Where are all the men?

[JonUK]

Back from a visit to WDW, it dawned on me something about face characters... they're virtually all women!

Excluding animals, costumed characters and the like, I could only think of 4 characters who are men and available to meet: Peter Pan, Gaston, and Tarzan.

Meanwhile there's like a thousand princesses, queens, their sisters or relatives, godmothers and so on. Lots of female royalty or royal court. I realised when I saw there's a meet and greet for Anna & Elsa, and one for Olaf, and then the idea popped into my head after seeing the Singalong show: "where can i meet Kristoff? I really want to meet him and take pics."

Then I thought of Hercules, another one I'd like to meet and talk to. What about John Smith, Phoebus and Prince Hans? what about ANY prince charming? I want to meet the men too, and I'm sure I'm not the first to think of this.

So come on Disney - why are you hiding the men?

 

[Jonas_Swe]

Hi JonUK,

That's a great question!

I've actually been thinking that myself and there should really be more mixed characters in the parks. I mean, there aren't any shortage of male characters in the stories.

And no, Mickey Mouse doesn't count!

 

[Disneylover99]

You can meet Prince Charming at Park Fare.
Sometimes at the Halloween party you can meet Rapunzel and Aurora's boyfriends.

 

[JonUK]

You can meet Prince Charming at Park Fare.
Sometimes at the Halloween party you can meet Rapunzel and Aurora's boyfriends.

But those are special events or off-park experiences... I'm talking about regular meet & greets where they're always available

 

[Jonas_Swe]

I seem to remember that Princess Tiana used to do Meet & Greets with Prince Naveen, right before the entrance to Liberty Square on the MK side in the small pavillion (before the Tea Party boxes at the bridge). But it looks like she's ditched him these days.

I agree with you JonUK - More regular meet & greets and not just special events characters.

 

[pmaurer74]

We saw Kylo Ren and Aladdin in the parks.

 

[Jonas_Swe]

We saw Kylo Ren and Aladdin in the parks.

Cool, was it HS and Epcot?

 

[pmaurer74]

Cool, was it HS and Epcot?

yes Kylo Ren at HS and Aladdin in EPCOT.

 

[lizabu]

The princesses are the stars of so many Disney movies and the princes are secondary characters. I think they would get fewer people lining up to see them when they are not with their princesses. It still wouldn't be a bad idea though.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think in general girls are just more interested in meeting characters than boys are, so selection is going to skew toward females more. And let's face it, the princess franchise is a huge money maker for Dinsey. They are going to feed it in any way they can.

Not to worry though, most of what they have been doing lately is very attractive to boys (Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land, Pandora).

 

[TWK]

I don't think I have ever seen Jasmine without Aladdin. I agree though, my son loves Flynn Ryder. I wish they had more princes...

 

[Jennasis]

We met Prince Phillip (from Sleeping Beauty) upon walking in through the IG at Epcot.

 

[winterface]

Disney doesn't really go after the male demographic. Sure they throw a few things into the mix from time to time, but overall its just something that is much more geared towards women.

Its been that way for a while but its going to get more and more lopsided as things are shifting towards being more female-centric. Males in today's society are unfortunately being pushed out of everything. Education, job opportunities, entertainment, etc.

 

[Jonas_Swe]

I think in general girls are just more interested in meeting characters than boys are, so selection is going to skew toward females more. And let's face it, the princess franchise is a huge money maker for Dinsey. They are going to feed it in any way they can.

Not to worry though, most of what they have been doing lately is very attractive to boys (Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land, Pandora).

Yeah, good point there.

But I'd rather see Disney going away from the such distinct division in Girls and Boys experiences. But focus more on Magical experiences for all.

Of course with Princesses, but also the Princes too. And Pirate buccaneers and buccarettes (!).

I know that many boys want to meet and greet too. And I think that a Prince together with a Princess at the meet and greets will show kids that male and female characters are equally important.

And in a more practical sense for Disney, an additional character could take the peaks off the crowds in line for one Princess, if you can pose with a Prince too.

 

[JonUK]

yes Kylo Ren at HS and Aladdin in EPCOT.

But Kylo Ren isn't a face character. At best he uses pre-recorded lines, but there's no actual interaction (that's not a man speaking under the mask).

The princesses are the stars of so many Disney movies and the princes are secondary characters. I think they would get fewer people lining up to see them when they are not with their princesses. It still wouldn't be a bad idea though.

What about stepsisters, pets, raccoons and birds... those are all secondary characters too...

I think in general girls are just more interested in meeting characters than boys are, so selection is going to skew toward females more. And let's face it, the princess franchise is a huge money maker for Dinsey. They are going to feed it in any way they can.

Not to worry though, most of what they have been doing lately is very attractive to boys (Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land, Pandora).

But that's a little to restrictive... like "girls should have this and boys should aim for that instead". Disney should cater for all and they're moving in the right direction though, albeit at a glacial pace.

I'm just saying - put more male characters out. They don't need a female counterpart to chaperone them. And a one-off appearance you may have come across doesn't count. It has to be a permanent feature, much like Alice or any princess. Even if they charged for the experience, I would PAY for it. Just give me the damn option to chat with Kristoff and take selfies!

 

[shanethesaint88]

I just think it really boils down to one thing...and thats the princesses are more popular than the male characters. If you think about it beauty and the beast, cinderella, pocahontas, snow white, little mermaid...etc all have female leads. So kids arent really excited to see gaston because he is a side character. Now if you wanted to ask why almost all of Disney's main characters are girls, well thats a different question. But i just think it boils down to the princesses are the heroes of the movies therefore they are popular. And disney isnt putting characters who arent popular

 

[Karin1984]

I think too many smitten girls, (young) women, and gay men swooning over Flynn and others. Maybe the men cannot handle the awkward silences and giggling.
On the other hand, I think male characters have less of the harassment and lewd comments characters like Ariel and Jasmine have to go through from male guests.

 

[mom2rtk]

But that's a little to restrictive... like "girls should have this and boys should aim for that instead". Disney should cater for all and they're moving in the right direction though, albeit at a glacial pace.

I'm just saying - put more male characters out. They don't need a female counterpart to chaperone them. And a one-off appearance you may have come across doesn't count. It has to be a permanent feature, much like Alice or any princess. Even if they charged for the experience, I would PAY for it. Just give me the damn option to chat with Kristoff and take selfies!

I didn't say it "should" be that way. I'm saying it "is" that way. My daughter still enjoys meeting characters at 15. My boys were done by about age 7.

Also keep in mind what those princess appearances do for princess dress sales in the parks.

 

[cgattis]

Does Jack Sparrow still meet during regular hours?

 

[shanethesaint88]

I think too many smitten girls, (young) women, and gay men swooning over Flynn and others. Maybe the men cannot handle the awkward silences and giggling.
On the other hand, I think male characters have less of the harassment and lewd comments characters like Ariel and Jasmine have to go through from male guests.

Believe me i "know" ariel and cinderalla and others...and girls have it wayyy worse. There is a reason there are character attendants. Some people in life are gross.