Solo Travelers and Pictures with the Characters?

[doctorintheTARDIS]

Anyone take pictures with the characters as a solo adult traveler?

I feel like as an adult (without children) it's kind of odd to have your picture with a character...
and then adding to the fact that you're all alone.

I'm wondering if I'm setting myself up for "failure" here...

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Yes, in fact what I like best about WDW is that no one is too old to get their picture with a character.

It's not odd, and is becoming more common.

 

[Sehsun]

It's not odd, and you are not setting yourself up for failure. The characters and character attendants see solo adults at meet and greets frequently and won't bat an eye at you.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

I met at least half a dozen characters in each park (maybe 30 characters total) as a solo adult traveller and not one was awkward and in fact the characters seemed to enjoy being able to interact on a more adult level.

You are definitely not setting yourself up for failure - enjoy it!

 

[Dug720]

I meet characters all the time both in the parks and on the cruise line and it's not awkward or weird at all. (Sadly you could encounter someone who believes that their little snowflakes are somehow more entitled to meet a character than you are, but that is all on them - you have just as much right to meet the characters as their little snowflakes. And honestly I don't get the fussing since by the time you can hear them they are ALREADY IN LINE before the cut-off point, so their snowflakes are going to get to meet the character anyway. But even if it is in an outside setting where they are out of the cut-off line, just ignore them because you paid your money just like they did and you nhave just as much right to meet and greet as they do!)

I'd say the only possible "set up for failure" is that mindset. Go to Disney, let yourself be a kid, and enjoy every moment of it!!

 

[karly05]

I love meeting and taking pics with characters and always have good and often great experiences! I've always gotten Memory Maker or the old Photopass on my solo trips, and the CMs have always been generous with taking pics with my own camera or phone.

I won't go over all my stories again, but as a huge Up fan, I had an awesome meet with my heroes Russell and Dug. Minnie and I bonded at Epcot over my Imagination Movers shirt (she's a fan and was super excited by it). Tiana has been so friendly and chatty both times we've met (different "friends"), she is my favorite m&g Princess.

I am the silly solo adult lady who did breakfast at Hollywood & Vine because it was the first and at the time only place to meet Doc McStuffins (and I wanted to meet Sofia, too). The CMs and characters were all great and sweet!

I LOVE my boys Phineas and Ferb, who are reportedly ending their m&g soon. I am really going to miss making my annual stop by their backyard to say hi.

In short, do not let being a solo adult deter you from meeting your favorite characters!

 

[doctorintheTARDIS]

I love meeting and taking pics with characters and always have good and often great experiences! I've always gotten Memory Maker or the old Photopass on my solo trips, and the CMs have always been generous with taking pics with my own camera or phone.

I won't go over all my stories again, but as a huge Up fan, I had an awesome meet with my heroes Russell and Dug. Minnie and I bonded at Epcot over my Imagination Movers shirt (she's a fan and was super excited by it). Tiana has been so friendly and chatty both times we've met (different "friends"), she is my favorite m&g Princess.

I am the silly solo adult lady who did breakfast at Hollywood & Vine because it was the first and at the time only place to meet Doc McStuffins (and I wanted to meet Sofia, too). The CMs and characters were all great and sweet!

I LOVE my boys Phineas and Ferb, who are reportedly ending their m&g soon. I am really going to miss making my annual stop by their backyard to say hi.

In short, do not let being a solo adult deter you from meeting your favorite characters!

Thanks! (and thanks to everyone else!!) I love Phineas and Ferb!!! Disney doesn't have any information about Meet and Greets with them (other then that they happen) on their website. No times or locations or anything and I'm getting worried I missed it!

 

[karly05]

Thanks! (and thanks to everyone else!!) I love Phineas and Ferb!!! Disney doesn't have any information about Meet and Greets with them (other then that they happen) on their website. No times or locations or anything and I'm getting worried I missed it!

There was a thread somewhere on the DIS last month saying that their M&G was expected to end in early Jan (I don't remember the exact date, but like this upcoming week). I have not seen an official announcement from Disney, but I'm not shocked; since the series has ended, and they are in an area that will presumably be impacted by the upcoming Star Wars construction.

Best day ever this year: I wore my "Phineas outfit" (orange/white striped tee, dark blue capris, black socks and black & white sneakers) when I went to see them and they loved it. I told them it was my outfit from their "Summer All the Time" fashion collection. I got lots of hugs and kisses from them that day. (Oh, and I'm glad I got one more chance to bring up Vanessa to Ferb and he did the "In Love" gesture and the handler teased him about blushing. Big "Ferbnessa Shipper" here.) I'm hoping/trusting P&F will remain in the "Move it Shake it" parade/party at MK.

One other note, I do believe that the characters really enjoy meeting adults when they know you really are a fan and know their stories. I tend to always have some opening comment in mind/question to ask/etc. about them.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Another thing the characters probably enjoy about meeting adults is that the characters don't have to crouch down to meet them, as they do with smaller children.

 

[GrumpyGoofyFan]

Enjoy yourself. No one judges you. I was called Han Solo when I went in. I was having a blast.

 

[BaltimoreLauren]

I've been to Magic Kingdom twice as a solo traveler, and I love the character interactions! I've never felt weird or rushed either. Enjoy it!

 

[jenniy122]

Done it hundreds of times, only had one experience stick out in my mind where I felt like I was treated any differently than a kid/family. Enjoy yourself!

 

[ludari]

I take pictures all the time solo with the characters especially on Disney Cruises where sometimes I really stand out like waiting in line for the princess gathering alone surrounded by little girls dressed as princesses. However, I really don't give it a second thought and just go about my business.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

The only problems I encountered are 1. People with kids expecting you to let their kids go ahead if the kids queue jumped, I stopped being okay with it when I was on my last morning and my time at MK was short, I let a kid go ahead for Goofy after waiting ages myself, when he ran in front of me only to have Goofy go on a break so I had an extra 10 minutes to wait. 2. People assuming I'm with the party ahead of me despite not interacting with them and holding my camera ready, but, taking no photos of said party. Also, I could do without CMs or PP Photographers saying in surprise 'Oh you are on your own' as if it was weird.

 

[goofyintoronto]

A LOT of people go on solo trips to disney. Trust me, you wont be the first solo person to take a pic with them.

 

[filmmkr]

When I was a CP I used to get solo pictures all the time. I have never had a bad or awkward experience.

Well that's not true. One of my pictures from the Disney Chase Visa meet and greet looks like Minnie and I are going in for a kiss. lol

 

[MeridaAnn]

I am local and single, so I'm always solo, and I meet characters all the time! I love doing Meet and Greets.

If you're worried about feeling at all awkward, I recommend bringing something for the characters to autograph - anything from a book to a picture frame to a baseball cap. The characters do autographs first and they are GREAT ice breakers - they give both you and the character the chance to sort of figure each other out and come up with a conversation topic.

Also, for whatever reason, some people seem to be more understanding of an autograph-collecting solo than one who just wants a photo, although I love both and I know plenty of others who just do photos. Still, you're less likely to get a confused reaction from the handler if you have an item to autograph. Maybe they think you're collecting signatures for a kid who couldn't come? I don't fully get it, but it seems to work.

I've never had any issues with the characters themselves, but occasionally the handlers or photographers seem a bit dismissive when I'm alone, and they don't give me as much attention as they would for a larger group or for kids. In these cases, it's good to have a couple poses in mind that you can suggest so that they don't just snap one pic and then expect you to be done.

 

[SueDonym3]

There have been a few threads on this topic, so you are not alone in wanting to have your pics and with your concerns. I love character pics, and even when I travel with others I am usually on my own for the pics since my friends hate standing in line for pictures. I have never had a bad experience. I have had great experiences- esp when I am in costume for a Halloween Party or Disneybounding. I have even done character breakfasts solo. I have had cast members thank me for my patience as little ones get overly excited and jump in front of my table...go for what you want, be polite to the handlers and you will have great experiences. and if you run into a bad one- you will have a story to tell

 

[Carolyn Louise]

On my last trip (solo ofc) I was expecting I would feel too awkward standing in line for a meet and greet so instead I did the character breakfast as Tusker House so I could get in my Mickey facetime. I know some people shy away from solo character meals but to me it seemed like it would be much easier to enjoy the buffet while waiting for the characters to make their way around. It was great! The rest of the trip ended slightly disastrously so the character breakfast really stands out as a highlight.

 

[Carolyn Louise]

Oh and I should add I had no trouble getting pictures with all the characters. I do think they had handlers at that meal.