Ever had a Bad character experience?

[Bradsdadg]

Nothing bad for us. Though I have seen a couple of youtube vids, like the kid kicking goofy or pluto and then him being chased. lmao!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I've never had a bad experience, but Jafar has scared the crap out of me in various trips by standing very close behind me and when I turn I scream.

 

[Lbg206]

I've never had a bad experience at all, but I have had two interesting experiences. When my DH and i were on our honeymoon last year we were at AK one day walking around meeting several characters, most with no lines at all so it was great. We passed by Brother Bear and neither DH or I knew who he was and he had a bit of a line so we decided to pass. A little while later we stopped for a restroom break. I was standing outside waiting for DH to come out when I saw Brother Bear and his handler going on a break. They walked right past me and the gate they were needing to go through was blocked by a guy at a water fountain. The man seemed oblivious and ust kept drinking. Brother Bear kept acting like he was annoyed; tapping his foot, pretending to check his watch, etc. etc. The man finished his water and walked off the other direction and never even noticed this huge furry bear behind him. I got a good chuckle out of it and went back to waiting. But wait, it's not over yet.....So there I am leaning against a pole and ever so often I glace back over my shoulder to make sure I don't miss my DH. About the third time I glaced back I found myself staring face to face with two huge eyes!!! Brother Bear was literally hanging over my shoulder 1 in. from my face. I screamed so loud it was crazy. The bear just started "silently" laughing like crazy, kissed me on the nose, then waltzed off on his merry way. By this point my DH had come out and saw the whole thing and was laughing his head off. A little while later we were walking around the park and saw him again, he immediately recognized me and came running up to me and of course by then we had to get a picture with him. By husband and I still laugh about that.

Second thing was on that same day actually. We had met several other characters and were now in line for Mickey. We got to looking at him closer while in line and realized there was something a little strange. Now I realize that it isn't always males inside the male cosutimes and females playing the females....especially with Mickey and other shorter characters, it has to be difficult to always find guys that short to play those characters. I'm okay with that, however, this Mickey had a VERY large chest and hips as well. I'm sorry, but there's just something strange about Mickey Mouse having breasts. LOL

 

[TillyMarigold]

In response to Sleeping Beauty having no personality...


I wanted to balance out my bad story with a good one, although EVERY character experience I had besides that one was FANTASTIC! Even the villains danced with us!

But back to Aurora....when I met her in France at Epcot, she was great! She of course called me princess and asked where my kingdom was located. When I told her I was in MA she gasped and said, "Oh my! What a long walk for your horse! I hope you gave him LOTS of carrots!!" I laughed and assured her that I did. Well after she signed my book and took a photograph she turned to belle and beast, who were meeting next to us, and said, "Belle! Did you know this princess and her horse traveled ALL the way from Massachusetts?!" And of course Belle gasped and said, "Oh my! What a journey! It must have been filled with fun and adventure though!"

I got a nice hug from Aurora AND Belle after that and it ended up being one of the BEST character experiences....so Sleeping Beauty is a-okay with me!

You must have had the same Aurora I had! DH and I ate at Akershus last year mostly for the food, we chatted with the princesses but didn't take pictures, but Aurora was so funny! She asked how many days it had taken us to get to Disney World on horseback, and how great that I had a prince to protect me from robbers along the way. And then when we said we didn't want a picture, she gave DH a Look and said "You do want a picture of your princess, don't you?" He took one.

I've never seen another picture with an Aurora who, er, looks exactly like Aurora did that day ...

 

[Melpuff]

Peter Pan is one of my favorite characters to meet because Peter Pan is my favorite fairy tale (not just the Disney version). It doesn't hurt that Peter Pan is kind of cute sometimes LOL.

On my last trip, I was with my family when I got in line to meet Peter. When he walked out with Wendy, I was THRILLED to see Peter was looking much like he was the last time I saw him (this was in April last time was August), and he was amazing then and amazing that day too. He fooled around with me and my brother who told him he had just pulled the sword from the stone. Peter said he didn't believe him and ran over to try himself! It was so funny and endearing Wendy just kept calling "Peter!! Come back!!" She even had to tie his shoes for him lol.

So on Thursday I was so excited to take my friends to meet my buddy Peter. Well unfortunately Peter was looking a little different, and a lot less fun. I walked up with my friends and he said (not very in character I might add) "So where ya from?" and we said NJ to which of course we got the popular response "what happened to the old one?". I just LOOOOOVE when interactions start that way lol....Also, he hugged some of my friends who asked although refused to huge my male friend who got VERY excited for a hug mind you lol. I mean I didn't get real bent out of shape about this I was mostly just sad my friends didn't get to see fun Peter. I did have a good laugh though when Christian told Peter Pan he was a tease for not hugging him LOL.

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

I don't think I've had a bad character experience at Disney... (touch wood! I want to keep it that way!)
Although when DBF and I were queuing up to see Minnie Mouse in DLRP, she went for a quick break tall and skinny, came back 2 minutes later short and rounder!! We obviously didn't say anything as we were surounded by tiny children, but we still laugh about it to this day!

However, I have utmost respect for all costumed characters. I used to work in Build-A-Bear, and often for birthday parties we had to dress up Pawlette the Bunny. Our costumes weren't as nice as Disney ones, and we were only ever in it for 30 minutes maximum, but it was itchy, so hot, uncomfortable and it's so difficult to see. When you can't see tiny children by your feet, it is so difficult to walk around a shop without knocking anyone over!
Then again, face characters need to be in character 24/7, and that is something else I respect them for! At least in a costume you don't have to talk or even smile for photos!

I'm not excusing bad experiences, but just remember they're people too!!

xxx

 

[BigGreen73]

We have never had a bad character experience. But we definitely had some characters more into it than others.

One that sticks out for us was Tink at MK. We went one day to the faeries and the Tink was really indifferent and was really a sign the autograph, take the pics and move on type of attitude.

We went another day the same week and the Tink that day was very cute, lovable, and talkative. So much better than teh 1st Tink we met with.

 

[JLVermillion]

We have never had a bad experience, but every time I have done a photo op with my family the characters seem to be a little friendly with me. I just hope they are women in the suits(I am a man).

I am female and have had the same problem with them being "friendly" ...I hope those very "friendly" characters are men. DH always gets "friendly" Princesses so he does not have to wonder. LOL

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Not bad per se, but definitely gross.

We had just finished with the Family Magic Tour and were having our character interaction with Peter Pan and Wendy. Poor Wendy had a terrible cold. She was hacking and wiping her nose. I just wish the poor girl would have stayed home that day.

 

[onnawufei]

Not really a bad experience, but on my first trip I was somewhere in AK (forget where exactly) and was looking at this Rafiki statue. I didn't stand there staring, but I'd glance over at it every so often because I thought it was really cool looking. As I got a little closer the "statue" then moved and scared the CRAP out of me. I'm one of those people who yelp really loudly (I sound like a small dog) when startled too. 27 years old and I yelped and skittered off in embarrassment. I'm pretty sure the character had a good chuckle at my expense, which I can't say I blame them for.

 

[YodaGirl]

We were eating at Crystal Palace back in 06. Our party consisted of 4 adults and a 5 yr old girl (DN). After an hour and a half, we *still* hadn't had the characters come to our table. They had been to tables around us; they just hadn't stopped at our table. When I asked, I was told that it would be at least 30 more minutes before we would get to see any of them. At that point, I looked up to see Eeyore having a nice little meet and greet with some kids in the area between the buffet and the door. When DN approached, the handler told her that the character wasn't allowed to meet and greet there and that we'd have to wait at our table...despite the fact that the handler hadn't had an issue with the other kids (and, yes, I had seen the entire encounter). I explained the situation, and they allowed us a very brief picture and autograph, although the handler was not pleased. Someone in charge sent over pooh, piglet, and tigger very briefly so we didn't have to stay there all day.

The handlers seemed rather put off by the whole thing, which I didn't completely understand. I get that they have a schedule, but it didn't seem very fair that we had to wait an hour and a half while watching other tables around us get character interaction while we just sat there.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We have a tendency of not liking face characters. Their look is just "off", and that ends up creeping us out. This was especially true when we had lunch at Akershus with the princesses.

 

[jiminyjen]

Only once and it was with Eeyore at Crystal Palace. I think Eeyore was just trying to horse play with my oldest who was 14 at the time, but he grabbed him by the ears and would not quit despite my son's protests. Usually my son is pretty easy going, but he wears hearing aids in both ears. Not only was this probably really annoying with the feedback created, but those darn things are quite expensive! Afterwards, I just let the handler know what had happened and just told them they may want to warn the CMs to be careful. The handler's response was that they understood that my son might be a little sensitive about the hearing aids. No, the hearing aids are bright blue and he is quite a confident young man. She totally missed the point. We still go to Crystal Palace and will return on our upcoming trip. My boys love all-you-can-eat. My oldest still just leaves the table when he sees Eeyore coming his way.

 

[Goofster18]

Regardless of what trainers say in training and throughout the rules of the WDW Resort, some performers insist on doing their own thing. You NEVER are supposed to touch a guest's face or head or any hat because of those specific issues. Glasses, etc. are off limits. Eeyore clearly was doing his own thing, and the attendant should have done something or spoken to you in a more understanding way. I'm sorry that happened, but I'm glad you are going back!!!
Have a Magical Day!!!
Goofster18

 

[purplejam]

We have had a couple of bad experiences.

1st, two years ago we went to a 'playhouse party' or something like that at the playhouse disney building at HS. It was on during EMH one evening. It was kinda a free for all. It was like a disco and Mickey and Minnie were there. DD then 4 was desperate to dance with the them, but there was no system whatsoever. She is very polite and knows that she has to wait her turn, unfortunately no one seemed to think that was the way to go. Because she wouldn't push and shove her way to the front she didn't stand a chance. It was mayhem. I could understand maybe other kids pushing her out of the way but adults I was pretty horrified by people's behaviour. DH complained to the handler but they said that there was nothing he could do. DD left sobbing her heart out and cried all the way back to WL.

2nd, last year at MBYB the characters missed our table out completely, think they ran out of time again had a lot to do with people pushing in and shoving (right i'll shut up now as sound like a right whinging pom, and very uptight about lack of queues - but it is a British national passtime ) I did complain to one of the CM's on the way out that DD had missed out on getting any autographs. He asked where we were staying and next day, Mickey sent my daughter a present - a bucket and spade full of chocolate and snacks and stuff and some signed photos of all the characters had signed. It was a nice gesture and pleased my DD.

However, on the whole we have loved our interaction with the characters.

Reading about the problems that others have encountered at Garden Grill my DD loved the characters there. So much so she thinks she got 'married' to Chip - not sure how it came about but they did pretend to get married but Mickey refused to let Chip leave and come to live in England, she still talks about it now , I've been trying to warn her that when we go this year, he won't have a clue who she is - in the nicest possible way of course

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

We have been fortunate & had wonderful character experiences. We try to always thank the characters for making our meal special.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We had all awesome character experiences in January I hope we never have a bad one, DD5 is so sensitive she'd be scarred for life

 

[JerseyJanice]

I think the characters have all been great during our trips, but when my son was 4 years old, he got pretty ticked at Donald Duck.

We met Donald in Toontown Fair. DS was carrying a stuffed Goofy which Donald took and spanked on the butt.

DS didn't show it right away, but he was ticked! He talked about it all day. He said stuff like, "why did Donald hit my Goofy?" "Donald was naughty to my Goofy." "I'm mad at Donald. He shouldn't go around hitting other people's stuffed animals!"

It was a riot!

 

[humboldthny]

Never really had a bad experience...just have run into a couple characters who were pretty much just "calling it in" - but we all have days like that so I get it...

Our dd6 has had a number of really special character experiences - wonderful moments where the characters really give a little bit extra. This past trip in April Mary Poppins in Epcot was fantastic with every child that came to meet her.

 

[3smithboys]

When we were at Crystal Palace over Winter Break all of the characters came to see us one at a time as is the usual pattern. Later in the meal, Tigger was on his way over again - he is my DS (11) favorite character so he was looking forward to seeing him again. I also have DS twins (who were 6 at the time) and one of them 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!!!