How to have a great Disney Character Meet and Greet

By: Nicole BowlesOctober 10, 2017 Waiting in line for a character is an exciting time, because kids can't wait to meet their favorites. But, waiting can be boring, and you may get hot. Here are some tips for passing them time and having a memorable experience:First, listen to the character attendants and the PhotoPass photographers. They are there to help everyone have a memorable experience.Please leave your stroller outside of the line, and make sure your child has used the restroom before you get in line.How do you get more time with the character? Have an autograph book or something the character can sign (please note, not all characters sign). You don’t need to buy one from the parks, you can always purchase something before you go. Many people bring picture frames for the characters to sign, or they purchase the character book and have the character sign on their page. (Put your name and address in the book. If you lose it and it gets returned to lost and found, Disney will mail it to you.) If you would like the character attendant to use your phone or camera to take pictures, please have it ready to go, hand it to them, and ask them. Let the PhotoPass photographer take pictures and try not to stand in front of them. If you don’t have Memory Maker, it is ok. You may purchase pictures individually. You don’t have to purchase the pictures, but your phone or camera may miss that perfect shot the photographer got.When you are about the second or third family in line ready to meet the character, make sure your MagicBand or park ticket is ready to go, and get your autograph book out and the marker/pen ready to write (take the cap off and put it on the end of the pen or click the pen, some characters cannot take the caps off).This is important: Turn to the page of the book you would like signed like a bookmark. Why? Let’s say you are meeting Mickey. When your child steps up and to meet Mickey, the first thing Mickey does is interact with your child. Mickey assesses the situation and if your child is running up for a hug, he will hug him or her. For shy children, a pat on the back, etc. So, while this is happening, the autograph book has now closed and your child or you or the character attendant will have to flip through your book for a blank page. Put a pen or marker in it!After the hug, Mickey will sign the autograph book or whatever you brought. He will not sign it to your child personally, just his name. He will then hand the book to the character attendant so it is not in the picture. After the picture, there are hugs goodbye. Now, make sure you get your pictures on your MagicBand or park ticket from the photographer. If you don’t want them, just let the photographer scan your band or ticket anyway, they have to put those pictures somewhere and it makes things easier on them.Remember there is only one Mickey, Goofy doesn’t have a fan in his head, and when Sofia leaves, she is really going to feed Clover. Keep up the magic! Character meet and greets are something your child will remember for a lifetime!If you have any more questions about a character meet and greet or if you would like help planning your Disney vacation, I would be glad to help you. You can contact me at nbowles@wishesfamilytravel.com or my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nbowles.wft/ Always use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency to book your vacation!