In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

[PragmaticIdealist]

For those people who believe Disneyland's management should be presenting professional theatre, instead of turning the place into a giant Chuck E. Cheese restaurant that only appeals to people whose ages are in the single digits, this question is for you.

Where do certain characters detract from the show? And, where would these characters better support the show? Additionally, which settings would be improved if they were populated by characters that are currently not making any public appearances?

[Coheteboy]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Here we go again....

I think Disneyland for the most part is on that gray area between ChuckEcheesing it all up. It's not as far into the red as Magic Kingdom is thank goodness but if they're not careful, it can all fall apart.


Let's break it down.

Main Street - SAFE. There's only a theater that shows mickey mouse cartoons and a shot called Mad Hatter, but it doesn't have anything that would really detract from the overall theme.

Adventureland - Gray. We have Aladdin's Storytelling and Tarzan's Treehouse. I'm okay with the storytelling and Tarzan's Treehouse is just really average..... but I think everyone would agree that the land would be stronger to have the Tahitian Terrace and Swiss Family Treehouse back in its place...but have Aladdin and Tarzan (and Jungle Book) as walkaround characters. So glad our Tiki Room is still the same. (magic kingdom has iago & zazu in tiki room. as well as aladdin magic carpet spinner ride, agrabah baazar, genie's magical lamp of goodies)

Frontiterland - Safe. There are no cartoon attractions or restaurants though Woody and Jessie make appearances. (magic kingdom has Pecos Bill cafe)

New Orleans Square - gray seasonal. Once a year, Nightmare Before Christmas takes over the Haunted Mansion. Some oppose, many are for it. I personally like it and gaurantees that the Haunted Mansion will always look its best year after year when it is open.

Critter Country - well.... this land was created to support the toonification. But if you want to keep Splash Mountain rooted in the deep south, Pooh does seem out of place.

Fantasyland and Toon Town - SAFE!

Tomorrowland - gray. Buzz Lightyear and finding Nemo. Buzz is at least a space ranger and tomorrowland has always played with that idea, but Finding Nemo as a theme is rooted in modern times even if submarines for paying guests isn't quite within reach yet. Finding Nemo is probably the biggest criminal in all of disneyland for pulling away from the overall theme. (magic kingdom has buzz lightyear, stitch, and monsters inc)

[ROBONICS95]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Is the question in regards to character themed attractions or characters on foot interacting with guests? or both?

[mycroft16]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

With you all the way on this one Prag.

Main St.
Mickey and gang work here.
Marry Poppins and crew
Cruella fits here as well

Adventureland
Rafiki
I think they should add an Indy face character as well

Critter Country
Pooh and gang belong back where they are
I think the Brer's should make more appearances between Splash and the Hungry Bear. Possibly above the canoe landing

My biggest pet peeve is that the princesses are only to be found in the Fantasy Faire. They belong in front of the Castle, or in the courtyard, or walking beside it.

[Coheteboy]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

My biggest pet peeve is that the princesses are only to be found in the Fantasy Faire. They belong in front of the Castle, or in the courtyard, or walking beside it.

I've actually seen the princesses all over the place.... recently in front of the mickey planter at the train station! It really depends on the day I suppose.


But moving on with what DOESN'T belong: Monsters Inc in hollywood.



What would belong in Condor Flats is a Rocketeer walkaround character (or even Hollywood).

Scrooge McDuck needs to be seen in or around Toon Town.

Brer Rabbit definitely needs to make more appearances too.

[Pisces]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

I firmly believe you need Characters front and center, the minute you enter the Park, or maybe even before you enter!

And, they sometimes do this, actually, on NYE last year, I believe Goofy and Pluto came out to talk to people in the long Main Gate Lines....which is actually quite nice and builds anticipation and excitement....before you even get thru the Gates....as well as quells any bad feeling from having to wait so long in lines....at least the characters keep you company.

That's part of why I'm so disappointed that Santa Goofy is pushed way back into Toontown, nowadays.

I think you need a couple of characters front and center, right when you enter....Consistently !!!

Whatever they're doing at the Flag pole these days, that (yawn) flag ceremony.... wouldn't it be better if you had characters stationed there, greeting you first thing upon entrance...????

It meant so much to me in 2004, to walk right in and see Santa/Goofy, front and center, right there before anything else:



Above: 2004, instant gratification---Santa/Goofy the minute you walk in, and not relegated to the back of the park.

You always want characters stationed at the front of the Park to greet guests right upon arrival.

[Datameister]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Honestly, I personally would not miss the characters if they all magically vanished from the entire park. I really wouldn't mind at all. However, these characters create some of the most magical moments for the little ones, regardless of where they are. I'll never forget watching home movies of my brother meeting Pooh and Tigger for the first time. The look of amazement on his three-year-old face was unforgettable. He kind of stumbled backwards in shock, and looked at our parents, and gave Pooh an utterly bewildered but loving hug. The look of wonderment continued long after the characters departed. Kids love the characters; I don't. But I love for them to have those moments, and I really don't care so much where it happens, provided the unthemedness doesn't get too out-of-hand.

[ROBONICS95]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Perhaps this question should have its own thread but where should the magic begin and reality end?

With stories of characters past the entrance tunnels and gates, does that ruin the magic?
Should the magic begin when you enter the esplanade? Ticket gates? Or pass through the tunnels?

[mycroft16]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

I to have seen the Princesses in front of the planter, but only in the mornings before the FF starts. After that I haven't seen them in front of the planter ever. Granted, I don't get out there as often as I would like, so I may be totally off on that one. I'll let wiser minds than mine decide that one.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

While I do think that theme is too often being sacrificed for convenience, I do believe the Fab Five should be available to Guests on Main Street. Mary Poppins and Cruella deVil are ill-fitting and should be in Fantasyland, or at least relegated to the central plaza and 'Hub'.

This same principle should also apply to all Fantasyland Characters--if not actually within the borders, then in the Central Plaza and 'Hub'.

Since the majority of Disney Characters fall into the 'Fantasyland' category, meet and greets should be done in the PFF area on a continuous rotating basis (if this is not already happening). Characters who can claim even loose connections with other Lands should be stationed there exclusively.

I realize some adults are caught up in the character meets, but it is primarily a feature for the little ones; an element specifically designed to appeal to them. The illusion of reality (the hyper-reality) is easily broken (this of course increases exponentially with age), and the random wanderings of misplaced characters does much to undermine the efforts and raw capital expended to maintain this believable thematic 'illusion'. Counter-productive, IMO.

[Oswald the Rabbitt]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

If Goofy or Pluto were talking to you they probably got fired so I hope you meant just meeting and greeting

[MaryAnn in Wndrlnd]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

It's a shame that Adventureland is so small, that they really can't do character interactions there.

So many movies could be represented. Jungle Book, Aladdin, Lion King, Tarzan, Indiana Jones...

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Wait - if people don't agree with you, and they're making jokes and not taking the thread seriously enough for you - you just create a new thread on the same topic?

I don't know why we have to keep creating threads that are nearly identical to others that are already going.

I think the classic Disney characters all belong on Main Street, Disneyland USA.

They're there to welcome you to Disneyland, not to take you back to the turn of the century.

[Oswald the Rabbitt]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Adventureland is actually quite large just the Jungle Cruise occupies a large majority of it

[fo'c's'le swab]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

It's a shame that Adventureland is so small, that they really can't do character interactions there.

So many movies could be represented. Jungle Book, Aladdin, Lion King, Tarzan, Indiana Jones...

**Off Topic** Do they have any character greets with anyone from Lion King besides Rafiki? Timon, maybe?

[MaryAnn in Wndrlnd]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Adventureland is actually quite large just the Jungle Cruise occupies a large majority of it

I was referring to the walk way.

[Oswald the Rabbitt]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

In WDW they had all three hyenas in there Halloween Parade

[MaryAnn in Wndrlnd]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

**Off Topic** Do they have any character greets with anyone from Lion King besides Rafiki?

I haven't seen Rafiki out for a while. (Except the parade off course.)

They have a Timon costume that's been used in parades. It may have been used for meet and greets before.

[EmeralineDragon]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

Wait - if people don't agree with you, and they're making jokes and not taking the thread seriously enough for you - you just create a new thread on the same topic?

CA, this thread isn't for us. It's for people who believe Disneyland should be presenting THEAHTAH.

[CaptainTeach]

Re: In Which Settings Do Certain Characters Belong?

I don't fully understand all the fuss about characters, with exceptions noted below. The place has always had characters in the parks, and rides based on characters. When it opened, They Had Snow White, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Davey Crocket, Toad, and even Mouseketeer related attractions. Then the characters showed up: Snow, The dwarves, Mickey Minnie, Donald, Chip n Dale. Now, there are a bunch more characters, and the more stories they tell, the more of them fit in various parts of the park.

My only problem is when attractions are installed that do not fit the theme. For example, Tormorrowland was supposed to be about the dynamic future world yet to come. What Monsters Inc Laugh Factory has to do with that I have no idea. Even Stitch, as much as I can't stand the character, is a somewhat futuristic character... though I am not happy with the Alien Encounter thing either.

Now there is a rumor going around that there will be an Incredibles ride put in replacing the Carousel of Progress, and that's not exactly a good fit. Then again, America Sings had nothing to do with the future either. So, this is nothing new, and the suits are gonna do whatever the suits want. I don't really mind a ride being themed based, or characters milling about anywhere. I just want them to be appropriate to the area.