Mary Poppins, Bert and Pearly Band on the Carousel.

[Rasvar]

Someone who is at DL more often will have to tell me if this is normal or not. I notice the band, Mary and Bert waiting by the exit of the Carousel waiting for it to finish. They seemed to be accompanying a child when getting on. Possibly a wish kid. I thought it neat enough to put my camera into its crummy video mode and record it.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Totally normal. As you know, I worked in Fantasyland so I can tell you there's a button on King Arthur's Carousel board that says "Band Cycle". When this button is pushed, the carousel cycle will run for a longer time. The Main Street band, Mary Poppins and Bert ride the carousel pretty much everyday and when they ride, cast members run it on the band cycle so it will go longer. Mary and Bert pick a random kid each time and escort them to the carousel, hand in hand.

 

[Rasvar]

Totally normal. As you know, I worked in Fantasyland so I can tell you there's a button on King Arthur's Carousel board that says "Band Cycle". When this button is pushed, the carousel cycle will run for a longer time. The Main Street band, Mary Poppins and Bert ride the carousel pretty much everyday and when they ride, cast members run it on the band cycle so it will go longer. Mary and Bert pick a random kid each time and escort them to the carousel, hand in hand.

Cool. Good to know. These are the "random" kind of events that I have always loved to see in the parks. They don't show up on a guest schedule but just happen. It seems like WDW does so few of these "unscheduled" events anymore. That was one of the big points of magic for me. I really enjoyed seeing it again.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Cool. Good to know. These are the "random" kind of events that I have always loved to see in the parks. They don't show up on a guest schedule but just happen. It seems like WDW does so few of these "unscheduled" events anymore. That was one of the big points of magic for me. I really enjoyed seeing it again.

Yes, I figured WDW doesn't do things like this. I'm guessing it is because of the character handlers? Or maybe it's so big and Disneyland is more intimate? These are just guesses. Do you know why these things don't really happen in Florida?

I agree, it's very nice seeing things like this. I think it's one of the main points of going to a Disney park as a kid. When things like this get taken away or simply don't happen, it takes away the ideals and aspects of Disneyland that Walt created.

 

[Rasvar]

Yes, I figured WDW doesn't do things like this. I'm guessing it is because of the character handlers? Or maybe it's so big and Disneyland is more intimate? These are just guesses. Do you know why these things don't really happen in Florida?

I agree, it's very nice seeing things like this. I think it's one of the main points of going to a Disney park as a kid. When things like this get taken away or simply don't happen, it takes away the ideals and aspects of Disneyland that Wakt created.

I think they do happen but at a much smaller amount. More likely in the rare slow periods. But everything stays in a designated area. It seems like those little extra touches of magic are missing. Maybe they are happening and I just miss seeing them now. I just find the rigid timing at WDW amusing and annoying. The new My Disney Experience app has such a detailed list of meet and greets with times and exact spot. I can see Marie from the Aristocats will be just past the bridge near the waterway in France from 12:30 to 1:20 today in Epcot. Maybe it's just me. I could always avoid looking at the times but I always enjoyed seeing a character just coming out unexpectedly with no line already in place and interacting at what seemed to be random places. But, seeing a character ride an attraction with a child, I have only seen that with a Wish child in recent years. Maybe I am just in the wrong place at the wrong time and have been missing it.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I think they do happen but at a much smaller amount. More likely in the rare slow periods. But everything stays in a designated area. It seems like those little extra touches of magic are missing. Maybe they are happening and I just miss seeing them now. I just find the rigid timing at WDW amusing and annoying. The new My Disney Experience app has such a detailed list of meet and greets with times and exact spot. I can see Marie from the Aristocats will be just past the bridge near the waterway in France from 12:30 to 1:20 today in Epcot. Maybe it's just me. I could always avoid looking at the times but I always enjoyed seeing a character just coming out unexpectedly with no line already in place and interacting at what seemed to be random places. But, seeing a character ride an attraction with a child, I have only seen that with a Wish child in recent years. Maybe I am just in the wrong place at the wrong time and have been missing it.

I guess I can see why they do things that way in WDW, because of all the tourists you guys get and first-timers. I think I'd appreciate something like that, since I haven't been to WDW yet, and some help would be great. At the same time, I can see why you wouldn't like it. You've been visiting the resort for years. I'd feel the exact same way if something like that were to suddenly appear at Disneyland to that extent. I like that there are no characters handlers at Disneyland, besides those at the set up meet and greets. IMO, it's more realistic for them to roam the parks on their own. Again, I can see why the characters DON'T do this at WDW. It still sucks, though. I really hope you're just in the wrong place at the wrong time.