Ever had a Bad character experience?

[Berlioz70]

...said "hey, he was already here!" I guess Tigger heard him and was insulted. He threw up his hands and stomped off... He never came back to our table. My oldest DS was crushed (and mad at his brother).... I didn't know characters got insulted!!!

I'm not sure if he was insulted, you actually gave him a verbal cue (unknown to you). At dining characters have to meet a lot of tables in a short period of time. At Crystal Palace there are about 130 tables, for characters to get around the entire place in an hour that's less than 30 seconds per table. Therefore, they are always listening for verbal and visual cues.

For example, if a character goes to a table and no one starts talking to them or no one stands up, that is interpreted as they do not want to meet the character so they'll skip the table. If someone says, "nice to see you again, welcome back, etc" that means the table already met the character and they'll skip the table.

I can't speak to Tigger's gestures, but that was probably going through his head.

 

[dzneelvr]

After reading through this thread, I honestly have to say we've had no bad experiences. Instead, over the years DS and DD have wonderful pictures of character interactions that went above and beyond (remember the Alladin breakfasts at DHS with John Smith and Pocahontas upstairs . Now that DS is 22 and DD 20, the interactions are very enjoyable to watch from another level. Both have always been very polite and allow the character to "take the lead" --maybe that helps them feel comfortable. We can't wait to see what transpires in July on our next trip. The princesses seem to adore DS and Buzz and Mickey treat DD quite magically

 

[RWilcox91]

Not a bad experience per se but on our honeymoon in 06 it seemed like Goofy avoided my wife everywhere we saw him. We actually had our server get him to come back at Ohana so we could get a picture. It was really amusing to me at least that it didn't matter where we were she got avoided.

 

[rosebud4]

I made my first trip to WDW in 2007 as a gift from my future husband to spend time alone with my 12 year old daughter. We had dinner at CP and I was very excited to see Tigger as he has always been my favorite. I had just taken a picture of Tigger with my daughter and she took the camera to take my picture when Tigger threw his arms around me and buried me with a huge hug and promptly gropped me! I was too surprized to react but everytime we go now, my daughter warns me to watch out for Tigger's roaming hands, lol!

 

[3smithboys]

I'm not sure if he was insulted, you actually gave him a verbal cue (unknown to you). At dining characters have to meet a lot of tables in a short period of time. At Crystal Palace there are about 130 tables, for characters to get around the entire place in an hour that's less than 30 seconds per table. Therefore, they are always listening for verbal and visual cues.

For example, if a character goes to a table and no one starts talking to them or no one stands up, that is interpreted as they do not want to meet the character so they'll skip the table. If someone says, "nice to see you again, welcome back, etc" that means the table already met the character and they'll skip the table.

I can't speak to Tigger's gestures, but that was probably going through his head.

Thanks for your explanation... one thing I don't understand is that is someone says "nice to see you again or welcome back" why would they skip the table - sure I understand that they have a lot of tables to visit, but when we have been there in the past they have always come around for another visit. (Not only there, but at every other character meal we have been to.) It's not like we keep them for hours. I saw them stopping at other tables more than one time. Now, if they get a verbal or visual cue that the family doesn't want to be bothered at this time, I understand that the character would skip the table.

I'm not sure why Tigger would take his cue from a 6 year old...

 

[disneydad1]

On a positive note, we've only had one poor character experience compared to many, many wonderful ones where the CM's went out of their way to interact with my kids in a positive way.

But in sticking with the topic, Peter Pan acted like a disinterested jerk towards my DD's ages 4 and 3 last spring. It reminded me of talking to someone who was only talking to you because they had nothing better to do at the time, but they were very obviously not listening and were looking for someone more "important" to talk to while having a conversation with you.

I understand the CM's who portray characters are regular people and entitled to have bad days at work just like the rest of us, but due to the nature of their jobs they should be professional enough to put on a happy face and get into character. They, as much as anyone, can make or break a kid's experience.

 

[EvilQueenT]

christmas eve 2008 we ate at 1900 park faire, unfortunately my 4 year old granddaughter was starting to come down with a cold but was hanging tough to see the characters. we didn't have what i'd call a bad experience but we had the worst meal ever (all 5 of us with very different tastes all agreed we hated the food), cindy and prince charming were as bland as water but boy did the step sisters make up for it!!! they were the hit of our trip. we've never laughed so hard at dinner.

 

[tarrbear]

Pooh has always seemed a little impatient at CP, but the kids don't really notice. Even had Mickey tap his fingers at CM because my mom's camera wouldn't take. I got it on video and laugh at her every time. She's since gotten a new camera.


Somewhat inappropriate story ahead...

Not a bad experience for us but definitely a break in character. Went on a grown-ups only trip last month with some girlfriends. I was taking video for the kids (to use in their "Surprise, we're going to WDW" video), then, since one of my friends had never been, we'd jump in for a picture. I have a long strap for my camera a la tourists, but my friend had a small camera without one. Well, we were meeting Genie in Morocco, and he did the normal kisses, hugs, whatever else boy characters do to girls, and we got in our pose for the PhotoPass guy. Well, each PhotoPass photog had trouble handling my friend's camera because once they took a picture with it, they'd have to find a pocket or put it on the ground, etc. because there was no strap. Well, the photog was struggling, and I said "You need to get a strap on that thing!" Of course, I got a frog in my throat and it came out "You need to get a strap on..." The guy (Genie) started cracking up inside his big, blue head. He was shaking he was laughing so much. The pictures look pretty status quo, but I'll always know what he was thinking.

Thats actually really funny.... haha

Now I haven't had a bad experience, but I do have a humorous one. We were meeting Donald and Daisy near the hat at HS I was wearing Mickey ears and a dress with mickey on it. Well, Donald made me take off my ears after I did that Daisy started pointing at Mickey on my dress and wagged her finger, and greatest part is that in the picture Daisy purposely placed her hand to block the mickey.

 

[Talking Hands]

Only "bad" experience I've had was at CP. My husband was away from the table and Tigger walked up behind and started to hug me. Unfortunately I didn't hear him and as he hugged I picked up my glass of tea and it was spilled down my front. Not Tigger's fault really and he was really embarassed. Was offered a replacement top and Tigger came back and apologized profusely.

Best was at LTT when Minnie and Mickey come up and talked to me in sign language. We had a nice conversation. What a pleasure.

Anpther nice one was at AK at the parade. Pluto comes up and jumps up on the interpeters box and proceeds to start signing the song after gently pushing the interpreter of the box. It was so cute.

 

[jg121285]

We didn't have any bad experiences with characters on our last trip, actually had some of the best interactions I've ever had. I will say that the characters at CRT and Ohana were a bit rushed but it was still fun and we got some great photos.

On my first visit when I was about 10 Brer Fox tried to make my lunch in Frontierland. Freaked me out because he just appeared out of nowhere but then he gestured he was just kidding and I laughed about it

 

[Cee]

There seem to be many "bad" experiences at Crystal Palace. Hmmm.....

The only thing I can add to this thread is that I've had some characters be a little too "friendly" when having pictures taken with them. No inappropriate touching, just holding a little too close for my comfort. Hmmmmm.....

 

[typod]

When I was like 7 years old liverlips was doing a meet and great at MK. It was my turn and all of a sudden he turned and started to chase me. It scared the living day lights out of me and I turned to run away and hit my head on a pole. I was sooooo embarassed. I went to the side so peolpe could not see me and he came over and gave me a big hug. I thought that it was nice that he came over and sorta said sorry in a no talking way.

 

[TaylorsDad]

We, once had a potential bad experience through no fault of the characters, though. My wife, DD, and I were on our first trip to WDW and dining at Liberty Tree Tavern celebrating DD birthday. Our seating was the problem, Our table was positioned in a spot where the characters begin going right past us to start their rounds. DD was only 8 and with Down Syndrome which means she didnt understand that the characters would be back so each time one "ignored" her the crying began. Of course by the time the last character made their way to our table she was okay. I guess the Cms felt bad for her though, because we were told not to leave before they came back. The manager had someone leave and go next door and then Minnie Mouse brings her a big size Minnie Mouse Christmas doll as a birthday present. This was April so was probably on clearance or even off the shelves entirely, but we were blown away by their efforts to make things up to her even though they did nothing wrong. Even though things started out rough, DD left the restraunt with a big smile on her face.
Another funny thing happened last year with Sorcerer Mickey. For weeks leading up to our trip,I would tease DD when she would say Mickey Mouse was her favorite. I would then say well I am Mickey's favorite and then she would say She was.Well in line I told the handler Sorcerer Mickey was my daughters favorite character. When we got to the character the handler got tongue tied and said "Look Mickey She is Your favorite." a second handler tried correcting her so as not to disappoint the other children in line, but DD looked at me and smiled knowing I couldnt argue this with her anymore.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Best was at LTT when Minnie and Mickey come up and talked to me in sign language. We had a nice conversation. What a pleasure.

Anpther nice one was at AK at the parade. Pluto comes up and jumps up on the interpeters box and proceeds to start signing the song after gently pushing the interpreter of the box. It was so cute.

Aww!

 

[Jessica14]

We have only been once with the kids and all our interactions were fine! I do have to say, not having been on this site before that trip, I had no idea that interactions could be so varied. In my mind, if they signed the book and took the pictures and said hello, that was good for us. So maybe we just didn't have really high expectations. Everyone was friendly and the Princesses took extra time talking to the kids even though the lines were long. I can't remember which Princess it was, but she was taken with the fact that both our kids were Chinese and we were not. The same with the Photopass CM, so they got a bit of extra attention there. Of course my husband was especially happy meeting Pocohontas, who was beautiful. I think she could have waved from a distance and it would have made his day.Also, our character meal at CP with Pooh was fine. Piglet passed by, but we stopped him on our way out and he was happy to say hello and pose for a picture.

I think, after reading some of the more unfortunate stories, I would, as many did, say something, even to the character themselves. I totally respect what a difficult job they have. Not everyone is going to have a great day every day (I'm a teacher; you have to kind of do the same thing whether you want to or not and then apologize if you are having a rough day). They are probably primarily college kids with not a lot of professional experiences in life. That being said, if you pay a lot of money for a character meal, there is no way I would let it pass that no one came to the table, no matter what schedule they had to keep. There's really no excuse for that.
Jessica

 

[michelleiada]

We have always had excellent character interactions. We have done many character meals and have always had plenty of time with the characters. I think they do a great job making the rounds to all of the tables. No complaints from me!

 

[Bearybear]

We had breakfast at the Tusker House our last trip. We figure the meals are a great way to see the characters without waiting on long lines. Anyway, Mickey skipped our table completely! My DS was so upset that Mickey didn't want to see him. When I mentioned it to our waitress, she said we'd have to wait for Mickey to make another round around the restaurant. It was so annoying. When I told her that we didn't want to wait for that, they arranged for Mickey to take one picture with the family.

I doubt we'd ever go to Tusker house again. Mickey was just one problem we had there, but with the horrible service we got, plus Mickey skipping us, it was the worst experience of our trip. Fortunately, the rest of our trip was great.

 

[EnchantedTales]

Allow me to make a few points:

** Princess don't squat or bend over. In fact *I believe* kneeling is not suggested although many of them still do it for the sake of the pictures. To put it plainly that kind of poses are not very lady like behavior. Think of it this way, if you would not ask the Queen of England to do it, then you shouldn't be asking the princesses to do it. Regardless of what you think of the Queen of England she still has certain behavior to follow. I am *personally* a firm believer that princess should always have a place to sit and not be in the floor where a dress get dirty. Again just my humble opinion.

** I think Berlioz70 has clarified enough things about CP however let me add one more thing. If you are a fast eater then the wait for the characters may seem longer than it actually is. A large number of times what you think it's an hour and a half it maybe only 30 or 45 minutes. We have guest complain that they haven't seen a character and they've been sitting for 90 minutes. Yet when the time is check it's only been 30 minutes or sometimes less. However, like Berlioz70 says CP is a huge place and it takes time. Add to that the fact that many people are unprepared no matter how many times you asked them to be. You have folks who are not at the table when the character or is missing a child and it all adds up.
Finally like Berlioz70 says characters take a cue from what they see or hear in the table. If a child is unresponsive, seems scared, or simply states to not want to see them. Many of them will take cue and leave. They are under huge pressure to get a rotation going and with all the caos they have less than half a second to make a judgment. Yes sometimes they make mistakes but it's hard to do with all the commotion going on. Just let the attendant know if you need anything. My recommendation is to sit your child at the outside of the table where the character has easier access. If you have a little one that is afraid then sit them away from that area. Also to have the autographs out, and in the page that they will sign. Put them in an area where they have easy access. One thing I wish people would do is not let their children run havoc in the restaurant. Not only is it dangerous with all the servers trying running with breakables but also for the characters. Every time that Tigger has to stop to unhook a child from his legs it's time gone that could have been spent at a table. That sort of thing happens very, very often in CP. Dinning is not the ideal place for your child to 'spend time' with the characters, it is consider primarily a dinning location.

** This last clarification is more of a personal general note. I see people say that the characters are too friendly with them and that disturbs me. After working at Disney I am convinced that our society has lost some sort of good sense in good manners and proper behavior. Let it be stated that I'm not implying that anyone lies when they feel the character is too friendly with them. I'm only worried about the perception that you take with you. I have had way too many times people accuse characters of getting 'fresh' with a lady when they give them a kiss on the hand or check, or offer their arm for a picture. I am appalled that my children are growing up in a society were grown woman have no idea that Mickey is not getting 'fresh' with you when he offers his arm. When a character 'flirts' with you, like when Chip tried to walk off with your girlfriend, or signs for you to call me it's all in good nature and never with any nasty intentions. We want to make you laugh and have a good time, indulge yourself a little. Besides if you are a pretty lady, which you are, why should Tigger not admire that? Be proud not angry. The best interactions are with folks that play along with the characters just for the sake of fun.

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

My one bad character experience was with a character handler at the AK Oasis at the beginning of May. I was in line to meet Timon & was never told that the line was closed or that Timon was going to be leaving shortly. When I went up to meet Timon, the character handler decided it was time for the characters (including Timon) to go backstage and rudely notified me that Timon had to leave immediately. The character handler made no announcement that Timon was going to come back out, he just ended the meet right then and took Timon backstage. (BTW, I have encountered countless character handlers at Disney and this was the only one that was rude, all the others have been polite & helpful.)

 

[MusicalDisneyDreams]

I can only think of one bad experience I had. At MNSSHP in 2008 I was waiting to see Jessie. Her handler didn't mention she was only doing autographs, not pictures, as she was about to leave. So Jessie signed my book and then started to walk away with the handler. She stepped on my foot in the process (and I was wearing flip flops), so I started crying. (I was 13 at the time and it had been a long day, gimmie a break ) so she came back and we got some wonderful pictures.
I had another interesting experience that night. I was dressed as Jasmine and Aladdin totally flirted with me with Jasmine right there with him! It totally made my night.
I've only had that one negative experience. The rest of mine have been phenomenal.