Character Meet & Greets for the adults

[kreckl]

This thread...? Is this for real? Funny!

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

Ha! My cousin and I felt the same way, feeling awkward about meeting face characters. We were fine with Minnie and Daisy but were nervous to meet Cinderella and Rapunzel. Rapunzel asked what kingdom we came from and my cousin replied "oh ya know...over yonder" haha with her hand making an over there motion. I laughed and Rapunzel said she wasn't familiar with that kingdom so I said she's from Michigan and I'm from Indiana. They are pretty good about making you not feel awkward even if you totally are. I will never let my cousin live that one down!

 

[kroseycorn]

This thread...? Is this for real? Funny!

Totally for real! Why? Not an issue for you? Or do you not do the character meet and greets?

Ha! My cousin and I felt the same way, feeling awkward about meeting face characters. We were fine with Minnie and Daisy but were nervous to meet Cinderella and Rapunzel. Rapunzel asked what kingdom we came from and my cousin replied "oh ya know...over yonder" haha with her hand making an over there motion. I laughed and Rapunzel said she wasn't familiar with that kingdom so I said she's from Michigan and I'm from Indiana. They are pretty good about making you not feel awkward even if you totally are. I will never let my cousin live that one down!

Hilarious... And ABSOLUTELY something I would say. Actually, I'd probably be like, "oh, I'm staying at Port Orleans" or something super dumb.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Oh to me every character is for adults outside of the Nick Jr. ones!

Just go for it im 28 and still love meeting all the characters and taking photos it's an essential part of the vacation!

 

[cgattis]

Oh I definitely can't wing it, I get starstruck too, especially if there is a prince involved
I usually think of these things while waiting in line, or in a previous line if I know I'll be meeting a character at a meal or with a FP+

Yes, when I met Cindy's coachmen at a race party, I think my exact words were "uhhhhh, uh huh huh, mmmmm, huh huh." Like a bad Beavis impression. D'oh.

I guess it was still marginally better than the time I groped Gaston, under the (mistaken, I quickly learned) impression that his biceps were fake.

So, no matter how awkward any of you are, you can't be worse than that!! So just try to be loose and have fun.

I did tell out to the stepsisters one morning (walking down Main Street) "hey girls, where's your pretty sister??" And they proceeded to surround us and chatter with DDthen12 all the way to the castle. So I guess I'm not a total character dork LOL

 

[kroseycorn]

Oh to me every character is for adults outside of the Nick Jr. ones!

Just go for it im 28 and still love meeting all the characters and taking photos it's an essential part of the vacation!

I actually think I could hold a decent conversation with Doc McStuffins.

Yes, when I met Cindy's coachmen at a race party, I think my exact words were "uhhhhh, uh huh huh, mmmmm, huh huh." Like a bad Beavis impression. D'oh.

I guess it was still marginally better than the time I groped Gaston, under the (mistaken, I quickly learned) impression that his biceps were fake.

So, no matter how awkward any of you are, you can't be worse than that!! So just try to be loose and have fun.

I did tell out to the stepsisters one morning (walking down Main Street) "hey girls, where's your pretty sister??" And they proceeded to surround us and chatter with DDthen12 all the way to the castle. So I guess I'm not a total character dork LOL

Uhmm... Good to know about Gaston! In an interview I read with a few ex-disney princesses, having the occasional inappropriate encounter isn't out of the ordinary, so you shouldn't feel too embarrassed. Ha! i bet Gaston loved it!

 

[MmmSuite]

Do it! I did! It is so so much fun!

I sang "There's a party here in Agrabah" to Aladdin and Jasmine and Jasmine belly danced for me!

Aurora and I had a LONG talk about my Maleficent shirt and switch movie was accurate.

I yodeled for Jessie and she kissed me like a million times and then Woody REMEMBERED me the next day when he was dressed as another character(Goofy at Chef Mickey's)!

I cried for Ariel and she gave me tons of attention.

Belle and I had a talk about whether she and Beast were married and her favorite book. She was going to read Game of Thrones at my suggestion!

Merida gave my boys at long talk about appreciate their "Mum".

Ariel at Akershus gave me the lowdown on Prince Eric because I said he was handsome!

Goofy at Epcot picked my son up and cradled him!

Minnie twirled and made a fuss over her and my daughter having matching dresses.

Chip and Dale took my stuff and played keep away.

Naveen and I had a great talk when I spoke Meldonian to him.

I had a nice chat with Indiana Jones and Marion as well!

I had something I wanted to say to every character I meant. It didn't always go the way I planned. With Ariel I started balling and didn't get to sing "Part of Your World" to her. She had been my favorite since I was 4 and it was my first trip and first night in MK! Too much joy!

The Tremaine Family and Talking Mickey didn't need any assistance from us. They were on another level.

 

[cgattis]

I actually think I could hold a decent conversation with Doc McStuffins.



Uhmm... Good to know about Gaston! In an interview I read with a few ex-disney princesses, having the occasional inappropriate encounter isn't out of the ordinary, so you shouldn't feel too embarrassed. Ha! i bet Gaston loved it!

Well it gives me hope that I'm not THE creepiest person they've ever met....ROFL!!

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

Just remember it's Disney and characters are just part of the magic. I'm pretty quiet as the norm but I look at it as, I'll never see these guys again and then I talk to them like I would a friend. I remember last year at dinner at 1900 Park Fare whetn with another family and I asked for a photo with the stepmother with just my DD. Her response was 'Oh, is she the chosen one?' I looked at her and said 'Absolutely - the other two (DDs friends) need some serious work'. The mom I was with asked one of the step sisters how she got such perfect curls in her hair. One year when meeting Tigger, I asked if we could bounce together? Keep it simple.

 

[ProTraderColin]

The best adult character encounter for me was when I had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. At least 10 characters came around and they love interacting with the adults (definitely comic relief for them).

 

[gunderda]

I feel like I need to do a major Disney movie marathon before I go in June. I'm not up to date on the new ones (except I was able to watch Frozen on a plane ride to Hawaii) but even all the older ones (Aladdin, Little Mermaid.... and before....) I'm probably a bit rusty on my Disney trivia. But give me a disney sing-a-long any day!

Does anyone have any fun things to have them sign other than the autograph book? I think I read that someone was going to attempt to get some Mickey Ears signed and I think someone else also had a photo mat (which would be awesome but I'd hate to carry it around all day).

 

[kreckl]

No- I love Disney as much as the next person but hearing adults getting excited about meeting a character in a costume- yes, I thought it was a joke. I understand about interacting with the people who are portraying characters...you can have a good conversation with them and have some fun.

 

[ariane37]

I enjoyed reading through this thread! Glad to know I'm not the only one who wants to meet the characters but feels somewhat nervous about what to say. I've met them before with my DS's when they were younger but now they really aren't interested anymore Our last couple trips I thought about meeting a few on my own but hesitated as I wanted more than just the "hi" - photo - "thanks" but wasn't sure what to say w/o sounding dumb. Loving some of the ideas here I did get up the nerve to meet Rapunzel by myself a few weeks ago on mine & DH's anniversary trip and it wasn't as awkward as I thought it might be. Rapunzel saw my anniversary button & said "happy anniversary" and something to the effect of him being a good husband. I commented that he wasn't listening very well (because he was looking around rather than taking my picture) and she said she has that problem sometimes with Flynn Ryder. So I said I probably should have brought my frying pan but it's a bit heavy to carry around, and she said she prefers her smaller one when travelling. It was cute I didn't feel as dorky as I thought I might and when we go in Nov. hopefully I'll be comfortable meeting a couple more on my own if DS's won't come with me!

 

[verleniahall]

we didnt' have any issues with any of the characters - granted, i think i acted like i was maybe 3 or 5 and happend to cry when meting a few of my favorites.......but they don't treat you any different

 

[kroseycorn]

Do it! I did! It is so so much fun!

I sang "There's a party here in Agrabah" to Aladdin and Jasmine and Jasmine belly danced for me!

Aurora and I had a LONG talk about my Maleficent shirt and switch movie was accurate.

I yodeled for Jessie and she kissed me like a million times and then Woody REMEMBERED me the next day when he was dressed as another character(Goofy at Chef Mickey's)!

I cried for Ariel and she gave me tons of attention.

Belle and I had a talk about whether she and Beast were married and her favorite book. She was going to read Game of Thrones at my suggestion!

Merida gave my boys at long talk about appreciate their "Mum".

Ariel at Akershus gave me the lowdown on Prince Eric because I said he was handsome!

Goofy at Epcot picked my son up and cradled him!

Minnie twirled and made a fuss over her and my daughter having matching dresses.

Chip and Dale took my stuff and played keep away.

Naveen and I had a great talk when I spoke Meldonian to him.

I had a nice chat with Indiana Jones and Marion as well!

I had something I wanted to say to every character I meant. It didn't always go the way I planned. With Ariel I started balling and didn't get to sing "Part of Your World" to her. She had been my favorite since I was 4 and it was my first trip and first night in MK! Too much joy!

The Tremaine Family and Talking Mickey didn't need any assistance from us. They were on another level.

Sounds fun! Lots of great examples. Thanks!

Just remember it's Disney and characters are just part of the magic. I'm pretty quiet as the norm but I look at it as, I'll never see these guys again and then I talk to them like I would a friend. I remember last year at dinner at 1900 Park Fare whetn with another family and I asked for a photo with the stepmother with just my DD. Her response was 'Oh, is she the chosen one?' I looked at her and said 'Absolutely - the other two (DDs friends) need some serious work'. The mom I was with asked one of the step sisters how she got such perfect curls in her hair. One year when meeting Tigger, I asked if we could bounce together? Keep it simple.

Keep it simple. Good advice! Though not as simple as "hi! thanks! bye!"

The best adult character encounter for me was when I had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. At least 10 characters came around and they love interacting with the adults (definitely comic relief for them).

Yea, I would imagine sometimes you just get lucky to see characters when there isn't a line and they have more time.

I feel like I need to do a major Disney movie marathon before I go in June. I'm not up to date on the new ones (except I was able to watch Frozen on a plane ride to Hawaii) but even all the older ones (Aladdin, Little Mermaid.... and before....) I'm probably a bit rusty on my Disney trivia. But give me a disney sing-a-long any day!

Does anyone have any fun things to have them sign other than the autograph book? I think I read that someone was going to attempt to get some Mickey Ears signed and I think someone else also had a photo mat (which would be awesome but I'd hate to carry it around all day).

Yea, thank goodness for smartphones... a quick search to remind you of ancillary characters names or plot lines!

No- I love Disney as much as the next person but hearing adults getting excited about meeting a character in a costume- yes, I thought it was a joke. I understand about interacting with the people who are portraying characters...you can have a good conversation with them and have some fun.

Yep... I think both the face characters and the costume characters (masked characters... not sure what we call them) create the same anxiety in me! Maybe a little bit more with the face characters, because they can respond and make eye contact! An introverts nightmare! Haha!

I enjoyed reading through this thread! Glad to know I'm not the only one who wants to meet the characters but feels somewhat nervous about what to say. I've met them before with my DS's when they were younger but now they really aren't interested anymore Our last couple trips I thought about meeting a few on my own but hesitated as I wanted more than just the "hi" - photo - "thanks" but wasn't sure what to say w/o sounding dumb. Loving some of the ideas here I did get up the nerve to meet Rapunzel by myself a few weeks ago on mine & DH's anniversary trip and it wasn't as awkward as I thought it might be. Rapunzel saw my anniversary button & said "happy anniversary" and something to the effect of him being a good husband. I commented that he wasn't listening very well (because he was looking around rather than taking my picture) and she said she has that problem sometimes with Flynn Ryder. So I said I probably should have brought my frying pan but it's a bit heavy to carry around, and she said she prefers her smaller one when travelling. It was cute I didn't feel as dorky as I thought I might and when we go in Nov. hopefully I'll be comfortable meeting a couple more on my own if DS's won't come with me!

As with many things, perhaps its just practice?! Anyway, I got so many great tips here... I'm going to institute them for my December trip!

we didnt' have any issues with any of the characters - granted, i think i acted like i was maybe 3 or 5 and happend to cry when meting a few of my favorites.......but they don't treat you any different

Ha... yes, revert back to a childhood state is great advice. Except I think that I was terrified as a child... so maybe I should stay away from memory lane. I also worry I might cry when my daughter sees some of the characters. I'm such a sap after having a baby!

 

[kaetra]

This is from http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2010/9/1/what-disney-characters-love.html

"Ask them questions. They are ready to answer them whether they can talk or not. Characters love to know that you have actually seen their film/cartoon/attraction. Ask Mary Poppins how Uncle Albert is doing. Ask Cruella if she still works with Horace and Jasper. Ask Friar Tuck how Skippy, Sis, and Lady Cluck are doing and if he still parties behind the waterfall. Most people don’t even know who Friar Tuck is when they see him. Believe me. Have your kids get their questions ready before they get their turn with the character and I guarantee you’ll get more one on one time with characters while everyone else gets the “love and shove” treatment."​

Give yourself permission to be in the moment with them and play! I would ask Aladdin if he ever hears from Genie now that he's free, and ask Ariel if the human world is everything she hoped it would be.

Pluto is DD's favorite - she scratches the top of Pluto's nose gently and he shakes his leg. He seems to like that. I'm dying to meet the Tremaines, they sound like a hoot!

 

[Yellowstonetim]

My wife and I have met a lot of the characters. Be yourself. Respect that they will stay in character and interact accordingly. Please DON'T ask some of the questions listed here. The stupid, sick, creepy, rude, old jokes have all been done before and are not funny. These characters are people working hard playing a part in order to make kids and everyone happy. Be kind. And no inappropriate touching. Just relax and play along. My favorite was a meet with Cinderella and Rapunzel while celebrating our 30th anniversary. They made such a big deal out of our "true love" and Rapunzel and I had a conversation about climbing towers for our true loves. If you are respectful and just go with it, they will respond in kind and you can have a great time!

 

[Bluegrrl]

I had a great intereaction with the jawas at sww. I was hosting a Flat Stanley, and one of the jawas wanted to trade with me! He took Stanley and tried trading him for various trinkets. So you might want to get some $$ store stuff to trade/interact with them.

I did get some great photos, and finally got Stanley back.

 

[Yumi696]

My wife and I have met a lot of the characters. Be yourself. Respect that they will stay in character and interact accordingly. Please DON'T ask some of the questions listed here. The stupid, sick, creepy, rude, old jokes have all been done before and are not funny. These characters are people working hard playing a part in order to make kids and everyone happy. Be kind. And no inappropriate touching. Just relax and play along. My favorite was a meet with Cinderella and Rapunzel while celebrating our 30th anniversary. They made such a big deal out of our "true love" and Rapunzel and I had a conversation about climbing towers for our true loves. If you are respectful and just go with it, they will respond in kind and you can have a great time!

Yes! Ask fun questions, not questions that would make the CM uncomfortable. That's just really mean and rude.

 

[theheartonfire03]

Meeting characters as adults is a lot of fun! We asked Elsa what her favorite non-frozen food was, and had a good 10-minute conversation about how she loves Tacos and would want to open up her own Deli called "Arendeli". Elsa played along as well, and said Chocolate should be included in the "Arendeli" too. It's always lots of fun if you ask them fun questions and see what their answers are!