difference in character meet and greets

[sarah-jane]

Hello,
We have booked crystal palace and Akershus for breakfast on our upcoming trip with our 3 and 6 year old daughters. When we ask my youngest what she is most excited about she says "hug/dance/bounce with/etc. various characters". We have never done in park meet and greets. She is not at all afraid of costumed characters at our local zoo, so I don't anticipate shyness. Its more that I want to manage expectations. She plays the Kinect Disneyland adventures game and is expecting something like that. What should we expect from a meet and greet and is the character interaction in park meet and greets different from at meals? just want to be ready with proper expectations. Thanks so much!

 

[brooke789]

I'm just looking at the time stamps on our pics and it looks like we (2 kids) spent between 2-5 minutes with each character at a meet & greet. Some took less time and some took longer just based on the chracter. For example, Alice (in Epcot) spent a long time with my kids just talking to them (they were silent). Belle did the same, but characters that don't talk are faster (for us) b/c they pretty much hug them, stand and look at them, turn for a picture looking at the camera, hug again and say bye. There is definitely time for her to bounce with Tigger (my DD did with two different Tiggers), etc.

 

[ktlm]

My DD (7) has been a character fanatic since she was 2, so we usually spend a ton of time with the characters. She doesn't care if she has just seen them at a meal, if she runs across them in the park she wants to get in line to see them again. In general, we have found that the in park meet and greets are a little less rushed and a little more playful than the meal meet and greets. We have the Disneyland Kinect game, and I would say that your girls can expect some interactions like that. You can get hugs from pretty much all of them. Some are more playful than others. DD has danced and bounced with them, some have even played little games with her like taking her stuffed animal and playing with it or not giving it back or playing "hide and seek" with her, or "flying with her" or just numerous other little things. We have had some absolutely great character interactions, but it really just depends on the character themselves and the personality you get and probably the mood or way they feel that day. Some are absolutely incredible, some not so much.

As far as the meals, there just isn't much space around the tables. Sometimes it is just a quick autograph sign, photo snap and on to the next table. Sometimes you will get more interaction. Again, a lot of it is the mood and personality of the character. Akershus, there really isn't room between the tables for much dancing or spinning with the Princesses, but there are Princesses stationed around World Showcase if you want to meet and greet a few around the park that are often good for a twirl with a little girl. At Akershus, the Princesses do a little parade around the restaurant with the kids at set times, so hopefully that will happen during the time you are eating there. We've eaten there several times, and we have missed it a couple of times, but usually you are there long enough that it is done during your meal at some point. They will announce it to have the kids come join in. At Crystal Palace, Tigger usually can be enticed to bounce with the little ones. I think we got a a non-bouncy rush on by as fast as he could, Tigger once, but on the whole we have seen pretty good ones there. They also do a little parade with the kids here and there.

I just wouldn't make any promises as to what the interaction will be, and just let them experience it. Some of the characters will be absolutely fantastic, so much so that they can bring tears to your eyes watching the interactions. Some-not so much. We had a Cinderella at CRT when DD was 3 that was so bad that DD said that she was obviously a fake who had to stand in for the real Cinderella who was busy in Toon Town (before Toon Town was gone). This Cinderella clearly either did not feel well, or was extremely tired, or just didn't like her job. She basically wasn't interacting with the kids, to the point where she would ignore or be rude to them- very unCinderella like. She was the worst we have ever run across. It was kind of sad because Cinderella is DD's absolute favorite, but we saw the "real" Cinderella later and all was good.

 

[Lady V]

The absolute worst Belle we ever encountered was at the Norway meal. We literally walked in after we were called, walked up to her and as I got my camera out she said she had to go help the cook? It was some ridiculous spiel about the cook needing her. I asked her if I could at least take one picture and she said she had to go and JUST WALKED AWAY. I'm sorry but for what we paid I should get to take ONE picture. Needless to say the photo person was in shock too. She was awful and it's funny because she is the Belle on one of the commercials and every time I see her I think how rude she was. But I also want to say THE VERY BEST Snow White we have ever had was at Norway a couple years earlier. She was wonderful!

We have THE BEST interaction at Cape May Café. Not rushed at all, great service, and great food!

 

[sb682]

My son is also 3 and a fan of the Kinect game. When we got to Disney, he couldn't stop talking about saying hi to his "Disney friends" and hugging them, "like in the game". I found the characters really tried to interact with him, even when he was sort of stunned by actually seeing them in person. They gave lots of hugs and high-fives, ruffled his hair and did a little bit of dancing on occasion. They definitely follow your child's lead and the more animated they are, the more the characters will be. We spent probably 3-5 minutes with each one. We didn't see any face characters on our last trip, but in my past experience they really get into it and come up with fun things to talk about.

 

[jadelane1]

We love Ashker house. There are a couple princesses there which makes it nice and even a few you can't find in the parks. The interaction is great although I feel like in the parks they may spend a little more time with the children depending on the character. I'm sure your daughters will have a great time.

 

[sarah-jane]

You have all had fabulous advice. Going as adults before kids we've never really done character interaction so I really appreciate it.

 

[ktlm]

The absolute worst Belle we ever encountered was at the Norway meal. We literally walked in after we were called, walked up to her and as I got my camera out she said she had to go help the cook? It was some ridiculous spiel about the cook needing her. I asked her if I could at least take one picture and she said she had to go and JUST WALKED AWAY. I'm sorry but for what we paid I should get to take ONE picture. Needless to say the photo person was in shock too. She was awful and it's funny because she is the Belle on one of the commercials and every time I see her I think how rude she was.

We saw that happen once with Snow White at her Epcot meet and greet, and we found out from a CM in the area shortly afterward, that poor Snow White had come down with a stomach virus and had to high tail it away before she did something very unPrincesslike in front of everyone. She made some quick odd excuse like you got and just took off too. I felt sorry for the little girl that she took off on just as she was going to walk up to her, but that was probably better than what would have happened if she had stayed. DD had seen her and hugged her just a couple of guests before she took off, so I was washing DD's hands and face like crazy. I wonder if that might have been what happened to your Belle?

 

[brooke789]

The absolute worst Belle we ever encountered was at the Norway meal. We literally walked in after we were called, walked up to her and as I got my camera out she said she had to go help the cook? It was some ridiculous spiel about the cook needing her. I asked her if I could at least take one picture and she said she had to go and JUST WALKED AWAY. I'm sorry but for what we paid I should get to take ONE picture. Needless to say the photo person was in shock too. She was awful and it's funny because she is the Belle on one of the commercials and every time I see her I think how rude she was. But I also want to say THE VERY BEST Snow White we have ever had was at Norway a couple years earlier. She was wonderful!

Belle in Akershus did that to us! We did our photopass picture with all 4 of us, but DH wanted to get the kids picture with Belle, too. The Photopass person just asked that we do his first and then DH could take pics with his camera. Belle literally started walking off and they had to tell her to come back. She did, but she was not happy.

Also, the Belle in France in Epcot would not look at DH's camera. She literally kept her head looking away from the camera on purpose EXCEPT when it was the photopass camera.

DH is a professional photographer. He took over 4000 pics on our vacation (mostly with characters) and we did not see anything like that with ANY other character.

 

[theelfqueen]

We love the Kinect game, though we have no one near that young to enjoy it

In preparation, get your hands on any of the Singalong DVDs that were shot in the parks.

Disneyland Fun
Happy Hauntings
Beach Party
(Our library has a lot of them, you might try that)

They show the characters at their real sizes interacting with children which can really help to put it in perspective.

 

[Schmeck]

The absolute worst Belle we ever encountered was at the Norway meal. We literally walked in after we were called, walked up to her and as I got my camera out she said she had to go help the cook? It was some ridiculous spiel about the cook needing her. I asked her if I could at least take one picture and she said she had to go and JUST WALKED AWAY. I'm sorry but for what we paid I should get to take ONE picture. Needless to say the photo person was in shock too. She was awful and it's funny because she is the Belle on one of the commercials and every time I see her I think how rude she was. But I also want to say THE VERY BEST Snow White we have ever had was at Norway a couple years earlier. She was wonderful!

We have THE BEST interaction at Cape May Café. Not rushed at all, great service, and great food!

All of the characters have strict guidelines for how long they can be on the floor, and then they have to take a break or they are in violation of their union contract. Think of it this way - they get a 15 minute break to go the bathroom, and then are scheduled to be back out on the floor. You wanted a picture, and then maybe the person coming in behind you did too, etc. When is Belle supposed to pee?

 

[Lady V]

All of the characters have strict guidelines for how long they can be on the floor, and then they have to take a break or they are in violation of their union contract. Think of it this way - they get a 15 minute break to go the bathroom, and then are scheduled to be back out on the floor. You wanted a picture, and then maybe the person coming in behind you did too, etc. When is Belle supposed to pee?

I was the last name called for that seating so no one was behind us. I understand her being ready to go but when we arrive early and are called in last we still have paid the money and deserve to get the picture. If they need to seat faster that is on them. It's not like I was in a character line in the park. I had paid my money for the character meal and deserved a picture-Belle didn't come around to the tables so that was our only shot. It would have taken an extra 30 seconds literally. But I understand since you weren't there it is hard to fathom how ridiculous it really was.

 

[Schmeck]

I was the last name called for that seating so no one was behind us. I understand her being ready to go but when we arrive early and are called in last we still have paid the money and deserve to get the picture. If they need to seat faster that is on them. It's not like I was in a character line in the park. I had paid my money for the character meal and deserved a picture-Belle didn't come around to the tables so that was our only shot. It would have taken an extra 30 seconds literally. But I understand since you weren't there it is hard to fathom how ridiculous it really was.

Have they changed the procedure recently? When we ate at Akershus, there were no 'seatings', just a continuous flow of people in and out as tables opened up, according to the time of your ADR. If you arrived early for your ADR, you still had to wait if there were other people there with earlier ADRs. For my scenario, since there was a constant flow of guests arriving and being seated, there were always a few Princesses out on the floor, and one always backstage on break. There was no guarantee that you would see all of them. How many princesses came to your table?

 

[Dizneydaz]

One of our best character interactions was at Akershus. It was Alice. DD was maybe 6 or so and Alice spent a few minutes talking to her. DD had her sign her autograph book. Alice was so sweet-she wanted DD's autograph. She went in back and got a piece of paper and had DD sign it for her. She said she was going to keep it. It made DD's trip! It was so sweet of Alice. We were there fairly late, in fact I think we were one of the last lunch ressies.

We've also had good interaction at Park Fare, again, having a fairly late breakfast ressie.

If you can schedule your meal towards the end of the meal times the characters seem to be less rushed.

 

[Hayliesmom]

I have to say most of the interactions with characters were absolutely wonderful. An army man from toy story even picked my daughter up and held her for a picture. Some of the best interaction she got was when she had her Duffy doll. That and she wore a t-shirt with Figaro on it to Hollywood Studios and Pinocchio absolutely LOVED it. Of course my daughter knows Figaro as Minnie's cat so she was confused why he loved it so much and I had to explain. Unfortunately one of her favorite characters (Minnie) at Hollywood Studios was horrible.

I found that on the days she was more "dressed up" she got more attention and she seemed to notice too and always wanted to wear a costume dress (not unusual for her because she's a girly girl). Snow White taught her to pose like a princess and Pluto and Duffy both danced with her. I think the interaction with the parks characters was better than our character meals, but she absolutely loved the character meals.

 

[Mama Who]

It would have taken an extra 30 seconds literally. But I understand since you weren't there it is hard to fathom how ridiculous it really was.

It may be ridiculous, but it's not her fault. Ignoring a mandatory break can get you fired. I'm sure you agree that your photo was not more important than her job, right? It's unfortunate that the timing worked that way, but Belle didn't make the rules.

 

[ktlm]

Have they changed the procedure recently? When we ate at Akershus, there were no 'seatings', just a continuous flow of people in and out as tables opened up, according to the time of your ADR. If you arrived early for your ADR, you still had to wait if there were other people there with earlier ADRs. For my scenario, since there was a constant flow of guests arriving and being seated, there were always a few Princesses out on the floor, and one always backstage on break. There was no guarantee that you would see all of them. How many princesses came to your table?

From this post, I think you may be assuming she is talking about Belle being out on the floor of the restaurant. It is my understanding that she is stating that they did not get their Photopass picture with Belle when they walked into the restaurant and did not get their photo package which is included with the price of the meal. I would be very upset if I was paying a price which factors in a photo package, and then did not get that photo package. Either they should have been called back when Belle returned to get their photo, or Akershus should have pulled in another Princess from the floor or elsewhere to take her place and pose for the package photo. I have heard of them using Ariel in that spot when Belle has had to leave quickly or was out for some reason. The poster should not have been deprived of a photo package which they paid for. I think the fact you are paying a price which includes the photo package makes it different than another situation where you are standing in line, or sitting at a table and the Princess has to leave.

The price for Akershus and CRT are higher than the other character meals. One reason, and I believe the main reason for this, is the photo package is part of the deal. You will notice that the prices for an adult lunch at Akershus where the photo package is included range from $46.95 to $55.37 (depending on the season), where the price for Tusker House where you have to separately buy the photo package with Donald (for an extra $32) is only $29. 82 to $35.14


Also, it is my understanding that Akershus does have "seatings"-you just don't really see it as a guest- and that is why they won't let you check in more than 15 minutes ahead of your time slot. They have the ADRs set up staggered to fill one room for a "Seating", then the next "seating" switches to the other room. They have it set up where the first room filled should be clearing out as the second one is dining and then they start over. You are basically in a scheduled "seating" in one room or the other.

Also, they may have been the last at a certain meal seating. I know from having the first lunch ADR that until one of the rooms empties out totally from the breakfast "seating", no lunch patrons are seated. Then they start the 1st lunch "seating" in that room.

Honestly, I don't think Belle herself would take off like that unless she was having some kind of a problem whether it be illness or a bathroom emergency or something else. Last I checked, Belle didn't wear a watch, so I don't think she would know it was a required break time and wouldn't leave immediately and abruptly for that unless a handler came and told her to, which does not sound like it was the case.

 

[Lady V]

It may be ridiculous, but it's not her fault. Ignoring a mandatory break can get you fired. I'm sure you agree that your photo was not more important than her job, right? It's unfortunate that the timing worked that way, but Belle didn't make the rules.

Of course I wouldn't want any cm fired. What I want is for them to not call a family in when there isn't time left to take a picture.

 

[Lady V]

Belle in Akershus did that to us! We did our photopass picture with all 4 of us, but DH wanted to get the kids picture with Belle, too. The Photopass person just asked that we do his first and then DH could take pics with his camera. Belle literally started walking off and they had to tell her to come back. She did, but she was not happy.

Bolding is mine. That's first part is what happened with us. Except for us she never came back. I wouldn't have cared at all if there were another time to grab a shot with her during the meal but since she was the one up front she didn't actually walk around to the tables.

To clear up what seems to be so confusing for people here: I would never want anyone fired anywhere. I never said I did so those of you saying that are clearly confused. I understand--it happens on the internet. I just wanted a chance to take ONE picture with my own camera. ONE PICTURE. I know some of you seem to thing I am so awful for being disappointed in that....well you can think all you want...when it is YOUR child in the pic that has been waiting to meet a character you might think otherwise. You might not. It won't affect my experience either way! I have an opinion and I shared it. As you have all read I am not the only one with issues regarding certain characters. They just need to fix the timing is what is sounds like. Don't worry---I'm not hurt by anyone's confusion...it just gave me a chance to come and repeat what had happened and has served as an even bigger warning to the future guests.

 

[Schmeck]

Bolding is mine. That's first part is what happened with us. Except for us she never came back. I wouldn't have cared at all if there were another time to grab a shot with her during the meal but since she was the one up front she didn't actually walk around to the tables.

To clear up what seems to be so confusing for people here: I would never want anyone fired anywhere. I never said I did so those of you saying that are clearly confused. I understand--it happens on the internet. I just wanted a chance to take ONE picture with my own camera. ONE PICTURE. I know some of you seem to thing I am so awful for being disappointed in that....well you can think all you want...when it is YOUR child in the pic that has been waiting to meet a character you might think otherwise. You might not. It won't affect my experience either way! I have an opinion and I shared it. As you have all read I am not the only one with issues regarding certain characters. They just need to fix the timing is what is sounds like. Don't worry---I'm not hurt by anyone's confusion...it just gave me a chance to come and repeat what had happened and has served as an even bigger warning to the future guests.

What do you mean by 'she was the one up front'? I'm trying to picture what you mean by that? Up front where?