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Tips On Meeting Disney Characters

[fa icon="calendar"] Wed, Sep 04, 2013 @ 08:51 AM / by Sally Black

Sally Black

Tips on meeting Disney Characters

Meeting your family's favorite characters is usually one of the highlights of any Disney park visit. Basically there are two ways to get up close and personal with your favorite Disney Characters - Character Meals and Park visits. We'll go over both and offer some general tips.

All of the hundreds of Disney characters that appear in the parks can be divided into two categories. First are the Fur characters...Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Pooh are all Fur characters. They interact through body language and mime with guests and they do not speak.  They will have a handler with them at all times.  There are also face characters...those without furry heads. Tinkerbell, the princesses and Gaston would all be considered face characters. Guests and interact and chat with face characters.  So Furry or face, how do you find these characters in the parks?...

Character Meals - Character meals are a favorite experience for many Disney park visitors. Guests can relax, enjoy a delicious meal in one of Disney's fabulous restaurants and the characters come to you. Character meals offer interactions with fur, face and both types of characters. There is time for a short interaction, autographs and photo ops. Parents can choose from breakfast, lunch or dinner options, even high tea at a number of air conditioned venues throughout the park. These Disney experiences are offered at different price points depending on the meal, type of food service, and the amount of interaction.  There are buffet style character meals, family style (everyone eats from large table size platters) and individually plated ala carte meals. Buffet pricing starts at $23 per adults and $13 for kids. Many kids like to dress up for these character meets, especially for the princess meets.

The big "take away" to remember when it comes to character meals is that you MUST make reservations to avoid disappointments!!! This is especially true if you're visiting the parks during December holidays, spring break or other peak travel times. Reservations can be made 180 in advance of your arrival starting at 6am. At Vacationkids, our reservation services are free and we're the ones up at 5am making your reservations. If you are a DIY calling 407-939-3463 (407-WDW-DINE).

Character Park Visits - There are spots throughout all Disney Parks where characters congrugate allowing guests to get up close and personal. The best place to get the latest spots and times is to check in with guest services. You can also check in with any cast member in the park. They can call and find out places and times for you too.

Character Manners - Characters LOVE to interact with guests but to keep these encounters truly magical here are a few tips...

-Characters are not allowed to hold babies and children. Parents can hold their child to pose with characters.  If your little one is frightened or apprehensive, it's often best not to force the issue for everyone's sake.

-Characters will not pose for huge group family photos while everyone passes the camera and takes a couple of snaps to insure the perfect shots. Think about it...would you like to be the next person in line waiting for a group like this?

-Be ready to take your turn. It's just respectful for all the other kids and families waiting their turn. Have your camera on, lens cap off and ready to go. Plan who is holding baby and who is holding the video camera.

-Kids love autograph books. They are fantastic souvenirs and memory collectors. You can buy them or even have fun making them as a craft project ahead of time. Have them ready too, open and ready to go. Fur characters really do appreciate big, thick oversized writing utensils.

-Characters will sign clothing like t-shirts or caps but not if their being worn. Again, be considerate and ready to go when you step up to meet the characters.

The secret to getting the most out of your Disney Character meet & greet is to be kind, genuine and interactive.  The characters love receiving special artwork gifts from little ones or seeing a beloved stuff toy of themselves that has been passed down thru the generations. Make the moment special and your family will remember it forever.

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Topics: Disney Vacations

Sally Black

Written by Sally Black

Sally is the Founder of Vacationkids.com Travel Agency and author of the book "Fearless Family Vacations". She is also the Director of Travel Agent Initiatives and Training at The Family Travel Association.