Does anyone not 'do' the character meets and greets?

[Julesdis]

We're going for the first time in August.

Fortunately my son, 9 says he is is not bothered about seeing characters, certainly not any of the girly princesses.

My daughter is only 5 but also seems less than bothered about meeting the characters. She tells me they're not real, just people dressed up, Disney films aren't real, just stories etc! We've explained to her that some kids may not realise the characters aren't real, she has said she'll have to educate them!!

So we may be keeping her away from any character scrums, for the sake of other children / parents!

I'm sure when we get there both of them will be a bit less cynical(!) and will be happy to meet characters we might see in the hotel or we might do one character meal. But I can't see either of them wanting to queue for ages or scrum just to meet the characters.

 

[Rachie B]

having been 8 times now and having 2 older boys ( 15 and 9 ) we dont tend to bother much with the characters anymore

BUT we went this wkend ( myself and my 9 yr old plus a friend and her 6 yr old daughter) and we saw tonnes of characters. she is into the princesses and was so sweet to see her all excited and mesmerised by them

we saw characters @

cafe mickey sat evening ( fab atmosphere,best bit was chip n dales dancing )
4pm @ the DLH on sat & sun
loads out and about in both parks,more than ive ever seen on previous trips! even though it's low season

 

[Rachie B]

oh forgot to say the characters were fab at seeing who was waiting patiently and seeing them first so it sometimes pays off to wait and not shove your child infront of others!

the princesses & mary poppins especially said how nicely friends daughter waited and that it was nice to see etc

also Woody was good at not allowing others to shove books / pens / children / cameras .. ! in his face whilst our 2 were having their pic taken with him,he made them step back and wait

 

[RoseBug]

I never got this myself. With all of the one-of-a-kind, world-class rides and attractions why would I want to get beat up to have my picture taken with (let's be real here) a guy on a suit? I've been going to Disney parks since I was a kid (30+ years) and i never had an urge to do this. I've done my share of complaining about DLP but I don't share the biggest complaint I read about on this board (character scrum) because I've never actually experienced it.

But for most of the children it isn't just a guy in a suit, they believe some of the magic and I for one think that is wonderful. Imagination is a powerful thing, and I am all for encouraging it. I guess also, for many people going to Disney parks as often as you isn't a choice, so it's not all about the rides, it's about the whole Disney experience. I for one would rather walk round and take things in rather than stand for hours waiting to get on rides as much as I LOVE rides. But then I also wouldn't do the scrumming to meet a character and wouldn't encourage my daughter to get involved in that either. I guess it's all down to that old adage "different strokes, for different folks!"

When we went to Disney without DD it was all about the rides and parades etc. But now, with a 3 year old I share the magic seeing her meeting the characters she loves!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

My daughter is only 5 but also seems less than bothered about meeting the characters. She tells me they're not real, just people dressed up, Disney films aren't real, just stories etc! We've explained to her that some kids may not realise the characters aren't real, she has said she'll have to educate them!!

So we may be keeping her away from any character scrums, for the sake of other children / parents!

Love this last bit !

I don't like the characters, never have, as a child all things like that creeped me out as I knew they weren't real but everyone tried to get me to go see them,and as an adult I avoid them.

You'll often see me rapidly walking away and the idea of hugging and kissing them leaves me like this