Unique Character Meeting Ideas?

[magicallyDisney001]

I'm not good at making conversation but I really want to make the most out of character meet and greets and have quality, memorable interactions. Beyond the classic autograph book-and-picture strategy, have you ever tried or heard of something different or unique to break the ice when meeting characters? Or do you have any ideas that you'd like to try in the future? [For my day trip in November, for instance, I'm planning to dress up as Rey from The Force Awakens and carry a plush BB-8 for characters to hold when I get a picture with them.]

Don't be shy - I want to hear all your ideas!

 

[wenrob]

If you're wearing anything related to the character you're interacting with they typically get "excited." Or like this last trip as my kids were visiting Minnie I told her I liked her 60th dress and later I told Daisy I liked her shoes. Both prompted them to "blush" and then pose for me. A couple trips back my oldest DD refused to take off her Mickey ears for Donald which prompted him to turn his back on her, grab the other kids and refuse to let her in the picture. This year he was pointing out their Avengers t-shirts and I "reminded" him about their last encounter. The CM played along, "oh yeah he remembers" and I got another set of talk to the hand/duck turns his back on DD pics.

Typically if you talk to them they or the CM will run with it. Oldest DD is a master at this. Pay attention to what the CMs say and it will usually prompt the character and in turn you. The biggest thing is to get into the spirit and think of them as the real deal for that moment. Mrs. Incredible fixing my son's shirt prompted a "kids these days" interaction. Basically roll with what they do.

 

[millie0312]

If you go to Kenny the Pirate's site he has a whole list of interactions that are fun

 

[alhenton]

When I was in WDW I took selfies with all of the characters. I didn't do the same at DL tho. Definitely something different and its fun to see the different characters pose for the selfies.

 

[alisigns]

We had an amazing interaction with Tink last year. We made our stick figure family decal from Disney and then used the image to print on group shirts. Side note: group shirts are a must for us now! Everyone noticed and commented, including characters, it added family togetherness, and was an easy way to find everyone! Anyway, Tink noticed that we all had matching blue shirts and called us the Blueberries! She then started looking at the figures and noticed that the one next to me (my brother) was a pirate. She instantly told him to "Turn around and think about your life choices. Weigh the good and battle the bad." And my 25 year-old brother did! Then she asked if he was ready to be a good pirate. He said yes ma'am, and she said, "Ok, come get a hug and take a picture." It was priceless and definitely made the day!

 

[alisigns]

We also told Minnie that my brother was single and she locked arms and "wouldn't let go." He blushed and later said he should have gotten down on one knee to see what would happen!

 

[buttercup14]

I find wearing something interesting (dressing up, mickey ears etc) is a good way, particularly if you're not the talkative kind, the character's always seem to look at pins if you're wearing any. Just think about the character you're meeting and their story, and try to think of a question to ask them in relation to it, even just asking them how another character they know is doing (Eg, Hi Belle, what's the beast up to today? Hi TinkerBell, Have you tinkered anything interesting today?) Also to get good pictures you can ask the character's how you should both pose for the photo

 

[GatorChris]

Ask Chip and Dale if they're squirrels. That usually gets a pretty good reaction.

 

[tlovesdis]

Ask Chip and Dale if they're squirrels. That usually gets a pretty good reaction.

LOL love that!!

 

[Disneyland 1951]

If you know about the Character or their story, incorporate elements in the conversation. Ask in the context of the character (Alice, why did the White Rabbit call you Maryann?). Not why do you like working at Disneyland? If you have a drawing, costume, or toy to show them you can make a conversation about that.

One of the best times was when I visited the Royal Hall in Fantasy Faire with a friend who is a Character Performer and her Mother. ( I am a guy and feel awkward visiting Princess Characters by myself). She was treated as a Royal Guest by everyone, but they kept in Character. The interaction I recall best was a new "Friend" of Arial. We asked many questions about the Little Mermaid Movie and were unable to stump her. Eg: What are the names of your sisters? She named them all with hair color, tail color, and something about each!!! Amazing.

Alice is my favorite Character. I noticed her on the Disneyland Web site, in the Annual Passport section. The next time I saw her I asked her and the Mad Hatter about that photo. I got a great reaction from both and it is now a well viewed YouTube video.



YouTube Link:

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We've found that you don't really need to break the ice with the characters. They'll do it for you! DH is pretty shy about meeting characters and he's not the best at Disney trivia, but the characters have him LOL in no time. Other posters are right about just rolling with whatever the characters come up with.

 

[Oswald23]

Our girls don't speak english being 3 and 6 and living in the Netherlands (they understand it a littlebit) but characters make them feel comfortable. What we did was make characters sign a giant card. And the more autogrpahs we got, the more interaction happened We ended up near 50 autographs in 1 single card.

Here is the result