Do I need a character M&G for 5 y.o. boy?

[Sharpdisney]

Hi -
First time to Disney in late February with a 5 y.o. boy. He knows and likes some characters but is not wild about any particular one. Doubt we'll do any autograph books or that type of thing. He'll for sure enjoy seeing them and interacting but no broken hearts over missing A&E for us (thank goodness!).

My question is, it seems there are lots of chances to happen upon characters just in the park, at random or based on the daily guides. Is that "enough"? Is there a chance we won't see any characters, so I should really use a FP for something like character spot in Epcot?

I think we will for sure do Tusker House lunch to try one character meal. And I think we should really try to get to see Buzz and Woody in HS. Do you think we'll get enough other "random" chances to get his fill on characters? Should I try to focus more of our time or FP's on rides, etc?

Thanks all!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hi -
First time to Disney in late February with a 5 y.o. boy. He knows and likes some characters but is not wild about any particular one. Doubt we'll do any autograph books or that type of thing. He'll for sure enjoy seeing them and interacting but no broken hearts over missing A&E for us (thank goodness!).

My question is, it seems there are lots of chances to happen upon characters just in the park, at random or based on the daily guides. Is that "enough"? Is there a chance we won't see any characters, so I should really use a FP for something like character spot in Epcot?

I think we will for sure do Tusker House lunch to try one character meal. And I think we should really try to get to see Buzz and Woody in HS. Do you think we'll get enough other "random" chances to get his fill on characters? Should I try to focus more of our time or FP's on rides, etc?

Thanks all!

This doesn't really happen much anymore. You will certainly see characters out meeting guests, but they're pretty much all at set times with set locations and a line. One passing by and stopping to interact with you is relatively rare.

We obviously have no idea how much your child wants to do M&Gs. If he likes the meal and Buzz/Woody, then I guess do more. Otherwise no. At the very least, I don't think I'd bother with a FP for one until you know.

 

[Simba07]

I agree that you don't usually see them randomly anymore. The two exceptions are sometimes at MK at rope drop some characters will walk back to their lands with the crowds (we've walked with Alice before) and "characterpaloosa" at DHS (check out Kennythepirate for more info on that event). But there are characters with outdoor lines at non-MK parks, so it may be that he'll see some of those and be inspired.

 

[Sharpdisney]

So, the listings at kenneythepirate are those "out in the open, but scheduled times" type of M&G. We may see them and encounter a line as folks get to the front for their turn? That might be fine for us.
Also, I see that Mickey and Minnie are both present at Character Spot in Epcot and also in AK at Adventurer's outpost. Is one better than the other? Maybe I'll just pick one? I can FP the Character spot... is that worth it?

 

[mesaboy2]

1. So, the listings at kenneythepirate are those "out in the open, but scheduled times" type of M&G.

2. We may see them and encounter a line as folks get to the front for their turn? That might be fine for us.

Also, I see that Mickey and Minnie are both present at Character Spot in Epcot and also in AK at Adventurer's outpost.

3. Is one better than the other?

4. Maybe I'll just pick one?

5. I can FP the Character spot... is that worth it?

1. Outside, inside, all of them. That you are looking at a list of times and locations tells you they are not random.

2. Yes.

3. Nope. They are dressed differently.

4. Okay.

5. As I implied earlier, no. FPs for M&Gs--with one notable exception--are mostly worthless. See the green link in my signature for more info on this subject.

 

[katt789]

I would test it out and see what/how he does/reacts to the first few and go from there, he could absolutely love characters, he might hate them!

Tusker is a GREAT option for dining, I absolutely love it there the food, atmosphere & characters have always been on point for us! And the variety in the food, specifically at lunch is amazing and delicious!

You'll definitely see a lot of characters around the parks, and can see if he gets excited to want to go meet them, in MK, Mary, Snow, Aurora, Marie, Minnie, Pluto, Peter, Jas & Aladdin, Woody & Jessie, Buzz, Stitch, Gaston, Tremaines, Winnie the pooh & Tigger, Fairy Godmother & the Chipmunks all meet outside in pretty visible places, and ever park has those kinda spots that he'd be able to see them and you could tell if he wanted to go in and see them. They are however all on specific schedules, but you could do it a lot more "if we chance upon them" just be aware then that the line might be cut off, and you'll have to come back later kinda thing

 

[VP037388]

We have 3 boys (3, 6, 8). I would say the answer is No. Please take a moment to relish that you don't have to worry about any Frozen M&G, Princess-land or ADRs for CRT!! The character meals were enough for the kids. We did Tusker House to meet Mickey/Donald/Goofy and also did Garden Grill for Chip and Dale. The kids thought it was "neat" but were more interested in rides, balloons, snacks, ice cream and fireworks! Oh, and the POOL. We saw Buzz everyday by the Buzz Lightyear ride. Line was manageable (end of Sept). We saw Peter Pan several times around MK. Never a line. Mary Poppins was out by Town Hall every morning around 10. Pluto too. We also caught Sleeping Beauty over there (by the bathrooms oddly). Again, very short line. They are always in a shady spot. I think no one was expecting them and didn't realize they were out. We never saw any characters outside of the planned M&G at Epcot or AK. Did not go to DHS. Only my oldest was interested in seeing them. 6 year old didn't care and 3 year old was scared.

 

[Happyjen27]

Probably you're fine sticking with Tusker House and catching Buzz/Woody at HS during one of their scheduled times and not taking any more actions to line up others.

My son didn't mind waiting in line here and there for M&G, but he was also happy to walk on by.

I wouldn't bother with FP+ or arranging any plans around any of them. Thankfully my daughter could also give or take them. We did the character meals and were able to walk on by most lines in the park.

My kids were far more about rides and attractions than characters, other kids are opposite, you can only find out once you're there.

 

[artemis4]

Whether or not just seeing the characters as you walk by combined with a character breakfast really will depend on your child. Some kids really don't care about the characters, others love them.

My youngest was 5 on our last trip, and the characters were his favorite thing. We had a morning in Epcot where it was just the two of us as the big kids and papa were at the YES class. Given the choice of doing anything he wanted, he told me "I want to meet as many characters as I can plus Goofy." We spent three hours meeting 16 characters and doing Turtle Talk with Crush. He loved it.

 

[jm106]

For my kids, if we happen on a meet and greet line with not a long wait, I let them decide if they want to go. We do not make plans for charterers aside from meals (Tusker house is my fav.) My kids liked meeting Phineus and Ferb at DHS and danced with them but if they just saw them and passed by, it wouldnt have mattered. The line was short so we went. Same with buzz. We will skip M&G at the halloween party as well even though it seems that is a huge draw. We have autographs, I used them to add to a photo book because autographs themselves are really pointless for my kids(and sit in a drawer.)
Only green army men from TS were out walking and they only interacted with a few kids and left the others hanging who didnt push in so the lines make it easier.
ETA- we did come upon stich right after we entered Epcot. Ods was going to YES class so yds and I took advantage of it. he was off to the side so not many kids around

 

[Sharpdisney]

Thanks all, this is great advice.
I think my son is really going to be most interested in rides (very brave and adventurous, so anything he is tall enough for will be a go!). Also, like others have said, fireworks, glow in the dark toys at parades, and ice cream.

I think I'll go ahead and do the Tusker House lunch, which will be on our second day. Our first day we'll be in MK and we'll look for Buzz and Woody, and then maybe Goofy and others back near Pete's. I think that'll do it.

Good to know if he needs "more" we can wait for characters out in the parks or wait a bit (no FP) for things like Character spot, etc.

Thanks!!!

 

[hops&dreams]

I think you have a good plan! The first time we went, our DD had just turned 6, and she has survived without doing any M&Gs. We happened upon a couple of characters (Mary Poppins - wasn't that great of a run-in, and Alice, who had GREAT interaction with DD) in Epcot's WS.

Oh, I lied... We did stand in line to do ONE M&G for Jasmine and Aladdin. It was the last princess she needed to sign her lunchbox! The others were signed at Asherkus princess dinner.

We did make a mistake and booked a Disney Clubhouse meal at Hollywood & Vine. DD was unfamiliar with the characters (we don't have cable, so no Disney channel for us unless it's on Netflix), and she was a tad too old for the likes of June, JoJo?, and others. By the end of the meal, DD was annoyed with having to get up and interact/take pics with these characters she didn't know. She was just hungry and loved the buffet choices - kid just wanted to stuff her face!

you know your kid best and will be able to read what they like/don't like, and can adjust your plan on the fly to fit.

 

[Monykalyn]

Have fun! one more thing-if he likes "Up" and you are going to AK pick up a Wilderness Explorer book and do even a couple badges-One of my DS fave M&G was with Russell and Dug and getting them to sign his book. That and Goofy at Blizzard Beach (almost made up for mom making him stand in line with rest of us for A&E-though Elsa did make my grumpy boy ("I don't like princesses!!") smile(probably one of the BEST overall character interactions with the kids-but obviously not needed for a lil guy). Only M&G to use a FP+-rest of the M&G really don't have too long lines. Also Wreck it Ralph and Incredibles are inside the Animation studio at HS-we were there in June and lines were very short to see these guys-a little more boy oriented characters lol