Didja ever wonder...

[Zippa D Doodah]

how or why some characters are so common in the parks?

Of course you expect to see the Fab 5 and certain others frequently, but theer are some relatively obscure characters I can think of that are all over the parks. No offense to fans of these characters, but... Meeko? How did a bit player in an arguably lesser movie get to be all over everywhere in multiple parks? Gepetto? Suzy and Perla? Timon?

Yet some other more notable characters that lots of people would like to see more of don't get out very often.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Maybe it depends on who is available that fits the suit?

 

[meeko_33785]

There are a lot of reasons. One reason has to do with how easily characters can transition from animation to being three-dimentional characters in the park. Jiminy Cricket, for instance, is so small and thin that, even though he's very popular, it's hard to translate him to live action when he doesn't have enough very small and very thin "friends" to help him. Other characters may have other reasons. Tinker Bell's tiny stature and havng to be a face character with no ability to talk have kept her from being a meet-and-greet character. Also some characters that walk on four legs like Simba, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmations and others just haven't been able to transfer into walk-around characters.

And in my book, Meeko is definatly not just a bit-player or lesser character. He's arguably the film's most popular character and the movie is still well-known. But that's just me. I'd be more than happy to see him everywhere. I couldn't find him in any of the parks on my last trip.

 

[deekaypee]

There are a lot of reasons. One reason has to do with how easily characters can transition from animation to being three-dimentional characters in the park. Jiminy Cricket, for instance, is so small and thin that, even though he's very popular, it's hard to translate him to live action when he doesn't have enough very small and very thin "friends" to help him. Other characters may have other reasons. Tinker Bell's tiny stature and havng to be a face character with no ability to talk have kept her from being a meet-and-greet character. Also some characters that walk on four legs like Simba, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmations and others just haven't been able to transfer into walk-around characters.

And in my book, Meeko is definatly not just a bit-player or lesser character. He's arguably the film's most popular character and the movie is still well-known. But that's just me. I'd be more than happy to see him everywhere. I couldn't find him in any of the parks on my last trip.

Meeko here just trumped part of my response. This is a very well-thought-out answer. Translation from film to theme-park character is a big part of the reason. Characters that are too large or too small, characters on four legs (yes, I know there are exceptions), etc.

And I do think there's something to do with the huggable (sp?) factor. Let's face it, Meeko is very huggable. They may be supporting characters in the films, but they often gather quite a following because of personality animation. Meeko is notable for his non-speaking yet expressive role, and he seems to be a good fit for AK. (That's where he appears, right?) Timon (and Pumbaa) were a child and adult-audience hit with their stand-up schtick filled with scatological jokes and double entendres. Suzy and Perla, though minor characters, appear in a princess film and add some much-needed anthrpomorphized girl power to the park-character appearances; and I believe they appear as a duo much like Chip & Dale (though I could be mistaken). And Gepetto...hmmm, I suspect he appeals to older Disney fans, but he's certainly a rare-appearing, father-figure park character; I think he also tends to appear with Pinocchio himself, although doesn't Gideon appear sans Pinoccio. (There's something about those furry creatures...).

As for the argument about lesser movies, the characters you've mentioned come from Pocahontas, Pinocchio, Cinderella, and The Lion King. Not exactly second-tier. Now, none of these movies are my favorites, not even The Lion King, but they're certainly touted by Disney as products of the corporations Golden Age and Second Golden Age. I'd think they're better known and more appreciated than films from Disney Dark Age (e.g. Sword in the Stone, Oliver & Company, The Rescuers). Of course, these films may be someone's personal faves, and I'm not judging that. I'm just thinking that some films--and thus their characters--enjoy the classic status more than others, and these are the characters/films Disney would promote by having character appearances in the park.

 

[TikiGoddess]

I would say Gepetto was very central to the story of Pinnochio. I mean he did make him after all and was one of the three main characters along with Pinnochio himself and Jiminy Cricket. I would think Gideon would be a much more random character from that movie.

I think they try to appeal to all ages with the characters out there. I've never seen Pocahontas so I'm not as interested in Meeko, but he's still nice to see and there's an entire generation that loved that movie.

As far as variety goes, my all time favorite Disney movie is Robin Hood and I'm sure lots of others have never seen it. I'm glad Robin Hood, Prince John and even the random Friar Tuck are in the parks.

On the other hand my kids go crazy for the Pixar characters like Buzz and Woody, and while Bullseye wasn't a main character, they were thrilled to meet him.

 

[Dan Murphy]

What great responses, I enjoyed the read.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I saw that fox and crazy cat from Pinocchio that sing "An Actor's Life for Me" EVERYWHERE a couple of weeks ago. I can't understand it! I don't even think a lot of people recognized who they were. But I seriously saw them at least twice a day.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I guess it does matter greatly what size "friends" are available to help out each day. It just seems peculiar that I seem to see especially Timon and Meeko every time I turn around at WDW .

Also, I get how some characters translate to parks better than others. I have thought that maybe some ofthose 4-legged ones could get more attention in the parks. For example... Pumba seems like he should be able to appear alongside Timon easily enough. Speaking of Suzy and Perla... do Gus and Jacque make appearances? I know I've seen them in old pix of MK, but I don't recall seeing them on any omy own trips (since 2000)

 

[MyGoofy26]

Speaking of Suzy and Perla... do Gus and Jacque make appearances?

We were just talking about this here at home, wondering why Suzy and Perla are everywhere and yet Gus and and Jaq are MIA when they're the "stars" of all the mice from that film.

 

[hniki234]

There are a lot characters that I'd love to see at the park. Apparently, they're there...I just haven't been lucky enough to see them. I've never seen Daisy in the park (LOVE HER!!!). I'd also like to see Darkwing Duck, Launchpad, Srooge McDuck...what about Huey, Duey, and Louie (sp?)? I've seen the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland a ton. I don't consider the rabbit a must see (but I take a picture with him each time). I've seen Suzy and Perla each visit, and I agree about Gus and Jaq. I've love to see them! I'll be back at WDW in December. Maybe I'll get lucky and see a few new characters.

 

[Joanna71985]

There are a lot characters that I'd love to see at the park. Apparently, they're there...I just haven't been lucky enough to see them. I've never seen Daisy in the park (LOVE HER!!!). I'd also like to see Darkwing Duck, Launchpad, Srooge McDuck...what about Huey, Duey, and Louie (sp?)? I've seen the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland a ton. I don't consider the rabbit a must see (but I take a picture with him each time). I've seen Suzy and Perla each visit, and I agree about Gus and Jaq. I've love to see them! I'll be back at WDW in December. Maybe I'll get lucky and see a few new characters.

Daisy can usually be found in the HOF tent in Toontown, Launchpad can sometimes be found around the parks, Darkwing and Scrooge do not come out, the 3 nephews do not come out, the White Rabbit has not been out recently, Suzy and Perla are somewhat common, and Jaq and Gus-Gus do not come out.

 

[disneyphilip]

Darkwing and Scrooge do not come out,

Actually, they do come out, but they're both EXTREMELY rare.

Darkwing has appeared at the Toontown Teardrop from time to time.

Scrooge made some random appearances at the Toontown Fair entrance sign recently, but you might have better luck finding him at the Halloween and Christmas parties.

and Jaq and Gus-Gus do not come out

Except for SpectroMagic.