Character Greetings Lines

[mikamah]

OMG, the "magic" is so hard to describe, but it is a disney feeling where your inner child comes back to play, you are in a disney bubble and everything around you becomes real somehow, you are allowed to enjoy this fantasy world and for me I enjoy right on my children's level with them. You get this rush of emotion when you see Mickey, its not a costume, it really is him, when you hear the music for Wishes and the characters voices you wish right along with them, all your childhood fantasies that magic is real, that you can really fly with Tink and Peter. That all the cast members are right there to promote this magic feeling, that you are sharing in this disney immersion, Cinderella really lives in the castle, when you take the safari you are in Africa.....
I think the magic is allowing yourself to accept the fantasy as your temporary reality and getting sucked right in, because once you do you just feel pixiedusted all the time, and it truly becomes your happy place. its not just rides and elaborate shows, its not just cleverly designed scenery, it is a whole sensory experience. Everything smells better, feels happier, and you escape from that real world and all my stresses and home crises are gone. Ulitmately it is allowing yourself to believe in it all.

I'm so sorry if that all sounded crazy to you and I assure you I am of sound mind and am a responsible hard working mum of 3, but that is really how Disney World affects me, and I can't wait to get my next fix I'm sure more people will be along to tell you what it means to them.

What a wonderful description of something so indescribable. I know you're not crazy.

 

[Simba22]

We are all adults and we stand in line to meet characters all the time! That's half the fun of going to WDW! Like other posters have said, it's all about your frame of mind. To me, Tigger is Tigger and nobody else! Of course, I won't just stand in line to say hello, we get pictures and autographs! Although your case sounds a bit extreme, usually the CM that is out with the characters limits you to like 2 minutes with the characters so if there were people with Alice for 20 minutes then that is the CM's fault. He/She should have been doing a better job at moderating that.

 

[gabbyrosebud]

As I said in another thread. I am a 50 year old woman who loves to meet the characters. Don't be surprised if you hear a woman screaming, MICKEY!!! Then run over to give him a big hug. Even when I am 100 I will still want to see and hug Mickey.

Now chatting to one for 20 minutes IMO is rude when there is a line of people waiting to meet them.

I'll be right there with you Stitchfans! My DD and I are already making a list of all the new characters we want to meet during our trip next year. It makes me feel like a kid again when I meet the characters. They play their parts so beautifully that they become real. It all part of the magic and I love it!

 

[DisneyGuess]

I love meeting the characters, even without my DS's in tow. They were wonderful on our honeymoon and I got alot of interaction with characters, especially once they saw our "Just Married" buttons. It made my special week, that much more special and magical! I love seeing the adults play with the characters as much as the kids.

 

[Pakey]

DH and I are in our 50's and still feel the magic of meeting the characters. I go with my camera and autograph book and willingly stand in line to get my moment of glory. I'm just as entitled as the 5 year old standing in line behind me (and I'm bigger too so watch out).

 

[suzij13]

I'm 20 I love meeting the characters and I absolutely love interacting with them. I completely forget about costumes and college students and for that moment I am meeting Belle or Alice or Mickey. I love getting autographs but the part that is most important is the interaction because from then on every time I see the autograph I remember that interaction. I also love getting Character kisses (from the fur characters of course getting them from the face characters would be weird.) I have so many great character stories from both fur and face characters and each one has a special place in my heart.
The Magic for me is that moment that I forget about real life and just become a kid again. That moment when the characters become real and everything else just seems to melt away. For that wonderful moment in time everything is right. All my problems just disapear. That is what the magic is for me.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

I just wanted to say I love characters and I may talk to them for about 30 seconds and get a picture, but then i'll move on. I think it's awesome that adults still meet characters, but I have to agree that an extended amount of time spent with characters is inconsiderate.

 

[Goofy_Girl]

I've never been to WDW (planning for aug 2008)However, I went to NY city for the first time last year a week before Christmas and unfortunately after making all the plans I became under the weather a few days before going, because I paid all the money for the grayhound bus and didn't want to let my DD or my DF down we went anyway to enjoy the Holiday atmosphere.
I was dragging the whole day until I walked in the Disney store(which in NY city is amazing)and Santa Goofy and the chipmunks were there for a meet in greet, I waited in line and by my turn I was just so uncontrollably happy to meet Goofy that I dashed to him to give him a hug shouting "Goofy!" I look back on it and it's still one of my best memories.Of course Goofy was the best,he gwarshed and acted silly and made me feel so much better that day. I can't wait to meet him at his home WDW.If you let yourself feel it, it really is magical to meet the characters and my DD and DF also couldn't help but catch the happiness that day. I can't wait for WDW!!!

 

[Joanna71985]

We just returned from our first trip to WDW and had a wonderful time. We never had more than a 10 min wait for any ride at all 4 parks. The character greetings were a different story. In many of the character lines it seemed to be more adults than kids waiting to meet the characters . Some of the adults did not even take pictures . They just wanted to meet the characters. I heard adults say to the characters "I have always wanted to meet you" in every line and then proceed to chat with the character. Two ladies spoke with Alice in Epcot for 20 min. I am just wondering if anyone else thinks this is crazy. The characters are made up of college interns and actors. My DD5 is of course nuts about meeting the characters but could someone please explain why an adult who knows they are not really the characters would be so interested in just meeting the characters?

There is nothing wrong with adults seeing the characters. I am an adult and love meeting the characters. I even have my own character website.

 

[suzij13]

I agree that 20 min is to long but I think that that is for just about any one regardless of age. I think that the characters know who is going to interact with them and who just wants a quick picture and an autograph.

Like I said before I love the interaction part. I can't remember spending more then five min with a character and I think usually it's more like three. But if I waited in line like everyone else then I don't think that there is anything wrong with that regardless of what age I am.

 

[WeatherbySwann]

. . . I asked Snow White's Queen, "What ever happened to Snow White's Dad?" (the movie never really addresses the issue) - The Queen waves her hand and says in a perfect evil tone - "I can't tell you in front of the children!" (great answer to avoid actually answering!). . . .. I also once asked Max (Goofy's son) - "Who is your mother?" (the movie never addresses that either) - and he put up his arms in a huge shurg saying "I DON"T KNOW!"

I've always wondered about Max's mother, too. I got this close to asking him on a recent Disney cruise, but didn't have the nerve to ask him. I think the Queen would be very funny to chat with . . . "can't tell you in front of the children" LOL!

I always enjoy meeting the characters on every trip. The most fun to interact with for me have been Stitch and Capn Jack. Yes I know they aren't real but a guest with a "I'm actually meeting Mickey Mouse!" attitude will have a way better experience than a guest with a "Ugh why are we standing in ANOTHER line to meet a sweaty guy in a mouse suit" attitude.

 

[chrismb22]

I agree about meeting characters being fun for adults too but does anyone else but me hate this whole new "waiting in line" and autograph-getting procedure? I'd feel funny as an adult waiting in a designated line to meet a character. I remember the "old days" when you would just randomly bump into characters around the parks and say hi, get a hug or snap a picture. Does anyone know when all this organization started, with set times and lines, etc? Just doesn't seem as magic to me.

See I feel exactly the opposite. I think the lines keep everything fair (as long as there are no line cutters -- but that's anothe discussion) AND I don't feel as bad going in front of a little kid if I waited in line just like the kid and his/her family.

That said, to the poster who asked about what the "magic" is -- you either feel it or you don't. It's not something that you can describe (at leat I can't.)

 

[bradk]

as per dave smith

Who was the mother of Goofy's son Max?

There is unfortunately no answer to this question. In the 1950s, Goofy appeared in a series of cartoons that also featured a son, then called "Goofy Junior." In a few of these cartoons, we heard an off-screen voice of a "Mrs. Goofy" character. Years later, when the television show "Goof Troop" was being created, Goofy Junior evolved into Max and Mrs. Goofy was no longer on the scene. Because these are fictional characters, they do not have real biographies and we can only go by what appears on the screen. Perhaps someday there will be another movie or television show that will explain who Max's mother is and where "Mrs. Goofy" went, but until that time, there is no definitive answer.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

as per dave smith

Who was the mother of Goofy's son Max?

There is unfortunately no answer to this question. In the 1950s, Goofy appeared in a series of cartoons that also featured a son, then called "Goofy Junior." In a few of these cartoons, we heard an off-screen voice of a "Mrs. Goofy" character. Years later, when the television show "Goof Troop" was being created, Goofy Junior evolved into Max and Mrs. Goofy was no longer on the scene. Because these are fictional characters, they do not have real biographies and we can only go by what appears on the screen. Perhaps someday there will be another movie or television show that will explain who Max's mother is and where "Mrs. Goofy" went, but until that time, there is no definitive answer.

Come on Brad we all know just from your Avatar who it is

 

[WeatherbySwann]

Come on Brad we all know just from your Avatar who it is

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Come on Brad we all know just from your Avatar who it is

Whoa! I never considered that possibility .......!

 

[Joanna71985]

I agree about meeting characters being fun for adults too but does anyone else but me hate this whole new "waiting in line" and autograph-getting procedure? I'd feel funny as an adult waiting in a designated line to meet a character. I remember the "old days" when you would just randomly bump into characters around the parks and say hi, get a hug or snap a picture. Does anyone know when all this organization started, with set times and lines, etc? Just doesn't seem as magic to me.

It's actually a lot better- and safer- this way. It was not safe for the characters when they wandered around. This makes it easier for everyone. And meeting the characters is for everyone...not just kids.

Come on Brad we all know just from your Avatar who it is

NO!

 

[SharonS]

My Mom was in a wheelchair, and we went to Disney 4 times a year. She didn't enjoy the rides at all, but loved meeting the characters. Those characters brought a special smile to her face that I will always remember and cherish. We got many wonderful pictures with the characters. In fact, when she passed away, I put together a DVD with many of those special character photos with Remember the Magic as the background music. I played it at the memorial service.

Now that she is gone, I still get my picture with the characters. On my last trip, when I approached Mickey, he took my hands and started dancing...it was one of those moments you always dream of happening, and I will remember it for a long time!

 

[hipchickie]

One of my favorite pictures from WDW is me with Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable in an action pose. I love the early episodes of Kim Possible and was giddy as a school girl to meet her and get her autograph. Meeting Kim and Ron was great, because unlike meeting an actor who may be nothing like his/her character in a movie/tv show, Kim and Ron were exactly how I imagined them.

OT, but I had no idea Kim Possible and Ron were there - can they still be found? what park did you see them in (and how long ago?) My son would just DIE for a picture with them




And another cute character story - we went to breakfast at the crystal palace, and my son was on the cell phone with his aunt - tigger came up behind him and was mimicing him behind his back, then when my son noticed, sat down with him, took my sons apple and wouldn't give it back, etc etc - just acted very "Tiggery" :LOL
My son still talks about it, laughing (and he was only 4 at the time, I am suprised he even remembers!)

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

OT, but I had no idea Kim Possible and Ron were there - can they still be found? what park did you see them in (and how long ago?) My son would just DIE for a picture with them

There were on New York Street in August when I was at Studios. Just ask any CM with a phone if they can call and find out what time they will be making appearences and where, they should be able to tell you.

As far as the characters roaming around vs. greeting lines: as a former character attendant, I was THANKFUL for the lines. It's hard enough to watch the character- making sure that nobody is punching, kicking, slapping, etc., watching that nobody cuts in line, communicating with the line that "Pluto is going to be going in in 5 minutes for a doggie treat, he'll be back here at 1:30" and answering guests questions, I was VERY thankful for the lines.

I had two places that I disliked working - in Toontown at the Barn Stormer and in Town Square with Mickey. Let me tell you, there's nothing like taking Mickey Mouse into TS right after the rope drop and the guests come flooding in under the train tracks. It takes a LOT of projecting your voice to get the line organized!

As far as waiting in line to meet characters, I love to do it!