[Curtis]

I am curious what you vets think my family and I should expect, as far an character interaction for our DD. She is getting her GOH badge for her birthday, on the 26th, and we'll make sure to check with the guest relations folks at each park about the birthday pin she gets, but I was just sort of wondering if it's completely hit and miss, or is there some places better than others.

[karliebug]

You should definitely go to a character meal. It is the best way to interact with characters, you don't have to wait in line, and most of them make a big deal of birthdays. I recommend Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace.

[MickeyRon]

Originally Posted by karliebug

You should definitely go to a character meal. It is the best way to interact with characters, you don't have to wait in line, and most of them make a big deal of birthdays. I recommend Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace.

I agree with Karliebug... Chef Mickey's... and my DD had a GOB and most of the characters put her first name on the autograph... of course DD forgot she had on her badge and was AMAZED that they KNEW her!! Of course this is hit and miss... I hope the best for you... it is an awesome time!

[Curtis]

Thanks. We have PS's for Donald's Breakfastasaurus(sp?) and 1900 Park Fare.


My question was more about in the park, aside from the character meals.

[karliebug]

The daily schedule given to you with the map in each park will tell you the location and times of character visits. Be prepared to wait in line to see most characters, occasionally you may come across some in Epcot throughout world showcase.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Curtis

Thanks. We have PS's for Donald's Breakfastasaurus(sp?) and 1900 Park Fare.

My question was more about in the park, aside from the character meals.

Excellent choices, but you won't meet Mickey at either one. I highly recommend also doing the Liberty Tree Tavern at MK for Dinner or the Ice Cream Social at the Land in Epcot (between 2:50 and 3:20 - you may need a PS) For the Ice Cream Social, be sure to let them know that it's DD's birthday.

The GOH and Birthday badges are very hit and miss, particularly when it's busy, so don't build up any expectations that any more than one or two CM's might notice.

The Times Guides which you can get at the resort and at the entrance to each park will approximate when and where characters will be to get autographs & pictures. For the "high profile" characters, this is the only way to meet them outside of a character meal.

At MK, the best place to get a signature from Mickey and Co. in the park is in front of the Castle and at Epcot either near the "Leave a Legacy" area or by the World Showcase Lagoon.

We had two great character experiences at AK. One was near the Lion King show with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy and the other was in some kind of grotto (I've only been there once, so I don't quite remember) with Pooh, Piglet and Tigger. That's the only place we've ever seen Piglet.

Honestly though, the best way to meet the characters, IMO, is to take it by chance. We've always done it that way. Searching for and waiting for characters can really spoil the fun. But, on the last couple fo days of your trip, it could be a fun way to end the week to do a character scavenger hunt to try and meet characters that you haven't seen yet.

Wow.. that's a lot of typing. Does that help??

[RowdyRAider]

Might I also add a great place for character interaction is Town Square. It may not be the VIP characters, but it's a great start when entering the park. Is there any particular character your DD really REALLY wants to meet? If so just ask and I can quickly point you to the best way. After all, being a..."best friend" to the characters is my job. Be sure to try and let me know where you'll be during your visit. I can assure you, you will run into me most likely LOL

[RowdyRAider]

One more thing, don't leave your line if you don't make it to the characters before they go backstage. They'll be right back in about 2 minutes unless it's time for a parade, or as the case when Max works with me and he only comes out for 20 minutes every hour. But hang in line for a few extra. I've seen too many guests sulk and leave b/c they didn't want to wait an extra minute to see "the character their kids love the most."

[soxmets]

Look into Mickey's BackYard BBQ. At places like Chef Mickey's the characters come and stay for a few minutes, then leave.

At Mickey's BackYard BBQ the characters come out and stay most of the evening dancing with the kids, and silly adults like me. Great photo opportunities.

When I went last year the characters on the dance floor included Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale.

[wendy darling]

We met Mickey both times we ate at Donald's Breakfastsouras(sp). Great meal-one of my favorites. Donald, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto come to your table and are very personal. Much fun!

[tragic312]

character meals are a great way for your DD to enjoy her special day even more. i don't have any kids and haven't celebrated a birthday in wdw yet but i bet the attention for a birthday is outstanding.
when i went to DL in january, my niece Hayley turned 5 and we spent the day in DL. she got a lot of attention every time we met a character. it was really nice when we visited mickey at his house. the group ahead of us left and it was just me, hayley, mickey, the photographer and the CM in the room. the photographer gave hayley a new birthday sticker and mickey gave her a big hug. she loved it because she's a big mickey fan.
i'm sure the attention will be great for your DD. happy birthday to her!!

[crystalrp]

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my DS had a GOH badge and birthday button. Two CMs noticed and said "happy Birthday" or called him by name. It is VERY HIT OR MISS. Don't expect it, then if it happens it will be a bonus!

[hiner]

Depending on the length of stay, you should be able to see tons of characters. We had fantastic interactions with characters.

As stated prior, Mickey's Backyard BBQ was great interaction. Before the BBQ, they come out and then during the BBQ. Donald's Breakfastosaurus was great too.

At Epcot, some will ride up on a bus at the entrance to Future World. Others you can find in the World Showcase. The Ice Cream Social was a great place for characters. We did not have a PS and still were able to join in on the fun.

MGM had quite a few areas to meet them. In front of Mickey's hat, they have many characters. Just make sure you are there early to get autographs, because they will give a balloon to the person who is the last for an autograph. Also, at Al's Toy Barn you can meet Buzz, Jessy and Woody, along with the Green Army Man.

We did great at MK. When leaving one night, Daisy (who is so hard to find), along with others where in front of the entrance. We also went to Mickey's Toon Town right before the Fireworks and went in to meet characters, across from Donald's Boat don't remember the name. We got to spend all the time we wanted with Pooh and friends, Chip and Dale and Cinderella.

At AK, Pooh and friends could be found in a grotto on your right, right before DinoLand. There was "no one" there.

Have fun and don't panic if you cannot find the character you want. They will pop up somewhere.

[roxie]

They do just pop up alot - hiner is right.

We stood in lines for many characters and we also do Chef Mickeys every time. (Which, BTW, we always had a wonderful time and never felt rushed.) The best memories, though, are when they just pop up unexpectedly. My 3 year old DD loves Mulan and we ran into her at the Japan pavillion last spring. There weren't too many people around and we basically had her to ourselves. It was very nice.

[CaraMia]

We got to Magic Kingdom right after they opened in February. There were plenty of characters to meet on Main Street...in the town square area. We also went to the Goofy Country show and got to meet a few characters. It turned out they had to cancel the show and the characters just had a meet and greet instead. We got to meet Woody, Jessie, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and Bullseye. Then there also is the toontown meet and greet but the lines for that can be lengthy. At MGM they have a schedule when characters come out. If you get the schedule you can often get to the front of the line in that area so you are one of the first to go down the line. There are several main characters...Mickey, Donald, Minnie, Goofy, etc.

When our son was 12 months we did the character breakfast and he loved seeing the characters, but he was too nervous and didnt like them up close. We thought he was a little young for it and decided we wouldnt do that again until he was older. Now though, at 2.5 yrs old, he thinks getting autographs and meeting the characters is the best part about the entire experience.

HTH HAPPY BIRTHDAY and take LOADS of pictures and video if you can. There is only one "first" visit to Magic Kingdom and it is priceless.