Tips for Character Interactions at Disney Theme Parks
There is nothing like the smile that breaks across a child’s face when they see their favorite characters in the Disney Parks. Although, sometimes that smile is immediately followed by shock, fear, or tears… that is okay too! Meeting characters can be overwhelming for little ones - and those young at heart - as they may not know what to say, how to act, or how to deal with the fact that the characters you watch at home are now magically in front of them with arms open for a hug! Keep reading for some of my favorite tips and tricks to make those moments more magical!
How to Find Characters:
The best way to find character Meet and Greet locations is with the Disney App. Not only will you see where they are located but also what times you can meet them. Please note, some characters will be around all day, while others only appear for 20 minute periods throughout the day. If you want to see a character that only appears at select times, you should be in line 15 - 30 minutes before the Meet & Greet starts to make sure you see them before they retire.
On the map in your app, select “Characters” from the drop down options.
Next click “Show List” in the top right corner to see who will make an appearance that day.
Select your favorite character to see what times they will greet guests, where they will be located and even get directions in real time.
How to Interact With Characters:
Young kids and even adults can often feel awkward when approaching a character as they may not know what to say or how to easily interact. This is totally normal! Keep in mind, characters see hundreds of people every day and are absolute pros at making you feel welcome and special. They will try their best to engage with you, so play along! Check out some favorite tips to seamless interactions below:
Use the setting - Many character interactions take place in a carefully curated location with props and interest points you can discuss. This is especially true for characters that do not speak so they can gesture to items around them and communicate with the help of their character attendant who can translate for them if need be.
Wear a celebration button - You can get a celebration button from the front desk of your Disney resort or guest relations locations to let cast member’s know you are celebrating an occasion. Wear your buttons proudly to clue characters into important events like First Visits, Birthdays, Engagements, or an Anniversary. Many buttons have celebrations already printed, but there are also more generic ones you can personalize if it is a Girls Trip, Family Vacation, or Honeymoon. Characters pay attention to these buttons and allow them to start the conversation more naturally by congratulating you on your celebration.
Ask Character’s How to Pose - If you are like me, I never know what to do with my body taking photos with characters. One trick I learned was to ask them for photo posing advice which has led to hilarious and fun photos other than me awkwardly standing next to a character not sure whether or not I should put my arm around them. This works especially well with characters known to be fashionable like Minnie and Daisy, or characters with a signature pose like Piglet!
Have something for them to sign - While autograph books are the most popular item for autographs, being creative with other items for them to sign is a great conversation point too! Some fun options include:
Items of clothing like a jacket, purse, or backpack
A picture frame to put a photo in from your vacation, water bottle, or blank Mickey Ears you can have them help personalize.
I had characters sign my runDisney medals if they were featured on them after a race weekend which was a big hit and led to fun “conversations” with Goofy and Dopey about running and working out!
After the first few interactions each trip you will get the hang of these moments and hopefully won’t feel as awkward or nervous if you are encouraging little ones to engage with their favorite characters.
Additional Tips When Meeting Characters:
Don’t Rush, But Be Prepared - Have those cameras out and autograph items open and ready before it is your turn. Brainstorm questions, photos, or videos you want to grab while you are in line to pass the time and prepare. Want to FaceTime those who couldn’t make it at home? Make sure you already have them on the phone before it is your turn so you don’t miss the moment!
Bring a Clickable Sharpie - These larger markers are easier for characters to hold and open than traditional sharpies or pens. While a princess might be able to easily sign your autograph book with a pen, characters like Minnie & Mickey, who wear large gloves, may have a harder time.
Drop a Hint if you are Seeing a Character Again - No one wants to feel forgotten, so if you are meeting a character for a second time, make sure to clue them in during your introduction. For instance, “Hi Cinderella, it is lovely to see you again. We enjoyed having breakfast in your castle yesterday.” or “Hi Tinker Bell, it was so kind of you to sprinkle pixie dust on us at the parade.” This helps start the conversation and makes your kids feel special when the characters have a jumping off point to “continue” the conversation.
Brainstorm a List of Questions - This is especially helpful for those who tend to be a little shy. When we first started meeting characters, my 4 year old nephew would freeze up when asked a question he wasn’t prepared for and stall an interaction. Once we came up with questions he could ask the characters, he loved seeing which characters shared his favorite color, asking where their animal friends were, or holiday specific things like what they planned to dress up as for halloween or what was on their Christmas lists.
Most Importantly, Have Fun!
I hope these tips have helped you feel prepared for character meet and greets on your next trip. The number one thing to remember though is to have fun! Characters really embody the magic of Disney and are there to help you have a wonderful time. Don’t stress and try not to take yourself too seriously. The more you lean into an interaction, the more you will get out of it!
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Author: Kelsey Stiles
@plandisneywithstiles