For those with a realistic costume for MNSSHP, how do you avoid pics and autographs?

[famy27]

We are doing MNSSHP in costume this year for the first time. My DH does a super-authentic Jack Sparrow, and I'll be Cinderella in the pink dress. I suspect both of us will be asked for pictures and/or autographs. We will not pose for photos or sign autographs, but we don't want to be rude to other guests who ask. For those who've worn very authentic costumes, do you put a sign or pin on or do something that helps other guests know you aren't a CM? How do you respond when someone does ask for pictures or autographs?

We also want a clear way to telegraph to CMs that we know the rules and will not be breaking them. We'd love any suggestions.

 

[FINFAN]

We are doing MNSSHP in costume this year for the first time. My DH does a super-authentic Jack Sparrow, and I'll be Cinderella in the pink dress. I suspect both of us will be asked for pictures and/or autographs. We will not pose for photos or sign autographs, but we don't want to be rude to other guests who ask. For those who've worn very authentic costumes, do you put a sign or pin on or do something that helps other guests know you aren't a CM? How do you respond when someone does ask for pictures or autographs?

We also want a clear way to telegraph to CMs that we know the rules and will not be breaking them. We'd love any suggestions.

I would go with the pin idea...(I know it may take away from the costume a bit) have it say something like " Disclaimer: Not property of WDW" lol..that is good you are trying to do the right thing. As far as kids/guests asking, I guess you just have to decline in your best non-character voice that you are a guest like them and hope to get a photo with the "real deal" yourselves? Have fun and please post photos of your costumes when you get back!

 

[cgattis]

As far as kids/guests asking, I guess you just have to decline in your best non-character voice that you are a guest like them and hope to get a photo with the "real deal" yourselves?

This is an excellent idea.

Clearly my Mother Gothel costume was not good enough, as I didn't encounter this problem. Although the "real" Jack Sparrow seemed rather taken by it...guess pirates like bad girls

 

[Traveliz]

There are a lot of realistic costumes. I had a CM run after me in Frontierland to see what the Fairy Godmother was doing in that land. That said, most people know that you aren't the real thing. There may be an occasional request but most people go on their own way. I actually did take a picture with a guy near Cinderella's Castle one night and he knew I was in costume and he was in costume. If you are going about your business people will be doing that also. Additionally a lot of people are taking pictures of themselves with others in costume (not Disney employed characters) all night just because there are some awesome costumes and sometimes the situation arises (while waiting for a parade, in line by them for something else, they are dressed like Ariel and you are dressed like Etic etc)

Unless you stake out a spot and have a line form to see you nothing will really be said.

Liz

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I agree with Liz. Being a party night, many people will be in costume, so I know I would not ask someone just walking around the park for a picture or autograph. But if it would make you feel more comfortable a pin would be fine.

 

[surferdave]

I was asked for pictures and I was happy to oblige, I just made it plain that I wasn't a Cast Member. Plenty of people like to get pictures with other guests in costumes because they are good creative costumes, and I don't think WDW will try to stop guests from getting pictures with each other. I don't think you'll have a problem unless you have a line forming to get a picture with you.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If someone wants a photo of your costume because they like it, shouldn't be a problem. If a line forms with people waiting for you, could be a problem. Then you may want to say sorry and move along. If a child asks for an autograph you may just have to say, sorry, I'm not the real Cinderella or whoever. You could wear a button that says that but that will only stop those who can or do read the button.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

I was asked for pictures and I was happy to oblige, I just made it plain that I wasn't a Cast Member. Plenty of people like to get pictures with other guests in costumes because they are good creative costumes, and I don't think WDW will try to stop guests from getting pictures with each other. I don't think you'll have a problem unless you have a line forming to get a picture with you.

True....

I've had it happen to me a few times. As Snow White, for one. The parents pretty much knew, and other adults just wanted to compliment on the costume.

Last year, I met a man who dressed as Gaston who put the real Gaston CM to shame. The guy was huge and was a perfect Gaston! The CM Gaston looked a little nervous, lol. But, the guest was wise enough to stay near Gastons Tavern, away from the CM's wait line, and then moved on his way into Fantasyland. I think as long as CM's see you aren't trying to get signatures and pictures, they understand how the Halloween party can bring out all sorts of Disney characters.

I agree the Jack Sparrow character is most fun during MNSSHP! I was actually an Evil Queen (not a Disney one, just in general) and the CM that day was sure to point me out of the crowd and make a fuss. I realized my dress was red and he must have thought I was Scarlet . Lol

The MNSSHP is such a blast

 

[Jennasis]

As long as you aren't ACTING like the character, all is fine. Make it plain that your DH is just Joe from Ohio (or whatnot) and not Jack from Tortuga.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

We are doing MNSSHP in costume this year for the first time. My DH does a super-authentic Jack Sparrow, and I'll be Cinderella in the pink dress. I suspect both of us will be asked for pictures and/or autographs. We will not pose for photos or sign autographs, but we don't want to be rude to other guests who ask. For those who've worn very authentic costumes, do you put a sign or pin on or do something that helps other guests know you aren't a CM? How do you respond when someone does ask for pictures or autographs?

We also want a clear way to telegraph to CMs that we know the rules and will not be breaking them. We'd love any suggestions.

I went last year with DH as Cinderella & Prince Charming. We had dozens of people ask for pictures, all night. No need for a sign or pin! (I had a multicolored VB crossbody on and it still didn't stop people from getting confused..?) People will approach you regardless, and I was informed by MANY a CM that it is okay to take a picture if someone asks you, but you can NOT form a line. (really, I feel like we were constantly reminded) So one picture, is fine, but if a line starts forming, as we had happen quite a few time, simply explain that you are not allowed to have a line and politely excuse yourselves to go on your way. I even had a photopass person end up taking a picture with a family who asked if they could in front of the castle. We asked the PP CM and he said no problem. As long as you do not pretend to be a CM/the real cinderella and do not have a line, you will be fine. This worked fine for me. As for autographs, just say you simply aren't allowed to. You will probably get reminded of this by CM's while walking around quite a few times. It isn't as big of a deal as people seem to make it out to be, CMs have no problem with a picture here or there if you are not out having your own little meet and greet.

 

[pixarmom]

Agree with all the previous posts! We dressed as Beauty and the Beast characters for the Princess Half Marathon 5K. I just wore a Belle-inspired running outfit and our 7-year-old wore a child's Beast costume. But our teens were fully-costumed Lumiere and Cogsworth and they looked authentic from a distance. Before, during and after the race, they loved posing for photos with other runners and volunteers who asked (and many who didn't ask - just took pictures of them while running!) It was particularly funny when they posed in France for a photo, and other runners exclaimed, "Look! No line!" as if our teens were a photo op.

At MNSSHP, we saw lots of guests taking photos of themselves with other guests.

I'm not certain of the official rules during runDisney events or MNSSHP, but like others said, authentic costumes and photo-taking seem to be just fine as long as one isn't acting like a character or allowing a line to form.

 

[BrianL]

As long as you do not pretend to be a CM/the real cinderella....

I love how you say this, a CM or the REAL Cinderella... I wonder how Cindy feels about all the dopplegangers tha tcome out at MNSSHP.

 

[katt789]

I feel like you are totally fine as long as you don't pretend to BE the character or sign any autographs, or specifically, take pictures with kids.

I've taken many pictures with other people in costumes, themed the same as mine, or because I loved the costume, or because they liked mine. I was approached by a child at the AKL bus stop when there was no one around, she simply sat beside me on the bench, her mom took a picture and they left, clearly Alice wouldn't be hanging around akl. Same night a bunch of small non english speaking kids all ran up to me with autograph books, but I denied, saying it was for halloween, and the cast member who witnessed it all didn't say anything but offered to take a picture of my Mom & I by the teacups.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I love how you say this, a CM or the REAL Cinderella... I wonder how Cindy feels about all the dopplegangers tha tcome out at MNSSHP.

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!

haha!

 

[RobbW]

As long as you aren't ACTING like the character, all is fine. Make it plain that your DH is just Joe from Ohio (or whatnot) and not Jack from Tortuga.

Ha! That's going to be the hard part! I'm the DH going as Jack Sparrow. Being part of the CJS impersonator community, I've been fully briefed by other Jacks on the rules at Disney Parks when it comes to going in costume (no photographs, no autographs).

The hard part is going to be intentionally NOT being in character! That's the best part of being Jack Sparrow! I've been to a couple cons/expos dressed as Jack Sparrow and have loads of fun doing the full-on character. I constantly get stopped for photos. It is going to be so hard and heartbreaking to say no and turn folks away. I've never been to a Disney Parks event dressed as Jack. So this is super exciting for me. However, I'm also very nervous about unintentionally slipping into character and getting myself in trouble. It's almost an automatic behavior when I put on the costume. I can't NOT be Jack Sparrow!

I guess I'm just going to have to keep beating it into my head as we approach our trip. I'll also have my DW as a handler who will keep me in line.

I have another question about adults dressing in costume at Disney Parks. Do the rules against being in character and posing for photos only apply inside the park (i.e. inside MK for MNSSHP)? Would I have more leeway to have fun with the character outside of the park, say on the bus, monorail, walking on the boardwalk or Downtown Disney, etc.? Or will that still get you into trouble?

 

[surferdave]

Act like the character all you want, it's Halloween. Don't act like a cast member.

 

[Travelgrrl]

Ha! That's going to be the hard part! I'm the DH going as Jack Sparrow.

The hard part is going to be intentionally NOT being in character! That's the best part of being Jack Sparrow!

I have another question about adults dressing in costume at Disney Parks. Do the rules against being in character and posing for photos only apply inside the park (i.e. inside MK for MNSSHP)? Would I have more leeway to have fun with the character outside of the park, say on the bus, monorail, walking on the boardwalk or Downtown Disney, etc.? Or will that still get you into trouble?

I would say if you are dressing on Halloween itself, then a costumed figure on the buses who is 'in character' would be OK. Any other night, and I would personally think it odd (and I don't think Disney would be too happy) to have someone acting as Jack Sparrow on the Monorail or Boardwalk. You're still on property and conforming to Disney rules. They already have a trained Jack Sparrow, and he doesn't do his shtick on buses or monorails or at Downtown Disney.

Just my thoughts.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You can be in character all you want - just don't have a line form for photos, or sign autographs. It's when they ask for autographs that you'll probably have to say you ain't him.

I do not think that WDW would be too amenable to an adult dressing in an authentic appearing costume and making "appearances" at the resorts or DTD or on transportation outside of Halloween.

 

[RobbW]

Oh, I didn't mean intentionally going on the buses, monorails, or to DTD to make appearances AS Jack Sparrow. I just meant during transport to or from MK for MNSSHP or while walking through the resort to/from my room, if someone stops to compliment my costume or asks to take a picture, responding to them in the CJS voice and using the CJS mannerisms (unsteady gait, hand gestures, etc.).

I have no intention nor do I want to pretend that I am the "official" Disney Parks Jack. I certainly don't want to give any other guests that impression. I just think it's fun to be "in character" while in costume, and people usually find it entertaining to get the whole package rather than just someone wearing a costume.

I just want to make sure I don't get myself or my DW in trouble at the park, but I also want to have an amazing time. Doing CJS is a lot of fun for me, and getting to spend an evening at MK dressed as him is exciting beyond words!

 

[Travelgrrl]

I have to admit I was a naysayer on the whole 'pretending you're a character' until I read this:

Doing CJS is a lot of fun for me, and getting to spend an evening at MK dressed as him is exciting beyond words!

Now I'm just wishing this crazy fun couple was going to MNSSHP the same night as us!