Why are so many characters Rare now? Majority of the parks have princesses, pixar, The Fab 5, Lilo, Stitch..Etc..What is the reason? Are they having difficulty finding friends for these characters or is it something else?
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Rare Characters Question
- Thread starter Cmdr_Crimson
- Start date
Zummi Gummi
Pioneering the Universe Within!
Honestly, I'm not sure that they would have a huge following. Sure, people on the forums would love to see Clarabelle Cow or Friar Tuck, but does the average guest really care? No. They want the characters you mentioned- Fab 5, Princesses, the chipmunks, Stitch, and some Pixar pals.
erasure fan1
Well-Known Member
Yea it does really stink. I have a real hard time believing that they cant find time for some of the alternate characters. I know its not because of demand because any "rare" character always has a line, just like they all do. Why cant lotso come out by buzz and woody, or doofenshmirtz come out w/ P and P? I guess thats why Im not a huge fan of meet and greets, its just so much of the same.
wilkeliza
Well-Known Member
The case of "rare" characters is why I wish the whole situation would go back to being random and not scheduled meet and greats. I love reading stories from the early days where kids could run up to characters and say hello and get a picture. Now you have to stand in line and wait. I wish the characters could roam about the parks freely again.
CaptainShortty
Well-Known Member
It has to do with demand for the most part. The characters that are in the highest demand at any given time are the ones they send out. They also do it depending on what movies are coming out (ex. Lightening McQueen and Mater for Cars 2). Although there are some characters I don't understand why they aren't there (Lotso, Flynn, etc.) because there seems to be a demand for them. :shrug:
drew81
Well-Known Member
My feeling is Disney caters more to the once in a lifetime visitors-not the fans that visit on a regular basis. That's why you see Winnie the Pooh, VIPs, Princesses etc at a majority of locations.
I would love to see some rare characters brought back out of retirement but there aren't enough people that speak out on the subject.
I would love to see some rare characters brought back out of retirement but there aren't enough people that speak out on the subject.
The Rat King
New Member
I moved down to FL three years ago and up until my daughter was born (she is one now) my wife and I would go to the parks nonstop and the only rare character I have ever seen was Friar tuck over at Epcot. Unfortunately, when I decided to head over for a picture with him, he was being led away and replaced with...
...*gasp* Chip & Dale. *sigh*. As if they weren't everywhere else we went.
My memory is a bit hazy about this but I'm kindof convinced the Sheriff of Nottingham was there too with the Friar, but I've never seen the costume since then so maybe it was my imagination about that now.
There's something fufilling to me about having a photo album filled with us and ALL the characters. The repeat pictures of the same princesses, pixar people, ect are getting a bit boring. I agree that they should go back to a rotation, or at least have one rare character at each park on a regular basis (and have that rotate).
...*gasp* Chip & Dale. *sigh*. As if they weren't everywhere else we went.
My memory is a bit hazy about this but I'm kindof convinced the Sheriff of Nottingham was there too with the Friar, but I've never seen the costume since then so maybe it was my imagination about that now.
There's something fufilling to me about having a photo album filled with us and ALL the characters. The repeat pictures of the same princesses, pixar people, ect are getting a bit boring. I agree that they should go back to a rotation, or at least have one rare character at each park on a regular basis (and have that rotate).
bluefaery
Well-Known Member
I know I have pictures somewhere with Friar Tuck, Robbin Hood & the Sheriff of Nottingham. I have to find them and scan them in. I also remember getting pics with the rescue rangers. I was so excited to see them it was awesome. I wish more characters like these would show up in the parks. Don't get me wrong I like the characters that are out now, I just want the older characters too.
The Rat King
New Member
Robin Hood was always my favorite movie growing up.
MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
My guess is that the big picture for character appearances ties into merchandising. Example: When the Bambi Blu Ray was coming out, Thumper and the girl bunny started making appearances around Animal Kingdom. Are they still around? I don't know.
Some familiar characters are phased out as their Disney channel shows are canceled or their movies are pulled off the retail shelves.
It will be fun to watch to see if Dumbo comes out of the cryo-sleep chamber when his Blu Ray is released. :lookaroun
Specifically as to Friar Tuck - when he makes appearances along with other characters in the parks, most people skip him for the other characters. Hence, his best use might be in a parade instead of as a walk around character for photos and autographs - other characters would be more highly desired. But that's just my guess.
Some familiar characters are phased out as their Disney channel shows are canceled or their movies are pulled off the retail shelves.
It will be fun to watch to see if Dumbo comes out of the cryo-sleep chamber when his Blu Ray is released. :lookaroun
Specifically as to Friar Tuck - when he makes appearances along with other characters in the parks, most people skip him for the other characters. Hence, his best use might be in a parade instead of as a walk around character for photos and autographs - other characters would be more highly desired. But that's just my guess.
wizards8507
Active Member
Is there a Dumbo costume?
jcat2312
New Member
I'm trying to get the picture to load, but we did run into thumper and his g/f this past January at Animal Kingdom. We also met the bear from Brother Bear? At leas that's where we are placing him from. I will try to get the pics up for everyone.
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
If it's not here, it probably doesn't exist... probably.
IowaHawks7
Well-Known Member
I remember the Robin Hood characters out and around. I also remember when the Pochantas characters used to be out and about.
wizards8507
Active Member
That's an awesome page. I've never even heard of some of those characters. I really wish there was somewhere to see Steamboat Willie besides Fantasmic.
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
It's pretty amazing what they've done. For example, here's Stromboli from Pinocchio on a random day in Feb. '08. Looks like the path between Toontown and Tomorrowland maybe? Such an obscure character out not during a hard ticket party in the last few years... almost wouldn't believe it if I didn't see the picture.
iDonaldette
New Member
You can still see "Rare" characters, you just have to be at the right place at the right time. e.i Me and my family were walking by the Japan pavillon in Epcot and Mushu came out giving autographs and,taking pictures.
I believe they only want the more popular/main characters coming out because they are the one's people want to see, they basically want the younger kids to be more "fimillar" with the characters. Reality is People are going to show they're children the princess movies before "Brother Bear", or "Bambi" so thats who they are going to want to see.
I believe they only want the more popular/main characters coming out because they are the one's people want to see, they basically want the younger kids to be more "fimillar" with the characters. Reality is People are going to show they're children the princess movies before "Brother Bear", or "Bambi" so thats who they are going to want to see.
CountryBearFan
Active Member
Au, contraire, mon ami. I think enough people speak out about that.
MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
There has been in the past. From thewedpage.blogspot.com:
I think this guy *may* have made limited appearances the last time the Dumbo ride was down for an extensive rehab.
joanna71985
Well-Known Member
That was taken in the Teardrop, in Toontown (the old training location).