[Question] Annoying Disney Characters?

[CastMember08]

Do you ever wind up with a really annoying character while trying to get an autograph? Or end up with a rude princess?

I had an experience when we got a Belle, last year, who barely payed attention to my neice. When asked if she could stay a little longer, i mean the visit only included a picture, she said she didnt have time because of all the people in line. The next kid got way more time, maybe because he was cuter.

I have also wound up with many annoying snow whites who's voice is always too low for her or too high.
Have you had any experiences? Please share

[disneylandfan95]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Well I wouldn't call it annoying, but I once had a Mad Hatter who played Hide-and-Go Seek tag with me and my sister. He was probably the best Mad Hatter I have ever seen though because he sounded, acted, and looked IDENTICLE to the one in the movie!!!!!!! Not annying, but really fun!!!

[Sir.Mouse]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

YES. Although I haven't interacted with a face character in years, I do have memories of seeing less than spectacular princess in passing. I've noticed that either a character's personality hinges on shrill or B****. Either way a decent portrayal is always a treasured memory.

My friends spotted Alice walk by as we were leavening Tomorrowland so we asked if she could give us an autograph. I didn't have a map or anything so I asked if she could sign my arm. Well, in the most delightful accent Alice suggested she sign my Blue pass hanging around my neck!

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Do you ever wind up with a really annoying character while trying to get an autograph? Or end up with a rude princess?

I had an experience when we got a Belle, last year, who barely payed attention to my neice. When asked if she could stay a little longer, i mean the visit only included a picture, she said she didnt have time because of all the people in line. The next kid got way more time, maybe because he was cuter.

I have also wound up with many annoying snow whites who's voice is always too low for her or too high.
Have you had any experiences? Please share

It's an experience I had like this when I was a kid which is why I am not a "character person". I am now 40 but I distnctly remember being "waved off" by Mickey Mouse as I went up to him to get a picture. He was headed backstage, obviously for a break. Try explaining that to a 4 year old.

There is nothing more phony and a waste of time in Disneyland than the characters.

[MsSarah]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

When I was about 5 or 6 I was in line to get a picture and autograph with Minnie Mouse. There was about 19 people in line and I was about 6th from the front.

Say I was the orange stick:
M | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
I finally got to second from the first person in line:
M | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
And when it was my turn, Minnie Mouse just decides to go to the back of the line and start there:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | M


Now, if you ask me - that is just rude.

[Dopey's Girl]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

The worst problem with the characters are the totally annoying parents who think their child, and only their child, should have a picture taken or get an autograph from a character when there are 30 other kids in line! I've seen behavior that can never be excused.

I'm sticking up for the characters here! Anyone who wears fur when it 105 outside gets my vote. (Well... except for a certain Cruella who held Dopey by his ears and then sneeeered at my camera. That woman!)

[Druggas]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Watsa matta wit me?

[aashee]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

The only one I can think of was we had a breakfast MiceChat meet at Storyteller's cafe. There was some character dressed as a foolish park ranger. He was unfunny and made the conversation extra uncomfortable by hanging around with nothing to do and continuing mindless conversation..

[Druggas]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

The worst problem with the characters are the totally annoying parents who think their child, and only their child, should have a picture taken or get an autograph from a character when there are 30 other kids in line! I've seen behavior that can never be excused.

Amen

[SnorkletsMom]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Oh, there have been a few times when I wanted to just pinch that kid at the front of the line and
oh, wait...characters???
no, it's the children and the children's parents that I've seen cause all the problems. My son is 5 and almost bounces his feet off in the presence of Pooh or Mickey, so I understand how excited they are and all, but I see way too many people who think that their precious snowflake should commandeer the character and not let go. "one more picture, sign another autograph, now stand over here, blah blah"
I snap one picture with my son, and even if he looks like he's sneering or has had too much rum, that's it, we move on. I may have to pry him off Mickey's shoes, but we're letting the next in line have their turn too.
I will mention another character pet peeve...autographs. It takes way too long and is ridiculous. A hug, a photo and that's it. The poor CM stuck inside that Winnie the pooh suit doesn't need to stand there and try to write a name in an autograph book while some child is kicking him in the shins.
So, hats off to the characters and those who portray them.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Oh, there have been a few times when I wanted to just pinch that kid at the front of the line and
oh, wait...characters???
no, it's the children and the children's parents that I've seen cause all the problems. My son is 5 and almost bounces his feet off in the presence of Pooh or Mickey, so I understand how excited they are and all, but I see way too many people who think that their precious snowflake should commandeer the character and not let go. "one more picture, sign another autograph, now stand over here, blah blah"
I snap one picture with my son, and even if he looks like he's sneering or has had too much rum, that's it, we move on. I may have to pry him off Mickey's shoes, but we're letting the next in line have their turn too.
I will mention another character pet peeve...autographs. It takes way too long and is ridiculous. A hug, a photo and that's it. The poor CM stuck inside that Winnie the pooh suit doesn't need to stand there and try to write a name in an autograph book while some child is kicking him in the shins.
So, hats off to the characters and those who portray them.

As much as I sounded negative in my previous post, I must say that, especially now that I'm an adult, the CM's who portray the characters should be commended for what they have to put up with.

Back when I was a kid there was no such thing as character escorts. And getting autographs was never heard of. So the fact that escorts are needed these days must be an attestation to the sad fact that guests have changed for the worst.

Off topic -- I seriously think autographs are more common these days because Disney figured out it could make a good amount of money selling autograph books and has little to do with providing a magical experience for the guest.

[SnorkletsMom]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

As much as I sounded negative in my previous post, I must say that, especially now that I'm an adult, the CM's who portray the characters should be commended for what they have to put up with.

Back when I was a kid there was no such thing as character escorts. And getting autographs was never heard of. So the fact that escorts are needed these days must be an attestation to the sad fact that guests have changed for the worst.

Off topic -- I seriously think autographs are more common these days because Disney figured out it could make a good amount of money selling autograph books and has little to do with providing a magical experience for the guest.

I agree. I think maybe they should have the characters just hand out a special sticker or something. They could sell a special sticker book like Epcot does with the passports. At least they'd still make sales and the characters would be able to move things along a little faster.

[MousieMagic]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

The worst problem with the characters are the totally annoying parents who think their child, and only their child, should have a picture taken or get an autograph from a character when there are 30 other kids in line! I've seen behavior that can never be excused.

I felt so bad in line for Tinkerbell yesterday. I was going through getting a post card signed for one of my friends and both Fawn and Tinkerbell were trying to make conversation with me. "Umm . . . I just need the postcard and a picture, that's it, there's 40 other people behind me still waiting, please don't take your time with me."

[brenden]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

We don't really bother with characters in the parks, but once in a while we'll see someone and go OH! Let's get a photo!

So we meander over, there isn't really a line, but there kind of is. Now we're all in our early 20s, so I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but we will patiently wait for a photo or something and I can't count how many parents shove their kids forward or let them loose. "Go Timmy, it's your turn!" Uh, no it's not. It's ours. It's been our turn for the last 4 kids that have snaked us in line.

In any case, I've only encountered one "rude" character and I think it was a chipmunk who was making his/her way backstage. Usually when someone goes DALE! or something, they'll turn and wave at least, but this one kid ran up to him and grabbed his hand. Dale pretty much shook him off and snatched his hand back and kept tromping towards the door. Poor guy looked heartbroken.

[OldSchoolMickey]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Brats that cut in the line and their oblivious parents are another subject...

Annoying Character's can be described as the Jack Sparrow that staggers throughout NOS and Adventureland rather than hang out in one spot to take pics and sign autographs.

Twenty kids with parents in tow chasing down a drunken pirate is what I would call annoying...

:lol:

[Capt Hook]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

I felt so bad in line for Tinkerbell yesterday. I was going through getting a post card signed for one of my friends and both Fawn and Tinkerbell were trying to make conversation with me. "Umm . . . I just need the postcard and a picture, that's it, there's 40 other people behind me still waiting, please don't take your time with me."

Excueus me but I happen to like when I talk to the characters it makes it more fun that way. I've remember last year around this time I had a good talk with Belle over at PFF we send about 10 minutes of nothing but talk. But I do fell sorry for the characters though like on the 26th of this month. When I saw Cruella I was in line and the Disneyland band with Mickey was coming to our way. She was telling everyone to move to the right side of the sidewalk for the band to go thew. I did it and the 3 people in front did it but everyone else didn't all they wanted was a picture with her and they didn't care what she said and just stood in the same place. So Cruella got a little peed which I don't blame her and started to push everyone out of the way for the band to come thew. She took me and the people in front of me and a little bit more behind but after the 2nd person behind me she just step off to the back. So I have no problm of her getting mad at guess there even if it was her character or not.

[techskip]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Oh, there have been a few times when I wanted to just pinch that kid at the front of the line and
oh, wait...characters???
no, it's the children and the children's parents that I've seen cause all the problems. My son is 5 and almost bounces his feet off in the presence of Pooh or Mickey, so I understand how excited they are and all, but I see way too many people who think that their precious snowflake should commandeer the character and not let go. "one more picture, sign another autograph, now stand over here, blah blah"
I snap one picture with my son, and even if he looks like he's sneering or has had too much rum, that's it, we move on. I may have to pry him off Mickey's shoes, but we're letting the next in line have their turn too.
I will mention another character pet peeve...autographs. It takes way too long and is ridiculous. A hug, a photo and that's it. The poor CM stuck inside that Winnie the pooh suit doesn't need to stand there and try to write a name in an autograph book while some child is kicking him in the shins.
So, hats off to the characters and those who portray them.

I'll address the autograph part in a moment... but as a parent of 4 (1's a baby so she doesn't really count) I have seen a lot of pushy parents who attempt to cut the line for "just a picture" completely ignoring everyone else who is standing there waiting. Thankfully the character, or the host, generally speaks up and directs the family to the line.

Back when I was a kid there was no such thing as character escorts. And getting autographs was never heard of. So the fact that escorts are needed these days must be an attestation to the sad fact that guests have changed for the worst.

Off topic -- I seriously think autographs are more common these days because Disney figured out it could make a good amount of money selling autograph books and has little to do with providing a magical experience for the guest.

Here is why I waited to respond to the autograph portion.

I took the time to physically make autograph books with each of my little ones. Each book has their name, and various foam stickers they picked out and placed. Recently Tink and I counted the autographs, well over 30, and we've had the books less then a year. 30 different characters that have signed their books, 30 different memories, and that's not counting the various characters we have met multiple times, or the ones we met who either couldn't sign or we didn't have a book! Even now the kids love to go through the books and show people who signed which page... especially their favorite characters... to them it is on par with a movie star autographing a favorite picture etc. Some day they will likely grow out of it, but for right now those books are a tangible link to the magic of Disneyland.

Autographs do not always take extra time, if the individual with the book is prepared and ready to go. Tink and I generally have the books ready well in advance and usually I snap pictures as they are interacting and signing. I am not a big "pose for the picture" person, mainly because of my own childhood experiences. On rare occasions a character will invite the kids to pose for a picture, but if all I Evil-Step Mom, DIP, Dan and others can attest to how quickly we can get an autograph and pictures... usually faster then others standing in line.

I felt so bad in line for Tinkerbell yesterday. I was going through getting a post card signed for one of my friends and both Fawn and Tinkerbell were trying to make conversation with me. "Umm . . . I just need the postcard and a picture, that's it, there's 40 other people behind me still waiting, please don't take your time with me."

We were only able to see the fairies once. Every other time the line has been too long. Hopefully in the off season the lines will shrink down.

Bottom line, any amount of time with a favorite character is a chance to create a very magical memory... be it a few moments signing an autograph or a minute to give them a hug. We try to be as quick as possible, knowing there are others behind us who wish to have their moment as well. There are countless pictures and a myriad of memories... many thanks to the characters of Disneyland from the techskip family!

[princedalton]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

I have a few stories...

One, when I went to Ariel's Grotto (the meet and greet not restaurant) for the first time, the Ariel kept looking at me and my friends like we shouldn't be there and totally thinking in her head "you're way too old for this"...hey I just turned 20...I don't think ANYONE is TOO old to meet a Disney character...she wasn't very pretty anyways. It wasn't one of the main girls who I ALWAYS see who are always sooo nice and sooo pretty.

Another story...So to start off, everytime I see the Princesses in the parades, I always wave because I get so excited because I love them haha. So I wave to Aurora, my favorite Princess, and I get blown a kiss. Same with Snow White, same with Cinderella, and Ariel, too. Then we get to Belle, and she gives me this look like I'm an idiot for even thinking of looking at her. We saw the parade again one more time on that trip, all the other princesses were different girls this time, but again they all were very gracious and waved at me and blew me kisses. Then it's the same Belle, and she gives me a look like "are you kidding me? go away"...it's a shame, cuz she looked so nice and pretty. Oh well...

And my third story, this isn't about characters, but about guests in line...last weekend, the weekend before Christmas, at nightfall, Mickey and Minnie randomley popped up in Main Street right by the Mad Hatter...you know, that corner there where characters always do meet and greets. I spot them and noone is in line. They wave to me and my friends and give us the signal to come on over. Well as we walked toward them, a woman was yelling at her daughter to go see them. She didn't want to and was trying to run away. She had those little braids all in her hair, and her mother was grabbing them and pulling her daughter by her braids. It was really quite disturbing. Mickey and Minnie were laughing...I could hear them hahaha. Then I was standing there not quite sure what to do, so they pointed at me and my friends and told us to go first. So they hugged us and we all sort of had a moment of laughter together and an awkward silence as this woman continued to pull her daughter by her hair to meet characters she didn't want to meet.

well, that's all I can think of now...hahhaa

[Barbaraann]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

I guess that I have been very fortunate. I have never met any annoying Disney characters. I find that if you take your place in line, and respect the fact that even characters need to rest, from time to time, your experiences will be a positive one. I always try and have my camera, and autograph book ready to go. I do like the new procedure that they have with the Photo pass photographers. It is nice to be able to come home from a vacation with character photos as well as those taken in front of the castle, etc:

[Luke Manning]

Re: Annoying Disney Characters?

Excueus me but I happen to like when I talk to the characters it makes it more fun that way.

You've got to remember Captain, not everyone is a humongous character fan like you are.