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

[dkhillerud]

I think trying to meet the characters at HS is a real PAIN! We were there recently and twice tried to get in line to meet Minnie, both times the line had been cut off. That's fine, I understand that. I nicely asked when Minnie would be back and was told "She is taking a short break." So again asked very nicely, could you give me a time frame, 5 min, 20 min, can we wait for her to come back. The response given was "No, you need to leave now."

At Magic Kingdom we were in line waiting to meet Chip and Dale. They cut the line off right before we got to the front, but said they will be taking a short break and be right back. The handler and the photopass photographer were great, they were chatting with us, joking with the kids. The wait was about 10 min, but that was fine. I like this this set up much better than trying to guess when to come back.

 

[frisbeego]

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 think the most important thing, as you've said, is to not let it ruin your day. And kudos for preparing your girls for what might happen.

If the handler is managing the line, who's protecting the character from the cute 5 yo who's so excited to see Buzz/Woody/Goofy etc. that he almost knocks the character over? It should be the 5 yo's parents' job, but the handler is the last line of defense. Adding a line monitor, in addition to the handler and the photographer, doesn't seem reasonable.

My take on the OP is that we have an incomplete picture. What if the last person should've been the kid 3 people families of the OP? The handler could've stretched the rules by allowing 2 more in, but had to draw the line somewhere. The handler might not have known whether the OP was a half second or a half minute behind. There are infinite what-ifs that could be at play.

It's unfortunate that the OP's Disney experience was only 99.5% enjoyable, but sometimes we have to let that .5% roll off our backs.

 

[luvsJack]

From what the OP said in her post, there were no other people to say "what about my kid?" She was the very last person in line.

She also said that everyone lined up at the same time. So it wasn't a case of the handler saying "after the next person, i am cutting off the line". I have been in a situation similar to the OP and the handler cut the line off after us. And then everyone that came up AFTER us would be told that the character would be leaving and they could come back at X time or see the character at X spot at X time or something (NEVER to just leave).

While I think she is taking it a bit personal, I think that she may have simply encountered two rude/over zealous character handlers. It happens.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

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.

I think it's really hard for a character handler at times. They're supposed to watch / help the characters and close the line. When they're in a situation where there's no rope to close the line - they do (in my experience) try to stand at the end so you can easily see it's closed but at the same time often they're needed up by the character.

I would think the best system would be to have 2 CMs per character when it's really busy (like these past few weeks). One to close the line and one to help the character. We've never been during a really busy time so I don't know if that's a possible system or not.

 

[Joanna71985]

I think it's really hard for a character handler at times. They're supposed to watch / help the characters and close the line. When they're in a situation where there's no rope to close the line - they do (in my experience) try to stand at the end so you can easily see it's closed but at the same time often they're needed up by the character.

I would think the best system would be to have 2 CMs per character when it's really busy (like these past few weeks). One to close the line and one to help the character. We've never been during a really busy time so I don't know if that's a possible system or not.

That's not always possible, unfortunately

 

[mikeyg1479]

One thing that was interesting too that I left out, not a complaint, just an observation- later in the trip we did encounter another combined goofy/pluto character line at AK. There we got in line (this area, had an actual roped off area, not just a makeshift line, much better organized)- was told after a few minutes in waiting in they were taking a break and would be "right back".

We waiting around 10 minutes and they came back & took more kids- we were in line maybe 10-15 more minutes until we reached front- as they were taking us, they told the party behind us that we were the last before break.

So, apparently costumed characters only work 10 - 15 minutes between breaks, and it was not a super hot day- a very overcast and comfortably cool 70 degrees. Anyone know from experience if this is normal? It just seems a little overdrastic. I know costumes must be hot, but still..

But apparently I was THIS close to being the odd man out, again.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The union to which the character performers belong has very strict rules about how long they can be "onstage" and how long they should be off for breaks. It could be that the characters who came back after 10 minutes were not the same performers. Or maybe breaks are shorter when it isn't very hot out. Obviously they can't have water or a bathroom break while in public.

 

[book_junkie]

I guess I'm confused about Gaston? When we went in October (before the official opening, which may be where I'm lost), if you couldn't meet Gaston (which I never could as he was sporadic) you could stand off to the side by the fountain and watch. Are they shooing people away completely now, or was it just because this past week or so was crazy?

 

[Crystal824]

One thing that was interesting too that I left out, not a complaint, just an observation- later in the trip we did encounter another combined goofy/pluto character line at AK. There we got in line (this area, had an actual roped off area, not just a makeshift line, much better organized)- was told after a few minutes in waiting in they were taking a break and would be "right back".

We waiting around 10 minutes and they came back & took more kids- we were in line maybe 10-15 more minutes until we reached front- as they were taking us, they told the party behind us that we were the last before break.

So, apparently costumed characters only work 10 - 15 minutes between breaks, and it was not a super hot day- a very overcast and comfortably cool 70 degrees. Anyone know from experience if this is normal? It just seems a little overdrastic. I know costumes must be hot, but still..

But apparently I was THIS close to being the odd man out, again.

When I worked for Disney (a long time ago so take this for what it is worth) as a character greeter, the temperature determined how long the characters are on stage outside. If it is cool, they could stay on stage for 30 min. If temps were above 80, they stayed on stage for 20 min., above 100 they were on stage for 15 minutes before breaking. Yes, 15-20 mins. is about right for this time of year. The characters were ALWAYS covered in sweat when they came off stage. New performers come out when they "character goes on break."

 

[Tiger926]

Sorry about your Gaston experience, as I haven't seen that before. Not sure about that one?

As for being the last in line, that is the way it is. Been there, done that many times. My children as babies, toddlers, preschoolers and children have been in that very same predicament a million times, and we say, ok thanks, and ask when they will be out again. We then move along. We would never question the CM, as that is not appropriate, plus it could make for a hostile experience.

With almost 50 millions guests visiting the parks on a yearly basis, there are millions of just one more autograph please requests, and for the health and safety of the character actors, they deserve their breaks, and so those autograph requests need to be denied.

Unfortunately, someone always has to be turned away at some point, as that is just the nature of the beast.

Sorry, OP, that you feel that character greetings are the worst part of WDW...I would disagree. They do require planning and patience though, so perhaps next time, you will be better prepared.

Not everything is about ourselves, and so remembering that the people in those character suits deserve a break, it may help you retain your composure for a future character greeting.

Tiger

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Wow, I would have gone to guest services both times and I have never complained at GS in my life, but that would have made me go.
So sorry for the way you were treated.

 

[LisaTN]

As for the "end of the line" I know they have to do this and it's heartbreaking to a 4yo who doesn't know why she can't meet Jasmine... I think the issue is "if you let one person in, you have to let them all" - and so as dissapointing as it is, just try and come back at another time.

As for the attitude, I'm sorry, CMs can make or break an experience, and the few sour CMs can really spoil it.

Second situation, I'm guessing that since its a busy time, they didn't want to create a bottle neck towards little mermaid, etc... since the pathway there can get narrow. Still, the attitude was uncalled for, but with busy times come stress and even the best CMs can have an off day.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that and hope your next encounters are more magical!!

 

[Laura66]

My girlfriends daughter is a character and princess right now. The stories she tells? Well let me tell you the number of rude, self entitled guests is mind boggling!

I also tend to shake my head at the number of parents who mention that their children are heartbroken or shattered if their children have to wait to meet their favorite character or if they don't respond a certain way. I can see disappointed. Devastated or shattered no! I won't feed into that and remind them what types of things are truly devastating.

 

[Sparkly]

Obviously they can't have water or a bathroom break while in public.

That's a funny mental image- Pluto walking into a random restroom and then having a drink from the water fountain!

 

[kevschickee]

My girlfriends daughter is a character and princess right now. The stories she tells? Well let me tell you the number of rude, self entitled guests is mind boggling!

I also tend to shake my head at the number of parents who mention that their children are heartbroken or shattered if their children have to wait to meet their favorite character or if they don't respond a certain way. I can see disappointed. Devastated or shattered no! I won't feed into that and remind them what types of things are truly devastating.

Oh I can just imagine her stories about guests. People expect disney to bend over backwards for them. Rude and self entitled are perfect ways to describe them.

 

[Disney Dad 88]

Being new to the Board, but a seasoned traveler to the Parks as I live 90 minutes away, I feel for the OP. We were there during Halloween and were in FL and told rudely that Gaston was not seeing anyone else. No big deal I get it, they have a schedule, just do it in a nice way. That same night we got cut off for Genie, but the CM Was great. What difference in approaches. Maybe I am lucky and can shake it off as I go many times a year, but if I was on my one trip for the year, and was treated that way, I don't think my reaction would have been your kids need to learn a lesson !!

 

[crazycatlady]

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!

I agree!

 

[PrincessKida]

Deleted

 

[cruisingkat]

We had two very different experiences on our last trip, both at EPCOT.

First we were getting pictures taken with Goofy and a guy that was next in line was taking pictures while we were getting ours done with the Photopass photographer. The PP photog told him not to take pictures of another family. He wasn't rude about it and I'll admit that it is a little creepy, but it *is* a public-ish place so I'm assuming I got into more than one family's pictures during the trip. I understand both sides of that coin. The guy likely just wanted a picture of Goofy and was impatient. Some families, especially those with kids, probably don't want their picture purposely taken by a stranger though.

He might not have been actually taking a picture. When we are standing in line, hubby will usually have his camera up to his eye when the people in front of us are getting their picture taken. He isn't taking a picture, he is just lining up the shot so he can take a pic of the character alone in the short time between that group walking off and our group walking up to see the character.

 

[mom2rtk]

First we were getting pictures taken with Goofy and a guy that was next in line was taking pictures while we were getting ours done with the Photopass photographer. The PP photog told him not to take pictures of another family. He wasn't rude about it and I'll admit that it is a little creepy, but it *is* a public-ish place so I'm assuming I got into more than one family's pictures during the trip. I understand both sides of that coin. The guy likely just wanted a picture of Goofy and was impatient. Some families, especially those with kids, probably don't want their picture purposely taken by a stranger though.

We have meeting a character and had photopass ask us if a the people behind us were with us. When I said no, they asked them not to put the camera down. I am sort of glad they do it. I know it's a public place and we are probably in the background of countless other strangers' photos. But to purposely set out to take a shot where someone else's child is the *subject* of your photo is wrong. I'm sure it's legal, but it just seems too invasive.

We did a meet & greet once at DLR where the man ahead of us hung around taking photos of my daughter with Sleeping Beauty when his own kids were done. I was literally bumping elbows with him trying to get my own shots. I really wished Photopass had asked him to leave. It just didn't feel right. If we had ended up in the background of someone's shots, no biggie. But singling her out just felt creepy.

So I applaud Photopass when they ask others not to photograph someone else's character meeting. Even if they are just trying to take a shot of just the character. Because there's no way to know they aren't shooting the child as the subject.