Character Etiquette

[Schmeck]

We've had great interactions with Pluto at Garden Grille - they seem to go around at least twice during the meal! We let the characters know that we've already had them sign the autograph book, so Pluto played with my DD's WS beanies - flipping them off his nose, into his mouth. Then, he circled behind the table and bit me on the head Wish I had a photo of that surprise!

 

[Meezers]

Am I the only adult who wants to take a package of good ole Georgia peanuts and hide them in my bag so Chip and Dale can find them?

Does anyone know what would happen if I did that?

 

[hockeymomoftwo]

We have a favorite moment at disneyland when oldest ds age 6 at the time was conversing with Cruella. He was telling her all about his new puppy named murphy and how pretty his fur is. he is a blue merle with spots and blue eyes. Oh did her face perk up and she really interacted with Cody for a long time and wrote a little note to murphy in the autograph book. Cody just thought that was the best.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

I hadn't really thought about it, but a no-signing time to hang out with the characters and let them animate would be SO cool if they did it . . . back when they did E-Pass we were in the MK on an E-Pass night that they sold almost no passes at all; no joke I think there were only about 400 people in the park. In Tomorrowland we say Goofy, Roger, Chip, Dale, Mickey, and I think Donald all together, not a single other guest in site. Myself and my mother (20's and 40's at the time!) got to horse around with them for a good ten minutes, doing conga lines and watching them do little slapstick routines. It was SO FUN, and foolish us forgot our camera that night . . . .

We saw some great interaction at Character Connection - we had met with Mickey and Pluto and were waiting in line for Minnie. There was nobody behind us and so Mickey and Pluto started messing around, with Pluto doing all sorts of doggy tricks and Mickey instructing him to sit, roll over, beg etc - it was great to see and we got some fun photos!

Also had great interaction with Captain Hook as I wore my Jack Sparrow T-shirt - he looked at it and put his hands on his hips. I told him, "It's alright, you're far scarier than Captain Jack," and he looked pleased, then I added, "But Captain Jack is cuter!" He acted annoyed again and went to the CM and she said, "Sorry Captain Hook, but I'm just going to have to agree with her," after which he ptried to tie her to the pillar (we were outside POTC!). This was great fun as well

 

[Mouse House Mama]

When I was in college I used to work for a company dressing up as characters for children's parties. To be honest- the adults were a million times worse than the kids! The men in particular used to make lewd remarks. It was so gross!

 

[kstinw19]

See? Not one of you said, "my favorite memory of a character was when they signed my book"...

 

[justplaingoofy]

One day while at the MK (no kids) 2 adults..we saw the 7 dwarfs walking in a straight line walk into the photo place at the beginning of main st. So of course we had to see where they were going....

They each took a spot for their own character greetings. We had so much fun going from each dwarf to the next.. It is completely amazing how they communicate.
My husband was got a pic of me and bashful and afterwards when bashful backed up and didn't see a plant behind him....he walked into it.. He was well...embarrassed & bashful. He started shaking his head, put his hands over his face and put himself in the corner....while still shaking his head

It was very funny....

Another one that comes to mind was we were at Chef mickeys (again 2 adults) and there was an older couple that were not very into this...obvious they just wanted to eat and get out... Well the man did not have any hair and his head was quite shiny.....mickey went over to him and rubbed his head (like to shine it up) and mickey was touching his face like like he was looking at his reflection in a mirror.. That was over 10yrs ago and I'll never forget it!

My vote is for the interaction!!!

 

[Lizzybee]

When I was a court interpreter, I interpreted for a defendant who grabbed Lola Bunny below the belt in front WHILE the Six Flags Great America employee was taking his picture! Her costume is pretty close to the body (not bulky) so that's pretty awful. He was convicted of Misdemeanor Battery and had to pay a fine and do community service. Some people are unreal. Oh and I went to SFGA a few weeks ago and they have added the Justice League face characters. Poor Wonder Woman doesn't have much on so I hope they keep a close eye on her.

 

[isis151miu]

Call me silly, but I actually like it when the characters play around with me...like rub my head or something silly. There are hugs that are a little too long though (if you know what I mean). Its so damn hot in those things, you should just try to make them feel appreciated. I've witnessed a couple young boys punching a character which was totally uncalled for. If I EVER EVER see ANY person abusing (verbally or physically), I take care of it or get security. Darn straight

 

[princessgirl2238]

yea for this board! may i just say that sometimes it's hard to go to work when the day before you were "abused"- one thing that i absolutely hate is when a person (usually a man) decides to see if a person is a girl in a costume and goes to grab at the chest area or around the back in the butt area (yes it's really happened- it usually happens once or twice a week) and the attendents really can't stop it from happening cause it's such a quick move.
the other thing i don't like is dealing with the kids that are obviously scared of the character and the parent pulls them up there. the characters are suppose to move to the other side of the parent to make it less scary but then the parent is always like "no lets get little (insert name here) next to (pick a character)" and that is always a recipe for desaster.
-just a little venting here-

 

[disneykid4ever]

I got an unexpected warm greeting from Tigger on our last trip. My husband and I were in Animal Kingdom and stumbled upon an area where some 100-acre wood characters were greeting guests. We took pictures with Pooh first, really tame, the normal wave hello and click. Well , when we got to Tigger he greeted me like we were long lost relatives, totally big hug, and I was laughing so hard it showed in the pictures! The last time I got to hug a character was when I was 5 and Pooh (my fave then) gave me a kiddie hug. I never initiate any more than a "hi" and a smile because the poor cast members are people too and lord knows their personal space in invaded the whole time they're on stage. But I have to say, Tigger made my day!

 

[kstinw19]

yea for this board! may i just say that sometimes it's hard to go to work when the day before you were "abused"- one thing that i absolutely hate is when a person (usually a man) decides to see if a person is a girl in a costume and goes to grab at the chest area or around the back in the butt area (yes it's really happened- it usually happens once or twice a week) and the attendents really can't stop it from happening cause it's such a quick move.
the other thing i don't like is dealing with the kids that are obviously scared of the character and the parent pulls them up there. the characters are suppose to move to the other side of the parent to make it less scary but then the parent is always like "no lets get little (insert name here) next to (pick a character)" and that is always a recipe for desaster.
-just a little venting here-

ITA...why do parents insist on shoving their kids at characters when they are scared to death? It just makes the kids more afraid.

And don't get me started with the lewd and lascivious comments and gestures...actually I got more of them from women when I was Pluto...mostly about the tongue...I once worked at a corporate party and this woman was flirting with me all night long...I kept muttering under my breath..."I'm a girl, I'm a girl, I'm a girl"

 

[Joanna71985]

This is a good topic. I really wish more people would read it. Anyhoo, I have a few more to add (besides the ones already mentioned).

*Please- if you see a character trying to head in, don't try to grab them. They usually will be right out. Also, if they are not in their spot, they usually have a line. So make sure you ask if you want to follow them back to their spot.

*If a character has a hanging appendage- PLEASE do not pull/hang on it. That really does hurt them.

*Please don't say things about suits, AC, ect loud enough for a hundred kids to hear you. Most of them still believe. And don't bother asking the attendants. They will not answer those questions. I actually had a lady argue with me about how hot Eeyore must be in his "suit". I'm like, "no, that's Eeyore. Besides, he isn't wearing a suit". Of course she still had to keep arguing with me.

 

[scrapbookingpro]

People are always asking me "is that a boy or a girl in there??" Of course my answer is always "that's Mickey- he's a boy". (or whoever) But I can't help thinking- Do you really want to know? Why do you want to ruin the illusion? What if I just told you flat out- "Oh, that's Amy, she has long hair, she's dating some guy that she just met, and she likes pizza. Would that really enhance your character experience? You didn't come to meet "Amy" you came to meet Mickey! I suppose people just want to be in on the "secret", but really it's more fun not to know!

 

[marconat]

I always told my kids to respect the characters and just have fun... they are very polite and try to help them as much as possible, not take to much of their time etc.... it's common sense, but I guess some people have no sense ha! ha!

 

[jimmybop]

I have to admit I was not a big character person until this past fall. One of my friends on the College Program loves to go and play with the charaters. At first I would just stand back and take photos of her whike playing, but the characters started to play with me too and now I like having fun with them too.

One night during the christmas party, back by BTMRR, Brear Bear had a very small line for photos. Then it started to rain a bit so he moved to the Splash Mnt. kids play area and we followed. Boy did we have a fun time with him. he was climbing in and out of the kids play area (I was very suprised he could fit in the small play tunnel) and we were just haveing a good ole time with about 4-5 people. I took a fun photo of Brear bear and her looking out of the "window" in the play area (would post it but I wouldnt want her to kill me )

But as for hugging and what not... just like someone posted earlier, you may not have to ask and the characters will do it for you.... just like Minnie did to me at the new Character Connection at Epcot:

 

[abeyst]

We had the best interaction at the special meet and greet for Disney Rewards members. It was at epcot, and we walked in (the characters were a surprise) and we found it to be Minnie and Goofy. Which was awesome for us, cause Goofy's my favorite and Minnie's DDs fav. Goofy shook DS7s hand, and pretended that he hit goofy in the nose. so goofy was shaking his finger at DS and acting like he was hurt. He kneeled down to DD3 and wanted her to kiss it better. She wouldn't do it, she stood there being shy. I said you can, it's goofy! It was still a no. So I said, 'do it like this' and I kissed his nose. Goofy fell down on the ground and laid there. I've never seen my kids laugh so hard! It was really great.

We had autograph books and my camera, but missed doing both cause we were interacting so much. A CM did get a picture of me kissing Goofy while my daughter watched and it was on my Photopass, but I didn't order it in time and it's already been delteted. It's kind of a bummer, 'cause I'd really like to have something to remember that moment, for when DD is older and can't remember how it felt or how she laughed. But it was a good time, and I'm so glad we got the chance to do it. I don't think we'd have had that opportunity out in a public area at a park.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm kind of sad that the whole autograph book thing started. The characters were able to act more and animate more before all that started and it was a lot more fun for them and for the kids. We took my niece and nephew when they were 5 and 8 before the autograph thing started and they still remember Mickey stealing my nephew's Ninja turtle hat and pointing at his ears as if to say "why aren't you wearing Mickey ears!". We had to run right to the next shop and buy ears, get back in line, so Mickey could see that the kids had their ears now. (Smart little corporate symbol, isn't he?) My niece went right up to Poohbear and gave him a little poke in his belly (like the Pillsbury doughboy) and he was "giggling" and playing with her-she just loved it! We had a fun experience with Chip and Dale too-Jeff's favorites at the time-he had a stuffed Chip with him because he wanted Chip to meet Chip. The character did a great job with him, showing off that Jeff was carrying HIS stuffie and not Dale's. (of course, before we left Florida we ended up with both!) I think without the book signings, the characters had more time to really act out with the kids and the memories are so much better!

 

[bluejasmine]

Last Aug we went on my bday and my DD was dressed in her Jasmine Costume and well she really looks like a mini Jasmine with her long dark hair, skin and eyes. Anyway we were in EP in the GB pavillion and all the Pooh characters came in and eyeore got down on his hands and knees to bow down to Princess Jasmine and then needed help up then Pooh came over and started tugging on my hand when he noticed my birthday button and pulled me over to the rest of the characters to take a pic, but before the CM could take it Pooh stopped and fixed my hair and tried to straighten my button it was cute, I was almost in tears.. I was never much for character interaction before but I was so touched that they took the time out for me.. I will defanitely be taking out more time for the characters this trip..

 

[Fire14]

one of my favorite pics is of my DH and I with eeyore laying on floor in front of us like he was relaxing.

Another cute one I saw was pluto being the newlyweds dog.