Official Photographers

[aliscrapper]

So far I was lucky and always get three or four photos. But yeah, the CMs there definitely give off that "you're too old" vibe.

Last fall on a solo trip the CM actually asked me if I was still waiting for my family - yes, of course the squee-y adult with an arm full of princess drawings is waiting for her husband and kid to arrive - and this time the CM asked me in a really awful tone: "Is it just you?" Always annoys me too.

I'm glad it's not just me that gets the "you're too old vibes". It took me two trips to pluck up the courage to have my photo taken with the Princess. What really makes me angry is that the "you're too old" vibe is against everything Walt Disney stood for as he wanted both big kids and little kids to enjoy the parks and none of the CM's would have a job if it weren't for Walt!

 

[Vala]

I'm glad it's not just me that gets the "you're too old vibes". It took me two trips to pluck up the courage to have my photo taken with the Princess. What really makes me angry is that the "you're too old" vibe is against everything Walt Disney stood for as he wanted both big kids and little kids to enjoy the parks and none of the CM's would have a job if it weren't for Walt!

I usually go in because I know the American princess lines, and no one there bats an eyelid there when a solo adult shows up. In fact the CMs there can be insanely sweet.

I was wearing the "real girls love frogs" shirt I am wearing in some shots there in DLR California last year. I went to the Princess Fantasy Faire there with a friend hoping to catch Tiana. She wasn't there, so my friend asked a CM who was coming next and asked if Tiana was around. They told her no and Belle, Jasmine and I forgot who the third one was would come out shortly around. She wanted to see Belle, so I said okay, we'll get in line again.

We noticed CMs starting to whisper and point in our direction. But hey, I was wearing a custom shirt (and I couldn't help it, I had "surreal girls prefer alligators" added to the back. ) and those usually get some attention.

So we went in line and when it was our turn the princesses switched. Took a while. I got cold and put on a sweater. Then the CM we had spoken to came back, grinning from ear to ear, and loudly proclaimed that "Princess Tiana has decided to join us." I don't think I ever got rid of a sweater that fast.

So yeah, the California CMs even made the impossible happen and got an adult's favorite princess on the rotation somehow.

The worst that happened to me was in one of the hotel meet and greets in Paris though. That topped Princess Pavillion by a mile.

At Christmas I was in line to meet Mickey and Minnie at the Cheyenne. The CM totally ignored me and called the family in line after me. Okay, mistakes can happen. When he did it again I piped up. "Umm... excuse me, I was next." His response was that the meet and greet lines were for kids only!

Thank god Mickey noticed and realized that something very un-Disney was about to happen. He came over, took me by the arm and led me over to Minnnie. But still I was mad for the whole day, especially when one hour later the White Rabbit also first refused me a photo signalling I was a grown up and photos were for kids only!

 

[aliscrapper]

OMG Vala! That is so bad! Glad Mickey tried to put things right!

I've always wanted to go to the California Park as I've heard people say you can feel Walt's presence there and I love Walt Disney history!

 

[Vala]

You hear about that sometimes on forums, adults being refused by characters in Paris. I guess we always thought I was kind of exempt from that because I am happy and squee-y and obviously enjoying meeting them.

But well... guess I was wrong there. The sad thing is that it even deterred others from further meeting characters which I find incredibly sad. I can somewhat understand them though. I am usually one of the "I am not letting this ruin my fun" kind and found myself affected by this way more than I would have liked.

I got friends in the Los Angeles area and they invited me in 2006 to come and visit them after other plans had fallen through. And they took me to Disneyland then. Before I didn't even have an idea how close they were to the park. I've been going back in fall each year since then. Really looking forward to my Halloween trip in October after Paris scaled Halloween down so much last year.

 

[aliscrapper]

You hear about that sometimes on forums, adults being refused by characters in Paris. I guess we always thought I was kind of exempt from that because I am happy and squee-y and obviously enjoying meeting them.

But well... guess I was wrong there. The sad thing is that it even deterred others from further meeting characters which I find incredibly sad. I can somewhat understand them though. I am usually one of the "I am not letting this ruin my fun" kind and found myself affected by this way more than I would have liked.

Definitely! I suffer from anxiety and find playing around with the characters to be the perfect respite holiday. It took so much guts to queue up for Belle and I had a massive panic attack afterwards as I was made to feel like I didn't have any right to have my photo taken.

 

[Vala]

An adult has every right to take their photo taken, as much as a kid. Even the adults can still be kids at heart, right?

It happened to me once in California that a mom and their kid were just walking past the massive line for I think it was Donald. I don't mind a kid being so happy that they run past, but this was blatantly ignoring the line on purpose.

I addressed the mom saying the line was for Donald and that the end of the line was like 20 people behind me. The mom replied: "I paid a lot of money so that my son can meet Donald." She promptly shut up and went in line when I told her: "So did I, but my mom didn't help."

I don't do that very often, but I had really had it that moment.

So really, don't feel guilty. Some characters actually seem to enjoy adult interaction too. They can approach us a little differently than a kid. I like going to Pixie Hollow in California. There's this one friend of Tink who I really, really like. She recognized me in 2010 already after I gave her a pin in 2009.

Last year we were in line one day and it was finally her, I had not seen her all our trip. She took one look at me, broke into that huge smile and weclome me so warmly. She even told me: "I was so worried about you when you were not there for Halloween. Germany is so far away." I almost started bawling on the spot. Remembering me after all that time with so many details?

 

[aliscrapper]

An adult has every right to take their photo taken, as much as a kid. Even the adults can still be kids at heart, right?

Definitely! I'm one big kid stuck inside an adult's body!

It happened to me once in California that a mom and their kid were just walking past the massive line for I think it was Donald. I don't mind a kid being so happy that they run past, but this was blatantly ignoring the line on purpose.

I addressed the mom saying the line was for Donald and that the end of the line was like 20 people behind me. The mom replied: "I paid a lot of money so that my son can meet Donald." She promptly shut up and went in line when I told her: "So did I, but my mom didn't help."

I don't do that very often, but I had really had it that moment.

Well done you! When we've been at the Cowboy Cookout and Cafe Mickey; I've seen Mickey and co make the children or adults wait their turn.

So really, don't feel guilty. Some characters actually seem to enjoy adult interaction too. They can approach us a little differently than a kid.

Thanks Hun. Yes I think you are right about some of the characters enjoyed adult interaction - at the Cowboy Cookout Tigger had my DH in hysterics by cleaning DH's glasses with his paws and tickling him! I had fun jiving with Tigger too and those photo's always put an instant grin on DH and my face when we see them!

I like going to Pixie Hollow in California. There's this one friend of Tink who I really, really like. She recognized me in 2010 already after I gave her a pin in 2009.

Last year we were in line one day and it was finally her, I had not seen her all our trip. She took one look at me, broke into that huge smile and weclome me so warmly. She even told me: "I was so worried about you when you were not there for Halloween. Germany is so far away." I almost started bawling on the spot. Remembering me after all that time with so many details?

Is Pixie Hollow part of Disneyland in California?? Oh wow - that is so lovely of Tink's friend to remember you and that you visit at the same time every year - been reading my 20th anniversary book and they have a Walt award for upholding his values - sounds like Tink's friend should definitely get that award!

 

[ukool]

Its a huge shame they dont have a photopass system like WDW. I have a calander from WDW with my photopass pics and its so good! My boyfriend was saying how hed like one from Paris, looks like its a no go.

 

[Vala]

Is Pixie Hollow part of Disneyland in California?? Oh wow - that is so lovely of Tink's friend to remember you and that you visit at the same time every year - been reading my 20th anniversary book and they have a Walt award for upholding his values - sounds like Tink's friend should definitely get that award!

Yes, thankfully sometimes the characters will send someone who pushed in line away. Unfortunately more often than not that person will get their way. Lately I've often been receiving at least an apologetic gesture from that character, but that doesn't solve the general problem.

Yeah, those Tigger experiences are what I am talking about. I once heard Cruella say during a show in California when an adult was reluctant to play along: "It's Disneyland, you are expected to take part!"

You are correct, Pixie Hollow is one of the steady character meet and greets in California. You'll meet Tinker Bell and one (sometimes two) of her fairy friends. It's very nicely done. I think in WDW they have a similar thing. It's called Tink's Nook or something like that.

We went to City Hall back then and left a glowing comment about Tink's friend. She really had me beaming all day.

 

[aliscrapper]

Yes, thankfully sometimes the characters will send someone who pushed in line away. Unfortunately more often than not that person will get their way. Lately I've often been receiving at least an apologetic gesture from that character, but that doesn't solve the general problem.

Yeah, those Tigger experiences are what I am talking about. I once heard Cruella say during a show in California when an adult was reluctant to play along: "It's Disneyland, you are expected to take part!"

Would have loved to seen the look on the adult's face - bet it was a picture! When we saw Cruella on Stars and Cars Parade in the Studio's she told the kids off for pushing in.

You are correct, Pixie Hollow is one of the steady character meet and greets in California. You'll meet Tinker Bell and one (sometimes two) of her fairy friends. It's very nicely done. I think in WDW they have a similar thing. It's called Tink's Nook or something like that.

I so want to go to California!!!!!

We went to City Hall back then and left a glowing comment about Tink's friend. She really had me beaming all day.

Great to see that Walt's magic is living on thru some of the CM's! That was really a nice thing to do to say how good Tink's friend had been - bet it left her beaming all day too!

 

[netimka]

they are all lovely photos how much do they cost? and I guess you can get them printed straight away? we are only going to be for 1 day in parks during our trip to Paris...

TIA

 

[Vala]

they are all lovely photos how much do they cost? and I guess you can get them printed straight away? we are only going to be for 1 day in parks during our trip to Paris...

TIA

It depends on how many you buy at the same time. I think one 5x7 is like 15 Euros, but if you buy more the price per picture goes down a lot. I think when we bought 5 it was 7 Euros per picture or something like that.

It depends on the photo set up. Some cameras do transfer into the system instantly, for othery you'll have to wait until the photographer manually "dumps" the pictures in the system.

Great to see that Walt's magic is living on thru some of the CM's! That was really a nice thing to do to say how good Tink's friend had been - bet it left her beaming all day too!

Doesn't let me quote the Cruella part for some reason.

That's what I like about the villains, they don't have to play nice. LOL

Lady Tremaine allowed me to have a group photo with her and her daughters too and told all others who asked "no."

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks for sharing all the photos - they are brilliant. My fave has to be Vala's with Chip & Dale at the DLH - fab!

 

[aliscrapper]

Doesn't let me quote the Cruella part for some reason.

That's what I like about the villains, they don't have to play nice. LOL

Lady Tremaine allowed me to have a group photo with her and her daughters too and told all others who asked "no."

I think it's great when the characters try and instill manners and taking your turn for photo's on the children and/or adults who try and push in.

 

[HappyPanda]

I think it's great when the characters try and instill manners and taking your turn for photo's on the children and/or adults who try and push in.

We saw this a lot on our last trip. I remember Pinnochio choosing Olivia to have her photo next (even though we were relatively new to the scrum) as she lent her pen to another little girl!

Also found in the Studios scrums, that the characters were quite good at picking who was next and it would also be the ones who were waiting nicely!

 

[aliscrapper]

We saw this a lot on our last trip. I remember Pinnochio choosing Olivia to have her photo next (even though we were relatively new to the scrum) as she lent her pen to another little girl!

Also found in the Studios scrums, that the characters were quite good at picking who was next and it would also be the ones who were waiting nicely!

Oh wow! Makes you realise that it is just the odd character who tells adults they are too old to have their photo taken; and that the huge majority of characters go out of their way to please those that wait patiently in the line or show kindness to others!

 

[Vala]

I think it's great when the characters try and instill manners and taking your turn for photo's on the children and/or adults who try and push in.

Remembers me when I met Mary Poppins in California last year. I asked for her autograph, but forgot to add please. Of course the response was "What's the magic word?" I was so embarrassed, the poor woman almost got an f-bomb as reply.

 

[aliscrapper]

Remembers me when I met Mary Poppins in California last year. I asked for her autograph, but forgot to add please. Of course the response was "What's the magic word?" I was so embarrassed, the poor woman almost got an f-bomb as reply.

That is so funny!! And oh so in keeping with Mary Poppins character - could have been a scene straight out of the film!

 

[Vala]

That is so funny!! And oh so in keeping with Mary Poppins character - could have been a scene straight out of the film!

Definitely. It was a very funny thing from the beginning. I was in line to meet Snow White and all of a sudden I hear my friend's voice - she had left me to go to the restroom. I turn around and Mary and Bert walk past, with a penguin in tow and my friend following them - she wanted a photo with the penguin.

So of course I left the Snow White line and joined the conga line. We walked with them all across Fantasyland.

And then *that* happens to me. All I remember is I was hearing my friend try to stifle her laughter, that I was going beet red, and that I almost replied with the f-bomb - in German that's not an uncommon thing to do if you've screwed up really badly. I think I stuttered something that my nanny was not as good as Mary was and that I sometimes forget my manners. She did sign for me though, and even personalized the autograph for me.

 

[aliscrapper]

Definitely. It was a very funny thing from the beginning. I was in line to meet Snow White and all of a sudden I hear my friend's voice - she had left me to go to the restroom. I turn around and Mary and Bert walk past, with a penguin in tow and my friend following them - she wanted a photo with the penguin.

So of course I left the Snow White line and joined the conga line. We walked with them all across Fantasyland.

And then *that* happens to me. All I remember is I was hearing my friend try to stifle her laughter, that I was going beet red, and that I almost replied with the f-bomb - in German that's not an uncommon thing to do if you've screwed up really badly. I think I stuttered something that my nanny was not as good as Mary was and that I sometimes forget my manners. She did sign for me though, and even personalized the autograph for me.

- Wow - you continued the scene - think you should be in the next casting for a re-make of Mary Poppins!!!

I have so got to go to California - since I was little I've loved Snow White and always wanted to meet her - even wrote to a TV programme to see whether they could organise it when I was a little one! DH has sent an e mail to DLP to see whether they can make my dream come true and meet Snow White as I will be celebrating my birthday at DLP and that would be the best present ever!