character goodbyes/moves: Evil Queen, Fairy Godmother, Genie, Captain Hook, Merida.

[GeneralTso]

We need to pound DL with LOTS of letters and emails telling them that they're making a HUGE mistake by taking everyone's favorite Queen away from regular meet-and-greets!

Seriously?

All because they are going to swap out a few characters?

It's not that big of a deal (to me). I like that they keep it fresh. I imagine there would be a big backlash if they pulled Anna and Elsa right about now, but mostly, it's all ok.

 

[perlster]

The closing of Merida's meet 'n greet location can now be labelled official. The 6/13 - 6/19 YKttM ("the guide") lists "Meet Merida ..." only for Friday and Saturday. (more confirmation: as of Sunday the meet 'n greet is no longer listed on the Disneyland web site) She may be moving to Fantasy Faire - but not the Royal Hall - meeting outside like Belle Rapunzel & Flynn. Well, except for Saturday. There were six performances of Beauty and The Beast, none of Tangled. and no outside greets. Belle was a busy lady. She was also in Soundsational and appeared at the entrance at least twice. There were more character changes seen Saturday. Rather than Mad Hatter and Alice, Cruella and the Chipmunks appeared in the entrance show. The castle show was listed at the usual time of 10:55 - it seemed to have started earlier or to have been shortened. I didn't see the characters who always appear in it except for Bandleader Mickey. There was no game of musical chairs on the 14th - the Wonderland Duo was nowhere to be seen at all. Anna & Elsa reportedly met guests for several hours longer than previously. Friday was the first time they appeared in the pre-parade.



Merida says goodbye to the Cubs by perlster, on Flickr


Walt, Mickey, Anna, Elsa, Olaf by perlster, on Flickr

 

[perlster]

For what it's worth, none of the characters rumored to be no longer walkarounds (the Queen, Fairy Godmother, Genie, Captain Hook) are listed as being out at Disneyland today.

 

[Jennafoo]

Boo. Merida was the one character I for sure wanted to meet during my October trip. Hoping to hear where she lands and how often...

 

[tatsmx]

The closing of Merida's meet 'n greet location can now be labelled official. The 6/13 - 6/19 YKttM ("the guide") lists "Meet Merida ..." only for Friday and Saturday. (more confirmation: as of Sunday the meet 'n greet is no longer listed on the Disneyland web site) She may be moving to Fantasy Faire - but not the Royal Hall - meeting outside like Belle Rapunzel & Flynn. Well, except for Saturday. There were six performances of Beauty and The Beast, none of Tangled. and no outside greets. Belle was a busy lady. She was also in Soundsational and appeared at the entrance at least twice. There were more character changes seen Saturday. Rather than Mad Hatter and Alice, Cruella and the Chipmunks appeared in the entrance show. The castle show was listed at the usual time of 10:55 - it seemed to have started earlier or to have been shortened. I didn't see the characters who always appear in it except for Bandleader Mickey. There was no game of musical chairs on the 14th - the Wonderland Duo was nowhere to be seen at all. Anna & Elsa reportedly met guests for several hours longer than previously. Friday was the first time they appeared in the pre-parade.



Merida says goodbye to the Cubs by perlster, on Flickr


Walt, Mickey, Anna, Elsa, Olaf by perlster, on Flickr

hi! I was not aware there was a castle show or entrance show. what is it about? is there a kink with more info? sorry for the silly questions.... we are going for the first time mid july. thanks!!

 

[perlster]

Given the very recent changes, the accuracy of the following in now in question, but this is how it has been:

The first appearance of the day for the Disneyland Band is at the entrance show. Mad Hatter and Alice have been regulars, with other characters occasionally appearing. The band then performs in the castle show. Mickey Mouse and a number of fuzzies are there, with Mad Hatter and Alice making a brief appearance.

Here's ... by perlster, on Flickr


Circle of Fuzzies by perlster, on Flickr

 

[tatsmx]

so the characters are out only for the Band's first appearance?

 

[Dave2425]

We talked to a CM working with Merida last week and he said she is being moved to Fantasy Faire.

 

[winkytink]

That was me. I have a 2 year old niece who ADORES the Queen. Today, the Queen, who we had never met, showed her how to offer apples to the princesses. Priceless!

This picture made me cry

 

[perlster]

updates:

A new Twitter photo appears to confirm that Merida is now meeting guests at the same spot in Fantasy Faire as have Belle, Rapunzel & Flynn

I have yet to see any official Disney announcement as to exactly what changes have been made or why. The Queen is [update: sort of] "banished". As for others - Fairy Godmother, Captain Hook, Genie - they have not not been listed as being walk-around characters for the past two days.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

The Queen, Fairy Godmother, Capt'n Hook, and the Genie are GONE.

Today:
Merida meet and greet has all signs, ropes, etc. removed.
Merida meets outdoors between Belle meet and greets in the fantasy Faire Area.

Aurora was out at the Castle, and NOT in the Royal Hall today.
Snow White was in the Royal Hall only... Not at the Castle Wishing Well.
It appears that only one remaining friend of Peter Pan may no longer be allowed to roam,
but alternates with Aurora at the Castle....

 

[CassieF]

Boo! I know things can't always stay the same, but it feels like they have taken away a ton, changed some, and added nothing...

 

[Californiacicle]

Merida's area looked so cute in pictures and I was so excited to see it in a couple weeks. Boo!

 

[perlster]

If Snow White is no longer appearing at the wishing well, somebody high up at Disney is simply nuts. There can't be much of a "cost" rationale, as she appeared without any host or PhotoPass photographer. What purpose do the grotto, the statues, and the well serve without Snow White?

updates: Aladdin & Jasmine were added to the schedule later than this was originally posted.

Here we go again ... again ... the Queen - who everyone says is gone - was also listed earlier today!

 

[tatsmx]

If Snow White is no longer appearing at the wishing well, somebody high up at Disney is simply nuts. There can't be much of a "cost" rationale, as she appeared without any host or PhotoPass photographer. What purpose do the grotto, the statues, and the well serve without Snow White?

[It just keeps gets worse ... today at least, I see that neither Aladdin nor Jasmine are listed as appearing in the Oasis]

omg!!! why so many changes when peak season is starting? shouldn't they be adding instead of taking??
do you have any news about big ranch jamboree??

 

[perlster]

This past weekend, there were no character meet 'n greets at the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

A rumor I've seen is that it will not reopen until Halloween Time.

 

[tatsmx]

This past weekend, there were no character meet 'n greets at the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

A rumor I've seen is that it will not reopen until Halloween Time.

:'( we will visit in july for the first time. we wanted to character hunt mostly. Perlster you seem very knowledgable about characters, pleaseeee keep us posted!!!!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

This past weekend, there were no character meet 'n greets at the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree. A rumor I've seen is that it will not reopen until Halloween Time.

No!!! That was a little hidden gem back there where meeting characters was quick & easy with little wait and lots of interaction. This makes me so sad.

 

[jacobsmommy]

I was hoping there'd be some characters at Big Thunder Ranch too! My dh and I saw Roger Rabbit and Rabbit from Pooh there in April when we went by ourselves. Both of our kids were bummed that we got to see them and they didn't. Keep us updated on if there will be any characters there this summer!

 

[DharmaLou]

I am so glad I had a few times to see Merida in her "spot". She is my favorite by far. I hope we can still see her in November!