Character selection

[dbanzai]

Has anyone else ever wondered how Disney selects what characters to place where and when?

What brings this to mind is the use of Prince John in the DEP. I never really considered him a major Disney character (although resurfacing now, was Robin Hood ever really that big a hit? He's comic relief at best among Dis villians for that matter, not really ranking up there with the real baddies), yet from my first trip to WDW to my most recent trip to DL, it seems I always see him.

In the same float, we see Dumbo, who is a much bigger Disney star. Heck, two classic DL rides are based on him... Yet this is the only you see him out and about. I figure the costume is more complex than most, but it strikes me as strange this is the only place he seems to be found.

Things like that seem to stick out to me throughtout the DisParks in the States: Rafiki is seen at the MK and AK, and Pumba I often see by the Tiki Room in Florida. But neither seem to make many if any appearances in Anaheim.

So the question remains, how does Dis choose who goes where, and are there preferences people here have to who they'd like to or not like to see?

 

[IASWAM]

Rafiki is seen at the MK and AK, and Pumba I often see by the Tiki Room in Florida. But neither seem to make many if any appearances in Anaheim.

We saw Rafiki at Minnie's breakfast in 2006. As for "why" they put "who" "where", that's a good question. I would also like to know how they decide these things. Albort, can you help?

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

What brings this to mind is the use of Prince John in the DEP. I never really considered him a major Disney character (although resurfacing now, was Robin Hood ever really that big a hit? He's comic relief at best among Dis villians for that matter, not really ranking up there with the real baddies), yet from my first trip to WDW to my most recent trip to DL, it seems I always see him.

Actually, that's King Leonidas from Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

Pumba I often see by the Tiki Room in Florida. But neither seem to make many if any appearances in Anaheim.

I'm guessing you meant Timon (the meerkat)... Pumbaa (the warthog) isn't able to do meets anywhere.

 

[julieannbabe]

also another point - they always list the usual places in the parks when and where they will be.
but you see characters in front of a ride or whatever that is never listed on the park maps and times.

why do Disney do this?

any ideas?

 

[BecBennett]

I love Robin Hood, it's one of my favourite Disney movies. I had a little freak out when you mentioned that you see Prince John all the time, because I would love a photo of him and I definately didn't see him any where. Then I continued reading the thread, and all was ok...

On a side note I think DEP focuses a lot more on the older cartoons, especially considering Pete's dragon is in there...

 

[Diznygrl]

also another point - they always list the usual places in the parks when and where they will be.
but you see characters in front of a ride or whatever that is never listed on the park maps and times.

why do Disney do this?

any ideas?

Because a little spontaneity is the spice of life. I like the fact that some of the characters just show up places and hang out. It feels more natural, like they actually live there. I think Disney has gone a little overboard with the structured meet n greets lately (especially at WDW), and it's nice to see that they haven't ALL been forced to follow some kind of schedule.