Character meals when you are solo

[Lorettainny]

Hello,

I'll be in WDW from 12/10-1218 and going solo for the first time. I really want to have a meal with Pooh and friends. Maybe even a few more.

I don't have a fancy phone to take a selfie but I will have a camera with me.

Questions:

1) Do all of the characters have a handler that could take pictures for me?
2) I don't think the meals would be worth it if I don't get pictures out of it. Do you?
3) Would you be put off if a solo traveler asked you to take a picture of them with a character?

I really want to go to character meals but I just don't know if it is appropriate to ask people to take pictures for me.

Thank you for the information.

 

[MenchieMan87]

1) Do all of the characters have a handler that could take pictures for me?

No, in my experience they do not.

2) I don't think the meals would be worth it if I don't get pictures out of it. Do you?

Depends what you're looking for. If you just want photos then yeah, not worth it.

3) Would you be put off if a solo traveler asked you to take a picture of them with a character?

I would not. As a solo traveler myself I am always looking to trade cameras with someone.

 

[jessicaeasteregg]

@Lorettainny I didn't get a ton of pictures at my character meal, but the interaction was a lot more fun than when I was in the parks to get photos. My family was at 1900 Park Fare with Pooh, Tigger, and Mary Poppins and they came around multiple times. I personally had fun even with the limited (and not great quality) photos.

If someone asked me to take a photo, I definitely wouldn't mind, as long as I'm not deep in my meal or mid-chew or whatever. You might get lucky with a nice table next to you who will ask if you want them to take a photo for you (I usually offer!)

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I've done various character meals solo, and sometimes a handler is in the area when you need to take a photo, and other times they are not. Sometimes your server might be able to take a photo, and other times they are too busy. I do think character meals are nicer with a friend so you can take pictures of each other. But, if the choice is solo or not at all, I'd still go to the ones I really want to go to, recognizing I may not get as many pictures as I would like. I'd be shy about asking other guests at a nearby table to take my picture, but I'd ask any nearby CMs. I do generally end up with at least one picture with each character, although occasionally the photos were a bit out of focus, but usually they are OK.

 

[karly05]

A tip I learned on the DIS: When you meet the character, if there is not a handler with them, ask the character, "Do you know someone who could take a picture of us?" I did this with Doc McStuffins at H&V and she summoned a nearby CM.

This year at Tusker House, there was a mature gentleman CM helping out with the characters. I was seated next to an adult couple with no kids. Waiting for the characters to come out, he chatted with us and let us know he would be happy to take pics. He had to move on to the next room with Donald and Mickey, but my table-neighbors offered to take pics for me with the other characters and I thanked them and said I'd be happy to do the same for them.

I've once or twice asked another guest to take a pic, or had someone ask me to take a pic for them, and they've always been nice.

 

[annemce118]

I've done a few character meals solo and have never had trouble finding someone to take my picture.

 

[Lorettainny]

Thank you everyone. I wanted to do a few character meals and now I'm going to book them. Thanks again!