If you’re anything like me or my kids, you get a little starstruck after waiting for an hour in line and it’s finally your turn to have a 1:1 conversation with your favorite Disney character. I go into it knowing that the awkward photo will someday become a priceless memento so we smile and nod before striking a couple of different poses and moving along. Generally afterwards, I’m left thinking, “why did we wait in line all that time and then not even say anything?” The characters are probably asking themselves the same thing. Bo-ring!
Next time, we are going to be more prepared and I am here today to share some tips with you so that you and your family can get the most out of these interactions.
First, make sure you are utilizing the My Disney Experience app to find out where and what times your favorite characters will appear. Try to get there towards the beginning of their window or at the very least, do not plan on going towards the end of that time. The cast members who assist the characters have to draw a line at some point and you don’t want to be next to meet that character when they shut down the interactions for the day.
Next, plan on having something to talk to the characters about. You might be surprised at how much the characters that don’t speak can interact with you and your kids. Ask Jafar where Iago is, ask Belle what book she’s reading right now, or ask Mickey if he and Minnie have seen any good movies lately. Be sure to point it out if you or your kids are wearing something the character might get a kick out of, like a shirt with him on it – or even better, his foe!
Finally, get those autographs and pictures. Remember that the PhotoPass photographers are taking posed and candid shots and they are more than happy to do so with your camera as well. Photos and autographs are something you will have for years that will trigger magical memories of once in a lifetime interactions with your favorite characters.
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Candice was raised in east Tennessee. While in college, her best friend dragged her to a Walt Disney World College Program recruiting session at the University of Tennessee and the rest is Disney history. In the Fall of 1999, Candice became a quick service food hostess for Sunset Ranch Market and Fantasmic at Disney-MGM Studios – or what is now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While soaking up her time as a cast member, she met Ryan, a neighbor and a fellow college programmer who worked as a custodial host at Epcot. Four years later, Candice moved to the Midwest and married that boy from across the hall. They now live in Greenwood, Indiana with their two little boys. The Disney-loving foursome took their first family trip to The Happiest Place on Earth in 2013 and Candice is eagerly planning their return. Candice also works full-time at a community mental health center and enjoys taking photographs and blogging at Mommy in the Midwest.
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