Question about character lines?

[Bunchkin]

Unlike our many trips to WDW were we have seen formed lines to meet characters, our last trip to DL showed they don't follow the same procedure.
We would wait our turn to see a character and then someone would cut in front of us. At one point we even gently mentioned to the CM's that a line would be helpful and cut down on the chaos.

So my question is: Is DL still using the 'up for grabs' system for seeing charcters?
Just wondering what we're up against for our trip next week.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've really only seen lines. Even the group conglomeration when, say, Sully comes out in DCA turns into a self-regulated line (he hasn't had a CM with him when we've seen him). Sure there are sneaks, but in our experience, for the most part, people try to be fair.

I'm sorry it sounds like you've had different experiences!

 

[Bunchkin]

Totally different experience then you it sounds like. Hmm??

Last time we were there all the characters we saw had a handler and none of them formed lines! It was crazy. It really was a huge turn off.

 

[chickyann]

We experienced different things with each Character we saw last September. The characters who could speak asked us to form lines themselves, ie Cinderella, Belle, Bert & Mary Poppins. But I had to 'escort' my DD's past some rude people who pushed in front of us while we waited to see Donald Duck.

 

[bennyb98]

I have to agree with lines being easier with face characters but to be honest, both times I have been to Disneyland I have noticed more of a mob like to get to characters that are just out like in the plaza and such.

 

[Vala]

I've seen both, lines and mob scenes. The worst mob was when the princess were out near the entrance in the afternoon, that was one big free for all. Then on the other hand Mrs. Incredible very impressively organised everyone into a line in about 30 seconds without speaking,

What I personally found worst though were the parents merrily giving their kids the impression that it was okay to jump a line.

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand if a kid gets overexcited, runs up to Minnie, Belle or Cinderella and just hugs her. But if a parent is happily ignoring a twenty people deep line and is telling the kid: "There's Donald sweetie, go and hug him" that's taking things way too far.

 

[LavenderPeach]

We were there monday and tuesday this week and there were lines for Minnie, Goofy and Donald out in the plaza area. We also saw a group of people on the other side of where we were walking and that looked more like a mob than a line but I couldn't see who the character was and I couldn't tell if people were being orderly. We passed by that same spot last week and saw chip and dale with a group of people, not a line. Now that I think about it, last winter there wasn't a line for pluto when we saw him come out in DCA. I do see a lot of lines but I guess not every character does lines for some reason.

 

[mamaofthree]

The last few times we went, I only noticed mobs. But my girls were actually scared of characters, and wanted to steer clear of them, so it was fine. They did love the princesses though, and wanted to see Snow White when we passed her one day, but she was too mobbed. I always worry about waiting in a mob, because I'm not rude enough to push my way forward. And then I think what if we wait a while and then the character has to leave? That would upset the kids even more.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

During our June visit, all the characters in Disneyland had well-ordered lines. It was helpful that the handlers kept the line updated on how many minutes were left before the character would leave -- we could easily judge whether to try to wait or if it was hopeless.
But in DCA it was a bit of a madhouse. Lots of people cut in front of me w/DD2 for various characters--all had handlers but they were just letting people do their own thing. It's terrible but after "letting" lots of folks cut in (to avoid being stepped on) I decided you can't be super polite in character lines or it bites you in the behind. So now I pick DD up and brace myself to ride out shoves.

 

[Huff]

It really depends on what characters and where. There are organized lines at permanent character settings. These include Pooh and Tigger next to Splash Mountain, Tinkerbell and friends at Pixie Hollow etc. Other characters are just wandering around and some days the crowd self regulates just fine in an orderly fashion. Other times the crowd forms a circle rather than a line and it becomes a free for all.

 

[abouley]

It seems like the problem is when there are only a handful of people waiting and a couple of people start to form a line but then people just come up and stand around and then cut in when someone is done. If there are a lot of people a line forms and then there is no question but when there are only a few families it gets chaotic. I get really turned off by it too. I much prefer a longer well formed line than a free for all!

I noticed during our June trip that there seems to be a lot more characters without handlers out. Not sure if it is due to budget cuts? Kids were pulling tails and the characters were trying to get them to stop....

 

[andee2000]

I've seen both. Honestly, even with a line it seems so large that I never waited in a line to see a character. I liked the character interaction at Goofy's Kitchen, so we'll do that every time we go (every other year or so) and my son was over the moon about meeting Sorcerer Mickey in DCA after the show they do outside. There were definite lines and a CM directing those, but I noticed people still trying to cut the line. We ended up the last to see Mickey (or second to last) and it was great. Afterward my son, who was 6, said he was so excited because he had only wanted to see Mickey.

 

[Bunchkin]

Well, it seems like they are still letting mobs control the characters based on what most of you are saying. And that's a shame.
I guess we'll just have to be prepared for character warfare if needed!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I think it's always good to be prepared for anything as far as characters go. As a solo traveler, I often find kids and parents inadvertently jumping in line ahead of me right as my turn comes, but the characters and/or handlers are pretty good about telling them I was there first.

In my experience, I've usually seen handlers, but I will note that sometimes there will be an organized line and the character will have to leave before everyone in that line is finished. Guests should be prepared for that. They're very good about telling you when the characters will return.