Meet and Greet Characters
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DisneyAnimation88
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Meet and Greet Characters
Having holidayed in Walt Disney World since I was 6, one thing I've seen change significantly is the amount of characters available to meet. When I was younger, I collected autographs religiously but in recent years, I have noticed how most of the characters that used to be in Disney World are now nowhere to be seen, especially the villains. Hopefully will seek to rectify this and put more characters in the parks as well as do away with the timetables for meet and greets to make the experience more spontaneous. This might mean some of the older characters in the Disney canon, especially Pete as he is the company's oldest.
We're not going to Guam, are we?
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Wonderlicious
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Welcome to the forum! 
Yeah, I've noticed overall that the range of characters these days is shrinking. Granted, the situation is to some extent not as dire at Disneyland Paris (my usual Disney spot, since it's the closest), but it's still noticeable there. Bumping into characters randomly (as opposed to them being listed one way or another in the park guide) is less common these days too, probably due to the fact that they give into the majority of guests' demands by placing so much attention onto meeting the most obvious and popular character groups that demand lines (the princesses, the Mickey Mouse universe, Pooh and friends, Toy Story characters). It makes you wonder if Hong Kong Disneyland (aka the most recent Disney park/resort) actually has certain costumes.
From what I understand, the villains do tend to come out a lot around Halloween at all the Disney resorts. And some villains (Captain Hook, Lady Tremaine and Cinderella's stepsisters) are still quite common any time of the year.
Yeah, I've noticed overall that the range of characters these days is shrinking. Granted, the situation is to some extent not as dire at Disneyland Paris (my usual Disney spot, since it's the closest), but it's still noticeable there. Bumping into characters randomly (as opposed to them being listed one way or another in the park guide) is less common these days too, probably due to the fact that they give into the majority of guests' demands by placing so much attention onto meeting the most obvious and popular character groups that demand lines (the princesses, the Mickey Mouse universe, Pooh and friends, Toy Story characters). It makes you wonder if Hong Kong Disneyland (aka the most recent Disney park/resort) actually has certain costumes.
From what I understand, the villains do tend to come out a lot around Halloween at all the Disney resorts. And some villains (Captain Hook, Lady Tremaine and Cinderella's stepsisters) are still quite common any time of the year.
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DisneyAnimation88
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Thanks for the welcome 
I just think it's a shame Disney has forgotten that they have characters besides the princesses and the fairies, none of who I know. I used to like the Fantasyland Character Festival when I was younger simply as you never knew who you would see as well as the characters that usually lined both sides of Main Street USA.
As far as the villains go, I'd like to see Jafar, Maleficent and Cruella available for meet and greets again as well as Doctor Facilier.
I just think it's a shame Disney has forgotten that they have characters besides the princesses and the fairies, none of who I know. I used to like the Fantasyland Character Festival when I was younger simply as you never knew who you would see as well as the characters that usually lined both sides of Main Street USA.
As far as the villains go, I'd like to see Jafar, Maleficent and Cruella available for meet and greets again as well as Doctor Facilier.
We're not going to Guam, are we?
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Prince Charming 12
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CHARACTERS
I would disagree. I have seen numerous characters at "random" locations and defined meet and greet areas throughout the parks over the past few years. Granted some of the villians are not as frequent, but I have seen Jafar in Adventureland, for example. The Princess and the Frog characters were very visable last December to promote the movie.
While the random visits are a nice surprise, I do like the defined meet and greet times and locations so that I can plan my day. I tend to try and experience the many attractions, shows, and parades offered each day so I'd rather not hang around a spot to see who might show up next.
While the random visits are a nice surprise, I do like the defined meet and greet times and locations so that I can plan my day. I tend to try and experience the many attractions, shows, and parades offered each day so I'd rather not hang around a spot to see who might show up next.
Remember the Magic!
A friend of mine took his family to WDW in the 1990s and was waiting in line to meet Winnie the Pooh when a cast member said they were going to leave to do a show. People in the line groaned and they decided to stay and finish the line. When we went in 2009 I got to meet Aurora and Cinderella and they didn't have to leave which is good cause they don't have to disappoint guests that way.