Meeting characters and taking in the parks' different parades and shows are definitely on my "must-do" list when I visit Walt Disney World. Each theme park offers various character meet and greet opportunities, character dining opportunities, and interactive character dance parties to fit the theme and story of the respective area/land, and some even offer Disney's Fastpass+ service to bring down your wait time. As a former Character Performer at Walt Disney World, here are some tips and advice to help make your character meet and greets even more magical: #1 - Make sure your camera/phone is ready and autograph book is open before your turn Disney is all about keeping lines moving, so for your sanity and courtesy to Cast Members and other guests, make sure you and your accompanying guests are prepped and ready before it's your turn to meet the characters. This includes having the cap off of your autograph pen! Plus, you'll be able to capture every magical moment with your camera turned on right from the beginning. Some of the best character meet and greet photos are those reaction shots when kids of all ages get a first glimpse of their favorite characters. Extra special tips for parents: If you're traveling with more than one adult in your party, have one stand in line with your child to get them ready for their meet and greet and have the other adult position themselves to get a reaction shot from the side or behind the character (if the location permits). Getting your little princess' big grin as she runs to meet Cinderella for the first time will be a priceless shot! #2 - If you want to get a character's autograph, bring a chunky pen or Sharpie Most of the characters you'll meet at WDW have paws, claws, or wear gloves, so help them out by giving them a nice, big pen to sign your autograph book. This will both help them see where you want them to sign and get a firm grip on the writing utensil. Avoid handing them pencils of any size, gel pens, or crayons. Sharpies are definitely your best bet, and they can really snazz up your autograph book if you assign certain colors for characters based on their attire (i.e. green for Peter Pan, orange for Tigger, brown for Chip & Dale). #3 - Characters can sign many things, but not everything Do you have a favorite Disney ball cap or t-shirt you'd like a character to sign? Maybe a special pillow case you purchased just for your Walt Disney World vacation? Characters can sign most Disney items you give them, but there are a couple of restrictions. For one, you cannot be wearing the item you'd like the character to sign. Take off that hat and keep your special t-shirt in your park day bag. Two, they cannot sign anything that is adult-themed (i.e. anything with alcohol or smoking logos and icons). And they cannot sign any Disney park tickets, currency, checks, or flags. Autograph books, purchased or homemade, are your best, easiest option. #4 - Put your beer down before posing for photos with characters If you choose to sip on a adult beverage while in the theme parks that sell them, do not try to sneak it into any of your character meet and greet photos. The characters, their attendants, or Photopass photographers will ask you to put it down on the ground so it is out of the frame. If any of your family members are sitting out of a character meet and greet, have them hold it for you. #5 - Make sure little guests are prepared for what's about to happen Some young guests aren't exactly sure of what to do when they come nose to nose with Mickey Mouse, so be sure to talk with them while waiting in line and get them ready for their meet and greet. If they are uneasy about getting close to the character, but you really want that magical photo, carry them on your side and position yourself so you're always between them and the character. Engage in the interaction with them to know that the characters are nice and they're safe to get close to. #6 - No, the characters cannot and will not hold your baby! You wouldn't imagine how many times guests ask if a character can hold their baby or toddler. It's not going to happen, ever, so don't ask. Characters are certainly able to get down to the level of small guests, offer a shoulder to lean on or lap to sit in, but they cannot pick up and hold children of any size. This is for the safety of both the guest and character. #7 - Dress the part for your character interaction If you're planning on going to a themed character meal, character dance party, of visiting a certain character meet and greet, dress for the occasion! Characters love to see you dressed up like them or to fit the experience. If you're taking a little princess to dine at Cinderella's Royal Table, make sure she wears her shiniest tiara and prettiest dress. If you're planning on going to the Move it! Shake it! Celebrate it! Street Party to dance with Minnie Mouse, be sure to wear your favorite pair of ears so she can find you. This often serves as a great conversation starter with characters, and makes for great photos. #8 - Utilize FastPass+ for more popular character experiences, if it's offered Disney characters are popular, so make sure to have a plan if you're hoping to meet a lot of them during your Walt Disney World vacation. Some of the newer meet and greet locations are treated like attractions and even offer FastPass+, which allows you to pick a time for your meet and greet and load your FastPass right onto your Magic Band. Two of the most popular girls at WDW right now are Anna and Elsa from Frozen, and they're meeting guests at the new Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom. If you want to meet them, be sure to reserve your FastPass before you go! You can also get a FastPass to meet Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy at EPCOT Character Spot in Future World. among others. Check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/#/character-experiences/ to see where else FastPass+ is offered to meet your favorite Disney friends. #9 - Don't wait until the last minute to get your parade/show viewing spot Even if you don't want to stand in line to meet any Disney characters, the various parades and stage shows allow you to get up close and see them in action. But don't wait until right before show time to get your viewing spot. Be sure to plan ahead and know when you'd like to watch a parade or show so you can claim your spot within ample time. For all Magic Kingdom parades and shows (where you can see the most characters), I suggest getting your spot within 30 minutes, depending on how many people are visiting the park that day and how many performances there are. Also be sure to have your cameras ready. You never know who you might see! Check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/#/Parades,stage-shows/ for a full list of these offerings, including which ones offer preferred FastPass+ seating. #10 - Don't be shy and have fun! Make sure to bring your biggest smile and energy when meeting the characters. They're just as excited to meet you as you are to meet them! Talk with them, tell them how your day is going, and give them hugs and high fives. Treat them with respect and be gentle and courteous, or else their attendants will have to escort you from the meet and greet area. If you plan on taking time to meet any characters during your Walt Disney World vacation, keep these tips in mind, and you're sure to make magical memories to bring back home. Be prepared before you head to the parks and check out which characters are meeting where and when, and don't forget to pick up a park map and times guide to help you find meet and greet locations. Visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/#/character-experiences/ for more information. Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
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