Adults and Characters?

[Dani C]

Never too old for character interaction. I've had characters initiate it (parks and dining, multiple occasions), so never feel you can't enjoy the fun regardless of your age.

Also, the little ones that are more timid seem to relax a bit if they see a grown person playing with the character, hugging them, etc.

[The Wise One]

My first visit to Disney World was on my honeymoon in 2009, and I was 21 and if I saw a character I loved, we stopped and got pictures! I had a blast and I was wearing my bridal veil Minnie ears and my husband wore the Mickey top hat so we got lots of attention and hilarious interactions with all the characters. We went again in 2011 and again met with lots of characters and had lots of fun.

You're NEVER too old for Disney or the magic. =)

[MonorailPilotMulan]

Characters are absolutely NOT only for kids! I see too many parents refuse to step into a picture with their kids because they are embarrassed to take a picture with characters. At Disney, you are only as limited as your imagination and your creativity (and Disney's rules of course). Adults tend to interact with characters in ways that some kids just can't. While kids are seen as the focus of a character meet and greet, sometimes they get scared sometimes or just plain star struck. I've never seen a character who was not just as happy to meet an adult than a child.

It's important to realize that characters are not just cardboard cutouts or topiaries to take pictures with. They are three dimensional personalities that want to interact with you just as much as you want to interact with them. Ask them questions. Tell them about your favorite part of their movie or show. Come up with a fun conversation you'd like to have with your favorite characters. You'll have a much better time than you would if you just walked up to take a picture and leave

[Kelchip10]

I've never had any trouble with characters. My funniest photo was with Chip n Dale. They hid my then-boyfriend so all you see is his face peeking from behind the three of us.

[Summer Daydream]

I always get pictures with characters. We go to several character meals just for that purpose. I have never been snubbed or ignored because I am an adult. In fact, at Ohana, every time Pluto walked by our table he would come and pretend to kiss me after I told him he was my favorite.

[Qltrgrl2]

My DD and I visited the Princesses on Main Street after our Princess Half Marathon last February. We had a blast, just took some photos and enjoyed the experience. The characters are well trained to handle any age guests!

[connie254]

Originally Posted by vkandrew

Well just because she felt too old to enjoy the magic doesn't mean she should try to make the rest of us feel weird for embracing our inner kid

I have a comeback. I spent good money to come here. If a woman is in a ballgown, heavy makeup, in 100 degree weather, SHE IS CINDERELLA, and I am getting my picture with her.My favorite growing up was Sleeping Beauty. First time I saw her at DW I gottaken back to being a little girl....and told my son to get a picture with her.

[Luv0fDisney]

i was thinking bout doing a character thing but I just don't know. i'm 25 years old and to me all i see is people dressed up for halloween kind of thing.

[JapanNerd]

Originally Posted by Luv0fDisney

I have been going to the world since 05 and never really been a huge character fan where I would wait for a turn to get a picture with one, i have on a few occasions mostly because there either wasn't a line or a rather small line. On other occassions i would take a solo picture of the character when it was my turn or get that quick shot between kids shot from the bystanders.

Adults, what have your experience with characters in the past?
I remember one time i was snubbed by a green army man, i was next in line and he saw me and walked away. hmmph.

Characters tend to be sweet regardless. I like to tease them a bit and just be nice. From my experience, most characters will be nice to just about anyone. I found that Chip and Dale are usually flirtatious.

[Julie521]

My husband (30) and me (24) just got back and we waited in line for character pictures! We got some great shots. We took pics with Winnie the Pooh, the incredibles, mickey, minnie twice, donald, goofy, and pluto. We even have a hilarious pic of me and my husband kissing and donald duck is covering his eyes in disgust. It was great. Of course you wouldn't get as much interaction from some as kids would, but I loved it.

[ashleydisneyworld]

I don't know if you would consider me an adult since I'm nineteen. Technically and adult, but you know... Anyway! I am a massive fan of the characters and make it a point for each trip to Disney World or Disney Cruise to get as many pictures with them as possible. None of them have ever snubbed me or been weird. If anything they get more excited because I don't double over scared like a child does.

[cheshirecatattack]

Whenever I go on a Disney vacation my mom (46) and I (21) always wait to meet our favourite characters! I love interacting with characters at TS meals the most. They always spend just as much time with us as they do with families with small children. Adults can love the characters just as much as any child.

[DiSZYme]

Originally Posted by FigmentHair

The same thing often happened to my boyfriend and I when we went alone. We are 22 and 21 years old. We even had a lady tell us that some people didn't understand when they are too old for Disney while we waited in line to meet pooh.

This is where I turn and say "My goodness, I think you and Captain Hook will get along wonderfully!"

Because, really, what else would I say to such a overyly serious grump in the midst of a Dis-Magical land where no one has to behave like a grownup if he/she doesn't want to?

[funkychunkymonkey]

I waited in line forever for pooh bear when I was 21! My pooh sized best freind (20) and her 60 year old cousin were with, one of my favorite photos from the whole trip

[t_daniels]

Originally Posted by LSchrow

we don't usually wait on line for characters (or most attractions for that matter), but when we saw stitch (27yo DD's favorite) with a young girl and no line, we asked the handler if we could get a photo with him.
as we approached, a man shoved his toddler boy between stitch and ourselves. the handler looked at us, shaking her head, and i mouthed "its okay" (can't blame a toddler for rude parents).
it became one of our most memorable moments when the child finally left (dad kept telling the kid to stay when he wanted to leave), and stitch grabbed our hands, as the three of us skipped thru MK!

btw, as my kids hit the pre-teens, they would often get pushed out of the way by overzealous parents - that's when we started booking meals for more civilized character interaction

Awwwwww!

I love this.

And, kudos to you for being nice. Not sure I could have been.