Character meet and greets

[Joanna71985]

People can already "placehold" for outdoor lines. I see it all the time

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

People can already "placehold" for outdoor lines. I see it all the time

I never have an issue with it. A Mom taking a kid to the bathroom etc. Go ahead sweetie! But we have had some people being very rude to us. You would think we were robbing them.

 

[gap2368]

The DAS wouldn't work for most characters as they are outside, so no way to have 2 lines (plus, there is no way to scan a magic band, as that is attractions, not entertainment)

they do have a way to scan the MB they have handheld iPods they use at rides witch can easily be use else where. Disney just dose not do this. I think having two lines would be a little harder to work out in some location then others

 

[SueM in MN]

they do have a way to scan the MB they have handheld iPods they use at rides witch can easily be use else where. Disney just dose not do this. I think having two lines would be a little harder to work out in some location then others

just because they could carry handheld iPads doesn't mean they could use them.
It doesn't mean that those character meets are in the system for the CMs to even pull up.
They would also need access to wifi (not the public wifi), which is sometimes even not that great if the CM using the iPod is too far away from an attraction entrance,
They would have to have some way for assigning what the wait times would be. At attractions, it is based on the Standby wait time and the DAS Return Time is automatically calculated and put in.

The character meets also sometimes end unexpectedly (especially fur characters) if the character needs a break or has an issue.

The people who are rude with placeholders would likely be REALLY rude with people who look like they are just being added to the line without waiting. That could end very badly.

 

[gap2368]

The DAS wouldn't work for most characters as they are outside, so no way to have 2 lines (plus, there is no way to scan a magic band, as that is attractions, not entertainment)

just because they could carry handheld iPads doesn't mean they could use them.
It doesn't mean that those character meets are in the system for the CMs to even pull up.
They would also need access to wifi (not the public wifi), which is sometimes even not that great if the CM using the iPod is too far away from an attraction entrance,
They would have to have some way for assigning what the wait times would be. At attractions, it is based on the Standby wait time and the DAS Return Time is automatically calculated and put in.

The character meets also sometimes end unexpectedly (especially fur characters) if the character needs a break or has an issue.

The people who are rude with placeholders would likely be REALLY rude with people who look like they are just being added to the line without waiting. That could end very badly.

sue I was replaying to the under landed bolded part of this. there is a way to scan MB with out using the touch point ( often times if a line gets long before the first such point they will bring out the handled device and scan MB the only way I have ever received a DAS return time was thought the handheld device. ( and I do not think they can give a return time thought the standing such points I know they can let you on using them) I do not think we will be accommodates with meet and greets I think for people with disabilities this will simply be something we will miss out ( just like we miss out on a lot of things in life it is just how life goes with a disability) could disney do something about it Yes they could would they need to changes thing make some improvements yes would it be easy well yes easer them building a new ride easer then building a new building could they do it in an hour no they could not. I was there when they changed the DAS over and I can not tell you how many times a CM would want to see ( really the managers ) just how fair a way from the attraction they could go and some times it was pretty fair ( got got a free ice-cream bar when a CM form the 7DMT when by one and it worked so she said since we are here what one would you like.) I have always asked how long the wait is before I get in any meet and greet and it is normally very accurate

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Maybe for character meet and greets that they know average more than 15-20 mins they should FP+ them and start to rethink locations. Otherwise we will just have to luck out. I won't give up though I am desperate to meet the 7 Drawfs! I have tried and failed twice that line was 50 mins and they were there for 2 hours. They should plan that more on party night for everyone! Who wants to want in line you want to enjoy the party!

 

[Gracie09]

sue I was replaying to the under landed bolded part of this. there is a way to scan MB with out using the touch point ( often times if a line gets long before the first such point they will bring out the handled device and scan MB the only way I have ever received a DAS return time was thought the handheld device. ( and I do not think they can give a return time thought the standing such points I know they can let you on using them) I do not think we will be accommodates with meet and greets I think for people with disabilities this will simply be something we will miss out ( just like we miss out on a lot of things in life it is just how life goes with a disability) could disney do something about it Yes they could would they need to changes thing make some improvements yes would it be easy well yes easer them building a new ride easer then building a new building could they do it in an hour no they could not. I was there when they changed the DAS over and I can not tell you how many times a CM would want to see ( really the managers ) just how fair a way from the attraction they could go and some times it was pretty fair ( got got a free ice-cream bar when a CM form the 7DMT when by one and it worked so she said since we are here what one would you like.) I have always asked how long the wait is before I get in any meet and greet and it is normally very accurate

Disney only has to provide a reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. They do not have provide a preferred accommodation. You are proposing they spend additional money on equipment, infrastructure, and personnel to provide additional accommodations. They would also need to now create a second line at each character meet and staff it. The wifi they use near a ride may not be strong enough for a character meet away from a ride. The wifi that works with the ride would not be the same as one used for an outdoor character meet. Character meets outside can change location due to weather etc so they would have to provide appropriate wifi in each location. As sue pointed out, there is not estimated wait time for the outdoor character meetsso how do you decide what the das return time is?
Disney does not have to make up for disabled people missing out on things in life. They just have to provide a reasonable approximation of a normal guest experience.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Disney only has to provide a reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. They do not have provide a preferred accommodation. You are proposing they spend additional money on equipment, inferstructure, and personnel to provide additional accommodations. They would also need to now create a second line at each character meet and staff it. The wifi they use near a ride may not be strong enough for a character meet away from a ride. The wifi that works with the ride would not be the same as one used for an outdoor character meet. Character meets outside can change location due to weather etc so they would have to provide appropriate wifi in each location. As sue pointed out, there is not estimated wait time for the outdoor character meetsso how do you decide what the das return time is?
Disney does not have to make up for disabled people missing out on things in life. They just have to provide a reasonable approximation of a normal guest experience.

I don't expect them to make up for me not being around in 10 years or so. I jst wondered if there was a way they could help me meet the dwarfs.

 

[gap2368]

I am just wishful thinking will Disney do any thing no or at lest not in the next 20 years. There will always be thing I can not do because of my disability just like every one Paula I got to meet the 7d at the end of the party night I would try towards the end if you have to get out of line see if the people behind you would not mind holding your spot and let the CM there know that you have to leave the line for a disability I really hope you get to meet them ( right before I meet them snow what stopped by on her why to a break and said hi to all of them it was really sweet )

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I am just wishful thinking will Disney do any thing no or at lest not in the next 20 years. There will always be thing I can not do because of my disability just like every one Paula I got to meet the 7d at the end of the party night I would try towards the end if you have to get out of line see if the people behind you would not mind holding your spot and let the CM there know that you have to leave the line for a disability I really hope you get to meet them ( right before I meet them snow what stopped by on her why to a break and said hi to all of them it was really sweet )

That is a good idea try at the end! I could do that next time. Thank you so much the autograph book is waiting! I also will try and hand around until Elsa and Anna line is short but from what I hear it doesn't seem so bad.

 

[gap2368]

I do not think the 7d sign thing I could be wrong

 

[SueM in MN]

sue I was replaying to the under landed bolded part of this. there is a way to scan MB with out using the touch point ( often times if a line gets long before the first such point they will bring out the handled device and scan MB the only way I have ever received a DAS return time was thought the handheld device. ( and I do not think they can give a return time thought the standing such points I know they can let you on using them) I do not think we will be accommodates with meet and greets I think for people with disabilities this will simply be something we will miss out ( just like we miss out on a lot of things in life it is just how life goes with a disability) could disney do something about it Yes they could would they need to changes thing make some improvements yes would it be easy well yes easer them building a new ride easer then building a new building could they do it in an hour no they could not. I was there when they changed the DAS over and I can not tell you how many times a CM would want to see ( really the managers ) just how fair a way from the attraction they could go and some times it was pretty fair ( got got a free ice-cream bar when a CM form the 7DMT when by one and it worked so she said since we are here what one would you like.) I have always asked how long the wait is before I get in any meet and greet and it is normally very accurate

i think you misunderstood the poster you quoted and also what I wrote.
No one was saying that guests MUST use the touch points that are permanently installed at the attractions in order to either get a DAS Return Time or check in for Fastpass or DAS Return.
In fact most of my child's DAS Return Times were given using the handheld devices. That is not what I was talking about.

What we were trying to explain is that using the handheld devices is not as easy as just bringing the device. There are many parts of the process that are not visible to guests, but are necessary to use the handheld devices. I mentioned some of them in my post and Gracie09 mentioned many of the other considerations that would be involved with giving DAS Return Times for characters that don't offer Fastpass.

I do not think the 7d sign thing I could be wrong

As far as I know, the characters at the parties don't sign. I know the 7 Dwarfs have given out printed autograph cards at previous parties. If they actually signed, the lines would be much longer..

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I do not think the 7d sign thing I could be wrong

Never mind just to meet them would thrill me!

 

[gap2368]

Sue you are not getting what I am sayin so I will just not relay Any more to this but u have said this before I do not think this will happen I know that the chance of meeting at Disney for me is slim to none and that is how it will be ( I have gotten lucky and been done where where they were just coming out so I was first or 2 in line ) but I can dream I can wish and I can and have talked to GR it may not help that much but it might help some maybe they will have a DAS for the inside ones that offer it during the day maybe they will start to offer the DAS / FP for ( I forgot what it is called but back where the circus tent is as the MK ) but I do know that this is unlike to happen I do know more about the DAS and how it works them most guest do ( like I said I was there when if first started and I had a few managers want to try things and I was ok with it ) I have had to get out of some meet and greet lines was taken to a back stage area to claim down with a CM waiting with me who went well since I am back stage would you mind if I eat something she was eating a granola bar that was in her pocket and talking to me about things that might happen that her manager was talking about ( she was trading to be a maniger ) there are things she told me that I can not repeat her but I can say that the talk has gone to the back burner for now

I will encourage any one who want too meet someone that has problem with lines to either get there before they come or closer to the end try Andy let the people behind you know that you need more room or if you need to step out of line if you need any of these ( if you feel comfortable doing so) I have had so many really nice guest help me out I have also had CM help me think of ways too meet some one when I really wanted to ( not always ) or give me a really good suggestion on how ( took me two party to meet the 7d but with the cm suggestion and really nice guest behind me I was ale too Palau I do hope you can meet the 7d that I have given you some ideas and you have a great time at the party

 

[TheRustyScupper]

going to speak to GS though because I feel they are overlooking a weakness in the DAS.

1) Or, they could be trying to avoid future abuses, like what GAC morphed into.
2) Can we imagine how many more DAS's would be issued if people knew they'd get them into M&G lines?

 

[SmallWorld71]

Here is a review of the Anna and Elsa meet n greet that includes a look at wait times that might help.
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/ep...eet-and-greet-wait-times-strategy-and-review/

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Here is a review of the Anna and Elsa meet n greet that includes a look at wait times that might help.
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/ep...eet-and-greet-wait-times-strategy-and-review/

How kind thank you so much!

 

[cobright]

When are you going? My family is going Sept 9-18, and we will be wrecking the character m&g this trip.

We'd be happy to placehold your spot so you can relax out of line. We do this for our wheelie bound friend when she comes with us. Never a problem. We let CMS and surrounding line-mates know what's going on when we get in line. Then you can go find a shady tree and munch on a mickeys shaped treat. When were close to the front well page you. Never a single complaint. And if anyone does, that's what the phrase "come at me bro" was invented for.

Beyond this, Akershus and Cindy's royal table get you most of the princesses.

Hope you find a solution that works for you.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

When are you going? My family is going Sept 9-18, and we will be wrecking the character m&g this trip.

We'd be happy to placehold your spot so you can relax out of line. We do this for our wheelie bound friend when she comes with us. Never a problem. We let CMS and surrounding line-mates know what's going on when we get in line. Then you can go find a shady tree and munch on a mickeys shaped treat. When were close to the front well page you. Never a single complaint. And if anyone does, that's what the phrase "come at me bro" was invented for.

Beyond this, Akershus and Cindy's royal table get you most of the princesses.

Hope you find a solution that works for you.

Your post brought me to tears. How kind! I am blown away by your offer. Real sweet. We are going to be in WDW 18th 26th September then we are on the cruise so we will miss you by one day as we arrive late on the 18th. But I cherish what you said. Means the world to me. On the positive side we are doing a DCL cruise and I have been able to book meet and greets with Elsa and Anna and the 5 princesses isn't that fantastic! Now just to catch those 7 Drawfes ...


Have a great time and thank you!

 

[Sunnywho]

Tell Guest Relations, because they should know and they really should do something about a 2-hour line for the dwarves because even perfectly healthy people shouldn't have to wait that long during expensive party time. I have a kid who would love to do the parties and we just can't spring for it knowing that disability issues would make me frustrated and miss out. My way of making peace with missing out on the parties is to know that Disney goes very far with disability accommodation in general, and it is part of why our vacations there are as doable and enjoyable as they are, and not being able to do something like Jack Skellington that other people are able to do is part of life not being fair. If life truly were fair, other people's kids would get to have their first trip to Disney while we wouldn't get to have a dozen plus trips, and I am ok with life being unfair when it's tipped in my favor, so I am ok with it tipping the other way when it occasionally does.