Character meet and greets are the worst part of WDW now! My story..

[belle032]

I have to agree with the others about the line being cut off. Disney is VERY strict about how long they can stay out, especially fur characters in the summer. And even though it may not seem like a big deal for one more family to meet so-and-so, you have to cut it somewhere. If I let your child in line, then why shouldn't I let the ones behind you? And the ones after that? The characters aren't machines and need breaks!

I can honestly say that being a character attendant is one of the most stressful roles at Disney because of these situations. It's so hard to cut a line off, especially when you have adorable children wanting to meet their favorite character. Believe me, if we could let everyone meet the character every time, it would be SO much easier on us!

It's very strange that the photopass photographer was giving orders though, it should have been an attendant. In my experience, I was the one in control of the line, the photographer was just there for pictures. Usually they wanted nothing to do with the line! And I do agree you should not have been spoken to like that in any circumstance. That was bad show and should have been reported. I'm sorry you had that experience!

 

[MikeOhio]

You come across very obnoxious and entitled. Should have been a good chance to teach your little snowflake that life isn't always fair. You should have gotten there earlier. The characters need breaks

 

[Bearybear]

Did they tell you as soon as you walked up that the character was leaving or were you waiting for a while on line when they told you the line was closed. It is one thing to walk up and have the attendant tell you this. That is normal, and I can't really seeing getting too upset over it. But if you were waiting for a while in line then the attendant tells you to leave, that is wrong. While I understand the characters need frequent breaks. But they should be telling people as soon as they try to get on line.

As for the thing with Gaston, I don't get why they would care if you were out of the way of everyone.

 

[WDSearcher]

OK smartie, what I'm saying is the party in front of me literally walked into the park in front of us and basically got in line at same time as me, they just happend to be justin front, hence they were basically there a split second before, and maybe because I'm not a rushie/pushie person who tries to squeeze in front of people.

Thing is, I doubt the handler is counting exact numbers of people here, not enough time passed for that to happen. I was one of maybe 10-15 that jumped in line at that quick moment of time and they chose to single me (and only me)out to kick out of line.

And with Gaston, I was well out of the line, not anywhere near any photo shots- the photo pass people nor the handler should have had any business with me at that point.

I guess I was wrong to expect sympathy on the internet. My bad, Disney does no wrong. There, better?

You posted a pretty vehement criticsm on a Disney FAN board. What, exactly, did you expect? And then when people don't get all upset and indignant with you, you go to "oh woe is me ...." and slam the entire internet.

The tone of your post doesnt' exactly breed sympathy.

 

[Seeker615]

I understand both sides of this situation but it is sad that it is harder and harder to meet characters. I agree with the op that if they were all getting in line together and nobody was behind them then why not let them in?

Back when my kids were young we had no problems meeting the characters. We saw them went up to them or waited in line for a bit and had a quick meet and greet. It was random and fun. No pressure at all.

I worry about taking my grand-daughter next year. All she talks about is meeting the princesses and dancing with them and hugging them. I am sure many of the posters here have kids that want to to the same. Disney commercials make it look so easy and fun to meet everyone that kids expect it to be that way.

Last year my adult daughter and I did a day in MK and we got only one random picture of her with Brer Rabbit. Other than that we rarely saw any characters at all. Over at Universal we have loads and loads of pics with the characters. It seems way easier over at the "dark side"

 

[3boys4me]

I didn't read all of the responses. I'm sorry that your child was put out of line. I know in the past I have seen someone, a handler I suppose, I think in a yellow vest, cutting off the line. To me, that is fair. Have someone stand at the end of the line informing guests that the line has ended. But in this case, they let you and your child get in the line. I don't like the way that happened. Yes they have to stop the line, but don't put a child out of the line. I know how bad you must have felt for your child. I get it.

 

[letsgoreds]

I think it is the title of your post that is causing this....two instances when you showed up late for a M&G and were asked to move on do not equate to M&G being the 'worst part of WDW now!'.

Sounds like you went during a busy time, and the photographers might have been overworked/understaffed. Many Disney staff were working 60-80 hours during spring break week. During really busy times, they even pull office workers into the parks to cover shifts.

Honestly, not being a M&G person, we tried it out for the first time this year (late January) and it was my favorite part of my trip. We did the Photopass+ (another first), and both M&G and PP+ are now staples for all future trips.

The line for Gaston gets crazy, as does the area around. He is kinda in the middle of everything, vs. secluded spot like Merida and Tiana, etc. You never know if a really mean person just came by right before you. Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt and doesn't need to be reported, unless it was really bad. I've met some snarky CM before, but no biggie. Part of life. Disney is a wonderful place, but I would take some variety in personality to a bunch of perfect clones or machines.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

I have to agree with the others about the line being cut off. Disney is VERY strict about how long they can stay out, especially fur characters in the summer. And even though it may not seem like a big deal for one more family to meet so-and-so, you have to cut it somewhere. If I let your child in line, then why shouldn't I let the ones behind you? And the ones after that? The characters aren't machines and need breaks!

I can honestly say that being a character attendant is one of the most stressful roles at Disney because of these situations. It's so hard to cut a line off, especially when you have adorable children wanting to meet their favorite character. Believe me, if we could let everyone meet the character every time, it would be SO much easier on us!

It's very strange that the photopass photographer was giving orders though, it should have been an attendant. In my experience, I was the one in control of the line, the photographer was just there for pictures. Usually they wanted nothing to do with the line! And I do agree you should not have been spoken to like that in any circumstance. That was bad show and should have been reported. I'm sorry you had that experience!

I wasn't aware of how strict they are with characters but it makes perfect sense! Imagine being in those hot costumes. I'd probably have heat stroke and I'm sure that's happened before. The handlers I'm sure are under strict instructions as to time they're allowed to be in costume. We've had it happen before where we've gotten in line but then were told to leave. If we were rudely told, that would annoy me but it's always been done politely.

As for the Gaston altercation, that one sounds strange. Maybe the handler thought the OP was just being a jerk and loitering around hoping to still get a meet & greet? Still, there's no need to be rude.

I remember a time at CP where we had missed seeing Eeyore. My kids were a little upset but recovered, however the waiter overheard them. He kindly said that Eeyore wasn't allowed back out but that he would bring their autograph books to the back and get them signed. Very sweet of him!

 

[World Showcaser]

Do you think the handler was getting annoyed in both instances because you weren't acknowledging (by your own admission) that they were talking to you? In the first case, you said that you actually heard the handler say, "Excuse me," several times before you clued in that he was talking to you and in the second case, you said you purposely ignored the handler who was trying to get you move away from the sidelines.

If I was talked to in the manner you say by ANYone wearing a Disney name badge, they'd be reported so fast their head would spin. There's tact and there's rudeness. Wow.

Yes but the OP chose not to do anything about this incident. So was it really that bad?

Thing is, I doubt the handler is counting exact numbers of people here, not enough time passed for that to happen. I was one of maybe 10-15 that jumped in line at that quick moment of time and they chose to single me (and only me)out to kick out of line.

So you think that some random cast member was out to get you and your son? Why would they do that?

You come across very obnoxious and entitled. Should have been a good chance to teach your little snowflake that life isn't always fair. You should have gotten there earlier. The characters need breaks

This is what I wanted to say but was too afraid to. Thank you.

 

[mikeyg1479]

Very nice how a thread sharing a personally bad experience degenerates into personal attacks against me personally, calling me obnoxious because I'm not thrilled about being yelled at by character handlers at the "most magical place on earth" because I came within 15 feet of their beloved character.

Look for the top dollar you pay at Disney for everything, you should be treated a little better than as part of a herd of cattle. For the record I did note the name of the gaston handler and planned to report, but you know, when your actually on vacation with your son you want to spend your short time having fun with your kid, not wasting time complaining at guest relations, Needless to say, I have more time now. Sorry if I'm disturbing the relative peace here.

 

[katt789]

It really sucks that you had the experiences that you did, and I'm sorry for that. That's the problem with the meet and greets is that they can get cut off abruptly and with the ones out in the open where the line/space can move around a lot, things can get confusing.

I don't really know why the photopass people were controlling the line and not the attendant, but sometimes that does happen, as the attendant is busy doing something else, answering another persons question, and then maybe the photopass people are getting annoyed because they're "doing someone else's jobs"

As for the Gaston bit, it's because the walkway there is so tiny, and gets clogged up so easily. They really need to find a bit of a better spot for him, especially on busy days. With the wall up between Ariel and Dumbo, you have to turn around and go back the way you came into the expansion, and that two way traffic, with everyone stopping to gawk at a character, it gets REALLY crammed and really annoying to try and get through there. I know the cms in that area have a bit of a tougher time doing crowd control in that area.

I've got to a point that when I see a short character line, I'll walk up to simply ask "is the line closed" and if it is "when's their next set?" So that you can either, come back (early of course) or stay and be the first in line for the next set.

Sorry that the cms weren't too friendly with you, hopefullly you'll have some better luck next time!

 

[chmurf]

In MK we were told that the Jasmine/Aladdin line was full, not once, not twice, but three times the same day, and we were told we should enter the line a good half hour before the next set. On one of those occasions, the CM lady roped the area as I was inches from the entrance of the line ... well so be it.

We tried to enter the Snow White lane before the exit of MK, and as I walked up the ramp, the CM told me it was over ... well so be it, even if this was on our way out of MK and we were due to leave Orlando the next day.

That's part of the game. A few days before in EPCOT we had been let last in line for Pinnochio AND the queen of hearts when they turned other families away only seconds after we arrived.

You need to accept that, from time to time, you're 1 person behind the last person allowed in, and sometimes you'll be the last person allowed in.

But the most important part is how you tell the "incident". Basically you seem very "proud" of the fact that you never heeded the CMs instructions, and you deliberately ignored or refused to acknowledge them (You said that yourself).
If no one can excuse a CM's attitude, ignoring CMs when they tell you something is not the best incentive you can give them to be nice to you.
Can you be 100% sure that they would not have let you in line anyway if you had chosen to listen, acknowledge, and be just a little bit nice ? It's a 50/50 chance that you'd been allowed in.

If you think these CMs have been unfair to you, next time you're last in line for a character and a family walks up and gets turned away ... feel their pain ... and give them your spot in line, because you know how painful and unfair it is ... how does it sound now ?

But if you want character madness, come to Disneyland Paris, where they can't organise and maintain a line. Where parents push you away, or push their kids in front of yours. When there is absolutely no crowd control and each and every character picture you can't take shows several other guests crowding the character

Then you'll know that it was not so bad after all.

 

[tony609]

They could make it easier by having the attendant stand and close the line. But they don't. We have been in lines for a few minutes before the attendant sees us and then tells us this is my last guest or we only have 2 minutes left and there's 7 guests ahead of us . Or the character changes completely. We were at Disneyland waiting for woody and it changed to Jesse. It happens. It didn't ruin our trip.

 

[cuchu2005]

Kinda sad that several responses were of the variety that "Oh well, too bad, you got in line past the cutoff, deal with it" attitudes. Sorry, but that is unacceptable.

For all the Disney worship that is spread on these boards and how Disney always goes "above and beyond" in the customer service realm, spending a couple more minutes so a 5 yr old can get their picture taken with Goofy or Pluto seems well within the guidelines of providing proper customer service.

It wasn't like he walked up 5 or 10 minutes after they had decided to set a cutoff. I think we all understand that obviously they have to have a last guest so the character can take a break, but kinda shocked by some of "tough luck" responses from some of you when it wouldn't have taken more than a couple minutes to make a child at DISNEY happy.

I t otally agree. And let me add that the situation where a CM is not at the endo of the line, while the line is closed, also exists. We've entered a couple of lines only to be informed some time later that the line was closed.

While it doesn't ruin my day, nor my girls' (as they know that this may happen) I find it highly annoying.

I've always had more relaxed M&Gs at Universal.

Mx

 

[DeaverTex]

Very nice how a thread sharing a personally bad experience degenerates into personal attacks against me personally, calling me obnoxious because I'm not thrilled about being yelled at by character handlers at the "most magical place on earth" because I came within 15 feet of their beloved character.

Look for the top dollar you pay at Disney for everything, you should be treated a little better than as part of a herd of cattle. For the record I did note the name of the gaston handler and planned to report, but you know, when your actually on vacation with your son you want to spend your short time having fun with your kid, not wasting time complaining at guest relations, Needless to say, I have more time now. Sorry if I'm disturbing the relative peace here.

There's never any peace on the boards, and pretty much anyone who has a problem with Disney -- CM, attractions, food, whatever -- will face the ire of a fair number of Disney apologists.

Without having been there at the time, of course I can't say too much about how the end of the line was handled. From your description, it sounds like they (should have been the handler) may have been exasperated at people tucking into the line after the end of the line had already been established. But, again from your description, to me the appropriate thing would have been to send away everybody who came in that same last second rush. I wasn't there, though.

Being told to shove off, though, from a vantage point makes me wonder. You said it was 15 feet away, and to me that sounds reasonable. Unless you were doing something that made the CMs nervous or uncomfortable, your being run off seems to be inexcusable behavior.

Welcome to the boards, mikeyg1479. Try not to let the fanatics (remember, "fan" is just short for "fanatic") run you off. There's still lots of good information, and good fun, here.

 

[alc571]

You come across very obnoxious and entitled.

Wow... seems like a harsh response. I don't think OP post sounds like this at all.

I think OP's biggest complaint was the way in which she was treated by the CMs, not so much that she was told to leave the line. The CM could have pleasantly explained that the time for meeting was over, and let them know when they could come back. Whether she's having a bad day or not, there is never an acceptable excuse for rudeness - especially at Disney.

OP, I can sympathize with you. I'd be upset if anyone spoke to me like this, and especially if it was a Disney employee. I'm just glad my DS does not like seeing the characters. We just admire from afar! And I would be extremely annoyed if a CM told me I couldn't!

 

[Magpie]

Very nice how a thread sharing a personally bad experience degenerates into personal attacks against me personally, calling me obnoxious because I'm not thrilled about being yelled at by character handlers at the "most magical place on earth" because I came within 15 feet of their beloved character.

Look for the top dollar you pay at Disney for everything, you should be treated a little better than as part of a herd of cattle. For the record I did note the name of the gaston handler and planned to report, but you know, when your actually on vacation with your son you want to spend your short time having fun with your kid, not wasting time complaining at guest relations, Needless to say, I have more time now. Sorry if I'm disturbing the relative peace here.

I'll suggest what I suggested earlier. Go to http://kennythepirate.com/. Go now. Make a plan.

Just as with everything else Disney, the people who research and plan are generally happier people who have more satisfying vacations and get more done.

Or, you know, you could just go with never enjoying another meet and greet ever again. I suppose that's a kind of plan, too.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Sorry, but the breaks for the characters are pretty strict. And I'm not for "letting people in" past the cutoff because they have a child. That leads to "what about MY child?" and that kind of thing. They CAN come back when the character returns. When break time comes, the character goes. It's been done like that for some time now.

True. But rudeness is not necessary.

 

[World Showcaser]

Wow... seems like a harsh response. I don't think OP post sounds like this at all.

I think OP's biggest complaint was the way in which she was treated by the CMs, not so much that she was told to leave the line. The CM could have pleasantly explained that the time for meeting was over, and let them know when they could come back. Whether she's having a bad day or not, there is never an acceptable excuse for rudeness - especially at Disney.

But can't you understand why a CM would get frustrated if he/she said "Excuse me," repeatedly and the guest refused to acknowledge that they were being spoken to? So, the CM could have pleasantly said that the line was closed for all we know. The guest wasn't paying any attention.

 

[BeerMe]

Sorry you had a problem. Our trip in February was just the opposite. We met up with 10 different characters (or our grandchildren did at any rate) and we got tons of pictures. The 2yo loved it - it was the highlight of her trip.