Teens meeting characters.

[Lady Jane]

I'm in my 20s and meeting characters is one of my favourite parts of going to WDW. In April, our big priority was to meet A&E in Norway actually. The characters don't find it odd either, when we were in CRT Ariel actually told us that she hoped we'd be putting our pictures on "Instaclam" (Instagram)

 

[Pixiedustaway]

I'm 38 and Donald is still my favorite. I love to interact with the characters... Tell her to go scratch. Really. Debbie downer. That's all she is

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Be happy that you are keeping your 14 year old young and excited to meet characters rather than excited for the newest season of 16 and pregnant

Is it bad that I enjoy meeting characters yet also enjoy watching 16 and Pregnant?

OP, trust me. Anyone who's that bothered by teens meeting characters doesn't really "get" Disney. I've met plenty and will continue to meet characters!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Anyone is welcome to meet characters. Can't say much about why the Op's friend decided to act like a jerk, because it wasn't necessary.

 

[Nancyg56]

Man, she would be an EX-friend if she took that attitude with me. I realize not everyone loves WDW, and not everyone understands why some of us love it and go over and over, and that's OK, but there's no need to sneer about it or make you feel 2" tall. I'm a big grown-up lady and I've had a blast meeting tons of characters on my trips (including A & E in Norway; they were wonderful). I think it's great that your DD still enjoys the Disney magic!

I agree!

 

[Tink415]

My 14 year old dd told me the only thing she really wants to do at MK besides 7DMT is meet Anna & Elsa! I said Really??!! myself because she hasn't wanted to stand in line to meet characters since she was about 7!! I thought it was cute! When we made our initial FP+ selections A&E wasn't available and I've checked a few times with no luck so far, wish me pixie dust

 

[lsenquiz]

Character hunting is my favorite thing about going to Disney and I am turning 50. MY DD22 could hardly contain her excitement when we met Anna and Elsa in June! Your friends attitude is just an example of someone that will never get the appeal of Disney. IMO thankgoodness everyone doesn't because if they did the place would be more packed then it already is

 

[::Snow_White::]

I was a CM on the DCP this past Fall where everyone was at least over 18 and I don't think a single person that I knew DIDN'T go to the parks some days JUST for character hunting. Then again we're pretty obsessed if we are working there anyway....

I'm 21, what's the big deal? They're fun, sweet, and there for everyone.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

My 14 year old dd told me the only thing she really wants to do at MK besides 7DMT is meet Anna & Elsa! I said Really??!! myself because she hasn't wanted to stand in line to meet characters since she was about 7!! I thought it was cute! When we made our initial FP+ selections A&E wasn't available and I've checked a few times with no luck so far, wish me pixie dust

Have you tried 1 at a time and then shoot for overlapping times? Say one for 1-2 and another 1:30-2:30. You can go b/t 1:30 -2. I have not tried myself but others have had luck doing this.

 

[KaylaR]

My sister is 20, and going to disney for the first time in november. Her #1 priority is meeting the Princesses (actually its her only reason for going.)

 

[tinkfan160]

I was 21 during our trip last summer and I had a great time meeting the characters! I enjoyed it as a teen and was afraid of them as a child, but I really got the most out of it being older because I knew how to respond to interactions! My parents both had fun meeting the characters as well! My highlight was meeting Tinker Belle...she has been my favorite character forever, but was not a character you could meet on our previous trips. I was very excited to finally get to meet her!

 

[MataHari22]

I ignore people like that. I'm 46 and I have never even had kids and I love WDW and I enjoy meeting the characters. I was just telling friends that I was going back this year again and that I was excited to be attending MNSSHP for the first time because there are a lot of villains and characters that you really cannot meet unless you attend. They looked at me like I was nuts and said, "You know they are just people dressed up in costumes, right?" I said, "yeah, I know." Then my friend said, "Do you really know or do you know that is what you're supposed to say?" I told them they were no fun and old and grumpy and don't believe in magic. They have no interest in going to WDW. To each their own, I suppose.

 

[wendybeth75]

My DD13 wants to meet A&E. She still carries her autograph book around in case we run into someone she doesn't have. DS16 gets a pic with Goofy every trip! Some people "get" Disney and some don't. Your friends obviously just doesn't "get" it. It's her loss! Congrats on snagging the FP!

 

[asmit4]

Next time you see your friend- you tell her that you don't understand how anyone would want to live in a shoebox for a week on a cruise ship...and then point out the fantastic pools onsite at disney which are about 10 times the size of the pool on the ship she takes every year.

 

[Aeryn76]

In October 2012, I took my dad to WDW for his 70th birthday & our first trip. On our first day we were at AK & came upon Russell and Dug from UP. It was a short line and we got our pics. Few day later at HS we got our pics with Mickey!

Last year we took a Disney cruise and one of my favorite things to do was watch people interact with the characters. Yes it was mostly kids but I saw a lot of grownups too.

This September I am doing WDW solo and plan to meet some more characters. Heck I'm even thinking about getting an autograph book. And I just turned 38. Even my mom said once "You want to hug some sweaty teenager in a costume?" All I could say was "Yes!". Because to me it isn't a person in a costume. For a brief period it is that character and nothing else.

 

[marianthefox]

I'm 53 and can't wait for my trip in December to meet as many characters as I can. I've been to WDW several times in the past but that doesn't change my excitement about going again. This will be my first solo trip and I've even bought a book to get autographs, something I've not done in the past.

I have family and friends that don't understand why I like WDW so much but at least they don't sneer about my plans for going. Go, enjoy yourselves and don't worry about the people of this world that can't understand the magic of WDW.

 

[aribelle]

My daughters just turned 18...and they go to M&G every single trip. I think it really depends on the kid.....I'd read posts with single-digit aged kids who whine 'cause mom wants to meet a character, lol.

If you or your kid, regardless of age, want to meet a character, Disney is definitely the place to do it and not feel awkward.....I've never seen a character treat my daughters oddly.

Disney is all about being a kid no matter your age.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

I have loved meeting the characters all my life and still do even though I'm pushing 40. My DD (almost 13) has never really been that into it. When she was younger she would go to a few but as she has gotten older it's been less and less every trip. We are looking to go this fall and I thought it would be fun to see how many selfies she could take with the characters so now she is excited.

Love all the selfies everyone has posted especially the goat selfie.

OP I'm sorry your friend is such a downer. I guess she doesn't understand Disney and that's ok. Don't let it ruin your fun.

 

[blackmamba10000]

This past trip I bought myself an autograph book and made it a point to meet as many characters as I could. It was some of the most fun I've had at Disney. And that's saying something. I'm 27. So no, it's not odd that a 14 year old wants to meet her favorite characters. I don't think I'll ever outgrow a good character interaction.

 

[pocahontasgal87]

im going to disney in sept and im 27 and I wanna meet as many characters as I can!!