GLaDOS
Well-Known Member
I'll admit I forgot about the Character Spot.
But the other street characters I've never seen these fabled huge lines.
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Epcot character/entertainment changes
- Thread starter drew81
- Start date
I'll admit I forgot about the Character Spot.
But the other street characters I've never seen these fabled huge lines.
zooey
Well-Known Member
Part of that is conditioning where you simply haven't had a WDW vacation worth the money without that picture of your crying child and an eternally grinning mickey mouse.
Honestly, the mickey M&G is how that stuff SHOULD be if they're going to do it. Themed and in a show building that can handle the capacity. But then they put it in EVERY PARK and none of them are as good. If guests need M&Gs then TDO should make one location THE location to see such and such character, and give them a decent show for taking the time to see the character. Instead, they just throw them all over the place, in all the parks, repeating as many characters as they can.
I'm not saying this is the best idea, as details would have to be worked out, but to make a big themed show of seeing Mickey on Main Street and then throwing him in Epcot character Spot which is pure trash makes both locations look bad.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
You are probably like me and not paying any attention. I don't do the M&G thing - so I tend to look past them. But I will admit I have seen a line wrapping around the teacups for Alice and the Rabbit....
asianway
Well-Known Member
Compare Daisys line at MK with Daisys line at Epcot where she is off to the side. The flagpole M&G is popular because of the real estate it sits on. Forget about the fact that its about the only M&G on property without a hint of shade...they could put Kronk out there and the line would be around the block.
Character Spot if a 5-fer special, I can see the long line there, its the only place you can knock everyone down with one line.
aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
I agree with this. Especially at Epcot because of its alcohol levels on some nights make it a bit of a non kid friendly ambience (from what Ive seen), yet at the same time they keep kiddyfying everything. :shrug:
ttalovebug
Active Member
My thoughts exactly.
74 definetely needs to be made well aware of his attitude problems and tendency to be disrespectful of those who have opinions that are different from his.
His failure to see and feel the Disney magic is downright irritating and I wish he would be banned from this forum already.
And you wonder why he calls people pixie dusters and fanboys?
That statement is downright silly. Anyway- I understand that M&Gs are popular, have supposedly huge queues, generate business, etc. But do they HAVE to be in WS? There are acres and acres of area within the four parks, with plenty of room for M&Gs. WS is not the place for them; in fact, I think it's the least appropriate place for them in the entire resort. This is not a matter of me not considering other people's interests, or thinking that just because I don't like it they do not deserve to be there. I just think that theming-wise, they don't belong. Character Spot is a necessary evil- I understand they need to be somewhere in the park, and having them all in one spot is the best way to do it (though it could be a litte classier in the decor, couldn't it?) But shoehorning characters into countries they have nothing to do with- like the princesses in Norway and now Rapunzel in Italy- is annoying. And IMO, it's a little disrespectful to the country itself. For years they don't add anything relevant to the countries real culture, but add some sort of fake connection with Disney characters. I know that's how I felt when Donald was added to Mexico- all you can say about the country is that Donald and his Spanish-accented friends like to visit there? I would just like to see some appreciation for Mexican culture.
jakeman
Well-Known Member
My thoughts exactly.
74 definetely needs to be made well aware of his attitude problems and tendency to be disrespectful of those who have opinions that are different from his.
His failure to see and feel the Disney magic is downright irritating and I wish he would be banned from this forum already.
Perhaps we should just let the mods moderate and stay out of it.
There is a reporting button for a reason.
aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
And you wonder why he calls people pixie dusters and fanboys?
Anyway- I understand that M&Gs are popular, have supposedly huge queues, generate business, etc. But do they HAVE to be in WS? There are acres and acres of area within the four parks, with plenty of room for M&Gs. WS is not the place for them; in fact, I think it's the least appropriate place for them in the entire resort. This is not a matter of me not considering other people's interests, or thinking that just because I don't like it they do not deserve to be there. I just think that theming-wise, they don't belong. Character Spot is a necessary evil- I understand they need to be somewhere in the park, and having them all in one spot is the best way to do it (though it could be a litte classier in the decor, couldn't it?) But shoehorning characters into countries they have nothing to do with- like the princesses in Norway and now Rapunzel in Italy- is annoying. And IMO, it's a little disrespectful to the country itself. For years they don't add anything relevant to the countries real culture, but add some sort of fake connection with Disney characters. I know that's how I felt when Donald was added to Mexico- all you can say about the country is that Donald and his Spanish-accented friends like to visit there? I would just like to see some appreciation for Mexican culture.
I love this post, perfectly said and couldnt agree more. Well done :wave:
roadtripper
Member
Didn't feel like reading thru all the pages so forgive me if it's been stated, but didn't they recently get rid of the Belle meet and greet room in France, with the pseudo stained glass window. Do they also realize that they have a Alladin and Jasmine meet and greet area in the back of Morrocco that they have almost completely abandoned. Get your heads out of your arses and decide which way your going to go already!
skellington22
New Member
If M&G were unsuccessful,unlucrative, displeasing, and not in demand... DISNEY would not add them. As a THEME park based around CHILDREN (whether be literal or innerchild) M&G help create the THEME of MAGIC,DREAMS,NOSTALGIA(for adults) and so on... the M&G actors do a great job of staying in character and fulfilling the parents wishes of bringing a special moment to a child's life at a young age, it is also fun to adults who enjoy testing the actors by striking interesting conversations, and collecting pictures of all the character actors at Disney (for the real enthusiasts)... overall I think the M&Gs are essential to WDW and to the type of production they are bringing the visitors every day, after all.. walking into a theme park at Disney is like walking into a live show.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
What about conditioning guests to want something? Or make them feel like its an integral part of a vacation (when for anyone over the age of 10, it probably shouldn't be)?
I get that people enjoy them ... or some people enjoy them. But that they have become a phenomenon of their own speaks to something more than Disney genius management discovering that foamheads are what people spend thousands of dollars on vacations (or spend even more by buying into DVC for 43 years worth of vacations) for.
Because I have been visiting WDW for almost 37 years and for at least the first 2/3rds of that period, the characters were largely a side dish at most ... now, many would argue they aren't even the appetizer or dessert, but the main course.
THAT I don't get.
~GFC~
Seems quite rational to me. Some people like them. Particularly rational in WS, which kids generally don't like. Add some characters, and they like it more.
Note -- that I think adding meet-n-greets is rational is not the same as saying I like them. But others do.
Really? Granted, they don't make a difference for the vast majority of visitors, but if it makes a difference for 1% of guests, that's plenty. I'm glad that my kids could care less about seeing any characters other than Mickey (and the new Town Square Mickey meet is pretty nice), but I know some others that would go to great lengths to meet characters. My niece would probably swim the World Showcase Lagoon if need be in order to meet Rapunzel.
I think there is really 2 questions here.
1. do the M&Gs FIT in the WS?
2. Should they ( Disney ) be doing it, or why is it being done?
1. Personally, for me the World Showcase was the adult section, heck Epcot is the more adult oriented of the parks ( adult being anyone over 12 ). So no it does not fit with what I think was the original idea, or theme of the World Showcase.
2. When traveling with kids, we never did more than a quick walk through, if we were lucky. Then they added the Kim Possible secret mission through the world showcase, now we got to go the places that the mission sent us. But the kids were still uninterested in all that was going on around them that did not pertain the Kim possible mission. So ( I think ) Disney is trying to add anything that makes kids want to at least walk into that area. This way once you are in there ( parents ), you might get a chance to explore a little. So M&Gs are relatively low costs ways to get families into that area IMO.
Do M&Gs really attract that much?
On my last trip we spent about 50% of our time in line for or at M&Gs, plus character dining. In my experience ( with my little ones Ages 4 & 9 ), it does not matter that we just saw Mickey at the other park, he's here also, we have to get in line to see him again, cause now he's wearing a different hat or something. Have to get his autograph again ect... it's the same for every character. My DD age 4, for each one, walks up to them, her eyes light up, she's jumping up and down, big smile on her face, hugs them, kisses them... just happy to be there ... as a parent watching this, you tell me, when does that get old?
I think someone at Disney figured out that, it simply does not.
For those of you not traveling with kids, I get it... it might be annoying for you ... but let's face it a whole lot of people are there with their children, even though secretly there are there for themselves :animwink:
1. do the M&Gs FIT in the WS?
2. Should they ( Disney ) be doing it, or why is it being done?
1. Personally, for me the World Showcase was the adult section, heck Epcot is the more adult oriented of the parks ( adult being anyone over 12 ). So no it does not fit with what I think was the original idea, or theme of the World Showcase.
2. When traveling with kids, we never did more than a quick walk through, if we were lucky. Then they added the Kim Possible secret mission through the world showcase, now we got to go the places that the mission sent us. But the kids were still uninterested in all that was going on around them that did not pertain the Kim possible mission. So ( I think ) Disney is trying to add anything that makes kids want to at least walk into that area. This way once you are in there ( parents ), you might get a chance to explore a little. So M&Gs are relatively low costs ways to get families into that area IMO.
Do M&Gs really attract that much?
On my last trip we spent about 50% of our time in line for or at M&Gs, plus character dining. In my experience ( with my little ones Ages 4 & 9 ), it does not matter that we just saw Mickey at the other park, he's here also, we have to get in line to see him again, cause now he's wearing a different hat or something. Have to get his autograph again ect... it's the same for every character. My DD age 4, for each one, walks up to them, her eyes light up, she's jumping up and down, big smile on her face, hugs them, kisses them... just happy to be there ... as a parent watching this, you tell me, when does that get old?
I think someone at Disney figured out that, it simply does not.
For those of you not traveling with kids, I get it... it might be annoying for you ... but let's face it a whole lot of people are there with their children, even though secretly there are there for themselves :animwink:
Brian Noble
Well-Known Member
If that's the position you are going to take, you pretty much have to abandon the parks all together---the entire environment is engineered to condition people to want things.
NewfieFan
Well-Known Member
That right there is judging and should never be part of a discussion. For the most I don't argree with your posts, I find your tone a little over the top for my tastes. While I don't agree with every move Disney makes I still like and enjoy the place (after reading your posts one would wonder if you even liked WDW anymore)... but that's fine, we differ in opinions.
BUT to say that anyone over the age of 10 shouldn't be meeting characters or enjoying it or it being part of their vacation
- I really don't even know how to respond to that. If you don't like characters, fine! And if you don't like where they put characters in WDW, fine! And if you don't like the number of characters in WDW, fine, etc. (I could go on here) But to say what's appropriate for everyone who vacations at WDW... you just stepped over a line.Some of my most cherished memories from WDW was the interaction my whole family (mom, dad, kids, nan, and pop, etc.) has had with characters. They MAKE the vacation for a majority of guests (young, old, with kids, without kids) and to criticize by saying people spend thousands of dollars on their vacay or buy into DVC because of it is downright low! (Where's the shaking head smiley?)
Hakunamatata
Le Meh
That happens everywhere, not just theme parks. You can't even turn on the T.V. without being enticed to buy some piece of crap for two easy payments of $19.99 plus s&h.
That happens everywhere, not just theme parks. You can't even turn on the T.V. without being enticed to buy some piece of crap for two easy payments of $19.99 plus s&h.
And we can switch the channels as easily as walking by the meet & greets.....
Hakunamatata
Le Meh
I used to could until a saw a video clip with Meg Crofton using one of those spirally things....now I can't.
I used to could until a saw a video clip with Meg Crofton using one of those spirally things....now I can't.
So that's how the "conditioning" thing works at WDW.....