Princess dining as a solo adult male....creepy?

[indoshakespeare]

Would it be creepy if I go to a princess dining by myself?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I'm gonna say yes....but I'm sure there will be plenty who disagree.

 

[brad813]

No. It’s your vacation and they have a protocol for adult males in photos. Besides, you can always claim you enjoy the food if anyone asks. I plan to do a princess meal on an upcoming trip because I am a fan of certain princesses.

 

[hicksnichols]

There’s a protocol for adult males in photos?

I don’t think it’s creepy unless a man makes it creepy. I’m guessing if you’re asking if it’s creepy, you aren’t one of those men who would. I say, eat where you want and have fun!

 

[Keren]

I wouldn't say it's creepy! You are free to enjoy what you want and if you want to do the Princess dining then do it!

 

[StageTek]

...they have a protocol for adult males in photos.

I've been thinking of doing the Princess dining, too - solo, male. Can you tell me what is the protocol they have?

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Princesses will now ask to take your arm for the photo - no bear hugging!

Do I think it's creepy for a solo male to partake of Princess Character Dining? No, not at Disney!!!! Now, if you hired a local escort to dress as Ariel so you could take her to a restaurant in your hometown, that would be bordering on creepy!

 

[YawningDodo]

Curious about this protocol, though I'm not male, so it's just curiosity. I know there's general protocol for character interactions with all guests; there are certain things they just don't do as a matter of course (one I heard in general training, unrelated to this topic, is that they're not supposed to mess with people's hats in case the guest is wearing a wig or has some other hidden issue related to their head or hair). Guessing it's to do with ensuring no one on either side gets accused of doing something inappropriate?

To answer the original question (as a woman, so take that how you will), I think there may be people (namely,other guests) who might think it's odd or have some opinion or other about it, assuming they even notice you're there..but I don't think it's any of their business and I don't think that should deter you. I think the CMs and princesses will have seen others doing the same, though, and will not make a big deal out of it. The characters may not spend much time at your table unless you actively signal your desire for interaction, though, as my understanding is that characters in general gravitate toward families with children. I'd advise you to come prepared with conversation starters. Ask Belle what books she's read recently, ask Ariel if she's seen the lovely hair combs (forks) they left out for your use, that kind of thing (I don't know which princesses are actually at these meals, but you get the idea).

And no, I don't think it's creepy. You're a guest at WDW; you're entitled to engage with the services and experiences WDW offers the same as anyone else.

Ah, the protocol question got answered as I was typing this. Thought it was probably something like that.

 

[wisteria1019]

Intention is everything and will translate through behavior. And who cares what anyone thinks if you are going to simply enjoy the experience for what it is! Who knows "someday your prince(ss) may come...."

 

[StageTek]

I understand the general protocol for all guests and I know that Disney has very specific protocol for the CM's. I have not been able to find the protocols for adult males in photos that Brad knows about. I look forward to learning.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Personally I don't think it's creepy-DH had a very nice meeting with Tiana on our last trip. However, don't be surprised if the Princesses are a little standoffish at first-unfortunately, there have been some unfortunate encounters with creepy types. But after a couple seconds, everything should be fine. If you know your intentions are good, and I'm sure they are (otherwise you wouldn't ask), just go and have fun!

 

[BrianL]

How creepy it is or isn't all depends on attitude. If you go in with the intent to enjoy a meal and the atmosphere, make jokes, even kind of acknowledge that you're an adult guy and you love it anyway, then it's all good. Play it cool, you know? Now, if you go and sit and don't talk or interact much, and stare at the princesses the whole time, yeah, it'll probably come off as creepy. It's all in what you make of it. I wouldn't worry too much about what anyone thinks anyway, and don't worry, you wouldn't be the first person to do it.

One of these days I want to eat at Akershus, because the food looks good and interesting to me. I am generally only there by myself or with other adult guys, but I wouldn't let that stop me really. What stops me is replacing Biergarten or Garden Grill with it, not to mention the usual F&W booths typically around when I'm there. I'll get to it eventually though!

 

[Helvetica]

Princesses will now ask to take your arm for the photo - no bear hugging!

Huh. I didn’t realize people would bear hug the princesses.

I went as a solo to a few of the Princess meals and I had a good time. I’m not a hugger and I don’t really like people touching me at all, so my thing was just to keep my hands to myself and do whatever the characters asked me to do.

So long as you’re polite and respectful, I’m sure anyone can have a great time at a Princess meal or any character meal for that matter.

I guess the costumed characters have different rules. I had a Goofy and Chewbacca give a pretty big bear hug. Kind of weird, but hey it’s Disney World.

 

[charliebrown]

yo man, you do you. My Dad once booked a princess meal when It was just us, and I never understood why. Years later, he confided it was to see the "attractive" princesses. As he put it "I dont know where they find these girls". Now the traditions is stuck-every disney trip must include a princess meal.

 

[brad813]

Curious about this protocol, though I'm not male, so it's just curiosity. I know there's general protocol for character interactions with all guests; there are certain things they just don't do as a matter of course (one I heard in general training, unrelated to this topic, is that they're not supposed to mess with people's hats in case the guest is wearing a wig or has some other hidden issue related to their head or hair). Guessing it's to do with ensuring no one on either side gets accused of doing something inappropriate?

To answer the original question (as a woman, so take that how you will), I think there may be people (namely,other guests) who might think it's odd or have some opinion or other about it, assuming they even notice you're there..but I don't think it's any of their business and I don't think that should deter you. I think the CMs and princesses will have seen others doing the same, though, and will not make a big deal out of it. The characters may not spend much time at your table unless you actively signal your desire for interaction, though, as my understanding is that characters in general gravitate toward families with children. I'd advise you to come prepared with conversation starters. Ask Belle what books she's read recently, ask Ariel if she's seen the lovely hair combs (forks) they left out for your use, that kind of thing (I don't know which princesses are actually at these meals, but you get the idea).

And no, I don't think it's creepy. You're a guest at WDW; you're entitled to engage with the services and experiences WDW offers the same as anyone else.

Ah, the protocol question got answered as I was typing this. Thought it was probably something like that.

The female cast members playing the characters are allowed to take the arm of a man or stand close to, but they won’t hug an adult male or anything like that to protect to cast member. It’s really common sense, so as long as you don’t do anything inappropriate. Still, these are very attractive women playing the roles, so some men will behave inappropriately and that is why there are rules in place.

 

[brad813]

I had a nice encounter with Alice and Mary Poppins by the way.

 

[brad813]

Curious about this protocol, though I'm not male, so it's just curiosity. I know there's general protocol for character interactions with all guests; there are certain things they just don't do as a matter of course (one I heard in general training, unrelated to this topic, is that they're not supposed to mess with people's hats in case the guest is wearing a wig or has some other hidden issue related to their head or hair). Guessing it's to do with ensuring no one on either side gets accused of doing something inappropriate?

To answer the original question (as a woman, so take that how you will), I think there may be people (namely,other guests) who might think it's odd or have some opinion or other about it, assuming they even notice you're there..but I don't think it's any of their business and I don't think that should deter you. I think the CMs and princesses will have seen others doing the same, though, and will not make a big deal out of it. The characters may not spend much time at your table unless you actively signal your desire for interaction, though, as my understanding is that characters in general gravitate toward families with children. I'd advise you to come prepared with conversation starters. Ask Belle what books she's read recently, ask Ariel if she's seen the lovely hair combs (forks) they left out for your use, that kind of thing (I don't know which princesses are actually at these meals, but you get the idea).

And no, I don't think it's creepy. You're a guest at WDW; you're entitled to engage with the services and experiences WDW offers the same as anyone else.

Ah, the protocol question got answered as I was typing this. Thought it was probably something like that.

At the meals they spend a few minutes at each table.

 

[brad813]

I understand the general protocol for all guests and I know that Disney has very specific protocol for the CM's. I have not been able to find the protocols for adult males in photos that Brad knows about. I look forward to learning.

They have had issues with some men, even married men with their families present, touching the princesses inappropriately or coming on to them, so they started eliminating hugs to reduce the problem with sexual harassment of female cast members. I think them taking you by the arm makes for just as lovely a picture, though the furry characters freak me out a bit.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

yo man, you do you. My Dad once booked a princess meal when It was just us, and I never understood why. Years later, he confided it was to see the "attractive" princesses. As he put it "I dont know where they find these girls". Now the traditions is stuck-every disney trip must include a princess meal.

Exactly why I said yes, it's creepy.

 

[brad813]

Exactly why I said yes, it's creepy.

At some of these princess meals, the food is fantastic, so the way I look at it is the princesses are just a bonus.