[garada3]

Another post made me wonder, what exactly do you talk to the characters about? Especially the ones who don't talk?

I would like some suggestions for my sons to use as starting off points for meet & greets and character meals.

Any suggestions for getting really great reactions from them?

Thanks!

[goofygal1975]

The easiest thing is to have an autograph book! The kids know to simply ask "can i have your atuograph??" this helps "break the ice" for some interaction. Sometimes (depending on the characters) they will sign the books in a funny way! On the kids heads, on the back of the characters heads, or just do some funny things. Goofy has been known to take hats from kids and hang it from his nose!!

[tinkerbell]

this question made me smile and brought up some of my favorite memories, we always tell the charactors we love them and of course have to hug them .. as the girls have gotten older they do things like .. tell Dale.. that Chip did something or said something ..they always tell Mickey that their Grandpa kissed Minnie. And they always tell all the female charactors that their Grandpa is in love with them ..me and DH talk to them to ... I remember last year asking Woody if I could see the bottom of his shoe .. I wanted to know if Andy's name was there :)
I dont know ..it all just seems to come natural with us maybe because we believe they are real *grin* I think its like everything else at WDW .. or like that saying "Magic happens" ..
ohh and most the charactor meals ..they have the crayons and pictures to color .. the girls always do that and show it off to the charactor. I will never ever forget the time Gov. Radcliff kissed Barbie's hand .. she was 5 and decided maybe he wasnt all bad after all :)

[PhantomBantam]

Quote "maybe because we believe they are real "


I want to encourage that idea...

Treat them like a movie star.

"I saw you in (insert movie here) And you were great!"

"You were so robbed for the Academy Award!"

If you play into the role for your kids everyone involved will get into it. Ham it up.

Oh, and for the parents, as you are leaving change your tone slightly and tell the Character they are doing a good job. It's tough inside those costumes.

[mattomouseman]

Originally posted by PhantomBantam
Quote "maybe because we believe they are real "


I want to encourage that idea...

Treat them like a movie star.

"I saw you in (insert movie here) And you were great!"

"You were so robbed for the Academy Award!"

If you play into the role for your kids everyone involved will get into it. Ham it up.

Oh, and for the parents, as you are leaving change your tone slightly and tell the Character they are doing a good job. It's tough inside those costumes.

HEY Bantam Good to see ya! Haven't seen you around hope all is well! I subscribe to this school of thought! I jump right in and play around with the characters. The characters can be a real a blast if you get the right ones. They will do anything to make the kids smile and the adults laugh!

[Willbegone]

The best interaction we had was with Chip & Dale at Toontown Fair. Our DD was last let in the room and by time we got in the room was pretty much empty except for a few people with Minnie. Chip and Dale neither one had a line and we asked if DD could have her picture made with both of them. Well, that got them going, acting like they didn't want to do it because they didn't like each other. DD got a big kick out of it (so did I). We did end up getting the pic and their CM said don't tell anybody because they only do it for very special kids.

We always told the characters thank you and so did DD. Too many people are rude to them.

[goofygal1975]

Whenever we have pictures or interaction w/the charaters, we always say, "Thank you Mickey!!!!!!" with a big smile (or who ever we are with at the time.) Almost always, they will nod their heads and wave, some blow us kisses in response!! You know they appreciate the thanks we give them when they do that!! They do have a very demanding job to do !!!

[tinkerbell]

sorry I didnt add the part about saying thank you .. I always just assumed every one told them thank you :) but yep .. We always thank them.

[WVWISEGUY]

We did the autograph book last week. Also, if we think we main run into one of my boys favorite characters, we try to put a shirt on of that character. For example, when we were going to try an see Baloo, both of the boys put on there Jungle Book shirts. They had their pictures taken between Baloo and King Louie and King Louie kept trying to cover up Baloo on the picture. Also, by wearing the shirts, the characters we saw acted like they were excited and it helped my youngest fee secure. Also when we leave, we always have the boys say THNAK YOU and so do we. My 3 yr old always ended the visits with a big hug to the characters.:love:

[DisneyAnne]

Since we decided to do the pin trading thing...my boys enjoyed showing the characters the pins that they were on. Dale was a little perterbed there wasn't one of him, but one of Chip on #2's lanyard. The kids had also (against my wishes) brought the beanies they had received the night before. Dale (must have been on a tirade) tried to run off with all of them. My boys loved every minute of it!

Just let the kids be themselves. Mine have never been short on words or hugs with the characters. :)