Character Interactions

[LoveDisneyDad]

We are going to be in the Disney Parks from Thursday July 9/15 - Tuesday July 14/15. When we went to disneyland in November both our sons absolutely loved meeting the characters. Having their custom made autograph books signed was one of the top highlights of the trip for them I'd say. They are 5 and 1 1/2. The meeting character process seems different at DW with every character in a set location with times, as opposed to randomly catching characters walking around the park or having to ask cast members when they would be out again.

My question is, Which characters are the hardest to see due to limited availability or long lines? We are going to several character meals (Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace breakfast, Park Fare breakfast, Tusker House, Hollywood and Vine, and Akershus) so we will be able to see several characters there but the absolute must sees are Anna and Elsa, Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel, Gaston, and Chip and Dale but the boys will want to see every character if they could. I just want to make sure I have some tips beforehand so we don't spend too much time waiting in lines because we were not informed and didn't plan well.

Are there any characters that are poor visits or poor interactions (as in not worth it)?

I appreciate all of the advice in advance.

Thanks

 

[mesaboy2]

We are going to be in the Disney Parks from Thursday July 9/15 - Tuesday July 14/15. When we went to disneyland in November both our sons absolutely loved meeting the characters. Having their custom made autograph books signed was one of the top highlights of the trip for them I'd say. They are 5 and 1 1/2. The meeting character process seems different at DW with every character in a set location with times, as opposed to randomly catching characters walking around the park or having to ask cast members when they would be out again.

My question is, Which characters are the hardest to see due to limited availability or long lines? We are going to several character meals (Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace breakfast, Park Fare breakfast, Tusker House, Hollywood and Vine, and Akershus) so we will be able to see several characters there but the absolute must sees are Anna and Elsa, Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel, Gaston, and Chip and Dale but the boys will want to see every character if they could. I just want to make sure I have some tips beforehand so we don't spend too much time waiting in lines because we were not informed and didn't plan well.

Are there any characters that are poor visits or poor interactions (as in not worth it)?

I appreciate all of the advice in advance.

Thanks

Anna and Elsa, and Hiro and Baymax are currently the toughest gets (longest lines) at WDW. Flynn does not appear. The best site for comprehensive WDW character info is www.kennythepirate.com. Anna and Elsa have an FP option, but are the toughest FPs to get. If you are not familiar with WDW's FP+ (it's quite different than DLR's), see the green link in my signature for a primer.

 

[LoveDisneyDad]

Just wanting to confirm that the only place you can meet the beast is at BOG for Dinner? Is this true?

 

[mesaboy2]

Just wanting to confirm that the only place you can meet the beast is at BOG for Dinner? Is this true?

Yes, only at BOG. You meet him on the way out of the restaurant. He passes through the eating areas occasionally as well, but he does not stop.

 

[mousehockey37]

I'll 2nd the kennythepirate site. He's a one stop shop for anything and everything characters. They also have the locations listed on the park map as well as the times they are available when you get to the park.

 

[LoveDisneyDad]

Yes, only at BOG. You meet him on the way out of the restaurant. He passes through the eating areas occasionally as well, but he does not stop.

Thanks, We have a lunch booked but when we booked the trip we were less than 180 days out from going so the dinner is fully booked every day we are there. Oh well, something to be sure to put on the list for the next trip I guess.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks, We have a lunch booked but when we booked the trip we were less than 180 days out from going so the dinner is fully booked every day we are there. Oh well, something to be sure to put on the list for the next trip I guess.

WDW requires much more planning than DLR I'm sorry to say, at least if you want certain restaurants or to avoid longer lines. I long for simpler times.

 

[mousehockey37]

WDW requires much more planning than DLR I'm sorry to say, at least if you want certain restaurants or to avoid longer lines. I long for simpler times.

WDW requires a lot of planning in most aspects of your trip. Not just the food and characters... I have found though that you may not always need all of your FP+'s. You may be able to catch a character at a good time or the same for a ride for that matter. For dining, yeah, make those and keep them. Go to allears.net and check out the menus and make an educated decision on where you want to eat, but for rides/character lines, make your FP's and keep an eye on the wait times and such, you just might be able to get done what you want to rather quickly. For instance, Gaston, the Tremaines, Fairy Godmother all have locations they meet at, but the lines are relatively short.... There are others, I just used those as examples.