In your experience, what character has given your kids (or YOU) the best interaction?

[GADISNEYGIRL]

I have to admit, I have spent my life being annoyed by Minnie Mouse. She is just *too* sweet, you know?!? On DS' first trip last September (18mos), we went to Chef Mickey's on our first day. He was very apprehensive about the characters, and was scared out of his wits by a well-intentioned Pluto who came up behind him and grabbed him. Minnie watched him for a while, from a distance (the restaurant was not terribly busy). When DS finally saw her, she just waved. She went on about her rounds, but everytime she was in sight of DS, she would wave, or blow him a kiss, or play peek-a-boo~all from a distance. She finally ventured closer to our table, and DS was fine!! He gave her hugs and kisses, and didn't want to leave! When that breakfast was finished, all 3 of us had a crush on Minnie! I have even started collecting Minnie items! Every Minnie experience we have had since then has been wonderful!

 

[Yensid_MD]

Our best experience was with Cowardly King John. He took my hat and wouldn't give it back until I bowed, then wouldn't sign my son's book till we had kissed his ring. It was my son's favorite memory from that trip and still talks about it 4 years later.

 

[mickeyminnie]

we had a good interaction with minnie in animal kingdom and also with turk

my son was 18 months at the time and gave lots of big hugs

J

 

[carlamouse]

Last September, we did our 2nd character breakfast at Ohana! at the Poly. This is one of my favorites because the PS is easy to book, and it has Mickey. Anyhoo, during this breakfast the characters march with the kids around the restaurant to the song "I Just Can't Wait to be King". My DD was 3 yrs old at the time, and she wasn't keeping up with the older kids. When the parade came around on the second verse, Mickey saw her dragging behind and took her by the hand to lead the parade! It was priceless. Unfortunately, photographer mom didn't have her camcorder ready, so I missed the shot. We still had a blast though. I'm looking forward to trying Chef Mickeys for a change on our trip next May.

 

[scrump]

I have never been much of a parade person, but my friend and I decided to catch the Electrical Light Parade (or whatever it's called), and Peter Pan came and hugged me (!) and thanked us for visiting them. I have to admit, that's a pretty powerful memory for me, since I remember my heart beating faster after my interaction with him. It really made the moment very "magical", and that's a word i try not to overuse when talking about Disney!

 

[ILOVEPOOH1]

Mr. Smee (from Peter Pan) hands down!! We spotted him at mGM and there was nobody around him (everyone was clamoring for other popular characters)

When my DS went up to him, Mr Smee shook his hand and sat down on a bench and played 4 games of tic-tac-toe with my son in his autograph book! It was magical and we all still talk about it 4 years later!

 

[TiggMan]

Tigger! He is so bouncy, and he always has time for everyone, especially if you happen to be wearing something with Tigger on it!

 

[disneydreamer1970]

When we were at AK last, DD was one month shy of 2 and was very leary about the characters. We were with the Pooh characters and she loved Pooh, didn't want anything to do with Eeyore and was okay with Piglet. Well, she wanted to see Tigger and he didn't see that she was standing next to him and he knocked her over. Tigger was AWESOME!! When he saw that she was almost in tears, he got down on the ground on his back and picked her up and put her on his stomach. It is one of my favorite pictures from our vacation, (Not your typical picture standing with a character.) He also spent some extra time with her, you could tell how bad he felt.

The other 2 involve my DS. During his first visit he was 8, while walking around England in Epcot we came upon a courtyard and Peter Pan and Mr. Smee were there together alone. They spent 20 minutes with him. They even took his hat off his head and looked at all of his pins. It was great.

The other interaction was between Cruella DeVille and DS (11 at the time). We were standing in line at the Barber Shop at MK and Cruella was walking toward us. This is the conversation that was held:

CD - What are you staring at?
DS - Your ugliness.
CD - You will not think so in about 10 years!, dahling.
DS - I don't think so!

She then spent time talking to him and posing for pictures. I really think that she liked the fact that he gave her attitude right back.

Have a great day everyone!!

 

[HoosierFantasia]

In June my 2 girls (4 and 12months) were in line to get there pics with Pluto. My 4 yo had so much fun as Pluto kept licking her on the head and rolling his tongue up into his mouth. Then my apprehensive 12month old didnt like being on Pluto for a picture. Pluto motioned to put her down on the floor. I sat down my little princess and she started to crawl towards me as Pluto was crawling behind her nudging her booty with his nose. Typical dog. But it was hilarious.

Thanks
Bill
http://www.msnusers.com/plutopics/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1

 

[judykay53]

When we were at the Garden Grill back in June, the characters made several stops by our table during our dinner but on the last stop our 3 year old had a car that he was playing with on the table and when Mickey came by he got our DS down in the floor and played with him for a long time. They rolled the car back and forth to each ohter. Then when Dale (I think) came by he sat down and did the same thing. It was very cute. The food was excellent also. We will definitely go back there.

 

[Steph1939]

I have not posted in a while but I had to share two experiences I had.

My mom and I went two times in 2002 when I was 24 - March and December and both times I had a really great experience with Prince John. In March, he "kissed" me after having our picture made. In December, he put his arms around me for a little dance and kissed me at the end of it.

In December, I had already met Captain Hook once that trip and my Mom was just the photographer that time. We saw him with Mr. Smee and my mom decided to have her picture made with both of them. She was carrying my autograph book from 1995 in which I had pasted pictures of myself and some characters. In flipping through the pages to get to a blank page, Mr. Smee saw a pic of Rafiki and me. My mom told him that it was me and Mr. Smee took my hand, gave my camera to the CM and invited me into the picture. He signed my book, "To Rafiki." I thought it was a little magical.

 

[twotoohappy]

Captain Phoebus!
He and all of the cast at MGM were the best! They brought my daughter backstage two year in a row to meet with them. That was the best memory ever of him kissing my dd's hand. I wish the show would come back

 

[ugadog99]

We are very fond of a "special" Ariel right now. Prior to that, a "special" Snow White stole our hearts!

Melanie

 

[MommyBoo!]

Our first trip - the barbershop Quartet! We have the best pictures of them and the two lady barbers horsing aound with our kids.

Our second trip - Peter Pan! He was fabulous! He spent fifteen minutes goofing around with my kids. They told him they had ridden Splash Mountain so he reenacted the ride with the two of them, including screaming! DH got it on video and my daughter is giggling the whole time (except for the splash screaming part ).

 

[HopperFan]

Having a "special" son, I have to say we have been blessed with many many awesome character interactions the last 20 years. The are so unbelievable kind to special needs kids. And even though he is now an adult, they still treat him wonderfully, as do all the CMs.

But I guess the all time best was not a meet & greet character, but Quasimodo, the actor in the Hunchback musical ! He is my son's absolute favorite and at the end of a show, he chose my son to run to and hug at the finish. He invited us backstage to meet him and take pictures. Quite a special moment for our entire family !

 

[Bork]

Chip & Dale:
During our Honeymoon, we were at the MK during EE. We stopped to take pictures with Chip and Dale in the hub and they tried to run off with my wife! They started running around with her, and tried to keep me away. When they finally gave her back, they posed for pictures. Of course they wouldn't stand still, so it took a few pictures before we got them both. They finally stopped and posed for pictures with both of us.

Never a dull moment with Chip and Dale!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

From our last trip, Mr. Smee!

We were at the desert reception for our Magical Fireworks Voyage, which had to be moved inside because of rain.

The characters, Mr Smee and Captain Hook, were making the rounds. Greeting families, posing for pictures. We had already met both.

I guess the Captain was the more popular of the two this time around, poor Mr. Smee was just wandering around all alone.

My daughter went up and took his hands. The talked for a long time. She tickled him and he laughed, falling to the ground. The both rolled around on the floor for a few minutes, just acting silly.
Then they stood up and started dancing. He twirled her around and around.

The good Captain saw all of this and got jealous!
He came over to give Mr. Smee a talking too, then my daughter called him an old codfish. He slashed his hook at her.

She just laughed and took Mr. Smee again by the hands.
They hung out until it was time to go board our ship.

She has talked about it ever since. She loves Mr. Smee.

 

[jpd3]

Back in Feb 2003 we did the Character Breakfast at 1900 Park Fair. Mary Poppins was there along with most of the Pooh characters and some from Alice in Wonderland too. Anyways, my then youngest DD, Olivia, was absolutely enamored of Mary. We had even watched the movie on the drive down to Disney. Olivia was literally shaking. Mary spent a good 5 minutes talking with her and held her on her lap for pictures. She was dressed in her "Nanny" outfit for the breakfast.
The next day we were in Fantasyland at MK and Mary and Bert came out for meet and greet and to ride the Carousel. This time she was wearing her "Jolly Holiday" costume. She picked Olivia out of the crowd to walk to and get on the Carousel. She even remembered her name.

Mary is by far our favorite now. No trip is complete until we see her.

 

[Strings]

Wow, it is hard to choose. I'll narrow it down to 2.

Donald at last year's MNSSHP. DD3 was dressed as Cinderella, and when she approached Donald, she curtsied. He bowed back and waltzed with her for a good 5 minutes. We will never forget it.

The Fariy Godmother. We had breakfast at CRT on Tues. My parents joined us on our trip Friday. We were at the Castle for lunch that Sat, and she remembered Katie. By Name, no GOH badge. She spent lots of time talking with us, and even helped us into Ariel's grotto before a break was done. She also saw Katie from the parade route and called out to her. I love that woman.

 

[lucysdad]

Well, Captain Hook has a lot of pizzaz, and the Fairy godmother is so sweet, but Pluto is the guy we remember most. He licked my daughter, asked her to scratch his itchy spot, and proceeded to shake his leg while she scratched!
Lucy's Mom