Pictures with characters?

[ericafny]

It's been a long time since I took a picture with a character (late 80's seems about right). I mean I have been to WDW since then but either didn't want to take a pic with one or was too busy to...either way I have a question regarding 'picture taking etiquette'...ok maybe a few questions...

When you wait in line to take a pic with one of the characters, and when you are waiting in Mickey's tent to take a pic with him, do you give the cast member your own camera to use or do they take a pic with theirs and give you that photopass thing? Also, what is the proper 'time limit' when taking a picture with the characters? OK, one more...which park, in your opinions, has the best opportunity (and least amount of wait time) to get a pic with one of the characters?

I would really like to get a good pic of myself and DBF with Mickey this time around to hang in our living room. I would love all advice and comments!!!

 

[dvcfamily41801]

We allow the CM's to take our picture with their camera and then always ask if they would mind taking one with ours. We have purchased the PhotoPass pictures as well.

As far as time limit, I always try to be courteous of the guests behind us. Allow for a signature and a picture and sometimes a kiss on my sons forehead from Mulan and Meg and then we move on.

 

[daisyduck123]

You will get the most time with Mickey Mouse if you book a character meal that he appears at.

 

[FlowersChild]

I always have them take a photo with my camera and if there is a photopass person I will also give that person my photo pass. If you want a good photo with Mickey maybe you could go over to Mgm to see Sorcerer Mickey

The line is not that long ( in fact all the Mickey Mouse lines don't seem that long ) Sorcerer Mickey is at Mickey Avenue at Mgm. I don't believe that I have waited much longer than 20 minutes to get a photo taken with Mickey Mouse anywhere. Maybe 30 minutes at the most.

 

[msgrimm23]

i have them take a photo with my cameria and by the way love the autism ribbon.

 

[Ronnie]

We just returned from WDW last week. IMO the best place to take pictures with the characters was Character Connection at Epcot. It's air conditioned so you don't have to stand in line in the heat. Check the schedule. The day we were there, the characters were there from 9-5:30. We went at around 5:00 with only a couple of people ahead of us in line. All the main characters were there: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Chip & Dale. If you want other character's, the best way to do it is with a Character meal. Crystal Palace at MK was great for Pooh and Friends.
HTH

 

[magicaldisney]

Just so you know, there isn't always a "photopass" CM with the characters. For instance, in MGM there is just one big circle of characters in front of the sorcerer's hat. You can move from character to character but need to use your own camera.

The place we have found the least wait for Mickey Mouse in particular is at MGM at his character greeting on Mickey Avenue. We've also found smaller wait times in Animal Kingdom. This might just be our individual experience. Maybe others will have a different opinion.

 

[BlindTyldak]

My only suggestion is to pay attention to both the handler (the CM nearby) and the character, and wait for them to give you the nod that it's okay to proceed. I have seen a lot of kids rush in as another family is walking off and the character is trying to do something silly to the departing children and doesn't see little Timmy rushing in.

 

[ericafny]

Thanks for all the replies

MGM is DBF's favorite park so I think Sorcerer Mickey would be a great idea! Do I check the times guide to see when he will be making an appearance?

About character meals, I dunno but I'm not a big fan (don't flame me )...I think its because I just want to enjoy my meal and not worry about getting pics with all of the characters...I think when I have kids my perspective will change, but for now I will stick with the meet and greets.

I had heard about character connection at Epcot and keep hearing that it is pretty empty most of the time...I better get to that before the rest of the world finds out about it!

I'm so excited, less than 4 weeks to go

 

[ericafny]

and by the way love the autism ribbon.

Thanks! I work with children with autism and am a huge supporter of autism research!

 

[KinderTchr]

I do all my character picture taking at character meals. Then no standing in line.

 

[Lil ole moi]

We just returned from WDW last week. IMO the best place to take pictures with the characters was Character Connection at Epcot. It's air conditioned so you don't have to stand in line in the heat. Check the schedule. The day we were there, the characters were there from 9-5:30. We went at around 5:00 with only a couple of people ahead of us in line. All the main characters were there: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Chip & Dale. If you want other character's, the best way to do it is with a Character meal. Crystal Palace at MK was great for Pooh and Friends.
HTH

Where exactly is Character Connection in Epcot?

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

I'm also curious where character connection is because on the Disney website I notice they don't show it on the map. Also where do you go to find out the hours of when the characters are there? Thanks

 

[scoutmom41]

We were there two weeks ago and Epcot Character Connections
was awesome. It is air conditioned and there was no lines when we
got there. Just one family taking a photo with Mickey.

There were two CM photo pass there. We had them use
our camera to get the family with Mickey.

Then we visited all the other, pluto, minnie, donald,
chip & dale, goofy. It was so nice because we did not
need to rush, or feel like we were taking to much time.
The characters also interacted with us which is great
and made for wonderful photos!!!

The nice thing was - we got all the photos done in one
place and didn't have to spend the rest of the time looking
for them and getting in long lines.

Good luck,
Melanie

 

[makinorlando]

I'm also curious where character connection is because on the Disney website I notice they don't show it on the map. Also where do you go to find out the hours of when the characters are there? Thanks

Character Connecton is in the Innoventions building - (the one on the right) - near the breezeway that goes back towards The Land. The the entrance door is near the Fountainview Bakery - there is usually a placard type sign with the times, and then there is a big round sign as well.

I agree for the classic characters this is one of the best spots! The lines generally seem shorter than at MK!

Mickey is in the Judge's Tent in Toontown at MK, and can usually be found at the front entrance too. At MK you will find him in his "normal" attire. Sorcerer MIckey is cool too!!!! The times are in the times guide as well as the marquee over the entrance where he meets and greets!

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

Character Connecton is in the Innoventions building - (the one on the right) - near the breezeway that goes back towards The Land. The the entrance door is near the Fountainview Bakery - there is usually a placard type sign with the times, and then there is a big round sign as well.

I agree for the classic characters this is one of the best spots! The lines generally seem shorter than at MK!

Mickey is in the Judge's Tent in Toontown at MK, and can usually be found at the front entrance too. At MK you will find him in his "normal" attire. Sorcerer MIckey is cool too!!!! The times are in the times guide as well as the marquee over the entrance where he meets and greets!

Thanks so much for the info! We are going to Epcot when we first arrive and I think it will be one of our first stops. We have a DD4 so I think finding characters will be the main priority.

 

[liamandcaili]

One of the cool things about the character connection at Epcot was that not only did you not have to wait in too long a line, but once we left, there were all these other characters out in the hall, with no wait at all. We saw Mary Poppins, Baloo, Smee, Captain Hook and Donald Duck. DD only wanted to get her picture with Donald, but she was so excited to see him because he was the one main Disney character she wanted to sign her book but couldn't find. Since there was no one there, he spent a lot of time with her too.

Oh and the ToonTown Barn in MK is a good place too. You have to wait in one of three lines: Mickey Friends, Pooh, or Princess. Once you get in, you have time with three characters, so even if you wait 20 minutes, it is worth it, especially if your child is the last one admitted into the area (they only let a small number in at a time). DD was last, and even when she was meeting the characters further down the line, the others were interacting with her. Mickey is not at ToonTown Barn though. He is at his house in ToonTown. We saw Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. If we hadn't met the Pooh characters in the English Toy Shop in Epcot, we would have met them here, as there was no line at all. The longest line was for the princesses.

Have fun!

 

[Greg K.]

Last year, we had a lot of luck at Camp Minnie Mickey at the AK. Very short waits for all the characters: Goofy, Donald, Mickey and Minnie.

Of course, they're done up in ranger clothes, if that matters But we always waited less than five minutes for pictures with them.

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

Thanks again everyone for all your help. We are so looking forward to seeing all the characters!