Character cut-backs?

[Synonymous]

We just got back from a trip, 4/10-4/18. When we went last November, it seemed that we were tripping over characters every time we turned around. This trip, though, they seemed to be few and far between. We were especially disappointed at MGM, where we thought we'd meet some of the more unusual characters.

Did anybody else feel this way, or was it just a function of the way we toured this time?

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Our last trip was at the end of January, and I thought the complete opposite. We saw characters all over the place, and as my 9 year old would say, "managed to bag a few new ones," his term for getting autographs.

 

[disme]

This is the Only area that has not had cutbacks well security and characters.

 

[kevind65]

we just got back last night and felt as if there were more characters than at any other time we've went. The difference it seems is that they are no longer just out and about, but, at very specific places and times. it probably was just a matter of timing as far as you guys not seeing as many.

 

[kilee]

I could be way off here. Sometimes I think it's weather oriented too. If you go in the cooler months, it seems as though you can't turn around without bumping into a character. In the warmer, hotter months they seem more scarce. Last April DS only got 9 autographs (close to 90 most days). This past February he got 49 (it was only in the upper 60's). I don't know but it seems as if the heat may mean they can only stay in costume for shorter periods.

 

[kilee]

Synonomous--- we are in Silver Creek too. Moved here last year. Such a small world.

 

[meeko_33785]

There are fewer characters than there were a few months ago. Usually Disney doesn't put as many characters out durning the off-season as they do during the Summer or around the holidays (Oct-Jan).

 

[Synonymous]

We had the same thought, about the weather, and also wondered if they don't bother as much at this time of year, since so many people come to The World anyway for Spring Break. Maybe it's just that the appearances are shorter, so if you're not there at the right time you don't see them.

We had the same autograph experience. I think DD only got 5 or 6 this trip, when she usually fills up a couple of books. Some of that is because she now chooses rides over characters, but there didn't seem to be as many instances of "Oh look! It's. . .!"

 

[snuggles]

We went a few weeks ago and there were characters everywhere! We even commented on how many there were.

 

[Safari Steve]

Since a few months ago, when around 300 more CMs were hired to support the Entertainment dept, there have been no cutbacks as far as characters. There have been some refinements and revisions as far as locations (the characters have changed in some locations and certain locations, such as the entry plaza, have been removed because of crowd flow problems) but there are no fewer characters over the last year. You probably just had bad luck as far as where you were and when.

 

[Synonymous]

Maybe it's just that we didn't see them in some of the places we had before, like the entry plaza. Thanks, Steve. We also toured a bit differently than we usually do, due to the crowds, so that might also have caused us to miss some normal opportunities.