Character meal etiquette

[surran12]

I was wondering if at character meals it is acceptable for a child to get an autograph or just stick to a quick hug/ high five and a picture and wait in character lines for autographs? Thanks for the advice.​

 

[kayteekt]

I was wondering if at character meals it is acceptable for a child to get an autograph or just stick to a quick hug/ high five and a picture and wait in character lines for autographs? Thanks for the advice.​

Autographs are perfectly fine. That's half the point of the character meals So you don't have to wait in line elsewhere.

 

[wilkeliza]

Autographs are more than okay. They have a lot more time per a family then the meet and greet characters.

 

[NatalieMT]

Yes at our last character meal (Crystal Palace breakfast) we were allowed hugs, multiple photos, autographs etc, we were a party of 7 and they gave us plenty of time. I'm sure you will be fine!

 

[msmama]

Do I remember hearing that the new Minnie holiday thing doesn't do autographs?

I know most do but I thought I remembered hearing about that.

 

[B-Ride]

Autographs, pictures, hugs and high fives... Even more important than the food.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Do I remember hearing that the new Minnie holiday thing doesn't do autographs?

I know most do but I thought I remembered hearing about that.

You're correct, msmama. No autographs at Minnie's.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I was wondering if at character meals it is acceptable for a child to get an autograph or just stick to a quick hug/ high five and a picture and wait in character lines for autographs? Thanks for the advice.​

​

.
.
1) Ah, we have entered the "Maybe Zone"
2) YES
. . . character autographs at most character meals
. . . picture, with your own camera
3) MAYBE
. . . hugs and high-fives are frequently discouraged due to accusations of inappropriate touching
. . . characters have been accused of this, so many will not consent to it
. . . hugs are a personal thing, and left up to the individual character-CM

 

[Miskey]

​

.
.
1) Ah, we have entered the "Maybe Zone"
2) YES
. . . character autographs at most character meals
. . . picture, with your own camera
3) MAYBE
. . . hugs and high-fives are frequently discouraged due to accusations of inappropriate touching
. . . characters have been accused of this, so many will not consent to it
. . . hugs are a personal thing, and left up to the individual character-CM

This has left me a little speechless. We were at DW the beginning of the month and had 6 character meals with a total of 25 characters. I have a picture of my 8 year old niece hugging every single one of those characters. I'm not even going to try to count the number of hugs that was given to her by characters in the parks. I can not imagine a scenario where a character could possibly not consent to a hug or high five without looking like a donkey

*edited to change previously used word to donkey

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I have a picture of my 8 year old niece hugging every single one of those characters

1) Once, again, it is solely up to the CM if they want to exchange hugs.
2) Even with those oversized gloved mittens, parents have complained their kids were "touched". (Do a Google and see how many.)

 

[katt789]

Autographs are half the fun of character meals!! Have your autograph book open to a blank page with the pen on top of it on the table for each character that comes by & they'll grab it if they can see it

 

[katt789]

This has left me a little speechless. We were at DW the beginning of the month and had 6 character meals with a total of 25 characters. I have a picture of my 8 year old niece hugging every single one of those characters. I'm not even going to try to count the number of hugs that was given to her by characters in the parks. I can not imagine a scenario where a character could possibly not consent to a hug or high five without looking like a donkey

*edited to change previously used word to donkey

Attempted to quote 2 things here don't think it worked, BUT

I have never been turned down a hug from a character or seen one turn one down, and a high five? That's even less contact. Entertainment cm's are trained to hug and high five, it's like, half of what they're trained for. They may not go to initiate the hug, especially with the little ones, and the fur characters, thanks to shy ness or the child not wanting to, but if a child hugs them, they will hug back.

 

[glk2009]

You're correct, msmama. No autographs at Minnie's.

We were at Minnie's on 12/7 and thought we couldn't do autographs, but we were told that they will sign if asked. So, we asked and they signed.

We were still given the pre-signed autograph card at the beginning.

Not sure if they will change that for the busy holiday week or not.

 

[surran12]

I greatly appreciate all the replies. Sorry just getting back to the thread I've been away the past two days.

 

[hiroMYhero]

We were at Minnie's on 12/7 and thought we couldn't do autographs, but we were told that they will sign if asked. So, we asked and they signed.

We were still given the pre-signed autograph card at the beginning.

Not sure if they will change that for the busy holiday week or not.

Thanks for reporting that.

On the 17th, Captains overseeing the character interaction were told no autographs by characters so maybe they are enforcing it now. It never hurts to ask.

 

[Miskey]

We were at Minnie's on 12/4. I can't remember exactly how it was worded, but the lady that sat us gave us the pre-signed cards and said something along the lines of "The characters have signed a card for you, so there shouldn't be a need for autographs, please feel free to take pictures". I took it to mean that they wouldn't turn you down if you asked, but they preferred you not to. I respected their wishes, because I think it has to do with getting the characters to make the full round of the restaurant in a timely manner. Donald was two tables past ours when we sat, and we had to wait longer than I would have liked after eating waiting for him to get back around.

 

[Baklava]

I was wondering if at character meals it is acceptable for a child to get an autograph or just stick to a quick hug/ high five and a picture and wait in character lines for autographs? Thanks for the advice.​

The only etiquette gaffe I have ever seen at a character meal was people trying to waylay characters when it wasn't their turn. (Which I am sure you would never do.)

 

[surran12]

The only etiquette gaffe I have ever seen at a character meal was people trying to waylay characters when it wasn't their turn. (Which I am sure you would never do.)

Oh absolutely not. If anything I think I cut my kids time too short on the character time they've had thus far.