at auberge). The characters wouldn't have to be fixed but could mainly be picked from a different selection than cafe mickey which could stay mickey and co + pooh and co etc.

It seems they started that in some way with the Inventions Sunday brunch. When I attended in April they had Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and Gepetto as "main stars". I'm going again next month - will try to find out if they have any more events like that and if it will possibly reflected for dinner.

 

[DLPDreams]

Vala - I totally agree about the CMs - some are great but all too often they just stand back. I am not really sure what they are there for . The only time I've seen them do anything is to tell the character it's time to go . Good on you for writing by the way - clearly something has changed with the characters so the attitude of 'people like it this way' must have been squashed by someone!

If there were roped off areas just brought out like Jothp says it would be easier to keep the lines (although I know only too well how some people don't seem to care if a rope is there or not - they jump under it etc! ). But I agree, someone still needs to man the line otherwise people will abuse it - as they do now with shows in particular!

It will be interesting to see how things develop, perhaps the summer will bring something new/more random meets but organised like we've discussed . And yes, more themed character meals would be great. We've never managed the Sunday brunch as we've never been there on a Sunday lunchtime, but one themed meal out of the ones they offer doesn't seem that well thought out to me!

 

[Lollipops]

It was my first trip to DLP last week, i was so shocked at the scrums as characters appeared and (we saw quite a few) after the second we gave in my little girl was terrified. i would rather que for an hour to definatley meet a character (like the princess pavillion) than even see the random apperances and mobbing of characters very difficult to explain to a small child why there favourite character is ignoring them! more organised meets! or more useful cm's. the hotel meets were great very organised! we have a picture of mickey batting some children out of the way to wait there turn! this must be addressed! character meets for us would be a main reason to return to disney.
lots of good points on here! disneyland paris just needs a little more " disney sparkle " and then it would be perfect. I am sure if there was a little more disney sparkle from CM's rude people would find it difficult to be so rude! iyswim hope they listen to you!

oh and i agree with the different meals point, we skipped cafe mickey because we thought ther would be nobody different there to the hotel and inventions.

 

[zanzibar138]

The random character meets in the US were very orderly and easy to deal with. I'm not sure what the difference is at DLP and why it can't be orderly there too! I definitely think it would take away some of the magic not having them :-(


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[MinnieVanMom]

Agreed that how the characters are presented in DLP is a mess, unsafe and needs to be changed. We lined up to Jack and Sally and then went to small area where we got to see Goofy and Mickey by going through a queue. I did take time to speak to a few handlers who said that there is huge labour problem with the characters. They often don't show up for work when scheduled.

We went during a very low period and I got to meet some fun characters that normally I would not see at WDW, Jack and sally, halloween pumpkin people. It was a blast, but I would hate to be a small child trying to get a position to see Mickey.

It takes nothing at all for the CM's to say line up here. Just do it! People can be trained to behave but some need direction. Heck I could as a person organize a queue.

I hope DLP learns that people really don't like it and get some changes in place.

 

[Vala]

oh and i agree with the different meals point, we skipped cafe mickey because we thought ther would be nobody different there to the hotel and inventions.

That was one of the few comments my boyfriend ever made about characters. "I know Mickey is the main guy. But isn't this park a little too much focussed on Mickey?" In WDW he's at a lot of character meals too, but definitely not as much as in Paris.

Vala - I totally agree about the CMs - some are great but all too often they just stand back. I am not really sure what they are there for . The only time I've seen them do anything is to tell the character it's time to go . Good on you for writing by the way - clearly something has changed with the characters so the attitude of 'people like it this way' must have been squashed by someone!

If that kid really got injured like it's been mentioned that could well be the reason for the change in attitude.

The train CMs seem to get worse every time. In April one of them even refused to take a picture for me - was too busy chatting to another CM.

And yes, more themed character meals would be great. We've never managed the Sunday brunch as we've never been there on a Sunday lunchtime, but one themed meal out of the ones they offer doesn't seem that well thought out to me!

Hopefully they'll give me a list. If the Rapunzel one is on regularly now I could see that one being quite popular.

 

[lilacgems23]

I don't think its really to do with the characters safety if it was they wouldnt have the scrums after the train. Even the random ones had a CM with them like the characters who get off the train do. also if that was the case why is the organised meet with Minnie in the studios no longer organised line and is yet another scrum.

We saw one character this week, Goofy in the Studios. It's all about money if you ask me.

 

[Vala]

also if that was the case why is the organised meet with Minnie in the studios no longer organised line and is yet another scrum.

Really? Oh dear, not another one.

 

[DLPdaft]

yes, have to say I don't understand that particular change either. They have the area where her black car usually is on the left of the front lot boarded up, but the car has been moved to the right, just before the entrance of studio 1, and where she used to do her queued meet n greet.

Minnie herself last week was near the doorway of the big store in the front lot, with a scrum around her .

 

[scampbunny]

she was more to the corner when we were there, but the scrum wasnt that bad at all - i can only imagine that it is to do with all the boarding up

 

[sammie1884]

The lack of Characters was a major disappointment for us this time. When we went last January there were loads of Characters everywhere. DS was looking and looking and all we saw was duffy and DS wasnt interested as he did not have a clue who he was (to be fair nor did we!) we saw some at Character dining and Pluto was opposite the cars ride but we had already seen him in cowboy cookout.
Certainly took away from the magic

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Still work going on but there was a nice organized queue this afternoon when I went past on the way in and still there on the way out