Good/Bad Character Interaction

I really feed off of the energy off the character. If the character is excited to see me, I'm just as excited. Daisy at the Big Top Circus one time just seemed like she didn't want to be there but Minnie was super excited. I like visiting the Big Top Circus and Town Square Theater. Pixar Place is another one that's fun to visit for characters.

I feel like having all the characters roam the park would be a bad idea. I could see some people waiting a couple hours to meet the characters because others would just jump right in, especially with very shy children. I like the idea of queues for the more popular characters.

No kidding. It's always a few who ruin it for the rest of us.

I do miss the surprise of walking around a corner and seeing Mickey.

I had a bad experience at the ohana breakfast...we (2 adults no kids) were completely skipped by all characters except for Goofy (who was nice). We were there for Stitch and asked on the way out to have a pic with him...they obliged but seemed put out by our request, I was actually kind of embarrassed that we had to ask and that only one character even looked at our table.

It was my first character meal and i think probably my last until I have kids. I know lots of people on this board have had great adult only character meal experiences but our experience was a complete dud. We enjoyed the food so it wasn't a total waste, but I wouldn't waste a meal credit on the experience again.

in the parks I've had good experiences...we don't wait for characters very often, but any I have waited for have been very charming.

had a long conversation with Mary Poppins one time as no one was inline. Aladdin is one character I will wait for (my fav movie)...The CMs playing him are always funny and charming (that would be a fun character to play I imagine)

I did have a great interaction with the princesses once. The line was short, so I decided to wait. I was the only adult in line w/out children - and most of the adults waiting with their little girls just stood to the side while their little princesses got their pictures taken - and even though I've been to Disney solo before, I was feeling REALLY silly. I got up to Belle and said hello and something else. I don't remember what it was, but I was really surprised when she answered me as a "princess", like she did to the little girls waiting, and then insisted that I pose with her, as a princess. It still makes me smile and reminded me that Disney doesn't care how old you are, they just want you to experience the magic.

I haven't had any bad experiences with characters. Some where better than others. One of my favorites was with Ariel last year at Ariel's Grotto during New Fantasyland dress rehearsal. Our conversation went something like this

Ariel: Have we met before?
Me: Yes, we have
Ariel: How are your legs feeling?
Me: They are a little sore
Ariel: I've heard that a lot today. I will have to talk to Cinderella about that. Perhaps we should fill the area with water and every can float around the kingdom.
Me: I think that is a fantastic idea.

I feel like we get more character time at character dining. We were very pleased with The Garden Grill this year. All of the characters stopped by more than once! They were all great! We do not really wait in line in the park to meet them.

I hope i'm not the only one who feels this way... But I get SUPER nervous when I'm waiting in line to meet a character... I'm not exactly sure why... I love doing it and I love the photo's... I've never met one of the princesses so I assume that being able to talk to a character would be a bit more comfortable... But sometimes it's so hard to tell what the character's who have the heads on are telling you to do (mickey, minnie, donald, daisy, goofy)... I get so nervous!! haha like a little kid! But I guess that's the point, right? It's like meeting a celebrity!

On my last trip, Mickey pointed to his cheek and made a kissing noise, so I kissed his cheek and then the woman who was taking the photo took a video instead and I felt like I was kissing the mouse for a good 60 seconds before the photo was snapped! I'm just saying... Sometimes, it can get awkward... I was wondering what the person in the costume must have been thinking.... Should I have held the pose that long? haha.. I dunno.

We haven't done many character meet and greets but we have only had good experiences with the characters. The characters in the costumes don't talk so I was a little nervous to have to talk to any of the princesses. But each one of them that we have gotten pictures with have been so sweet.

When we went to the princesses for the first time I felt a little silly because it's just my husband and me~two 30"something" adults with no kids. They completely stayed in character and they all asked me if my husband is "my prince charming"
(I'm was very happy to report to them that he is )

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When I was at Chef Mickey's all of the characters came to my table. I had my picture taken with all of them. My favorite pic was with Pluto when he got down on one knee and kissed my hand. And trust me I played it to the hilt.

The best time I ever had was with Ariel and Eric. We were traveling with a friend (on a student trip) who was having all the princesses talk to his daughter on video - which was super sweet - and we decided to just talk to them, too. They found out we were teachers and talked to us in character for TEN MINUTES. I can't imagine how hard that is. And the people behind us in line were getting a little pissy. Oops. That day we met Tiana and Naveed and they were great, too.

I just noticed DH's eyes are closed...ha!

We loved the Garden Grill. All the characters took time to come to our table and interact with us. We are adults with no kids. The characters were just as excited to see us as they were with the kids at the next table. We had the best time there. We did have a negative experience at the art of animation building. I wanted my picture taken with Jake the pirate and the photographer gave me a look rolled her eyes and "pretended" to take my picture. The picture never showed up on our photo pass and I was pretty disappointed as I wanted to shoe the picture to the children I work with. A lot of them are big fans of Jake.

That's a shame on the photographer!

Someone else might have gotten your picture. We ended up with some little girl's pictures of her with the characters at Epcot. I feel bad the family didn't get those pictures. We tried to tell Disney, but there was nothing they could do.

Regarding photopass pictures: always check them before the end of your trip! If you check and pictures are missing, the photopass people can find your pictures. you may have to spend some time at a photopass booth, but if you get a really good cast member, it can be done, but only while you are still at the park or your resort. After you leave, your pretty much out of luck. If you get back home and you have someone elses pictures on your account, let photopass know. they have a FB page, you can contact them by phone or e-mail. There are a ton of "found Picture" web sites you can post them to also. Here are just a few.

http://www.camerafound.com
http://www.foundphotos.net/

I haven't had a lot of interactions with characters, but they've all been great. At our two character meals (Tusker House lunch and Cape May Cafe breakfast), all the characters came around to see us, stayed in character, and spent as much time with us as with anyone else. The one time I stood in line to meet a character in one of the parks was Marie the cat when she was still appearing at Epcot. I talked to the human being inside the cat suit - told her I had 18 cats so of course I had to have that photo. She stayed in character the whole time, though.

I've had mostly great experiences with Disney characters:
- Ariel heard me singing in the line and when it was my turn she complimented me;
- Snow White heard me saying in the line that I had met her three years previously, and when I met her she said she remembered me;
- I asked to take a picture with The Queen and an apple. Some days later I was there again and I told her I had met her before but she wouldn't remember. She answered "the apple" showing she remembered me;
- with no one in the line, I danced with Tigger, Pooh and Eeyore in Animal Kingdom and played a bizarre game with two girls who I didn't know and Mulan in Epcot;
- Cinderella gave me a pen after mine one exploded in Alice's hands;
- The Mad Hatter was leaving, already in front of the door to go, after midnight, but he asked to stop and take a picture specifically with me, because he had seen me before;
- no character ever rushed me and most of them let me talk and play and interact for as long as I wish;
- Anastacia, Cinderella's sister asked me to marry her. Later. She was dancing in the parade, she came to me in the audience and talked to me, saying she had talked to Peter Pan and she told me my conversation I had had with him.
My not-so-good experience happened mostly with not so happy characters, as was Belle once not very in the mood of talking, and the horrible jokes two different Aladddins used.
But my really only complaint is that I wish I could meet many characters that are never around.

This says it all...

Love Chip & Dale! Those are great pictures Colonel.

That is absolutely adorable!!!!

If anyone has read my trip report knows that it was our mission to see as many characters as we could on our trip. The only "bad" experience was all the waiting in line - but that was to be expected. I was so amazed by all the positive reactions from all the characters to us (adults without kids). The best experiences had to be watching all the small kids in front of us with the characters. That is what sticks in my memories. My husband and I said to each other on many, many occasions - those people don't get paid enough! They were AWESOME!

Hard to choose a best - Gaston was a hoot! - Mike and Sulley spent extra time with us - Snow White made my husband turn to jello - Merida's accent had him going ga ga too!

The only regret is that we spent SO much time chasing down the characters - that we really missed so much. So, I guess we'll just have to go back!

Last fall we went to the MNSSHP and the character interaction with the villains was awesome. Gaston was spot on and had everyone laughing even the people in line waiting. It was probably the best interaction we have had.

I had a great time today at the Princess Fairytale Hall. Rapunzel and Aurora were the best! Rapunzel and I had a great conversation about Flynn training with Prince Phillip and Prince charming on how to slay a dragon without a frying pan but with a sword along with how he needs a lot of help to become a prince. Aurora had asked me if Merryweather had turned my shirt green because the fairies had been changing colors of a lot of outfits.

Well, I only choose to remember the interactions that were good. The rest were kinda rushed so I don't really remember them too much. I would like for longer interactions but it's not fair to everyone else. From what I've seen, the interaction in a standard M&G and character dining are about the same time and nothing really differs so largely between the two.

Anyway, for me, the characters have more personality so to speak are the ones I've better interacted with. So I'd say Peter Pan, Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel, Belle, Rapunzel, Chip n Dale, Mickey and Goofy have a little more character so to speak and from what I've experienced, they're much more fun to interact with. There are a lot of characters I haven't met but from what I've heard and seen, you're almost guaranteed to get a great interaction from the stepsisters, Gaston, Mad Hatter, Flynn Rider, Jack Sparrow, Merida, Tiana and Naveen.

But truth to be told, the interaction is kinda up to you and that holds true for the furs. If you don't know what to say, it can feel like talking to a brick wall at times!

Anyway, I've got a few I can vividly remember:
- Having to explain Ariel what an airplane was on a 2010 trip. (I got tongue-tied trying! )
- My very first meeting with Rapunzel. Long story short, she really liked my drawstring bag and asked me if I kept a frying pan. When I said it was too big, she went on how these days her kingdom is coming up with foldable and travel size ones!)
- Goofy always getting a kick every time I mention I love the Art of Skiing (That is my favorite Goofy short, btw.)
- My very first meeting with Peter Pan on my last trip. (He was so much to interact with. He told me that fairies always exist even if I can't see them and I got to send a funny message to Ariel.)

But there's one interaction that really stands out. But I'm saving that one for another thread. (There's a thread about Best Places I've Ever Been: Disney Memories so I'll post that story there.)

I had the best time in the UK section of Epcot with Pooh & Tigger...I spent probably 7-10 minutes with them. They and the handlers were awesome. I posted my videos to FB but they files are too big for here.
It was awesome!!

lots of fun with my Silly Old Bear

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haha what was pooh doing on the floor?