Roller coasters and chocolate-drizzled churros aside, character meet-and-greets are one of the biggest draws at any Disney park. Who doesn’t want to schmooze with Mickey Mouse, Ariel, and Edna Mode, after all?
It may come as a surprise that there are some spoken—and unspoken—rules when it comes to your run-of-the-mill character interactions, rules that go beyond simply being polite, remembering to bring a Sharpie for your autograph book, and making sure the PhotoPass photographer captures your ‘good side.’ So before you head off to get hugs from Baymax or practice your twirling with Tiana, check out these five reminders to ensure you get the most out of your next character meet.
1. Don’t ask a character to hold your child.
Image: Loren Javier, Flickr (license)
Yes, it would look so sweet if you could snap a photo of Cinderella cradling your little bundle of joy, but definitely think twice before you entrust the safety of your child with any face or fur character. If a character attendant doesn’t discourage this behavior, common sense should. Fur characters like Pluto and Eeyore (among so many, many others) have limited mobility in their limbs and will not be able to hold, prop up, or otherwise support your child in a way that is guaranteed to keep them from tumbling to the ground.
While face characters have much more mobility than fur characters, handling other people’s children is not part of their job description—nor should it be. Oftentimes, they’re more than happy to interact with young guests, but they don’t want to be held responsible if your baby happens slip out of Rapunzel’s embrace or is inadvertently dropped by Kylo Ren.
Instead of asking your favorite Disney character to hold your child while you get a few photos for the ‘gram, consider posing with your child and asking the PhotoPass photographer to capture a shot that includes everyone. Your child(ren) will be safer, your peace of mind greater, and the possibility of accidental injury all but eliminated.
2. Don’t ask a character “adult” questions or bring up taboo topics.
Image: Loren Javier, Flickr (license)
The Disney Parks are friendly to adults and children alike, but they are first and foremost a family-friendly environment. So, while bantering with Disney characters may be half the fun of a meet-and-greet, this is not the appropriate time to make suggestive remarks, innuendo-laced jokes, or the casual profanity-embellished comment.
And remember: Even though you and your family and friends might not take offense at such things, most meet-and-greets draw a high percentage of young kids… many of whom will likely be within earshot of your conversations. There’s no rule saying you have to set a good example for other people’s children, of course, but the fewer awkward interactions you have to have—with Disney characters and upset parents—the better.
While we’re on the subject, it’s also a good idea to steer clear of any contentious topics during the two minutes or so you get to interact with each character. That means religion, politics, and similar hot-button issues are off the table. Characters are well-versed in etiquette and will be able to deftly sidestep any unkosher remarks, but both of you will have a much more pleasant interaction if you keep things PG-rated from the get-go.
3. Don’t ask a character to comment on movies, books, shows, and events that are outside Disney canon.
Image: Disney
Just as you wouldn’t ask a Disney character to volunteer a political preference or comment on current events, try to refrain from asking them questions that veer too far outside the Disney canon. Most characters are happy to work in references to other Disney films, but asking them to offer opinions on non-Disney properties, fictional universes and storylines, and the Disney company itself will likely be met with a furrowed brow and a swift change of subject.
So, as tempting as it might be to ask Darth Vader what he thinks of Vulcans or enter into a rousing debate about whether Snow White would consider herself a Hufflepuff or a Slytherin, it’s (usually) preferable to keep conversations centered around Disney’s own fairy tales, superhero sagas, and swashbuckling stories. You’re always welcome to try your luck by explaining non-Disney media to a character, but it’s unlikely that they’ll progress the conversation much further than that if you cross any lines of character integrity (e.g. suggesting that Aurora is enrolled at Hogwarts, positing an alliance between Captain Kirk and Poe Dameron, etc.).
4. Don’t ask a character to remember really insignificant details about their own stories.
Image: Adriel O. Socrates, Flickr (license)
Every face character is an established expert when it comes to their own stories. (They lived through them, after all.) They know every supporting character and talking animal by name, can retell or reenact important moments in their own stories, and will give opinions on everything from their favorite dessert to the recipe for finding your own happily ever after.
It’s precisely this level of attention to detail that can make meet-and-greets so engaging and immersive. Frozen fanatics can talk ice palace architecture with Elsa and chocolate concoctions with Anna, Star Wars aficionados might discuss TIE fighter specs with Darth Vader or compliment Chewbacca on his superb co-piloting skills.
While you’re welcome to get as detailed as you want when it comes to the particulars of a character’s backstory, don’t treat it like the final round of pub trivia. Just because characters know their stories backwards and forwards doesn’t mean they want to be quizzed on minute details—and it will likely steer an otherwise-pleasant interaction into awkward territory. Instead, save all that knowledge to impress your family and friends for your next round of Heads Up! or a Disney-themed game night.
5. Don’t ask a character to break character integrity.
Image: Loren Javier, Flickr (license)
When guests enter a Disney park, there are certain unwritten rules in place, the cardinal one of which is this: Keep the magic alive. That extends to Disney characters themselves, who are treated like the real-life embodiment of their on-screen counterparts—and make no mistake, the company doesn’t look fondly on those who seek to ruin the magic for other guests, especially when it comes to the children. (In other words, would you go up to a mall Santa and loudly proclaim that he’s a fake in front of a queue of starry-eyed, wish-filled kids? No? Don’t do it at Disney, either.)
Curious about whether or not you’ve stepped over the line with a character? Ask yourself these questions: Did I ask them to talk about their “costumes”? Did I make a comment about Disney’s hiring practices or wages? Did I reference something they might have experienced backstage? Did I try to get them to identify their “friend”?
If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘yes,’ then you might be setting the wrong tone for your meet-and-greets. Remember, even if there are no kids present, it’s not up to you to antagonize a character or jeopardize their ability to do a good job and facilitate a fun and entertaining moment.
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What tips have you found useful during your character interactions at the Disney parks?
