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Mickey Mouse Now Roaming Magic Kingdom in Surprise Character Encounters

brb1006

brb1006

Well-Known Member
MickeyLuv'r said:
They used to do this a long time ago. One of my early WDW memories is of Minnie coming up to me near the Teacups.
I know someone who got to ride Pooh with Pooh sometime around 2005-2007. I have periodically seen Peter Pan out playing hide-and-seek by the ride, usually in the morning, but the last time was approx. 10+ years ago.

Recently, I saw multiple characters roaming in the parks. They also had several characters at the hotels last year. A fun one is Star-lord over by GoG.

I am inclined to say they do this sort of thing when crowds are very high, many attractions are down, or a combo of both.

The downside is they don't do autographs, or allow people to line-up, and only stop very minimally for any photos at all.

It is fun, but very hit-or-miss.
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I remember seeing a fun video at Disneyland showing Pinocchio and Geppetto wandering around Main Street. Pinocchio was being very playful that day and decided to sign a visitors autograph while skipping.
 
The Colonel

The Colonel

Well-Known Member
I don't really see the need for this added labor cost. In fact, some may view this type of wreckless spending as a fidiciary breach.
 
Sirwalterraleigh

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
wdwmagic said:
Parks a pretty busy right now
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They’re ride capacity is inadequate…and even still the little appy is saying that’s it’s not crowded

It’s also around the same levels as the ghosts towns I’ve seen for several years

Who says it’s “busy”?🤔
If there’s more foot traffic not in Lines…that’s a good sign for them.
 
wdwmagic

wdwmagic

Administrator
Moderator
Premium Member
Original Poster
Sirwalterraleigh said:
They’re ride capacity is inadequate…and even still the little appy is saying that’s it’s not crowded

It’s also around the same levels as the ghosts towns I’ve seen for several years

Who says it’s “busy”?🤔
If there’s more foot traffic not in Lines…that’s a good sign for them.
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Crowds this morning - a ghost town it is most certainly not.

DSC06809-1.jpg
 
C

christine7257

Well-Known Member
Love this so much. I was just saying that I missed the fun and spontaneity of the cavalcades and floatillas during COVID. I remember as a kid (70's/80's) having breakfast on the porch of Tony's and flying out into the Town Square when characters appeared. No orderly lines back then. :) And often I didn't even want a photo, just wanted to say hi. Any photos I do have from that time include strangers. Hope they can continue this. I think it really adds to the experience.
 
C

Comped

Well-Known Member
Notes from Neverland said:
This is how it should be. The spontaneous, unplanned interactions are always so fun.
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When then Walt Disney Entertainment execs first approached the idea to stop roaming characters and move to "boxed" meet-and-greets, I was told there was an argument in the room over more or less what you said that was legendary. The idea started gaining traction as far back as the 90's, and eventually caused roaming characters to really die out in the past 20 years.
 
wdwmagic

wdwmagic

Administrator
Moderator
Premium Member
Original Poster
brb1006 said:
Looks like its not just Mickey who was also roaming across MK today @wdwmagic . Minnie, Goofy, and Daisy were also spotted roaming across Fantasyland today.
blogmickey.com

Mickey & Friends Begin Surprise & Delight Roaming Sessions at Magic Kingdom

Mickey Mouse and some of his friends are now roaming through Magic Kingdom! Here's where we found them and how you can too
blogmickey.com blogmickey.com
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Did you read the article? ;) lol

www.wdwmagic.com

Mickey Mouse Now Roaming Magic Kingdom in Surprise Character Encounters

Mickey Mouse Now Roaming Magic Kingdom in Surprise Character Encounters
www.wdwmagic.com www.wdwmagic.com
 
brb1006

brb1006

Well-Known Member
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MisterPenguin

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
wdwmagic said:
Crowds this morning - a ghost town it is most certainly not.

View attachment 907101
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All the parks were very crowded in the previous two weeks, even with sub-freezing weather. I thought the cold would turn people away, but it didn't. Only the After Hours allowed for reasonable waits (mostly just walk-ons).

Also, saw Jiminy doing a M&G in DHS.
 
brb1006

brb1006

Well-Known Member
WaltsTreasureChest said:
when did they stop doing this
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WDW deciding to phase out Disney Characters roaming across the park started sometime after the opening of Mickey's Birthdayland/Startland/ToonTown Fair sometime in the late 1990s or early 2000s.

I remember in an older episode of the Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill and @lentesta mentioned that prior to the construction of Mickey's Birthdayland. Jim recalled how it wasn't uncommon for some guests to ask where they could easily find Mickey at the park.
 
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