Character Greetings Lines

[fizz13]

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!

Thankyou so much for telling this story this should make anyone understand why the magic is so important

 

[Jozymouse]

Hi,

My sis and I love characters and its always a very important part fo our trip to get to meet as many characters as possible. But, i do have to say that unless they interact with us, we wont really interact with them since we never know what to do or say to them! But most of them will still interact with us and its really fun when they do so!!!

 

[fey_spirit]

You know, I love the characters too - and I would never take up 20 minutes of their time when there was a line. On the other hand I don't think anyone, whether that be child or adult should take up that much time if there's a line. I don't really think your age has anything to do with it.

I should say that I wouldn't take up 20 minutes of a character's time. I try to be respectful of the other people waiting in line. We all paid the same amount to get into the park, so we should all be able to get the opportunity to see our favorite Disney character if at all possible.

 

[Aristomommy]

I don't think there is anything wrong with guests of any age to want to meet the characters. That's part of the Disney magic. I have younger children so character interaction is a must for us. I wouldn't do it as much when it's just DH and I going, but it's still a big part of the park ambience. Now taking 20 minutes turn with a character is too much no matter who it is....

Last time at WDW, what I didn't understand is that the CMs would announce: "Mickey will go for a snack in 5minutes" or something like that. We were 2nd in line at that point and asked the CM if we would be able to see Mickey. She said yes, there is still 5 minutes. I looked at my clock and wouldn't you know it, she took Mickey back after 2-3 minutes and only the person who was with Mickey at the time, got a turn. Sure we could have waited 15 more minutes for Mickey to return, but I thought it was odd. Why not say to the person in line, you will be the last one to see Mickey and let subsequent guests know they will have a chance to see Mickey in 15 minutes? There were parents with 2 cameras, a video camera, photopass photographer and all their autograph books hogging a character for longer than called for. Then the same group wanted to play ring around the rosie with Mickey.... I usually have autograph books open, pen ready and take a quick picture after autographs.

 

[toddler]

OK, I have to ask this - am I the only adult that ever cried the first time they met Mickey Mouse?

I was in college... my boyfriend (now husband... who loves to embarrass me by telling whoever will listen this story) and I went and stood in line to go into "the Room" to meet Mickey Mouse. I was sort of ho-hum about it, glad to be doing it but feeling stupid too because we were the only adults (it seemed like) standing there.

When we were ushered back ... the only ones, just the two of us... (I didn't realize meeting Mickey was a private affair)... I CRIED. I said, "I'm really excited to meet you...." hugged Mickey and cried some more. I was only in there about three minutes (because I was mortified with myself) and my boyfriend was looking at me like I'd morfed into an Alien. I know he was wondering if I was PMSing or what.

Eight years later we went back and did that line again (Married this time... I'd been back several times in that time span but never did the meet again with Mickey) and that time was with my firstborn - and I cried AGAIN. I felt like someone else just stepped in and took over my emotions because I'd told myself going into it not to be such a ninny or my DH would laugh his head off at me.

But I did. I couldn't help it... My DH couldn't believe that I did it again but he knew me well enough by that point to know he was taking his life into his own hands to ridicule me in front of "Mickey." But now he cracks up telling people how he "can't take me to see Mickey without my crying my head off!" (And I always say, "I only cried for a moment!!!")

 

[chrismb22]

OK, I have to ask this - am I the only adult that ever cried the first time they met Mickey Mouse? :

I got choked up once -- but it wasn't my first time meeting the big guy. IIt was the last day of a PERFECT vacation and we went to have our "private reception" with characters but didn't know who was there. I walked into the room and it was Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. I almost lost it. It was like "could this vaca get any better?"

 

[praline3001]

Being a mom of a little autograph hound I see the adults in the line and I know where the OP is coming from. I don't let it bother me and keep on with our day. I actually think its cute
What bugs the daylights out of me is when adults try to push their way to cut in line in front of the kids. I have had this happen to my little princess in both lines and at character meals. She is a polite, timid little thing so is often pushed around by adults trying to get their Mickey fix.

I think its great when adults lose their adult coolness and want to see Mickey BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take a look around you when doing so. Make sure to look down at KNEE level for any little ones who might get pushed out of the way in your rush to see him

 

[fizz13]

OK, I have to ask this - am I the only adult that ever cried the first time they met Mickey Mouse?

I was in college... my boyfriend (now husband... who loves to embarrass me by telling whoever will listen this story) and I went and stood in line to go into "the Room" to meet Mickey Mouse. I was sort of ho-hum about it, glad to be doing it but feeling stupid too because we were the only adults (it seemed like) standing there.

When we were ushered back ... the only ones, just the two of us... (I didn't realize meeting Mickey was a private affair)... I CRIED. I said, "I'm really excited to meet you...." hugged Mickey and cried some more. I was only in there about three minutes (because I was mortified with myself) and my boyfriend was looking at me like I'd morfed into an Alien. I know he was wondering if I was PMSing or what.

Eight years later we went back and did that line again (Married this time... I'd been back several times in that time span but never did the meet again with Mickey) and that time was with my firstborn - and I cried AGAIN. I felt like someone else just stepped in and took over my emotions because I'd told myself going into it not to be such a ninny or my DH would laugh his head off at me.

But I did. I couldn't help it... My DH couldn't believe that I did it again but he knew me well enough by that point to know he was taking his life into his own hands to ridicule me in front of "Mickey." But now he cracks up telling people how he "can't take me to see Mickey without my crying my head off!" (And I always say, "I only cried for a moment!!!")

You know what? your story just made me cry with happiness so you are definately not the only one, and when i took my friend to meet Eyeore for the first time, who she has been obsessed with from a young age, she was exactly the same, which made me cry. I'll show ya:

She never had the chance to meet him as a child, so for this trip she was that child, and i think thats ok.

 

[perdidochas]

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?

It's part of the magic of Disney.....

I'm not big on characters for myself, but I love to see the boys interact with them, however, some people feel differently, and it's their vacation.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We did not stand in line for any character meets, however, you need to keep in mind that those adults actually paid more for their entry than you paid for for your childrens entry! Everyone is entitled to the benifits found inside the parks, even though others find it odd!

Absolutely correct!!!!

I love meeting characters @ 26 and I don't care what other people thing. You can think its odd all you want b/c you know what: I don't care! I learned a long time ago to not worry about what other people think. I am in WDW for the magical experience and if to me that means charectors and I want to meet every charector there I will just get right in line without a second thought.

At least I'm not in line screaming, climbing all over people, stepping on toes, playing w/ the ropes, skipping ahead of people, etc.

 

[Torgue]

ok

 

[Torgue]

How's this for magic!

 

[kswm30b]

It was partly because of the DIS that I even knew it was possible for adults to meet with the characters! When I went to Disney for a day a few years back, I saw a ton of characters, but never went up to them. In planning for our week long trip a few weeks ago, I saw that meeting characters is fine for any age. I'm 27, and my mom thought it was kind of odd when I said I wanted to get autographs (for the scrapbook) and meet characters, but the first time we met a character that first day, she understood. I thought it was kind of silly standing in line 45 minutes to meet the princesses, but after we walked out of the tent, I knew it was totally worth it. The Character Greetings were one of the highlights of the trip for us.

Also, in our case anyway, it was always the characters who started the conversations. I never knew what to say, but the face characters would always ask me questions, so of course I had to answer them. I never spent more than a few minutes with them, if that, let alone 20 minutes, though!

 

[DisGal520]

Since some of you told your stories of character interactions, here are two of mine.

Earlier this year on the Disney Magic, when it was my turn to pose with Jack Sparrow I noticed all the rings he was wearing. I said to him that he was wearing more jewelry than me and he quipped back (totally in character) "It's all borrowed, I swear!".

Later I had the chance to meet Captain Hook. I told him ' hey before there was Sparrow, there was Hook!!!" and he loved it. He did a quick dance and bowed low, plumed hat in hand. Later on the ship he was rushing down a corridor and waved wildly at me and bowed again with a flourish. So when you do get to meet a character, try to relate to the character. It might just make that CM's day as well as yours.


DisGal

 

[Princess Jayne]

How's this for magic!

Whats the difference between that pic and this one -

Nothing apart from our ages - its still the same magic - two jasmine fans getting to meet Princess Jasmine. x

 

[burberryplaid]

My first trip ever was in September. It is just DH and I (no kids yet) and let me tell you, I wasn't about to go there and not meet with the characters. I was not fortunate enough to have been born into a family where going away to Disney was an option. My first trip, will always be special to me because I got to be 6 years old..no worries, no cares, just happiness and magic.

With that said, I do try to be considerate of the children. I didn't monopolize the characters..just took my pictures, thanked them, and went on my way. You are never too old to experience that kind of magic, and to imply otherwise is narrow minded and hurtful, and I do take offense to that!

 

[TinkandAriel]

I have to agree that it's difficult if not darned near impossible to describe Disney Magic to someone who either doesn't get it or has never experienced it, but here's my take: It's the joy and wonderment of my dd meeting her favorite Piglet, and seeing her encased and almost lost in Eeyore's hug; seeing my big burly "manly" man hubby simply relax and transform into a 6yo again, with no worries and no thoughts of the outside world while inside the bubble of magic that is Disney. It's seeing my usually gruff and tuff father in law laughing his head off and joking with Mickey. It's seeing Tigger get all excited and pretend to steal dd's pen bc it was a Tigger pen. It's all this and so much more. I have to say I'm extremely blessed to be part of a family who all get and feel the magic of Disney, and I feel just a bit sorry for those who say "what's so big about Disney? It's so expensive, crowded, blah, blah and blah..."

 

[Torgue]

Whats the difference between that pic and this one -

Nothing apart from our ages - its still the same magic - two jasmine fans getting to meet Princess Jasmine. x

I would say the main difference is my DD thinks that really is Jasmine. You know that it really is not. I would say it's kinda like Santa. I have lots of Christmas Spirit and it is my favorite time of year but I know that Santa is not bringing me presents.

 

[meeko_33785]

I would say the main difference is my DD thinks that really is Jasmine. You know that it really is not. I would say it's kinda like Santa. I have lots of Christmas Spirit and it is my favorite time of year but I know that Santa is not bringing me presents.

I don't believe that the events that go on in movies, TV shows or plays are real but I still enjoy watching them. I don't believe I'm really trapped in the Twilight Zone or flying over London when riding ToT or Peter Pan's Flight and I still enjoy riding them. The same goes for interacting with and photographing the characters. It's another form of entertainment and if you look at it as such it's pretty fun.

 

[hismattjesty]

I'm 35 here, and meeting characters is more a priority each trip now than when I was a child (It was all about attractions then). I am amazed at how talented these people are, and could literally do character studies of each one. It simply amazes me that be it a face character or a costumed character, they treat each adult as if they were a child (or child at heart). Disney is truly the one place age has no boundaries, and like bradk said previously, you can't buy the entertainment, only the ticket.

The people that Disney employs for their characters are truly the cream of the crop. To put up with what they do on a daily basis and not break character is simply amazing! This is yet another reason I continue to return year after year!