Why do characters barely roam the park here?

[DaMalfishentQuen]

Is it the weather? Compared to the American parks, looking at videos this is, it seems characters are barely out and when they are it's controlled with a line and a certain place. Looking at the American parks, especially California, it seems the characters roam a lot more freely and are always out! I feel like this is what Disneyland is about so it's a shame this is rare in Paris! I always here people feeling disappointed as the character experience is always far different to what the Disney adverts make you believe. This will be a very controversial topic and I am looking forward to hearing what people have to say! Everything seems a bit more authentic and "from the heart" in California and almost mass market in Paris. Disney World too feels mass market compared to Cali. I think it might be the fact Walt built that park and has stepped foot in it. I of course have only been to Paris so I can't judge really but I speak from various reviews and YouTube videos. I still love Paris and would never pass up a trip there!

 

[inelegancex]

I do agree, characters are only ever out at certain points and as an adult it's so hard to get their attention to get pictures! I actually end up preferring the meet and greets with a queue, to avoid all the shoving and standing there in disappointment.

The only time I really got attention was when I dyed my hair pink! I definitely wish there were more characters out and about!

 

[mommy2ash]

i think the opportunities to meet characters have definitely declined in the last few years. there is even a decline on character dining. sadly some of the best experiences we have had are not possible anymore. we usually go in october and there are a good few characters out then and have had excellent interaction.

our next trip is in june so i hope that we have the chance to meet a lot of characters.

 

[katiesam]

I have to agree with inelegancex. We don't have any children to travel with and it's almost impossible to get character photos in the scrums as there seem to be a lot of pushy parents who literally shove their kids to the front! Obviously this doesn't just affect adults trying to get photos but other more patient children/families but sometimes it feels like adults who want photos are looked upon strangely by the pushy people! It's far easier to get photos at the organised meet and greets.

We've only ever been to Paris too so we don't have any other parks to compare the experience. Having said that, we're used to it now so although it can be frustrating, we don't let it spoil a trip and still love DLP

 

[Isila]

This year we did meet lots of characters. Sadly to me all the same - Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Minnie, Chip and Dale. Well, we did see them in different outfits Also, we were lucky to meet Suzy and Perla. We did see Esmeralda, Captain Hook and Mr.Smee (kids didn't want to wait in line), one character from Robin Hood. We did meet all the characters from Winnie the Pooh at Inventions. And Jessie in the Cheyenne in the morning. Rafiki, Baloo and King Louie next to Colonel's pizza outpost (can't get that name right) Also Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts were for meet and greet next to the labyrinth. And Jack Sparrow as always

 

[Ware Bears]

I haven't experienced Disneyland yet (soon to be rectified though! ) but I always understood it to be DLP where you have the chance to randomly meet characters without having to be in an organised meet'n'greet, I thought it was all organised at both US resorts. Over the years we have often unexpectedly come across random characters at DLP but our trips have nearly always been in high season. I guess any lack of characters will be down to money.

 

[squiggly2902]

When we were in the park last February we saw loads of characters wandering around;

Aladdin & Jasmine
Jafar
Pinoccio & Gepetto
Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee
King Louis & Baloo
Timon
Mr Smee & Captain Hook
Emile & Remy
Tigger & Eeyore
Donald & Daisy
Plus all of the usual line up meet and greets and Disneyland Hotel characters.

The best experience we had was when I told the girls to pretend to knock on Mickey's front door for a photo and they were nervous because they thought they'd get told off, I was just telling them not to be silly and he actually doesn't live there (they're 12 & 10) and then he opened the door!

 

[Ware Bears]

The best experience we had was when I told the girls to pretend to knock on Mickey's front door for a photo and they were nervous because they thought they'd get told off, I was just telling them not to be silly and he actually doesn't live there (they're 12 & 10) and then he opened the door!

Love it!

 

[MummyMinnie]

Our last trip was August and have to say we saw the most characters roaming the parks than we've ever seen. As it was our second trip that year and knew it would be busy, we really only went with the attitude we won't get on many rides or see many characters. I even didn't take our autograph book. They literally seemed to be everywhere, best spot being at the side of IASW where three or four would come out at one time.

Apart from the usual characters new ones to us were Esmeralda and Clopin, Cinderellas step mother and the ugly sisters Scrooge mcduck (think that's his name!) - he was on his own near the train ride. I honestly think if we had been wrapped up with rushing round and queuing all the time for rides we would never have spotted them, so was worth having a 'relaxing' time in the parks. Hope it's the same when we go again this May.

Agree about the scrums they can be dangerous at times, over the years we've certainly grown some pointy elbows!

 

[mikneyspackson]

When we were in the park last February we saw loads of characters wandering around;

Aladdin & Jasmine
Jafar
Pinoccio & Gepetto
Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee
King Louis & Baloo
Timon
Mr Smee & Captain Hook
Emile & Remy
Tigger & Eeyore
Donald & Daisy
Plus all of the usual line up meet and greets and Disneyland Hotel characters.

The best experience we had was when I told the girls to pretend to knock on Mickey's front door for a photo and they were nervous because they thought they'd get told off, I was just telling them not to be silly and he actually doesn't live there (they're 12 & 10) and then he opened the door!

His front door? Which bit of the park is this? That's amazing

 

[squiggly2902]

His front door? Which bit of the park is this? That's amazing

Its on the left just after City Hall and before the Liberty Arcade. He had a meet and greet with Duffy there but I'm not sure with the new Mickey meet and greet area if it's still used.

 

[moorhunhe]

Have you seen how some people act when a character is walking around?
They go BALISTIC !

I've seen a huge change throughout the years ...
I remember walking into the park in 2006, and there was Stitch, and Daisy, and Micky, Donald and some others ... things were quite civilized.
But as the years went by, less characters appeared and people became more rude and cruel towards each other.

It's embarassing how people shove themselves or their children in front of you, or in front of other little kids, while you are standing there being a goody-good and waiting your own turn.

At my last trip, making a line and closing it off when it's time for the character to almost go, doesn't even help anything at all.
We were last in line for Pluto (about 6 people in front of us waiting), the CM closed the line behind us with a gate as it was almost time for Pluto to go, and people kept leaping over the gate, and in 5 seconds another 10 people stood behind us.

Almost got crushed with the stepsisters last Halloween, 50 people or so stampeding around them, pushing like it was their last day to live ... *sigh*