They just have a couple of characters come to the gate, typically. They’ll often hold hands with some of the kids who are right up front as they walk up the ramp into Toontown, but they don’t always do that.
Last time we were there for Toontown opening, we got there about 5 minutes early and we were, idk, about 20 feet back, maybe? Definitely not in “holding hands” range, but also able to get right to Gadget’s Go-Coaster without a wait, which was our aim.