New Costume Character Candidates

[FantasiaMan]

Which characters should be added to the roster of new walk-around costumed "meet-&-greeters" at the Disney parks? Some characters haven't been done yet, at least for the past few decades.

For starters they should bring back the Bernard & Bianca. They looked pretty cute when they were at disney 25 years ago. Also Dumbo, I have a picture of him & he looked pretty good. Maybe they can use him as one of those walking Audio-Animatronics characters like Lucky the Dinosaur or Beaker & Dr. Bunsen Honeydew at DCA.

Also:
-Ben Ali Gator
-Roger Rabbit
-Dancing Mushrooms

Characters they haven't used yet:
-Timothy Mouse
-Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
-Peg Leg Pete
-Huey, Dewey & Louie
-Mr. Toad
-Gurgi
-Crows from Dumbo
-Lampwick
-Figaro
-Ludwig Von Drake

What do you think? Also, which characters do you think need redesigning?

[martinroyalsdisneyfan]

-I would like to see March Hare team up with Mad Hatter.
-Sebastian from the Little Mermaid.

[dizfan]

I am pretty sure I've seen Huey Dewy and Louie at Disneyland before, it's been a while though. I think they are still at Tokyo Disneyland. Sebastian was in Disneyland to for a while.

I took photos with Bernard and Bianca in Tokyo last month. They also had Max the Dog and Chef Louie!

[FantasiaMan]

I am pretty sure I've seen Huey Dewy and Louie at Disneyland before, it's been a while though. I think they are still at Tokyo Disneyland. Sebastian was in Disneyland to for a while.

I took photos with Bernard and Bianca in Tokyo last month. They also had Max the Dog and Chef Louie!

Do you think you can put up a few of those pictures?

[slave2moonlight]

I'd like to see some characters like Horace and Carabelle added! And I'd like to see the Black Cauldron characters brought back, along with a mass marketing campaign to get the movie into people's heads as one of the Disney classics. No, I don't think it's one of the best Disney films. In fact, it's kinda weak to carry the Disney name, but it's a Disney classic nonetheless, and it does have a few fantastic characters (Eilonwy, Gurgi, and the Horned King). Basically, I'd like to see obscure stuff getting some attention in the parks, and anything from Roger Rabbit, of course. It's my fave film.

As for redesigning, I think the only characters that DON'T need redesigning are ones like Cinderella and the other human-toons. All the really toony toons need to be redone so they are more size accurate and can actually talk with the guests (not that I've ever been comfortable approaching the characters that can talk, but still...). I am really psyched about this new thing where the characters are sort of real, like the Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker car. I think they need to try to make all the characters like this, and the ultimate thing would be if they weren't controlled by humans at all (but that has to do with artificial intelligence mostly, I guess, ha). It would make it less embarrassing to talk to them. I wouldn't be thinking, "Geez, this is really some college kid who is thinking what a dork I am right now...". How many times have I missed out on meeting Ariel because I don't want to look like a dork to the cast member in the costume (or drool all over her). Though, it would probably be most logical to always use humans in costumes for parts like that... *sigh* But, yeah, I think they're going in the right direction with that living characters project, if they can just think of a way for them to not have to be in cars and stuff, yet not get attacked by guests who don't know how to treat them. My dream is to one day see a Mickey walking around the park that is no bigger than the actual cartoon Mickey is supposed to be and can talk to me, and looks perfectly like the one we all know and love from TV and movies! And same goes for all the characters.

But, for starters, a walk-around Dumbo in the style of that dinosaur would be very cool. Only thing is, kids might be expecting him to be flying around... Perhaps a Simba? Or would that be too scary for kids? I guess not, if they can handle the Disney villains...

Of course, the goal should be "living toons!" Then, legalizing human/toon marriage, ha.

[lord-of-sith]

I would like to see a (I can't believe they haven't done this) Cheshire Cat. A walk-around Ursula would be fun to see. And though I'm not sure what characters from Pirates they currently have, they deifnately need Jack, Will, Elizabeth, Barbossa, Tia Dalma, and Davy Jones (though that might be a bit too tough to tackle).

[Prince Charming 12]

I found an interesting statistic concerning Disney characters in one of those planning books. According to the author, there are only about 250 characters brought to "life" in costume. Of that number, they estimate that only 50 are greeters and the rest perfomers in parades or shows.

I understand Disney's point of keeping the recognizable ones front and center, because everyone wants to meet Mickey! However, would the average guest actually be able to recognize and make the connection to some of the lesser know characters and their films? Probably not, because they are not "in-to-it" like we are.

To our friend who is nervous about meeting a princess - don't be They meet hundreds of people everyday and most would enjoy making your DREAM come true. I have met Cinderella a couple of times and she was just charming, but I am the Prince.

[slave2moonlight]

Actually, I met Belle once in EPCOT (France section) in 2004, and she was very nice (and gorgeous). I had never seen Belle outside of a stage show, and my little sis was in line, so I went along with her. It's easier when you're not alone. But, I can never get her to join me at Ariel's Grotto, so I have yet to get a picture with my fave Disney Princess... But, honestly, it would take more than a photo for one of them to "make my (Disney Princess) DREAM come true," ha.

[goofystitch]

As far as Huey, Duey, and Louie are concerned, I remember seeing them at Disney World when I was young. I saw them in Mickey's Starland outside of the Disney Afternoon stage show. I have their autograph, but I can't find a picture of me with them.

Characters that I would like to see in the parks would deffinatley be Gurgie (although so few people would know who he is or what film he is from) the Cheshire Cat. I agree with lord-of-sith. It is astonishing given his popularity that he isn't walking around, let alone in any parades. An erect Cheshire Cat wouldn't be a stretch, considdering all of the other 4 legged Disney characters that walk the parks sigining autographs on a daily basis (Pluto, Eeyore, etc...).

slave2moonlight wrote:

I'd like to see some characters like Horace and Carabelle added!

I took this picture December 2006. She's not exactly walking the parks regularly, but Clairabelle had her own parade float in this years Christmas parade!!!!!

[slave2moonlight]

Great pic, goofystitch!

As for characters like Cheshire Cat and Gurgi, I'd love to see them. The only thing is, the whole size thing has always bothered me, like 6 foot Mickey or Jiminy. I guess that's why I like the animatronic characters on the rides more than the walkabouts at times. That's why I am so excited for their new course of action with these characters like Bunsen and Beaker. I really hope they perfect that concept for all the non-human character walkabouts, though I don't know how they will. Oh, meet-n-greet characters like Baloo are fine. He's a bear, but he can't talk. They should work on that. It's when size is an issue that I'm less than impressed. I would love to finally see Mickey perfected, like in the statue of him with Walt! That's how he should be in the park!

[Kram Nebuer]

I was looking through the galleries on the Black Cauldron DVD and during the premiere, they had face characters for Taran, Eilonwy, Flewder Fflam, and a henchman and there was a costume of Gurgi. They should whip those costumes out of storage and bring them back to the parks! I don't know why Disney is not taking advantage of their pre-existing Disney Princess Eilonwy rather than waiting for their 3 new Princess movies to come out to add more to the line-up. Grrr.

Eilonwy would be easy to make. Here's someone in a cosplay costume:

And here's a bunch more:
http://www.mandyscosplay.com/disney.php

There was another thread in this forum about Disney characters. I posted a lot of pictures of characters you don't see normally at the American parks.

bbl..

Found it:
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... 272#214272
Kim and Ron!

[Flanger-Hanger]

Ludvig Von Drake has been made into a character and can be seen sometimes at Animal Kingdom. And Horace and Clarabelle are walking around MK now (or at least since September).

The Black Cauldron characters would be easy to do and fun for fans but I think the general public would just be confused (they would think Creeper is to scary for kids and would get Eilonwy confused with Aurora (pink dress blond hair). Of course if Disney did a major marketing campaign for the film like they did for the Aristocats they could change public opinion.

BTW Kram Nebuer that costume is AMAZING!!!!! You should wear it to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World (or another Disney park).

[Kram Nebuer]

BTW Kram Nebuer that costume is AMAZING!!!!! You should wear it to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World (or another Disney park).

Ummm...which one are you talking about? lol, I didn't make any of them, I just posted the pictures. The Eilonwy costume is by some girl group who did a whole Disney "princess" performance at the Comic Convention in 2005...or 2004. It's on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SSZBAPleVc

But I do have a Dale costume from Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers that I wore my senior year of high school and I reused freshman year at college. I would love to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in that!

[Flanger-Hanger]

oops, my bad. I thought that was you sorry. well who ever it was it was a good costume. (something that someone could wear to the Pirate and Princess parties at MK). But your Dale costume sounds cool!

[blackcauldron85]

I'm so happy that so many of you want to see the Black Cauldron characters- I do, too! They have the costumes, so we should be able to meet them. I have a Gurgi doll I can hug, but to hug a giant furry Gurgi would be amazing- he's my favorite Disney character.

This past weekend, my husband and I saw Horace & Clarabelle- we didn't meet them, but we took their picture when we were on the train (and they were down below).

Besides the characters from TBC, I agree that Bernard and Bianca would be fun. Also the characters from "The Great Mouse Detective". And "Oliver and Company". And even "The Fox and the Hound" (I have a soft spot for these). I wouldn't complain about meeting any character, though...I'd like to meet Hercules (I've met Meg and Phil).

[slave2moonlight]

When I was growing up, Disney characters seemed so scarce in the parks! I remember the only time I went to Disneyland (when I was like 6; we've only gone to Disney World since then), I only saw like two characters, and one was on the ground as we passed over on the monorail (Minnie, I believe). When we started going to Disney World in the 80s though, we seemed to see an increase every year.

By the way, I have that Gurgi plush too, and I also have the Hen Wen plush!

That costume for Eilonwy IS amazing! I'd love to see it on someone with a better likeness to the character! Same goes for all those on that webpage. The Meg girl wasn't too shabby though, and a couple others weren't bad, but I think some of the girls might have been dudes, which messes with my head a little, ha! Oh well, at least Peter was a dude.

[QueenRahel]

i think disney got all the greats covered as far as char...they just need to bring them out more....

[Disneykid]

Characters I'd like to see do meet and greets:

The March Hare
Gus
Jaq
Quasimodo (apparently he and the following three characters are retired)
Esmeralda
Phoebus
Clopin
Bernard
Bianca

I also think some of the face characters (aka humans) need their wigs and costumes redone:

Aurora - Her wig shouldn't be curly; it should be wavy except at the very ends which do need curling, though not the way the wig shows. The bangs are way too exaggerated, and her dress is far too bulky (why is it made of FELT?). The top portion needs to expose her shoulders more and not stick out so largely. Her bodice and material around her waist should not be the same color. Her necklace and tiara also need to be drastically smaller; she's not the Wicked Queen. Oh, and make the dress blue, period.

Phillip - The black top hat needs to go and be replaced with the red hunting cap. The puffy part of the sleeves should be two different shades of red, the regular sleeves black, and the cape's interior gray.

Cinderella - Her wig should be strawberry blonde, not wheat blonde. The gown needs to be white and silver with the bow in the back removed.

Prince Charming - His shirt/coat should be pale yellow, not white.

Fairy Godmother - Her robe should be pale blue, not turquoise, and the bow magenta, not pink. Oh, and what's up with the white eyebrows? White-haired people can have dark eyebrows. The Godmother does in the film.

The Mad Hatter - His coat should be a dark mustard yellow (not orange), the hat ribbon and vest should be pine green (not blue), and he shouldn't be wearing gloves (though I'm now seeing Hatters without them).

Alice - Her collar and sleeve edges shouldn't be white but sky blue like the rest of the dress.

Aladdin - I understood the reason for putting a shirt under his vest...until I saw Tarzan. If the poor CM has to walk around in a loincloth (albeit for select appearances), the the CM playing Aladdin can tough it up wearing just the vest unless it's cold outside.

Really, the only ones that actively bother me are Cinderella and Aurora (and Phillip's ridiculous hat), but I figured I'd list the other little cosmetic changes I'd make to other costumes.

[xxhplinkxx]

But, I can never get her to join me at Ariel's Grotto, so I have yet to get a picture with my fave Disney Princess...

I havent built up the never to go to Ariels Grotto either... *sigh*

[blackcauldron85]

By the way, I have that Gurgi plush too, and I also have the Hen Wen plush!

I actually have them, plus the Fairfolk! I've seen on eBay a bigger, furrier Gurgi, but I have yet to adopt him.

My husband and I just this past weekend met Ariel for the first time...she was so nice, and we had a conversation. Fun!