Pete's Silly Sideshow meet and greet to change operating hours

[doctornick]

And when I suggested that last time I was called elitist swine who would be responsible for ruining DDs vacation because her MAGICal trip would be ruined if she didn't get her annual picture with Daisy at the flagpole...

Well, I think that there should be set locations for all the "major" characters so they can be seen by any guest on any visit. I just think on top of that, there should be some random/rotating characters are other locations to allow for some variety and to add more spontaneity.

Certainly, I would expect someone like Daisy to have a set M&G location.

 

[doctornick]

They used the words "elitist swine"? That's amazing if it's true, that is taking commitment to a holiday tradition to the extreme. My gripe with this particular M&G is the distinct lack of appearances by the proprietor. Pete is the oldest character in the Disney canon (probably besides Oswald who we'll likely never see in the parks) and will be well-known to younger guests due to his role in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. There's no reason for him not to be more visible in the parks, particularly in that area of the Magic Kingdom which carries a lot of references to characters from the classic Disney shorts and has a M&G that carries Pete's name.

Yeah, I'd really like to see Pete be part of this M&G (or at least somewhere in the parks). My oldest son, for one, loves Pete and I think he'd be a relatively popular draw

 

[Disvillain63]

Funny.. it works in Disneyland.. tho recently they have started the fixed M&Gs as well.. which only seem to increase the crowds.

It used to work at WDW too, but people don't seem to have the same manners and discipline that was expected in the past.

 

[asianway]

Well, I think that there should be set locations for all the "major" characters so they can be seen by any guest on any visit. I just think on top of that, there should be some random/rotating characters are other locations to allow for some variety and to add more spontaneity.

Certainly, I would expect someone like Daisy to have a set M&G location.

Daisy doesn't have a dedicated meet n greet location at Disneyland and rarely appears in park. Last time I was there, I did not see the melting snowflakes. I may have missed them

 

[drew81]

If you want to see Pete please email Guest Relations and let them know.

 

[FabulousFigment]

Last time I said this I was told it could never work...by a unionized entertainment CM & the owner of a for profit character site that has a dependency on static character schedules.

The topic of safety is a real one but with the current a 2 to 1 attendant to character ratio I don't see how that possibly can't be overcome.

I really don't understand any of this. Is it because people would have issues taking turns getting autographs/photos?? I only ask because when we were at the stage show in tomorrowland, stitch, goofy and I think chip & dale where all dancing around, meeting with guests.. there wasn't a single issue. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. I had time to take plenty of pictures. DD is not of the age where I will deal with the whole autograph thing yet (something I am sure I will have to deal with on our Nov. Trip and I dread it) but is that part of the issue?

I miss being chased through the puddles by goofy, or walking down MS holding Minnie's Hand. Lord, I am old.

 

[asianway]

I really don't understand any of this. Is it because people would have issues taking turns getting autographs/photos?? I only ask because when we were at the stage show in tomorrowland, stitch, goofy and I think chip & dale where all dancing around, meeting with guests.. there wasn't a single issue. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. I had time to take plenty of pictures. DD is not of the age where I will deal with the whole autograph thing yet (something I am sure I will have to deal with on our Nov. Trip and I dread it) but is that part of the issue?

I miss being chased through the puddles by goofy, or walking down MS holding Minnie's Hand. Lord, I am old.

That makes two of us. But even that dance party is restricted to the stage. They roam at Star Wars weekend and every other resort. But somehow WDW can't pull this off

 

[Tigger1988]

It used to work at WDW too, but people don't seem to have the same manners and discipline that was expected in the past.

When did it work? How far in the past are you going? Because all of my childhood pictures have strange children in them because you couldn't get close to a character without a mob forming.

 

[hollywoodj]

I really don't understand any of this. Is it because people would have issues taking turns getting autographs/photos?? I only ask because when we were at the stage show in tomorrowland, stitch, goofy and I think chip & dale where all dancing around, meeting with guests.. there wasn't a single issue. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. I had time to take plenty of pictures. DD is not of the age where I will deal with the whole autograph thing yet (something I am sure I will have to deal with on our Nov. Trip and I dread it) but is that part of the issue?

I miss being chased through the puddles by goofy, or walking down MS holding Minnie's Hand. Lord, I am old.

Oh that dance party has PLENTY of issues with obnoxious guests. Even though they announce when the characters come out that they don't sign autographs, there's still no shortage of guests shoving them in the characters' faces and/or shoving the character for not taking a picture, which is what they were told isn't gonna happen.

As fun or magical as roaming sets may be, they are far from it for the characters and attendants themselves and actually create quite a nightmare of annoying and obnoxious guests that don't treat each other properly. It's sad that people just don't know how to back off, because I too enjoy roaming characters. It just doesn't seem worth it here, most of the time.

 

[NewfieFan]

It used to work at WDW too, but people don't seem to have the same manners and discipline that was expected in the past.

I'd argue they didn't have it in the past. Maybe people forget too easily or remember things way better than they were. But I DON'T miss the M&Gs of the early 90s!!! People mobbed the characters! You were lucky if you got a picture and if you did manage to get one the character isn't looking at the camera with you and there's 6 other strange kids in the photo with you. I much prefer having my own time with the character (even if it's rushed and only for a minute). At least it's only my family in the picture and the character is focused on us.

That's not to say they shouldn't have random character M&Gs. Variety is the spice of life and Disney would do well with bringing out some different characters every now and then. But the days of wandering characters that everyone mobs... well, I'm glad those days are gone!

 

[DisneyNut2007]

Also, one of the disappointing things to me about this Silly Sideshow M&G is that they didn't backfill all the character spots. Would it have been a problem to add, say, Hook and Smee to the Adventureland spot where Goofy was?

I think the reason why the Peter Pan characters no longer appear in Caribbean Plaza is because they want that little section of the park to be devoted solely to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

 

[Disvillain63]

I'd argue they didn't have it in the past. Maybe people forget too easily or remember things way better than they were. But I DON'T miss the M&Gs of the early 90s!!! People mobbed the characters! You were lucky if you got a picture and if you did manage to get one the character isn't looking at the camera with you and there's 6 other strange kids in the photo with you. I much prefer having my own time with the character (even if it's rushed and only for a minute). At least it's only my family in the picture and the character is focused on us.

That's not to say they shouldn't have random character M&Gs. Variety is the spice of life and Disney would do well with bringing out some different characters every now and then. But the days of wandering characters that everyone mobs... well, I'm glad those days are gone!

We went at least once a year throughout the 90's and the characters didn't have a 'M&G' as they are now, but they did have 2 'handlers'...one stayed with the character and the other monitored the crowd. Our children were able to have their autograph books signed and picture taken w/o other children in the picture. In fact, on one visit, my DD saw Belle come from backstage by City Hall. Belle simply took her by the hand and led her to the spot that she was going to...near the entrance (turnstiles)...she then told the others that my DD was first and they needed to form a line...no problems. It's not to say that it always worked out perfect (we did have times that Brazilian tour groups got overly excited) but it was more fun than having to schedule the visit.

 

[Disvillain63]

When did it work? How far in the past are you going? Because all of my childhood pictures have strange children in them because you couldn't get close to a character without a mob forming.

We went every year in the 90s and have great photos and lots of autographs. We tended to go in what used to be the off-season (Sept, Oct, Jan).

 

[doctornick]

I think the reason why the Peter Pan characters no longer appear in Caribbean Plaza is because they want that little section of the park to be devoted solely to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

But they had pirate Goofy in that location just before Silly Sideshow opened, so it's not like they didn't have different characters in the past. And Hook and Smee are actual pirates, so it's a great thematic fit.

 

[joanna71985]

Honestly, I'm glad the characters don't roam.

 

[FabulousFigment]

I guess I just don't remember it being bad. Must have been too young to remember madness. Other than this year because of our kids, I haven't done a m&g since the 90's.

If it was that bad for the characters I understand why they changed it.