Costumed Characters in Parks?

[Adam_C]

I might get hated for this...

 

For me, this is specifically Disney parks. I love Disney parks, all the theming and atmosphere etc, but I find it's completely broken when you're say in Disneyland Paris's wonderfully themed Thunder Mesa area in Frontierland, beautiful details everywhere, then suddenly a giant costume of Woody comes out and stands by the saloon and a billion children swarm it...

 

I just think the parks are great but these big costumes everywhere kind of spoil it. The fixed smiling non-blinking expressions. Its not like the commercials where they're just dotted around and you can easily get a photo or say hi, you have to line up for 20 minutes, or there's a giant crowd of small children with autograph books around them, and pushing in etc.

 

Does anyone else just not like the costume characters? I mean it might be nice to see them in the shows or parades etc, but I mean wandering around the park, I dont know why but I just dont like it.

 

You hate me dont you?

[Masked_Maverick]

Hate you? no, Hate the characters? Not really. Although a few years ago working in Camp Snoopy at CP the people in the costumes would try to make our (the ride ops) lives miserable. They would knock over the garbage cans or turn on the water spouts in the mulched areas and walk away. Stuff like that.

[ginzo]

The characters are there principally for children to interact with. Kids really seem to love the characters. I don't think Disney parks would work without them, because to the kids it's NOT just some person in a suit. They really think they're meeting Mickey, or whatever character.

 

I agree that waiting in a long line to meet a character is kinda absurd.

[bulldogmom]

When I was a kid I was terrified of these things (people, whatever). One time at Kennywood I was in the bathroom w/my mom and we saw Kenny Kangaroo in there, and she took off her head and fixed herself or whatever. I totally freaked out- I don't know if I thought they were gonna eat me or what. I was a weird kid. As an adult, they still give me a residual slightly creepy feeling. I hate clowns, too- maybe there's some connection.

[IwantRevenge]

^ lol thats great

 

Yeah as a kid I was petrified of the characters, I would like try and hide from them, I always though they would try and hurt me...I still don't know why :\

 

 

but now I feel more like running up to Porkey or Foghorn Leg Horn and unzipping the contume in Gadv .

[Blazen_AZN]

...then suddenly a giant costume of Woody comes out and stands by the saloon and a billion children swarm it...

 

And thereth lies their purpose.

 

I don't really care either way. I can understand how a Woodie in frontier land may spoil the atmosphere, but somthing like Mickey Mouse on Main Street or somthing is fine by me.

 

 

Who the heck thought it was a good ide to name that guy 'Woodie', anyway?

[Masked_Maverick]

^ lol thats great

 

Yeah as a kid I was petrified of the characters, I would like try and hide from them, I always though they would try and hurt me...I still don't know why :\

 

 

but now I feel more like running up to Porkey or Foghorn Leg Horn and unzipping the contume in Gadv .

 

I was the exact same way with the Chuck E. Cheese singing robots. They scared the crap out of me when I was really little.

[Adam_C]

Well now you're making me bring up the controversial opinion that the Disney parks are too good for children, they shouldnt be allowed in!

 

10 years and up MAYBE!!

[arrowfanman]

I'm not bothered by the characters. Especially when they're done well.

 

 

 

That doesn't mean I'll be waiting for any! But honestly, their presence couldn't necessarily hinder my expirence in any way.

 

-Jahan

[okinawaboy11]

I'm only bothered by characters if they come to you. Many times at SFA the characters come up and try to do some ghetto hand shake. I'm just kinda like "uhhh yeah hello? yeah...no thanks bye"

[RCTfan]

I'm offended. Ugh. Well, not really.

 

I think the Disney characters is what makes Disney, Disney. Okay, not completely but its something unique. Everyone knows all the famous Disney characters. I may go to Six Flags and not know any of the characters. I can probably guess they are just waving and taking photographs. They probably aren't animating themselves to interact with the guests more than just a photo.

 

I love meeting characters, I think its fun. I know they enjoy it when you come up to them and actually talk with them, whether its about their show/movie or about life. I know they hate the same stupid question "Is it hot in there?" Their response would probably be "Is it hot out there. If the answer is yes, then you're probably safe to assume its even hotter here." Duh, people.

 

Then again, Disney characters are real.

[shesaidboom]

I think they add to a park experience, especially for a kid. It just wouldn't be the same without them, especially with Disney parks. One of my favourite memories of my trip to Disney World when I was six years old, was 'hanging out' with Pluto. It was the end of the day and I was really tired and cranky. He came over and tried to cheer me up, and it made my day. I'm sure my mom really appreciated that too since I'm sure I was complaining to her.

 

I don't usually interact with characters now, but it's still neat to see them around the park..except for Little Bill at Canada's Wonderland, he's just creepy. A six foot tall little bald boy! If you don't like them, just don't pay attention, and try to stay away from them so you aren't swarmed by kids.

[Jew]

Less costumes, more female face characters. That is all.

[Adam_C]

Less costumes, more female face characters. That is all.

 

Now face characters I dont mind so much. Mary Poppins is lovely to talk to.

 

And as for "talking with characters about their movies" etc, you cant... you can say things AT them and all they can do is stare back with a fixed smile and un-blinking eyes, and not say anything. I always thought with its budget that Disney could update these large mascot costumes somehow.