What is your favorite memory with a character or CM?

[TrickyFish]

One of my favorite character moments has to be with Timon.. we were at a character greeting at MK and Timon was all alone. I walked over to him and noticed he was looking around in the bushes and asked him if he was looking for dinner. He nodded yes and I "helped" him look. All of a sudden he got really excited and plucked something out of my hair and popped it in his mouth-- like there were grubs in my hair!! Everyone around, including DBF, burst into laughter. I had to act mock insulted, but really I thought it was hysterical too!

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

I have to say that this thread is absolutely wonderful! I love reading everyones experiences and cannot wait to make some memories of my own with my family. Thanks to everyone who has been posting...it's great.

 

[jehma]

I have 2 favorites:

We were at Disney in 2001 for our first trip with kids. We were on line before the park opened, and were one of the first to ride the Winnie the Pooh ride - their very first ride ever at Disney. Just as we were about the leave, Tigger jumped in between my daughters, who were 5 & 8 at the time! He rode the whole ride with them.

Later the same trip during the afternoon parade my 5 year old joined in and danced with the Fairy Godmother.

Thanks for the chance to relive some magical memories!

 

[rhiansmom]

My daughter was 4 at the time and our first trip to DW. We were in toon town and had just made it thru Mickey's house. We were in line to get a picture and meet Pluto my daughter got scared (or something) and was sitting on the railing pouting. Well I had been in line for some time at that point and this was our first character meet and greet and I wasn't getting out of line - even if I had to get the autograph by myself.

Well I got up to Pluto and pointed my daughter out to him (still sitting on the railing pouting) and when she looked up he started playing peek a boo with her... Pluto probably spent 5 minutes warming that child up BUT finally she made it over to him and even hugged him!

If Pluto hadn't done that... it would have been a LONG week!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

I have a few great memories. DD1 was 3 1/2 on her first visit, and was obsessed with all things Minnie. Unfortunately, I was not a very good mom, and I had not done a good job in preparing her that the characters are huge. As a result, I have a great picture of DH holding a shreiking DD near Minnie. She did warm up to the characters by the end of the trip, but her next visit (16 months later) was much better!!

On that first visit DD2 was 6 months, and she was 22 months on our second family visit. After the first time, I got much smarter. First off, I found the DIS! I also ordered the planning DVD which we watched frequently before going on the trip. DD1 was now 4 1/2 (almost 5). She had no problems with characters at all. I was prepared for DD2 to be wary, but not really expecting it since DD2 is our adventurous one.

Our first night we has a PS for Chef Mickey's. I did this on purpose to try to guage the girls' reactions to the characters. Donald wa greeting people that evening, and DD2 just about kneecapped him running up to him to hug him. And when he bent down to hug her, she kissed him right on the beak! DD1 hung back a little, but did have some fun with Donald too. Later in that trip, DH and DD1 were on Splash, and I was in the play area with DD2 (she wasn't tall enough yet!). Next thing I knw, she takes off towards the exit for Splash (she is my adventurous one). By the time I catch her, I see what caught her attention: Brer Bear. He was somewhat hidden, so no one else was around. DD2 ran right up to him and just craned her neck to see him. Fortunately his handler had seen DD2, so he said something to Brer Bear who then proceeded to play with DD2 for about 5 minutes. It was very cute!

 

[Snoopymom]

The most recent one is when 4 yr old ds and Stitch competed for Lilo's attention by showing off their muscles.

My favorite was when ds was 3. It was early morning in an empty Animal Kingdom and ds spotted Balou and took off running. Thankfully a CM yelled, "turn around Balou" before ds tackled him to the ground. He turned and knelt just in time to catch ds in his arms and give him a big hug. It would have made the perfect commercial.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Someone mentioned The Haunted Mansion and that reminded me of a funny moment with a CM. We encountered the BEST CM there. We were in the stretching room and this male CM was closing the doors. Then the lights went out and all that. When the lights came back on, that CM had managed to make it to the other end of the room. He was standing right behind my mother. As soon as the lights came on, he laughed an evil laugh. My mother jumped about a mile and said, "You scared me!" He just laughed that laugh again. Totally kept in character. Didn't even crack a smile. I could never have that job, lol.