Flynn Rider to start meeting guests

[brb1006]

I sort of like the idea of a character able to 'roam' around again and interact with guests.

This is still common in Disneyland, but WDW hasn't done this since the 70's to the late 90's. I remember seeing old meet and greets videos and the characters actually spent more time with the children they meet. I remember seeing an old meet and greet video from 1993 of Dale spending more time with the guest. Since these days, characters would usually sign you're autograph,hug or shake hands, then wait for the next person in line. That is unless you start a good conversation with them or say a nice comment to them.

 

[brb1006]

Hopefully no one ruins it and the test phase goes by without any issues. If the test phase goes well we might get more roaming characters. On a more realistic note I'm sure someone already ruined this experience for someone.

On the topic of roaming characters, I remember seeing Stromboli roaming around Fantasyland during the Rock Your Disney Side 24 hour event last Spring.

 

[Thumper 32]

On the topic of roaming characters, I remember seeing Stromboli roaming around Fantasyland during the Rock Your Disney Side 24 hour event last Spring.

That's not him roaming, that's him walking from his onstage entrance (near Village Haus restrooms) to his set location for that night (west end of VH).

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

That's not him roaming, that's him walking from his onstage entrance (near Village Haus restrooms) to his set location for that night (west end of VH).

BUT SHE REMEMBERS IT!

 

[asianway]

BUT SHE REMEMBERS IT!

I think she spends too much time on google...though Stromboli was a roamer at Villains Unleashed.

BTW did they already cancel the test?

 

[BaconPancakes]

No, it's still on for Wed-Sun. Unfortunately there were a few spoiling the show yesterday, and monopolizing Flynn.

I bet it was one of those lifestylers who thought it would be cute to do a 30 minute interview for their youtube channel.

 

[asianway]

Or someone who refers to herself as a "ruffian" and looks like she is about to pee anytime Flynn is near.

I can only imagine who it was

 

[NowInc]

But its cool...entitlement TOTALLY still isnt an issue at WDW

 

[BaconPancakes]

I can only imagine who it was

I'm picturing an emotionally stunted, obese 40 y/o woman.

 

[NowInc]

I'm picturing an emotionally stunted, obese 40 y/o woman.

Or a mom whos way-too-popular kid always seems to coincidentally get "magic moments" at the expense of other guests experiences. Same kid who by some incredible coincidence was the flower girl at a "senior" Character Handlers wedding last week...but I am sure those things are completely unrelated.

 

[ItlngrlBella]

...Or a young adult who is trying to be a WDW IG star that should either get a job or be in college and not living off of mommy and daddy's $.

For the love of God, just let the poor boy look for his horse or folically-gifted girl (or whatever). Seriously, you're creeping out "the friends."

 

[NowInc]

...Or a young adult who is trying to be a WDW IG star that should either get a job or be in college and not living off of mommy and daddy's $.

Ironically..,there was one of those at that wedding too TOTAL coincidences tho. I swear!

 

[asianway]

Or a mom whos way-too-popular kid always seems to coincidentally get "magic moments" at the expense of other guests experiences. Same kid who by some incredible coincidence was the flower girl at a "senior" Character Handlers wedding last week...but I am sure those things are completely unrelated.

No such position exists-are they just making titles up now?

 

[NowInc]

No such position exists-are they just making titles up now?

Thus the quotes. Apparently some CMs give themselves special titles on social media to garner extra attention.

 

[Can we go yet?]

It's always nice to see roaming characters, maybe this will get people out of the 'I must have a photo and autograph' mentality.

 

[asianway]

I'm laughing so hard.

Meghan is so not any degree of seniority as a character handler. She's been in the job for three months. And only handles like...Tow Mater. And once in a while, Dale.

Never heard of her, but entertainment needs a massive house cleaning

 

[ItlngrlBella]

We have a winner.

The only reasons I spotted this:

1. I've dealt with crazy folks just like this when I worked for a seasonal attraction that featured interactive actors. They are everywhere and are emotionally-stunted attention-whores. All attractions love repeat-visitors, but when they try to break that "wall" and feel they are now "in" with the cast/crew and expect more attention, perks, etc - it's annoying and takes the experience away from other patrons. With our attraction (a haunt) our actors could be a--holes and growl, scream, tell them to get lost... etc. At WDW, the actors don't have that luxury.

2. The person in question was popping up all over my IG feed during Dapper Days because I had followed some WDParks photo accounts but after Dapper Day, it became apparent that this chick and a couple of her friends were the crowd I cited above, I dropped them. Endless selfies lying in the hub, 30,000 trolley dancers posing and stalker photos w/Peter Pan and Gaston became annoying.

 

[brb1006]

I think she spends too much time on google...though Stromboli was a roamer at Villains Unleashed.

BTW did they already cancel the test?

I remember Stromboli was seen in Disneyland and Walt Disney World back in the 70's,80's and returned briefly in the early 2000's. So seeing him at the Villains Unleashed event was a surprise for me.

 

[asianway]

Mark Willard is reporting on twitter that this along with the rebel hangar have been tests to start moving to more random atmosphere and less static meet n greets.

Note that Mary Poppins and Snow White have moved from their town square areas to the hub - my money would be on them to be next. He also said part of this is to save money on attendants. Like DL has been doing all along...

If this takes hold it will be a seismic shift. Maybe one day we can reclaim some of this prime real estate that has been handed over to meet n greets

 

[Thumper 32]

Mark Willard is reporting on twitter that this along with the rebel hangar have been tests to start moving to more random atmosphere and less static meet n greets.

Note that Mary Poppins and Snow White have moved from their town square areas to the hub - my money would be on them to be next. He also said part of this is to save money on attendants. Like DL has been doing all along...

If this takes hold it will be a seismic shift. Maybe one day we can reclaim some of this prime real estate that has been handed over to meet n greets

I'm not totally sure that Mary and Snow are signs of this. They're supposed to be in the hub through Aug 19 (http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/07/characters-meeting-guests-around-magic.html) which is not so coincidentally the last day that Dream Along is dark. Seems like they're just taking advantage of a less active hub for a while to spread out the characters a bit.