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[DisneyRon]

I find it pretty disgusting that DLP is telling kids they're too old to meet characters.

That's odd indeed, must have been that particular pair of actors and escort CMs I imagine, from my experience in September they certainly weren't all like that.

[Esti]

I know, I've been going weekly since September and except for the villain's M&G, which was an embarrasment, they've always been very nice and tried to mantain some control.
But last week, at all "new" M&Gs I've been to, CMs have been very clear about us not making queues. In fact, in one M&G we tried to form some kind of line to mantain some order and the CM came back to tell us that we couldn't form a line. I've seen this in almost all of the M&Gs after Christmas (different days, different locations, different characters, different CMs).
It seems really weird, because they seemed to be doing some progress with queues, not letting people jump them, etc. And now suddenly most CMs forbid us from queueing?

[Disney Matt]

I hope this isn't the way forward as it sounds awful 

[daddyof2]

Yeah, doesn't sound good at all. My kids are young so I can get away with it, but I think everyone should have an opportunity

[Disney Matt]

It seems like if this is correct (which i completely hope it isn't) that they're undoing their "Couples come to Disney" campaign!

[Esti]

It seems like if this is correct (which i completely hope it isn't) that they're undoing their "Couples come to Disney" campaign!

Exactly. And isn't making people form a line easier for them, anyway? They're just making their life more difficult. Except for those CMs that leave the character alone and go talk to another CM 

[Disney Matt]

When I was there in Dec it was all good though.
Why the sudden change?

[littlebitofpixiedust]

I've done the character brunch twice already last year, so yeah, I know how it works, but my friend was always with me 

I'm just saying what I'd do if I were alone.
I was simply just replying to what someone said about asking "a person next to you" 

I didnt even think of it like that. Last time I was in inventions I was asked to take numerous phots by a French family I didn't mind! And I was the "person next to them" afterall it's Disney! I wasn't going to say no they were polite and friendly but as above comments there's always a CM around.

I did a solo trip years ago before I had my son, I went to cafe mickey and I asked my waiter to take a few pics on that occasion the CM wasn't with the characters then. Ur I am going back many,many years ago! Anyway wouldn't let it put people of I think character dining is fantastic and I love the interaction.

[stormflm595]

that's horrible! everyone should have the chance to meet characters. why some people decide to be a CM at Disney when they then spend the whole of it miserable is beyond me. I hate to get people into trouble but I think I would have reported them for having such a bad attitude. whether a 3yo, a 12yo or an adult, if you want to meet a character then you go for it!

[twentythingamabobs]

The only characters we were "allowed" to make a queue for in December was Snow White at the wishing well (brilliant CM - she was a fellow Geordie!) and Jack at his spot near Phantom Manor. For all the others, you had to just huddle around and the character would make his/her selection at random. We would not be doing this if there was a big crowd as the CMs did not accept EACs and our lad wouldnt be able to stand it.The CM said it was completely up to the character who would be chosen next.

[sorceror]

I went in december too and had no issue meeting the characters, most were queued but Captain Hook and Smee was a group, i was in front waiting and a child about 12 came pushing through the crowd out of nowhere, Captain Hook actually pushed him away and beckoned me to him, so it is nice that characters recognise who's waiting there turn from the one's just pushing in

[dazzle_v2003]

I'm very disappointed that particular cast member said only small children would meet the characters. That's very disappointing and a complete backwards step to Walt's Belief that Disney is for everyone including adults who are young at heart.

I hope they aren't going back to their pushing and shoving groups again after the success of the crews which make for a much better more enjoyable character experience.

[petals]

Firstly I believe that things have changed slightly since I was there last and they now actually attempt to make queues at characters but in 2012 when I was there trying to meet a character as an adult was nearly impossible. Character meets were nothing short of a rugby scrum with pushing and shoving and CM's shouting the character will choose who they want to meet next and the character always always going for the people under 3 ft regardless of the adults being there longer than the kids! It was an absolute joke and I ended up giving up trying in the parks and going to Cafe Mickey on the last day where I had great character meets!

[arvidbux]

Having been to DLR a few times this year and DLP in Sept/Oct, I must say that meeting characters as an adult is perfectly fine. Act along and it can get really fun. You do notice in the CMs and Character's voice often that they are "happy" an adult is there and they can have a real conversation instead of a kid that is just nodding yes or no.

What is different from DLR and DLP is that in DLP some CMs don't really help guests or interact with them. Far too often we see them wander of and go talk to other CMs. But also here you have CMs that really interact with you and make sure that the wait is pleasant. Talk about your day, ask questions etc.

And to add to it; meeting characters is the highlight of my wife's and my trip to any of the Disney parks. My wife even keeps all the autographs and has books that date back 10-15 years. During our engagement and honeymoon, characters even added something extra to the whole experience which made it magical 

[rebecca20]

I can safely say there were a lot of queues for the Villains last week. Not so much in the Studios, but I have to say that characters were aware of those waiting and those pushing in and we got to have photos really quickly because of this.

FYI we were two adults and saw LOADS of adults having pictures, probably due to the timing but more adults than children were there.