meeting the characters

[bex7583]

i was planning on getting my 3 kids a autograph book each as they all have there own faves and people they want to see

but is it considered rude or holding the queue to let children in the same family see the characters/ have photos individually ?

do you find it causes arguments when kids are sharing the one autograph book

 

[wilma-bride]

We have 3 kids and although they all had their own books and collected autographs, we generally used to have them all photographed together since the characters are usually out for a limited amount of time and it means that more people get the chance to see them. Having said that, if the line was short or if it was one child's particular favourite, we had no problem with just telling the handler that we would just like an extra photo with a particular child individually.

I wouldn't say it was rude to let the children go individually but I prefer to have pictures of my family together as much as possible anyway and, generally, it is just fairer to others waiting if you don't take too much time. Having said that, there are those who do so don't feel too bad if that's what you prefer. If the handler thinks you are taking too long, they will have no problem in hinting at you to move along

 

[bex7583]

ok just wanted to make sure i knew " the rules " before we get there . i will ust use common sense then and see how busy in demand the character is and how much/badly the kids want to see them individually

 

[wilma-bride]

ok just wanted to make sure i knew " the rules " before we get there . i will ust use common sense then and see how busy in demand the character is and how much/badly the kids want to see them individually

Good idea. I think as long as you can be considerate of others while still keeping your kids happy, then you'll be fine.

 

[Elise79]

We only have one DD however I have seen families with multiple children all have their owns books but most times it is just one photo all together.

The character will usually only use one pen - so I wouldn't bother with a pen each unless it is going to cause a fight

 

[Ware Bears]

My three always had their own book, so long as they've got it open ready at the right page and the right way up it can take less time than say one child who's not opened their book and dropped their pen! They always had a photo together but some times one of them might ask for a photo on their own too, no one in the queue behind ever seemed to mind this and I always made sure that they were quick and didn't mess around.

 

[chmurf]

Last november, we had a group in front of us in the line for Ralph and Vanellope at DHS ... there were 16 kids total, and one adult had her arms full of homemade autograph books. Kids all had their pictures taken as a group, as smaller groups (with multiple permutations including pictures with parents (on and off the picture).
Was it long ? Yes it was. Was is acceptable ? Yes it was. It was because the kids waited in line like anyone else. What difference does it make if your 3 kids did the line 3 as 3 separate "parties" ? They waited patiently in line, they should be entitled to having their picture taken with the character.

Can you imagine your 3 kids waiting in line for a ride, and only let one of them ride because letting all 3 go on the ride would mean to take an additional row, thus delaying another family ?
Anyway that's how I see it, even if I only have one kid to take care of.

Of course, if there is a long line, then one picture for the 3 of them would be a nice gesture towards the wait time of other guests behind you, especially if you know that you might encounter that character at some other time.

Now there is a way to speed up things a bit.
Don't send your kids one at a time for the autographs. Send them all to get the autographs, then have them take a picture together, and then tell the photographer that you'd like a picture with each kid. It's really easy and fast to have them take turns with the character, for a nice hug and a picture.
It's especially efficient when you meet several characters at the same time. For example Goofy and Pluto or Dug and Russell at Animal Kingdom. Or when you meet Chip and Dale in MK, or Phineas and Ferb in DHS. Each character can sign one autograph book, you effectively do it faster for the people behind you.

But your kids deserve their autographs and picture, and in the end, you'll realise that it's faster than you imagine (WDW makes it very easy for the meet&geets, DLP is definitely not in the same league here)

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Last november, we had a group in front of us in the line for Ralph and Vanellope at DHS ... there were 16 kids total, and one adult had her arms full of homemade autograph books. Kids all had their pictures taken as a group, as smaller groups (with multiple permutations including pictures with parents (on and off the picture).
Was it long ? Yes it was. Was is acceptable ? Yes it was. It was because the kids waited in line like anyone else. What difference does it make if your 3 kids did the line 3 as 3 separate "parties" ? They waited patiently in line, they should be entitled to having their picture taken with the character.

Can you imagine your 3 kids waiting in line for a ride, and only let one of them ride because letting all 3 go on the ride would mean to take an additional row, thus delaying another family ?
Anyway that's how I see it, even if I only have one kid to take care of.

Of course, if there is a long line, then one picture for the 3 of them would be a nice gesture towards the wait time of other guests behind you, especially if you know that you might encounter that character at some other time.

Now there is a way to speed up things a bit.
Don't send your kids one at a time for the autographs. Send them all to get the autographs, then have them take a picture together, and then tell the photographer that you'd like a picture with each kid. It's really easy and fast to have them take turns with the character, for a nice hug and a picture.
It's especially efficient when you meet several characters at the same time. For example Goofy and Pluto or Dug and Russell at Animal Kingdom. Or when you meet Chip and Dale in MK, or Phineas and Ferb in DHS. Each character can sign one autograph book, you effectively do it faster for the people behind you.

But your kids deserve their autographs and picture, and in the end, you'll realise that it's faster than you imagine (WDW makes it very easy for the meet&geets, DLP is definitely not in the same league here)

Totally agree with every word here .... couldn't have put it better

 

[2Tiggies]

some times one of them might ask for a photo on their own too, no one in the queue behind ever seemed to mind this and I always made sure that they were quick and didn't mess around.

With only one child I haven't had to deal with this issue, but I can say that it has never bothered me at all to see children each wanting their own autographs. As many posters have said, the majority of people take a group photo and many of them choose to have one book for all the children to share, but if each want their own book I cannot imagine anyone having a problem with this. I am more prone to getting annoyed when people get to the character and then decide to check if there is a battery and SD card in the camera and find the hunt for a page.....

Why don't you ask the children how they feel explaining the pros and cons of both and see what they want

 

[2Tiggies]

What difference does it make if your 3 kids did the line 3 as 3 separate "parties" ? They waited patiently in line, they should be entitled to having their picture taken with the character.


But your kids deserve their autographs and picture, and in the end, you'll realise that it's faster than you imagine (WDW makes it very easy for the meet&geets, DLP is definitely not in the same league here)

Very well said

 

[scoobydooby]

Your kids will queue as long as everyone else. If they all want separate autographs and photos and then a group one too I say let them. I've seen people with only children take as long and longer than efficient family groups.

 

[wideeyes]

No I don't think its rude at all.

 

[fizz13]

the way I've always done it is separate autograph books then pictures together as one group generally. however if that character happens to be one child's fav, then they are getting their own photo if that's what they want, for them that's their magical moment they've waited for. I'm 34 and not ashamed to say that when I meet stitch I have my own special chat and photo too!
at the end of the day, don't be intimidated by a line, you waited for your turn so do it how you want to, it's ok I promise

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

When the boys were younger we always did everything separately, they each went up with their own autograph books and pen and I have to say we've got some fantastic photos of the characters "messing" with the boys whilst signing their books which if they'd gone up together we'd never have got.

I got them to get every other page signed so when we got the photos I stuck the one with the character and them in on the empty page so they could see themselves with each of the characters and next to it was the signature or stamp. They still have each of those early autograph books and we looks at them with very fond memories.

On the last trip we didn't do autograph books but we did do photos as I wanted to do a Disney photobook. We all had an individual photos and a group photo with every character. We waited in line like everyone else, sometimes the line moved quickly, sometimes it took forever and then we had our turn. Not once did anyone behind us complain or say anything. It's just accepted that's how the process works and as PP have said if you really are taking to long then the minder will soon gently move you on.

 

[chmurf]

don't be intimidated

I think you've just come across a Key Issue for WDW


What's the biggest "mistake" of a first timer ?
They don't DARE

especially those who are familiar with DLRP, where you sometimes feel like you have to apologise for asking a question, or for just being there ... it's so sad what that park has become ...

OP, you need to be sure that in WDW if you don't ask, you don't get, and if you ask you'll get everything that is "CM-ly possible" if you see what I mean.

As PP said, don't get intimidated. There won't be no pushing and shoving for characters like there is in Paris.
Don't get intimidated by the people behind you in the line. For all you know with their only child they might take twice as long as you with your 3 children.

Dare, dare, dare ... as long as it is within the "rules", you can't even start to imagine how far a CM in WDW will go to make your day a magical day. Most of them, as well as characters are just awesome

Your 3 kids might take 4 or 5 minutes total to each get a shot, a group shot and autographs ... so be it ... you won't hear people complain behind you. The only thing you might here is when the littlest one will hug his/her fav is some ladies go "oh he's so cute ..." ... so DARE and don't get intimidated. That's YOUR vacations after all (as long as you don't hog the character for 10 minutes of course )

 

[joolz1910]

We have 3 children and we bought the autograph books that have an insert for a photo on each page. They had separate autographs and then had their photos taken in a group. It was easier to get individual photos at the character meals, although we got a few individual ones in the parks too.

It was lovely to be able to put a photo to match each autograph in their books - such happy memories

 

[Laszkowicz]

What a great thread, thanks to you all from a first timer !!!

We've done DLRP twice before and I admit characters interaction was a little rushed n pressured and there def was pushing, especially from the eauropean parents pushing their kids forward.

We even witnesses Pinocchio jumping back over a flower bed railing as the mob was too intense. Thus was a part where the party train was out n they all jump off and go to a designated place to sign. It was the worst moment of the trip.

This thread has given me even more enthusiasm to enjoy our 1st WDW trip. I'll ask ask ask.

 

[Julia Ann]

We have never been to DLRP, I just dont think it will be the same as Orlando, and by some of the feedback here I am right. During our last visits we didn't have kids but we queued for the characters to have photos and to be honest I quite enjoyed seeing other people's experience with the characters as some were really entertaining to watch. Especially remember Captain Hook pushing (jokingly) my husband away so that he could just have a photo with me and then when we had a photo altogether, hubby put his rucksack down and Captain hook stole it and ran off with it.... and i mean ran far, disappeared for a couple of mins and then came back. The people waiting in line were in bits laughing, it was almost like a mini show. I always think its part of the experience waiting and building up the excitement when waiting for others. I will probably get an autograph book for my daughter she will be 7 so hopefully will find it magical to do.

 

[joolz1910]

What a great thread, thanks to you all from a first timer !!!

We've done DLRP twice before and I admit characters interaction was a little rushed n pressured and there def was pushing, especially from the eauropean parents pushing their kids forward.

We even witnesses Pinocchio jumping back over a flower bed railing as the mob was too intense. Thus was a part where the party train was out n they all jump off and go to a designated place to sign. It was the worst moment of the trip.

This thread has given me even more enthusiasm to enjoy our 1st WDW trip. I'll ask ask ask.

I have been to DLP 3 times and, although I love it, it doesn't compare with WDW. There is no character 'scrum', the queues are orderly and fair. The character meets at DLP were stressful, this is not the case at WDW, no pushing or queue jumping.

 

[bex7583]

aw thats great news

love the sound of the autograph book with photo slots !!

also have been to dlp when ds was 2 and hated it he was totally pushed aside at all character meets