Character Meet & Greets back today!

[pixiedust2u]

So do you think this is here to stay ann m d us not Covid related?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's a union rule because of COVID, could change at some point, maybe after most children are vaccinated.

 

[PaladinButters]

I’m not understanding why for at least the characters where there’s a “head”, why the meet and greets are still “modified”.

The rules are the rules but also the policy needs to be consistent from Disney's end. Can't have Mickey greeting people one way while Cinderella is "rudely" refusing to do so down the street.

 

[Mango7100]

I’m not understanding why for at least the characters where there’s a “head”, why the meet and greets are still “modified”. I especially don’t understand what’s so risky about an autograph. I’m glad it’s a step toward normal, but I hope Disney doesn’t take away the magic from these experiences forever. I have such fond memories of my daughter dancing with the princesses and the best video of my son in belly laughs at Pluto, signing his autograph book on his nose!

I agree about the autographs…have people place the book on the table, handler gets book and gives to character, they sign, book back on the table, hand sanitizer. Or at least have preprinted autograph cards to give out for each one like they do for characters who can’t sign (I’m looking at you and your stick hand Olaf)

 

[1lilspark]

Seriously do autograph cards than sell albums in the gift shops to collect them… and maybe change the designs of the cards based on meet locations to add to the collectibility

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Union rules NO touching. MY rule also.

is this union no touching policy real? We don’t care about your rules.

 

[2letterwords]

If only Stitch was around. That's the one character my kids want to meet!

My kids got a picture with Stitch in Tomorrowland during our trip in August.

 

[Feberin]

Seriously do autograph cards than sell albums in the gift shops to collect them… and maybe change the designs of the cards based on meet locations to add to the collectibility

I haven't understood why they didn't offter this option. There is zero increased risk and it would help make up for the other rules that need to be in place.

Anyone see pictures of what it's like to do one of these sightings or whatever?

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

I mean, I wouldn't want to touch thousands of children and their parents daily at this point in time either. At least they're able to interact in some way- heck personally I enjoy the distanced "sightings" better (like the Train Station, Donald on the balcony at DHS, etc.). It's easier and much faster to get in, get a picture, and get out without waiting.

 

[PurplePigment]

Personally, though I'm super happy and excited to go have one on one time again, so long as we're discussing our "Why don't they..."s, I don't understand why they went with going back inside for this. Pictures with masks on suck.

It's not like they didn't have outdoor characters with lines before, just combine that with the blocked off areas.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Found this article about the updated meet n greets. (Please advise if unable to read link).

A Full Day of Meet n Greets in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[mom2rtk]

I feel like I need help on how best to photograph these distanced meets. Anyone have tips or examples of fun distanced photo meetings they can share? Even ones you see posted on social media would be great.

 

[1lilspark]

I feel like I need help on how best to photograph these distanced meets. Anyone have tips or examples of fun distanced photo meetings they can share? Even ones you see posted on social media would be great.

I know IF we decide to wait and do post race pictures next Saturday we will probably have me take pictures of my sister then she take of me

 

[ChanaC]

If I remember correctly from my time as a CM, certain performers are covered by the Actor's Equity Association, the same union that represents stage actors and stage managers. I remember it covered performers who were physically in shows but I believe actors who "just" did meet and greets were covered too. So this may be a union rule for Equity versus a rule from Disney. I know they have some pretty strict rules and procedures on Broadway, but not sure what would or wouldn't cover Disney performers.

 

[shawthorne44]

I’m not understanding why for at least the characters where there’s a “head”, why the meet and greets are still “modified”. I especially don’t understand what’s so risky about an autograph. I’m glad it’s a step toward normal, but I hope Disney doesn’t take away the magic from these experiences forever. I have such fond memories of my daughter dancing with the princesses and the best video of my son in belly laughs at Pluto, signing his autograph book on his nose!

I agree with you. They could have been in a hazmat suit if they wanted from day 1 post lockdown. In the Star Wars movies after the first one, the Wookie had an air conditioner in his suit.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We saw Mickey yesterday! Posted wait was 15 minutes at 11am but we waited about 5.

The lighting is always terrible in that space and they haven't made any changes to that No photographer so you have to figure out how to take a selfie or pic yourself. It's not a large space so I ended up standing off to the side to capture my young toddler interacting. Mickey was very good at knowing where you are and trying to pose, but it is a bit awkward. Those taking selfies or with children old enough to stand and smile had a better time, I think.

 

[PurplePigment]

Went to "sight" Mickey yesterday, and I'm kind of disappointed. It looks like they've just moved the selfie scramble indoors. I didn't see anyone get any interaction with him, it was just posing, picture, and leaving.

I don't know if maybe other people were getting more time with him when I wasn't far enough in the line to see and it's just that I wasn't forward enough to start something fun? (Aimeedyan seems like she got interaction.) The line moved really fast so I didn't get the impression people were stopping much, and I didn't want to be that one person stopping if we weren't supposed to.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I saw some very nice interactions at Epcot last week with Alice, Snow White, and Elsa and Anna. They stood just a bit behind a fence and children (and adults!) could come up to the fence and chat and get a photo. The kids seemed thrilled to me! I was just a middle-aged woman there alone, but it was so nice to see; it really made me smile.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Meet and greet characters are part of a different union than singers or show performers, so it's probably that union that is involved.