Disney Visa Character Meet 'N' Greet

[cinderellashopper]

Can anyone share your experience with this event? Did you need to arrive early? What characters did you get to see? I'm wondering if we could arrive at DCA before opening, go right to Soarin', and then head over to the Meet 'N' Greet? Any tips or advice? Thanks!

 

[MBIJ]

Just went last Wednesday. There really wasn't a line at all. We got there around 11AM when Chip and Dale were on their way out and Mickey and Goofy were on their way in - so we got pictures taken with both (but only one for free)! So, try 11AM since that may be when they switch up the characters.

And, here's some planning advice. First, get a Fast Pass for Soarin' and then head to the river water ride (the name escapes me), the big ferris wheel and Screamin' and THEN go for the picture. You'll get all that done by 11AM IF you get on line before 10AM - and then you go back later to do Soarin' and use the fast pass when the line has really grown!

 

[silence]

we did this in May and there wasn't a line at all. We actually had PS at 11:30, so we actually checked in and went down for the meet and greet at the same time.

we saw mickey and goofy and we weren't rushed at all. they took lots of pictures, but we only got 1 free voucher. we had 3 visa cards for our group, but still just one voucher. we could have gone every day though and gotten a new voucher.

since these were also put on our photopass, we actually got all the pictures when we bought the cd.

our next trip we will go back, at least once.

 

[quadaunt]

Ditto to what was said above. We did this in August '05 and arrived around 11 a.m. Goofy and Mickey were there dressed in beach gear. We were the only ones there and they spent a lot of time goofing around with my DNe8. ETA: Silence, I think you were entitled to three photos with three different Disney Visa cards (as long as they all had different numbers and different names).

 

[cinderellashopper]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the advice. Do you receive the voucher when you show them your Visa? Where do you get a photopass?

 

[silence]

The photopass is a card you can use the entire trip and they "scan" it when you have a Disney photographer take your picture at the various spots (in front of the castle, Mickey's house, etc.)

You can view your pictures online when you get home or at the photo stations in each park. You use the same pass every day and in both parks.

The voucher is good for a free 5 x 7. As I understand it, some people have actually used there voucher for any picture on their photopass, not just the one from the meet and greet. We did not try this, we wanted that picture! They give you the voucher when they see your card and they take several poses for you which they "put" on your photo pass card for you.

They had a special going in May where we paid $70 for all the pictures on the card (up to 300 I think) and you get the release to print them anywhere you want. We also got 3 5x7 prints that they did for us in the park.

I REALLY recommend photopass. We were very happy with it and really wished we had used it a lot more while we were there.

 

[quadaunt]

The first park photographer you encounter will have a supply of PhotoPasses with him/her. Simply ask for a PP before you have your first photo taken and that photographer and every one thereafter will put your photos on your PP. An important tip (which I learned the hard way in 2/06 while at WDW, which has had PhotoPass for some time): write down the number on the back of your PP and keep it with you separately from the PP. That way, if you lose your PP at any time during your visit to the DLR they will be able to retrieve your photos by just typing the PhotoPass number into their computers (at the photo shops). Also, commit the last four digits of your PP number to memory and be sure to check it each time your photographer hands it back to you after taking a photo. What happened to me at WDW is that when I went to have all of our photos from our five-day trip burned to a CD they discovered that our PP must have been switched with another family's by a photographer on the last day of our trip (at times the photographer was juggling three PPs at a time during busy times of the day). All except for the last few photos were of a very nice looking family...just not my family! Luckily, by telling the CMs at the CD photo station what parks we visited on each day and what we were wearing (amazingly, I could actually remember what we were wearing each day!) they were able, after more than an hour of searching, to find all of our PP photos. I've always hoped that the other family was able to get all of their photos as well. So definitely check that number each time your PP is returned to you!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We did it last year (didn't get around to it this time). We saw Goofy and Mickey, it was very nice because we had them all to ourselves! There was no other guests around! They interacted with my son for a while and took pictures with my son as well as our whole family. They even took pictures with my camera. Then they gave us the coupon for the free 5x7.

We showed up on time, not early or anything. It was a good perk!

 

[thedarksyde]

We just walked in last week no line. Everone was nice, and Chip and Dale were the best! They were really fun. They played with everyone and helped my girlfriend in her ECV to the elevator.

 

[eeyore3847]

where at disney land is the meet and great. we just got our Disney visa and we are excited!

Lori

 

[cinderellashopper]

Shortly after receiving our card we received a blue brochure entitled "Unlock the Magic". It explains that there is a cardmember exclusive character meet 'n' greet in Ariel's Grotto in DCA which runs from when the park open for 90 minutes. The brochure says you must present a valid Disney Rewards Visa for admission for up to 6 people. Hope that helps.

 

[mitchwebb]

Has anyone used there free photo pass on another day. I received one in May and forgot to use it. On the back is an expiration date 9/30/2007. I was wondering if I could use it in August.

 

[silence]

we did the meet n greet on a friday and went and got the picture the following day with no problems. while not nearly as much time as passed, if you are redeeming prior to the expiration date, i don't see why it would be an issue.

 

[stacy~**]

Thanks to the original poster for posting this. I knew WDW did this but wasn't aware of this one. I am very excited!!!

 

[stampinshauna]

Characters are switched on the 1/2 hour. I think Mickey and Goofy are at 10 and 11 and Chip & Dale are 10:30 (but it could depend on the day).