How long should we spend with the characters?

[Sunday]

If we wait in line to see Mickey or Pooh, how long should we, or are we allowed to, spend with the characters? I don't want to put anyone out by taking too much time, but I also want to make sure my daughter has her fair time. Any advice welcome, thanks!

 

[Jme W]

Let your kids take their time, I've never felt rushed during a character visit, the characters let them take as long as they need, they get a good amount of interaction in, the photopass person will take as many pictures as you'd like, and then you can take your own pictures too...
I wouldn't put a 'time limit' on it but at the same time use your best judgement. 10 minutes is obviously excessive.

We have multiple kids, and we let them each go up on their own rather than as a group so they all get a fair shot at one on one time. Probably about 5 minutes total per character? I guess it all depends... but it's certainly not like "you have 45 seconds and then move along"

 

[buzznina]

5 minutes is excessive, that breaks down to 12 kids per hour! Depending on the line, it's more like 2 minutes, the characters that talk will usually have a short conversation with your child and then take pictures and sign autographs. It does not seem like enough time but it is

 

[jscott27]

It usually isn't very long, but it is enough, IMO. They usually have enough time to sort of say HI, give a hi-5 or two and a hug along with taking a few pics (photopass person and you).

One time we caught Donald @ AK right after he came out from a break, and we had to wait for the photog to show up. Donald joked around and played w/ my DS (then 2.5) for a few minutes which was really nice.

 

[Hannathy]

Wow some of you really spend a lot of time!!! I was going to say 30 seconds. How long does it take to stand still take picture say hi and sign book possibly a minute at the longest. If someone in front of me was taking 5 minutes I think I would lead the line in storming the character or at least in loudly complaining. More than about 1 and a half minutes is really inconsiderate of those behind you.

 

[scrapquitler]

one minute or so, I think. When we've waited for characters, we just took a picture, gave them a hug, got an autograph. Play act it at home and look at a timer, you'll see that 45 seconds to a minute is actually a LONG time.

 

[daisyduck123]

My kids have always...got their autographs books signed & posed for 1-2 pics with each character.

Total time......about 30 seconds.

 

[tlh0726]

We saw 76 characters when we visted in March. Never timed it. Would have been interesting to see the average time spent waiting in line and the time actually spent with the character. Will have to do this on our next trip.

We tried to be considerate of the people behind us. We had our autograph stuff ready to go (used one book). Kids greeted the character together. Took the picture , character signed the book/card, and then each of the kids got to say thank you and goodbye seperately.

Got behind a few people that had what seemed like a never ending supply (pictures, books, hats, shirts, etc, etc etc ) of stuff for the character to sign. And others that had to take 20 pictures because someone wasn't looking at the camera, or smiling, or etc etc etc.

I would think 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per character (regardless of the amount of people in the group) would be fair to all of those waiting in line behind you.

 

[Lady V]

about 1 minute or less. Have your autograph book open and ready and your pen ready. Have your camera turned on and ready. I think the best shots are the ones where the kids are walking up to the characters instead of the posed ones. If you take too long there is a chance a child in the line behind you will not get to see them as they will leave when it is time regardless of a line.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Definitely a minute or less. The PP photographer and/or the handler will remind you to have your camera ready and autograph books open/pen ready. They will not rush you but you will get death looks from the people behind you in line if you take 5 minutes Remember that the characters are sometimes only out in 20 minute intervals and then need "potty breaks". The lines can get really long and it's really frustrating to be in line for awhile only to find out when you get to the front of the line and the character is either taking a break or leaving for the day. Because of this, we always keep out interactions really brief. Everyone should have a turn!

This is also regarding the characters at the parks. At the meals, the interaction is even less. Unless the restaurant is dead...which is unlikely with all the free dining offers- the characters will be flying from table to table. Have your autograph book/pen open ON the table ready to go. Have your camera turned on and have your child ready for their photo op. They will not wait if you aren't ready when they arrive at your table.

 

[allyphoe]

A minute tops, mostly way less - hug, pose for one pic, wave goodbye was very typical of our one-kid experience. So maybe 30 seconds from the time Family 1 walks away until Family 3 walks up, and potentially even less than that.

When Character Connection in Epcot was under construction at the new location, and no one knew it was there, DD took multiple laps through the characters, getting in the (non-existent or 2-3 family) line each time. At one point, Chip and Dale stole her toy cell phone and made her chase after it, and even that extended interaction wasn't more than 90 seconds.

 

[luvsJack]

It depends.

Some characters just seem to take more time, especially when its two together. Dd has some great pictures with Alladin and Jasmine--they spent some time just talking to her; Tigger and Pooh--they wanted to dance and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum--they seemed amazed with her long pony tails and Chip and Dale just wanted to play. On our last trip we saw Sorceror Mickey in the Animation building in DHS early one morning, no one else was there and she got lots of time with the big cheese--he was very playful that morning.

You will be able to tell when "your time is up", they will kind of rush you along and start waving bye or something to let you know.

If your child has a favorite and you know that character normally comes out at a certain place or you see them out but they have a long line, ask the handler when they will be back out and then try to get there way before they do. We did that with Alladin and Jamine (dd's all time favorites) and the first to see them when they came back and it was possible to have a bit of extra time with them.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Wow some of you really spend a lot of time!!! I was going to say 30 seconds. How long does it take to stand still take picture say hi and sign book possibly a minute at the longest. If someone in front of me was taking 5 minutes I think I would lead the line in storming the character or at least in loudly complaining. More than about 1 and a half minutes is really inconsiderate of those behind you.

Absolutely.