Character Etiquette

[scrapbookingpro]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but I just came across this acticle about character etiquette and found it to be humerous and very true.
It's a bit "spoiler-ish" so don't read it if you don't want to spoil any magic!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A627699

 

[BlindTyldak]

"They will remember . . . ." damn straight! I worked in a suit several times at a theme park in MA and to this day I can remember the face of every person who punched me, blew smoke in the head, or tried to spin me by my tail.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I really embarrased to admit this but, I accidentally commented to Chef Mickey last year that his new costume must be really hot. I immediately realized what I had said and could have kicked myself.

Sorry Chef Mickey!

Duhhhhh! I am SUCH and IDIOT!

 

[Kimberly815]

'How many strangers do you go up to on the street and punch in the belly? How many celebrities do you walk up to and give a big bear hug then try and knock down? Do you pinch people as you walk around in a mall? Do you allow your children to approach a stranger and start kicking and jabbing at them, or grab at their face, or hang on their arms and legs? '


Apparently my behavior has been wrong for a long time now! (Just kidding.)

 

[Robo]

I really embarrased to admit this but, I accidentally commented to Chef Mickey last year that his new costume must be really hot. I immediately realized what I had said and could have kicked myself.

I don't see that as a faux pax at all.

Unless Chef was "nude"
he WAS wearing his Chef's outfit (costume) so he could have easily thought THAT was what you were talking about.

No biggie.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

That is exactly how I recovered, I said, " I mean with big medal around your neck and the dark coloring of your jacket , I bet it's real steamy in mid July. Your other outfit was so light and summery"

HA! I still laugh at how absolutely ridiculous I sounded. I hope there weren't any small impressionable children within earshot.

 

[tchrrx]

I had to drill this into my DH & Dad before we left on our trip! Of course, I was busy saying things like, "Belle, we really enjoyed seeing you at the castle for breakfast this morning. I'm so glad you're here now so we can meet the Beast also!" All because I knew my DD6 would call their bluff if they accidently said, 'Nice to meet you' or anything else to indicate that we hadn't already seen them before!

 

[grimley1968]

I really embarrased to admit this but, I accidentally commented to Chef Mickey last year that his new costume must be really hot. I immediately realized what I had said and could have kicked myself.

Sorry Chef Mickey!

Duhhhhh! I am SUCH and IDIOT!

I bet there was an awkward silence after this. Mickey must have been too flustered to talk, alarmed by all the tension in the air created after the passionate comments.

Oh wait, he never talks!

Nah, I bet Mickey took it how you meant it.

 

[jj1403]

that was really funny. Thanks for sharing.

 

[pongo&perdita]

Interesting article.

I have to tell you what happened Sunday a week ago when we were at Donald's breakfast. We were getting up to have our picture made with Donald when a boy about 10-12 walked by with his family and popped Donald right in his eye. Well Donald spun around and followed him and took him by the arm to two handlers standing nearby and demonstrated what happend. Donald came back to us and continued and the handlers apparently told the kid that was a no-no.

catherine

 

[lagunaseca]

A few years ago when Peter Pan was at the 1900 Park Faire dinner, "Peter" was obviously a girl. My kids noticed and I told them not to say a word and to pretend it really WAS Peter for the other little kids in the area. They did great but the next table over had about 6 kids and they all started yelling, "You're a girl!!!" I felt sooo bad for her.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I had to drill this into my DH & Dad before we left on our trip! Of course, I was busy saying things like, "Belle, we really enjoyed seeing you at the castle for breakfast this morning. I'm so glad you're here now so we can meet the Beast also!" All because I knew my DD6 would call their bluff if they accidently said, 'Nice to meet you' or anything else to indicate that we hadn't already seen them before!

Belle really blew my mind when she said to DD, "It's so good to see you again today. Did you enjoy your breakfast with me & my friends this morning?" It WAS the same Belle. I was amazed that she actually remembered us. DD (then 6) wasn't a bit surprised & had a lovely conversation with Belle as she introduced DD to Beast.

 

[scrapbookingpro]

I have spent many years of my life working with characters, both at Disney and other places. I think most people mean well, but I have to say, I have witnessed some crazy behavior from some adults! Sometimes it's little "misunderstandings" like people trying to get autographs from the parade characters (in the middle of a choreographed routine, no less!) and people wanting the character to hold their tiny babies (that is SOOOO dangerous!!!) Sometimes it's just plain ugliness- like the countless parents I have heard coaching their kids with "Go up and kick Pluto!" or "Go on, pull Tigger's tail!" They think it's cute, though I can't imagine why.....
Personally, I always appreciate the families who
a. Have their children say "please and thank-you"
b. Are aware of everything that is happening, like if their child has dropped his or her pen and is making no effort to retrieve it- I loved parents that were on top of that. "Bobby, get the pen for Mickey- he needs you to help him!"
c. Don't force their terrified, screaming child to take a photo. So many people bring up their little kids who are clearly traumatized by gigantic Mickey, and they are screaming bloody murder, and the parent just stands there and takes ten photos.

Anyway, most characters really just want to have fun with you.
They love meeting you and your cute little ones, so keep visiting!

 

[BriansPyxie042]

My DD's favorite princess is Snow White, so for MNSSHP 2003 she had to dress up as Snow White. She waited patiently by Cinderella's Golden Carrousel for her chance to meet Snow White. The handler cut the line off right after us because Snow White had a parade to appear in shortly. When it was DD's turn Snow White bent down & scooped her up. She held her for a good 10 minutes talking to her, all the while her handler was politely trying to remind her that they needed to go. She finally set my DD down & waved goodbye. It was about 5 minutes before the beginning of the second parade & my DD was exhausted. We tried to make it out of th MK but got caught by the parade where it comes out between the firehouse & the barber shop. It was about half over & nobody was sitting on that curb behind the rope, so we sat down to wait for the parade to end. As soon as Snow White came out she spotted my DD, came under the rope & picked her up again to give her a big hug. She then pulled my DD under the rope and held her hand so she could walk a few feet in the parade with her. It was the best character interaction I've ever seen/experienced. To this day she thinks Snow White is real & she'll probably always be her favorite.

 

[yankeepenny]

can you hug them?????
or just shake their hand>?

 

[Wendy1953]

can you hug them?????
or just shake their hand>?

Your best bet is to ask....Can I give you a hug / handshake / kiss...and wait for their reply!!! and when they reply, n o matter what their response is...obide by it!

 

[kstinw19]

can you hug them?????
or just shake their hand>?

I am a retired Disney character and would be happy to answer any questions.

First off...absolutely you can hug them. Hugs are fine...it's just when guests do things like hang on Pluto's nose (which is the neck) or punch, pinch, grab, etc. It's really painful.

Secondly...characters love, love, love animating. But with all of the autograph books getting shoved in their face, it's really hard to do so. I know that the books are an integral part of Disney but it would be nice to have maybe ten "no signing" minutes or something where the characters could animate and play with the crowd.

There used to be this American Express "Ice Cream Social" where if you paid for your trip with Amex, you got to go have ice cream with the characters. It was so great because it wasn't very crowded and it was in a big conference room. Once the books were signed and the pics were taken, we would just play with the kids. We would actually let them climb all over us, play duck duck goose, etc. Those are the great moments.

Or one morning when we were out near LTT and it was early morning and no one saw us yet...there was a little 2 year old who loved us and we got to sit and animate with her for about 10 minutes. Awesome Who wouldn't like that?

So be really nice to the characters and they will be nice back. And let them do their thing once in a while. And for God's sake...give them some space!!!!

And BTW...the best comment was when a Mom and Dad would debate back and forth as to whether or not the suits are air conditioned. They are NOT!!

I think they should put that article in every Disney resort room...

 

[BlindTyldak]

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 . . . .

 

[justplaingoofy]

About 10yrs ago I was at Chef Mickeys sitting at that little sombrero type couch...and my favorite character....yes, goofy..as you can tell by my name... came over to me and sat beside me to act..well..goofy.. he put his leg on mine, then I put mine on him, and you guessed it... we made a
goofy & me sandwich with our legs. luckily we got it on film!!! still one of my favorite pics!!!

He's such a goof ball!!

 

[bluejasmine]

My DD had an experience with Capt Hook when she was almost 3 she is 9 now and never forgot it.. We were in the little shop in the castle and they had a show starting out on the stage infront of the castle so we got stuck there right outside the shop but it was nice cause alot of characters came and visited us..Well, Capt Hook came and stared at my DD with those huge mean looking eyes and my poor DD screamed climbed out of the stroller and up in my arms..Well Capt Hook still stood there staring at her and I finally had to turn away to comfort her..At first I got upset and my mom who was with us suggested maybe he was just "playing" his part.. Anyway DD still doesnt like Capt Hook..lol