Sorry if this is silly, but does anyone know if its considered okay to slip the characters a small toy (present) for them to give to my kid (since its his birthday) at the character meals or otherwise?
Is it considered okay to kiss the characters (cheek)? Even villains? Will villains hug or do they stay in character?
I take it they prefer to sign autographs, but is it pictures then or banter? Do I need to get them involved for interaction, or are they just good at that? DO they spend the same amount of time on everyone? How will I know when our time is over?
Character interactions are quite short. They don't spend a lot of time with anyone, but they are a lot of fun!
When meeting a character in the park, you should have your autograph book and pen as well as your camera ready to go. The character will sign the book and pose for a picture. You can speak to them as they sign the book and take the photo. Face characters, like Cinderella, etc., will ask questions and speak back. Fuzzy characters like Pooh, Tigger, Mickey, will pantomime answers or things to say to you. Don't worry, you will know what they "say" to you. Once your book is signed and you've taken a photo, your time is up. Don't take multiple photos with different configurations of family members. It's considered rude and the cast member wrangling the character will probably comment about it. Not to mention, the people waiting in line will not be too pleased.
At character meals the characters come to your table. Again, have the book, pen and camera ready. (This is considered good "character meeting etiquette as they have many people to meet.) They will engage you, much like they do in the park, and you can speak back. The character will wave goodbye if a fuzzy character or end the conversation if a face character and that's the end of your interaction. They may come back to your table again if you're there long enough, but don't count on it. If you are at the buffet when they come by, they will come again. You get a chance to meet all of the characters at the meal.
As for villians, they always stay in character by my experience. We love meeting the villians and try and say nice things to them. We bow to the Queen of Hearts and told Cruella she was looking exceptionally beautiful. They're fun to interact with, but they are villians.
As for the toy, I would approach the cast member wranging the character if you're doing that in the park, or your server if you're doing it at a meal. They could help you with that. We've never done it, but maybe someone else has some experience with that.
Meeting the characters is so much fun! My girls feel they're too old for that now, but I have wonderful memories of meeting the Fairy Godmother with them and the magic for me of meeting Eeyore for the first time made my first Disney visit truly wonderful!
2 years later she still talks about that. BUT when we asked we were told that they don't normally do that and they would have to ask. We were there first thing in the morning so she did do it but in a normal line I highly doubt it would happen. 
