Favorite Character Interactions

[DisneyManOne]

As everyone knows, the characters at Disney parks really feel like they've stepped out of the movie and into the real world. As such, this has led to quite some nice interactions. So, I made this thread for us Disney fans to share some of our favorite interactions with the characters.
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In 2011, I was at Epcot and I thought Mulan was going to be meeting near Reflections of China, instead of near the garden. So, I was standing there nearby the temple the show is held inside and Mulan comes over to me and asks if I was waiting for her. I said I was and then she asks if I would escort her down to the garden. And somewhere in the photo album of that trip, there's a PhotoPass picture of me and Mulan walking arm in arm down to the garden.

 

[ArPirate]

Our morning started with all of us wearing Peter Pan themed mouse ears t-shirts except for our youngest who was wearing his homemade Peter Pan costume. We were watching the opening ceremony when Wendy notices us and made sure that Peter Pan noticed us. Once the ceremony was over we hurried to ride the Peter Pan ride. When we finished, we made our way to the Peter Pan and Wendy meet and greet line. It was finally our turn and boy were we impressed. Peter Pan jumped toward our youngest (just turned 4yrs) and they pretended to sword fight. He 'stabbed' our oldest because he was wearing a Capt Hook shirt. They made 'Monkey' faces, which our youngest continued to do throughout our trip. It was one of the highlights of our trip and a precious memory that we will never forget.

 

[WDW!]

My niece & Micky. When she was 3 or 4, we were in line waiting for ice cream. She noticed Mickey across the way & decided to walk up to him and said.... Hey Mick! Mind you there was a line of kids she bypassed to say hey but, Mickey was very kind & gave her a high five. It was awesome. (she is 24 now & I've turned her in to a WDW addict!)

 

[Figaro928]

On our last visit my at the time 3 year old met Alice. While waiting in line, my daughter picked a little flower off the bush. When it was her turn to meet Alice, she gave Alice the flower. Alice explained to my daughter how we can learn so much from flowers and how they can sing, we just need to listen. To this day, my now 4 1/2 year old listens to every flower she meets

 

[MaxsDad]

I took my grandsons and my kids' spouses for the first time Jan. 2014. On our DHS day, we were at the gate nearly 30 minutes before rope drop. Cast began to announce that TSMM was down to all of us waiting at the turnstiles, and they would not be distributing FP's for the ride either (that issue is a whole different type of thread). This was our next to last day. Going to a different park was not really a viable option. With a two and 1.5 year old, there is really only one Headliner ride in DHS, and it was down. I was ..... concerned, let's put it nicely that way.

I refused to accept that my Disney would treat guests in such a way. So I made us walk to TSMM anyway, I mean what else are we going to do at 9am, put a one year old RnR? So all along the way the TSMM cm's are standing in the streets informing guests that the ride is down. But we keep walking anyway. When we get there, sure enough, the FP machines are off. (I guess this Disney would do that to its guests). So to get to the point ...

We continue on and the family sees the Buzz/Woody Meet and Greet across the street. So we take the boys into meet Buzz and Woody. Well, they get the picture and autographs, but then nobody, and I mean literally no one at all, is in line behind us. Likely, everyone else was turning around at the urging of the TSMM CM's. So the kids get to play with Buzz and Woody for about 4 minutes plus after the pix/sigs. They do Hide and Seek, Peek-a-boo and what not, just general laughter and happiness all around. Finally, someone else shows up, and it is time to move on, but the bit was played out by then anyway.

TSMM will be there next time, but in the end, that interaction was a once in a lifetime experience for those boys. The Toy Story movies are their favorite movies now, and I know I will never forget those moments. And, yes, our Disney does still do THAT to its guests.

 

[copcarguyp71]

I am totally not a character person but I had a ton of fun with Russel and Dug at AK...I would not mind a "personal" meet-n-greet with Merida either though (wink wink)

 

[Matt_Black]

I've shared this one before, but it's too good not to share. I'm about to meet Aurora and Philip at MNSSHP and notice they're looking at me and talking to each other before I saunter up. As I approach, Philip says, "Your beard reminds me a bit of Flynn Rider's. You know, he's the only prince who has a beard. You see, CHARMING over there can't grow one, so he doesn't let the rest of us grow one either, but Flynn's new so he doesn't know about that rule yet."

 

[gooftroop5]

We've had some awesome character interactions.

My favorite: HS EMH after party in the Disney Jr building. My then 3 year old son LOVED Jake. The place was empty so he had Jake all to himself. He had a balloon sword fight with Jake and when he stabbed Jake, Jake played the part and fell down. My son laughed his little head off and then went over to help him up. It was the cutest thing.

Another with my youngest son: He was smitten with the princesses when he met them for the first time. Belle just kept gushing over him and ended up giving him a kiss on the cheek leaving a lipstick mark. At the time my son was only 2 and as we went down the line to see the other princesses he kept blowing kisses to Belle and holding his cheek. Belle would "catch" his kisses and "blush".

And finally with our oldest son: He was 9 and thought he was too old to see Minnie Mouse. We were at Epcot Character spot and it was pretty empty. My son stood with his arms crossed and just glared at Minnie. Mickey came over and mimicked him without him knowing. When my son finally noticed, Mickey gave him a stern "talking too".

 

[Tink28]

My favourite was on my first visit in 1991, my friend and I had arrived early in the MK and were walking up Main Street when Chip n Dale appeared in front of us, we hugged ( of course) and then Dale grabbed my hand and danced with me in the middle of Main Street!! I heard a little child say 'why is that lady dancing with Dale?' I loved it, unfortunately by friend did not have her camera to hand so no pics.

 

[zurgandfriend]

Back when the characters were at Liberty Tree Tavern Chip and Dale came by our table and started interacting with our DS then about 6 years old. My DW grabbed her camera and found the batteries dead. While she hurried to change them Chip (I think) pointed and laughed at her while Dale (I think) crossed his arms and tapped his foot in mock anger. My DW got more and more flustered and my DS and I laughed and laughed.

 

[boopuff]

Characters meet ups back in the dark ages.... you could just stumble across characters - no lines, handlers... fun. My daughters were 3 and 5 we were in EPCOT Morocco pavilion and turned a corner and Jasmine and Aladin were just sitting on a bench... the girls got lots of hugs and we got great photos no rush of crowds it was great (also in January not at a peak time) but it was really cool way back before character meet-n-greats became fast pass attractions!

 

[ImagineerDude]

On our first visit I was four and in LOVE with Cinderella. We were chatting with a CM about it and she took us through the exit to skip the line and meet Cinderella and then...she gave me a kiss on the cheek! It was magical! Then the next visit I was too cool for her, but she got a hug out of me. Now every time we meet her now I tell her how she kissed me when I was little and she usually replies with "Oh of course I remember and, my, how you've grown!"

Then I've been married to the both stepsisters. Drizella in Fantasyland and Anastasia at 1900 Park Fare. Anastasia got the better deal because I brought a ring pop that time and we danced in the restaurant beside Cinderella and Prince Charming on my birthday! But then I stood her up...she may still be waiting at the wedding pavilion for me now (we chose that venue because it was close and she knew where it was). I LOVE the Tremaine family.


I could go on and on. I almost like the characters as much as Tower of Terror!

 

[Emilily]

There are probably three different interactions that will always be some of my favorites - Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and Flynn Rider.

Now, Peter Pan has always been one of my favorite characters - and even more so now since I am at the age where I have to 'grow up' and that is a terrifying thought. About two years ago I went to Magic Kingdom really early one morning to be in the first M&G session for Peter Pan. Once I got back to the queue line, I realized that I was the first one there, but the photopass cast member assured me that he was going to come out and I could wait there with her if I wanted. So, I did. And then... I see Peter come out of the door leading to the backstage, and I immediately had the biggest smile on my face (somewhere there is an amazing photo of this)! I was worried that since I was older, the character interaction wouldn't be that great, but I was proved wrong. Peter and I talked about anything and everything, but the best part was at the end when I had him sign my autograph book. Now, this book is one that I made myself, and the front cover has the quote "Keep Adventuring and Stay Not A Grown Up" while the back has a multitude of song lyrics and Disney related things. He spent a while just looking at the book and all the stuff I had written on it, which was absolutely amazing. Then, he gave me a hug and told me that I could "always find Neverland". I definitely was crying as I walked away.

This past October I got to meet Rapunzel and Flynn, and those were both really cool and special to me. I mentioned before that I have the fear of the character interactions not being as good since I am older, and for some reason I was really worried about that this fall - I guess cause I was close to 'officially' being an adult. I just was worried that the characters and their friends wouldn't be as engaging or really care about the M&G since I wasn't a little 4 year old. (I know now that this was a stupid fear!) Anyway, I was walking over by the International Gateway when I saw Flynn and proceeded to freak out (which included lots of pointing and saying "MOM! Look!"), and went over to the line and ended up being the last person for that M&G session. When I got up to Flynn, I immediately knew I had nothing to worry about. He was so engaging and I could tell he really cared about talking to me. Perhaps the best part of that one was that when I went to take a selfie with him, he wouldn't let me stop - so I now have about 25 photos of me and Flynn Rider on my phone!
Later that day I was able to meet Rapunzel over at Magic Kingdom. I knew I shouldn't worry about the M&G, but I was hesitant on how it would be since she is a Princess and meets with lots of little kids every day. Once again, I had nothing to worry about. We talked for a good 5-10 minutes over all the adventures I had that day and even about Peter Pan. That was by far one of my favorite M&G I have ever had.

Meeting characters at Disney World is awesome just for being what it is, but to me, there's more to it than that. They let me realize that it doesn't matter how old I am, I can always be a kid and find Neverland and go on adventures with Rapunzel. And isn't that part of the core foundation of Disney - that we will always be kids on the inside no matter how old we get?

 

[Matt_Black]

Meeting characters at Disney World is awesome just for being what it is, but to me, there's more to it than that. They let me realize that it doesn't matter how old I am, I can always be a kid and find Neverland and go on adventures with Rapunzel. And isn't that part of the core foundation of Disney - that we will always be kids on the inside no matter how old we get?

"Adults are only kids grown up, anyways."- Walt Disney

Not positive, but I think the characters themselves like interacting with grown-ups just as much as kids, as grown-ups are often quick enough to play along with whatever comes up and feed them good set-up lines.

 

[stevehousse]

Some favorite moments with characters include my middle child. We had just watched Disney Jr Live, and went around to the animation building and met Jake. He had a handful of gold deblunes (sp???) and gave Jake his gold back! At DHS Minnie took a liking to both my boys as they played around. It was one of the longest character interactions we had the whole trip. Another favorite is chip and dale at Garden Grill. Coloring with my children and what not.

 

[Matt_Black]

Here's another one I enjoyed, again from MNSSHP 2013. I'm meeting Terk and Jane at Adventureland.

Me: "How's your father, the Professor?"
Jane: "Quite well! He's gone off to study the hippopotami, and you know they can open their mouths REALLY WIDE!" At this point, she pantomimes a hippo mouth with her arms.
Me (showcasing my knowledge of zoology, because knowing is half the battle): "He should be careful, though, because hippos are very territorial."
Jane: "Indeed. That's why you have to be very quiet." Begins doing an exaggerated tip-toe. "Isn't that right, Terk?" Terk nods and begins loudly slapping her feet on the ground. "No, no; that's not quite right...."

Jane just sold the whole thing terrifically; she very much captured the over-the-top energy of Minnie Driver's "man in a loincloth" speech.

 

[BigHero4]

Maybe not technically a character interaction, but my son had a blast doing the Jedi Training Academy. He still talks about it several months later (he's only 4). The Jedi trainer was very personal with each kid making the experience seem like their own special fight against the dark side, and not just a group of a dozen kids fighting Vader. The whole experience was a great memory for all of us.

 

[CMiller1031]

This past month, my son wanted to meet Alice in the UK Pavillion. While he was waiting in line, he spotted a lizzard running around the garden there. Alice noticed this and asked if the Lizzard's name was Bill! Then when it was my son's turn, she made him show her where he had seen the lizzards and they counted the lizzards they found. He loved it!

 

[Matt_Black]

Another one I've shared before, but I love sharing it repeatedly. My family is doing breakfast at 1900 Park Faire. Mom is up at the buffet, and Alice comes by our table and talks with my sister and me. Sis gets her pic, and then Alice comes over to me. She begins to suggest a pose for the picture.

Alice: You look like you do a good deal of thinking and read a good many books, so...
Sis (interrupting): Yeah, he's a nerd.
Alice (to my sister): Well, THAT is a terribly rude thing to say! I myself do a great deal of thinking and have read many books, and I'd never refer to myself as a nerd! (to me) She's quite mad, isn't she? She'd best not pop off like that to the Queen of Hearts, or she's likely to lose her head!

I didn't say anything, but once Alice left... "Oh, snap, you got scolded by Alice!"

 

[OliveMcFly]

About 2 years ago I was working at Pete's Silly Sideshow and the queue was empty. So all the characters were able to go out front of the tent and watch the fireworks. A crowd formed very quickly. The attendants got everyone chairs and there was this great moment on kids sitting with Donald and Goofy watching the fireworks. I still have those photos somewhere. It was such an awesome moment.