Character Questions

[ndoss]

After my recent visit I have decided I am obcessed with the characters. I scrapbooked an autograph book for my DD3 and we had so much fun trying to find the characters. They added so much to our vacation and made our experience so special.

I have a couple questions:

Why doesn't Disney have more characters out during the day/night?

People seem to love them, so why not more out? At times we had to wander around and hope we ran into some of them. I wish there were more at the MK especially. We were there last week and they were some of the longest lines we had to wait in (50 minutes in toontown for the princesses).

How much do you think the characters get paid? Do you think the face characters get paid more then the others? Just curious.

Why do you think they don't have some characters out for meet and greets? My DD3 was dying to meet Jesse and have her picture taken with her. I asked at least 4 or 5 CM and everyone just said she was a busy gal. Can't be too hard to get someone to meet and greet..right?

You don't see much online about people that played a Disney character, funny stories and such. Do you think they have to sign a confidentiality agreement? I bet they would have some funny things to share.

Next trip I think I will be looking for characters more then I will be riding any rides. They are the fun part for me (and I am 28 )and hopefully my DD will continue to love them too.

Any other character insight or the inside scoop would be appreciated.

 

[Eeyore11081]

Why doesn't Disney have more characters out during the day/night?

People seem to love them, so why not more out? QUOTE]

Probably because scarcity increases value. If they were omnipresent, encounters would not be so magical.

 

[Shubunk]

I have thought about all the questions you have asked. I am also wondering if they have to sign a confidentiality agreement. I remeber a site i found searching on yahoo where there was a cast member that was once a character friend and he had his own forum where anyone can ask him questions. I forgot what site that was.

 

[drew81]

Jessie is no longer at OTS but she is in Frontierland for the show. I don't think she does sets at this time. I know she has been out for sets for specials.

 

[mydogisbo]

I have a friend who was Pluto & sometimes Tigger several years ago--I think he said in the early-mid 90s. He has lots of stories--some good, some not-so-good. Don't know if there is a confidentiality agreement or not, but he has shared a lot with me. His experience, though, was before they started having the character guides so plainly dressed & each guide [then] had several characters to oversee & before the characters seemed to be in more assigned locations and times.

I do wish their times would vary a little bit more so there is time to catch everyone & ride stuff too. We did a lot of character hunting this trip. I really like how you can ask someone in a retail location & they will call & let you know when & where a certain character will be that day. But, it is also nice when you catch those characters by surprise who aren't scheduled!

 

[pezpam]

A few answers

Because if they did that, our hearts wouldn't beat like mad when we spot a rare character we've never found before.

Not nearly enough.

It's impossible to have them all out everywhere. Jessie's doing the new little show in MK, I guess. We've always found her at MGM with the other Toy Story characters.

It wouldn't surprise me if they do, though I'm only guessing. And I bet they do have some great stories!

Keep enjoying the characters. Watching the kids with them is just so wonderful.

 

[ndoss]

We will keep enjoying them. So many questions still. Maybe that is how Disney wants it.

 

[WDWCPAlumni]

I also think it is because that is one thing that will bring people like you to the special events. The halloween party and the new pirate and princess party have characters galore!!! Some you NEVER see!
We actually got to meet Abu this past month!
I am sure it is more then just that, but they know people will go to the parties just to find some rare ones!
I have never done the christmas party, I am sure it is similar there too.

 

[ndoss]

Wish I knew that. We were there 2 weeks ago during PandP Party and didn't go. Just figured it would be too busy and wasn't sure what the extra cost really included.

I should have posted and asked the benefits of going. What a newbie.

 

[Joanna71985]

Just a heads up- Jessie does not meet at OTS. She is only in the Woody's Cowboy Camp show at MK. And people are not allowed to "share"- that would ruin the magic and they just aren't allowed.

 

[Evil Princess]

I have a picture with Jesse, but I got it at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. The parties usually have characters that might not always be out.

If you ever want to locate a character during your stay, ask a cast member (perferably one near a phone, such as a merchandise CM). They have a phone number for a line that has character locations and information.

During my CP I would have character days, and ONLY go around the parks with my friends trying to take as many pictures with as many characters as possible. Sometimes you luck out and find someone who isn't always out!

As for how much they get paid...

 

[disneyphilip]

They'd better bring Jessie back for meet-and-greets soon. She's a cutie.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

To the OP: check out this website which has the schedule of some of the character appearances in each park.
http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

 

[Miss Stitch]

I met Jessie in 95, she was in MGM with woody and Buzz. the queues were long for Woody and Buzz but no one wanted Jessie We had already met her in, I think its called the horseshoe saloon in MK, but she was waving at everybody trying to encourage guests and we felt sorry for her and had our photos taken again with her