What is considered "good" character interaction?

[jpolak]

As I read over the reviews one of the biggest compliants I've found is "character interaction". After the characters stop by your table, sign an autograph, and take a picture or two what else do some people expect?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Characters typically
. . . stop by the table
. . . hug or touch the kids
. . . pen autographs
. . . allow time for a picture
2) Some people want characters
. . . to play with the kids for a while
. . . joke (even if only by gestures) with the kids
. . . spend more minutes with their kids

NOTE: This is a tough one to call. For the big bucks people pay for breakfast, lunch or dinner, they demand lots of interaction from the characters. However, the characters only have so long to remain in costume and "on stage" before a break period and still catch everyone in the room. It is ALWAYS a trade-off for the CM's.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Its the minutes or seconds? We have been to 3 princess meals, and have had some princesses sign, pose and leave.

Some ask a few questions, talk to the girls, even if just for a few seconds longer really makes a big difference to them.

Example: so how are you doing, what rides have you been on so far on your trip?

Stitch really is a hoot, he would steal our stuff from our table, and pluto would lick my husbands head stuff like that.

 

[rigs32]

DH and I have always had a blast with characters, but we're adults only and I think it gives some of the CM a chance to relate in ways other than with the kidlets. When DH goes to the bathroom, I always get a character stealing his seat and not allowing him back to the table. We also book a later ressie so that by the time we're done, very few diners are left.

 

[banana hammock]

Depends on the crowds I guess.

it's not like they have time to sit down and enjoy the meals with the guests...or maybe they will in the future ($$$)

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have done the CP 3 times with just DH and I...all the characters came to us and would hug me and pat DH on his head or playfully "punch" him on the shoulder then they would move on...that is fine with us because we think they should spend more time with the kids...I get a big kick out of watching the kids interact with the characters

THis Oct we are going with 2 nieces and going to CP again, Chef Mickeys and the Princess Breakfast...I cannot wait to see the girls interact with the characters..

 

[stacy6552]

We dont expect any more then that. That's just great with us.

However, we find the BEST interaction has consistantly been at LTT. One our first visit, our kids were 6 and nearly 1. The baby was terrified by the charactures. The manager saw our baby freak on the way to the table, so she took our 6 yr old around to meet the charactures away from the table (dont try that yourself) and explained that his brother was scared. Then, for the rest of the meal the charactures made a big show of tiptowing behind the baby, hiding behind their eyes, all for the delight of our 6 yr old.

A few years later, after the baby was 3 and had been scared by Cinderella, it was the gang at LTT that got him to warm up and have fun with the charactures.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

We are a couple of adults and did 3 character meals last year. I don't ask much from a character meal. As others have said: stop by, give a hug, pose for a picture and move on. Pooh & friends at Crystal Palace were very fun. Cinderella, Snow White, Prince, Charming, and Suzie & Perla at 1900 Park Fare were all fantastic, stopping by mulitiple times and taking time to chat a bit as well. By now we were really getting into character dining... Then we went for breakfast at CRT. Before we had even sat down Belle, Aurora, and Fairy Godmother and all rushed by allowing us barely to even snap a piture before they moved on. Mary Poppins acted annoyed by the fact that we even wanted a picture of her. The only bright moment was Snow White... which turned out to be the same Snow White we had seen at 1900 Park Fare... she was great once again! She mentioned that she was glad to see us again and posed for more pictures and was just perfect.

So to summarize... "good" character interaction for me is each characters takes the time to stop by for a wave, a hug, a picture, and maybe a moment of interaction. That's all I need.
"Bad" character interaction is when each character seems annoyed by having to stop by your table and seem to try to get away as soon as possible. While we enjoyed eating in the castle, we do not plan to go back.

 

[jjatwdw]

We think Garden Grill has the best character interaction at WDW. Because it is a revolving restaurant, and each booth is relatively secluded, when the characters are at your table they are yours alone. The restaurant is very quiet and the food is great. It's our favorite.

 

[BillSears]

So to summarize... "good" character interaction for me is each characters takes the time to stop by for a wave, a hug, a picture, and maybe a moment of interaction. That's all I need.
"Bad" character interaction is when each character seems annoyed by having to stop by your table and seem to try to get away as soon as possible.

I agree with this. Now adays the youngest in my party is 22 but we still go to character meals every now and then. These meals are special to us and we hope the characters will treat us just like they treat those with young children.

The great interaction are those you remember years later. Those are the special times that make you want to return to WDW.

 

[toyman70]

1.They sit down and feed your kids then wipe thier mouths
2.Change any and ALL dirty diapers
3.They give horsey back rides all over the dining room.
4.With a smile on the mugs take all kicks to the groin from every kid in the joint.
5.and lastly, completley refund your meal from their own furry pockets if all the above is not done.

Thats GOOD interaction if I say so myself

 

[Tiffer]

is LTT the Liberty Tavern? My favorite is Chef Mickey's for interaction. Cape May Cafe is good too.




QUOTE=stacy6552]We dont expect any more then that. That's just great with us.

However, we find the BEST interaction has consistantly been at LTT. One our first visit, our kids were 6 and nearly 1. The baby was terrified by the charactures. The manager saw our baby freak on the way to the table, so she took our 6 yr old around to meet the charactures away from the table (dont try that yourself) and explained that his brother was scared. Then, for the rest of the meal the charactures made a big show of tiptowing behind the baby, hiding behind their eyes, all for the delight of our 6 yr old.

A few years later, after the baby was 3 and had been scared by Cinderella, it was the gang at LTT that got him to warm up and have fun with the charactures.[/QUOTE]