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

[CookieGVB]

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



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

Me, too!

 

[FINFAN]

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!

I have never been to MNSSHP (going for the first time this year)but y'know...I just don't see WDW caring that you are in "full character" unless it is like the others have said~guests start forming a line or crowd about you, ask for autographs etc. Personally it would make my night to see you and would get me to be more in character myself (whatever that ends up being, still undecided)and that makes for the whole vibe of the party! You HAVE that amazing time, I mean, it's like asking Elizabeth Taylor to just hold the Hope diamond, not to wear it..just ain't right not to embrace the event to the fullest (as long as , unlike CJS, you follow the rules lol)

ETA: Hey neighbor, I'm in Naperville! Now you have me interested in seeing you guys locally in your costumes!

 

[dotcomgirl18]

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?

I'd love to see a picture of you dressed up as Jack Sparrow! Do you have one you can share?

 

[RobbW]

Sure! Let me see if I can do this right.

Here I am taking the helm of my ship on the way to C2E2 in Chicago this year:

And here I am at C2E2. Those are my two Elsa DDs in the back left:

 

[FeralCatRogue]

awesome costume! Way i treat the whole in character thing has always been I'll respond like them, but i won't start up an act or anything as them. But it's kids that you end up having to deal with most, some parents do NOT want you to say your not the person and that puts you in a bind to make the parent/kid happy or to do what Disney wants. It's only happened to me once that situation, and If I get that type of request i just act very politely and find a way to refuse pic/autograph that doesn't hurt their feelings so I can keep both parties happy.

Will tell you though you can be stopped anywhere, I was in line in the restroom when i got stopped by the kid in that situation.

 

[RobbW]

ETA: Hey neighbor, I'm in Naperville! Now you have me interested in seeing you guys locally in your costumes!

I'm always looking for an excuse to put the costume on. I mean, I put a lot of resources into making, I might as well wear it, right?! However, my DW thinks it's weird that I want to get dressed up as CJS and just randomly walk around. She thinks people would just think I'm odd. So, I usually try to keep it contained to ComicCons and expos and other actual costume events.

However, we were down in Naperville just last night. Had dinner at Heaven on 7, walked along the Riverwalk, and had dessert at Cookie Dough Creations. While walking along the river past the band that was placing, I told my DW that I thought it would be a lot of fun to walk around Riverwalk as CJS having fun with all the locals. She told me that if she was walking along and saw some guy randomly dressed as CJS, should would think he was some mentally-disturbed individual.

I disagree, I think people would have fun and be entertained. Especially if it's at a venue where folks are already expecting "street performers" and a fun party environment. Sure, it would probably be weird and out of place if I was randomly walking down residential streets in Hanover Park. But I think showing up at Ribfest in Elgin tomorrow might be a lot of fun! I mean, folks will already be in a festive mood and probably have a lot of fun with it!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I guess I will be dealing with this a lot since I'm going to MNSSHP as Elsa (you can see my costume in the signature), but I've already had practiced since we recently visited the Disney Store to snap pics with kids and we had to make it clear we didn't work for Disney. I'll just politely say I'm a fan just like them.

 

[RobbW]

Well, I've got plenty of time to come up with creative lines to politely and humorously decline guests' requests.

 

[FINFAN]

I'm always looking for an excuse to put the costume on. I mean, I put a lot of resources into making, I might as well wear it, right?! However, my DW thinks it's weird that I want to get dressed up as CJS and just randomly walk around. She thinks people would just think I'm odd. So, I usually try to keep it contained to ComicCons and expos and other actual costume events.

However, we were down in Naperville just last night. Had dinner at Heaven on 7, walked along the Riverwalk, and had dessert at Cookie Dough Creations. While walking along the river past the band that was placing, I told my DW that I thought it would be a lot of fun to walk around Riverwalk as CJS having fun with all the locals. She told me that if she was walking along and saw some guy randomly dressed as CJS, should would think he was some mentally-disturbed individual.

I disagree, I think people would have fun and be entertained. Especially if it's at a venue where folks are already expecting "street performers" and a fun party environment. Sure, it would probably be weird and out of place if I was randomly walking down residential streets in Hanover Park. But I think showing up at Ribfest in Elgin tomorrow might be a lot of fun! I mean, folks will already be in a festive mood and probably have a lot of fun with it!

LOL...see I'm all for the "outside the box" life so I would been the person walking up to you and telling you you look awesome and getting a selfie w/you. I'm exactly the person who you want to run into to perpetuate the Peter Pan syndrome But you know here in the 'Ville the Barney Fife fun-sucker's would ask to see a permit allowing your escapades Your wife cracks me up, I see her point but you know, she has to keep CJS grounded lol. However, you could easily pull in a good buck doing parties etc. Your costume is excellent ,but why is the rum gone? (oh,wait you were driving! all is excused then)I hope those plates say Black Pearl~
All kidding aside I can see that you would very easily be mistaken as an official WDW CJS ~along with the many others who Cosplay 'cause from what I've seen those costumes are over the top crazy good and some even better ~
but since it will be MNSSHP you will be o.k. Your girls look adorable too, it's gotta be a blast to have parents who play "dress-up" lol. My DD attended her first Comicon in Orlando this year, was blown away at the elaborate costumes/characters. Said the event was way mis-managed and overcrowded but was still in awe. She used to live in CA and has seen her share of Hollywood Blvd character who are way lame in comparison. Now THERE'S a spot you could go if ever out west...those guys get a lot of cash posing for pictures etc. LA don't care I think you and your family are going to have a blast~enjoy it!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I got asked for plenty of photos in my Merida costume last year. I was in full costume, including a wig. I explained that I wasn't a CM/ the real Merida. I didn't sign autographs, I took photos with a few people. Several CM's spoke to me about my costume too. It was alot of fun.

They just don't want people thinking you are a CM. As long as a line doesn't form, you'll be fine. Don't act like you are the CM/the character and don't sign autographs

 

[FINFAN]

has everyone joined Smitch's MNSSHP thread?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3267080

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I'm always looking for an excuse to put the costume on. I mean, I put a lot of resources into making, I might as well wear it, right?! However, my DW thinks it's weird that I want to get dressed up as CJS and just randomly walk around. She thinks people would just think I'm odd. So, I usually try to keep it contained to ComicCons and expos and other actual costume events.

Bit OT, but not sure if theres anything like it near you for CJS, but "East Coast Avengers" does cosplay work for hospices and such. Maybe there's one that uses characters like CJS where you could get out there in character.

 

[RobbW]

Bit OT, but not sure if theres anything like it near you for CJS, but "East Coast Avengers" does cosplay work for hospices and such. Maybe there's one that uses characters like CJS where you could get out there in character.

I'll have to look into that. I'd much prefer to do charity/volunteer work as CJS rather than try to make money off it. More fun that way and not as likely to have brother Disney filing copyright lawsuits against you!

 

[kittyninja]

We were at the Show Your Disney Side 24 hour event and I saw at least 3 Jack Sparrows and had to do a double take a couple of times!! Jack also has a (semi-non-kind of) advertised meet an greet during parties. Of course the one Christmas party we went to specifically for him he had "too much rum". So he's not totally guaranteed!!

You'll be fine though, the guys I saw at the SYDS party were in character and I didn't see anyone say anything to them, and we saw them a few times that night!!

 

[FINFAN]

Bit OT, but not sure if theres anything like it near you for CJS, but "East Coast Avengers" does cosplay work for hospices and such. Maybe there's one that uses characters like CJS where you could get out there in character.

That ^ right there is the best suggestion/info on this thread