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5 Tips for a Great Disney Character Meet and Greet

5 Tips for a Great Disney Character Meet and Greet

5 Tips for a Great Disney Character Meet and Greet

5 tips for a great Disney Character Meet and Greet

1.  Arrive early.

pocahontas facebook

Use my character schedules at Character Locator to determine the time you’d like to meet a character.  But, be sure to arrive early.  Some characters may already have lines held over from previous meets.  This is especially common for Princess characters.  You may want to consider using one of my touring plans to optimize your character touring.

2.  Have your item that you want autographed ready to present to the character.

They will not sign items that a guest is actually wearing and characters wearing white gloves don’t like to sign in green marker as it doesn’t clean from costume easily.

 I recommend retractable markers for ease of storage.  Only a few characters don’t sign at Walt Disney World.   Here’s a list of characters who don’t sign.  Fumbling around with pens, markers and books that aren’t open to a new page are time consuming and cut down on your time with the character.  Don’t use hotel pens, the characters need something larger to hold well.

3.  Consider something different than an autograph book.  

Shared by Sonya Toole Little

Shared by Sonya Toole Little

After filling about 10 autograph books we realized we could do other fun things.  My daughter used to enjoy getting every Princess to sign a special hat each trip.  Those hats are still very special to her.   Some people have used a large vinymation, created a special memory book, had tshirts signed, posters signed and more.  I thought would be cool to get all the Star Wars Characters to sign a Storm Trooper bank.  If you are using something white, be sure to keep it out of the sun in a bag or the sun will fade the signatures.

4.  Have that camera turned on and ready to fire.

Tusken Raider Star Wars Weekends 2013 - bad guy roams backlot

I would have missed this great shot of the Tusken Raider, if I didn’t have my camera ready

You’ll waste time trying to turn on your camera or activate your cell phone camera.  I’ve taken a number of photos with a cell camera for the sake of tweeting them out, but they usually take horrible photos, especially in low light.  I like to use my Sony RX100.  It is the best pocket camera on the market today.  It takes photos that compare to DSLR cameras but is much smaller and lighter in weight.   I also own a Nikon D5200 for things like Fireworks.  Take some candid shots while your child is interacting with the character.  Those will be more memorable than the strict posed photos.

5.  Interact with the character.

Anakin Skywalker (3)Many people just ask for a signature and pose for a static photo.  Try some of my interaction tips or try posing in a new (yet appropriate) way.  Surf with Stitch, propose to a character, jump with Tigger or do monkey poses with King Louie.  Use your time and don’t feel rushed.  This may be the only time you ever see some characters.

If you found this helpful, be sure to pin it on Pinterest and Share on Facebook!

What tips do you have for a GREAT meet and greet?


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Lisa Taylor

Tuesday 12th of July 2016

We're taking our 4 year old Grandson back to Disney World in October, so last weekend we were looking at the characters on your site and getting ideas for our trip. When I asked him who he wanted to meet the most when we got to Disney World he thought a minute and then said... "Kenny the Pirate!" I'd say that makes you pretty cool, Kenny. ;D

Xtina72

Monday 23rd of May 2016

Wooden frames from the craft store are great too and they do not warp or sweat stain.

http://www.michaels.com/artminds-top-opening-frame/10379650.html#start=10

Jamie

Thursday 2nd of April 2015

We bought an encyclopedia of animated Disney Characters and had them sign by their picture! It will be something we keep forever.

Karla Conn Welch

Tuesday 17th of February 2015

Love the "Interact with characters" tip! My 2.5 year old got on all fours with Tigger and still talks about it. Great photo, with Pooh giggling, too. I didn't except him to remember, being so young, but it was his idea to recreate it at 4 years. Would love to see guests proposing to characters, and surfing with Stitch needs to be on everyone's list. Static photos are fine, but it's the one of us being goofy with Goofy that made the frame in our house.

J

Saturday 15th of November 2014

Was just at HK Disneyland two days ago (WDW trip postponed). I met the following: Anna and Elsa, Cinderella, Snow White, Alice, Donald Duck, Goofy, Chip and Dale.

Anna and Elsa's line was very long. We queued early and that was a good strategy because the lines stretch! Other guests in the line said they came the previous day for two sets, and couldn't get to meet them at both times!

We were told that for the princesses, only Anna & Elsa, Cinderella and Snow White were out. Tinker Bell was out too, but I forgot the timing which was told to me. I wanted to meet Ariel and Mulan, but they weren't out that day.

I chatted with Anna & Elsa about Hans, Marshmallow and the distance from Arendalle.

Anna and Alice were very energetic and bubbly! The other princesses and Elsa were really good too.

I saw Duffy and Shelliemay on Main Street too, plus Mickey and Minnie, but didn't meet them due to time constraints. I saw Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland as well.

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