Saw princesses roaming behind the castle at Magic Kingdom this week during the fireworks. They seemed oblivious to the swarm that would follow but interact with children quickly then continue frolicing in and out of the crowd. Cinderella, Aurora, Tiana, Repunzel, and Elena. Then the step sisters also roaming during mnsshp on Tuesday.
Yes…. there are too many guests in the outside public areas of the park who want to meet the characters! If they stopped for a photo with every guest, the cast member/character would not be able to stay on their schedule. Stopping few a minute or two to greet a guest is one thing…. Trying to accommodate every guests needs for several minutes takes up too much time! There is an area (I forgot the name) where the cast members/characters are scheduled to be for the purpose of meeting the guests. They greet the guests, chat with them , and allow approximately 4 minutes to take any photos with them. This is much more convenient.
I like the roaming characters 98% better then meet and greets because there’s no line, you can have a longer interaction and someti?es that’s the only way you’ll see a character in the day is if there roaming because if you want to do the rides you ?ore than likely don’t have time to wait around in a longer line just to meet and greet a character. Roaming ones are the best.
Took the kids to Disney World for the first (and last) time last year. Only characters we saw were on parade, Mickey meeting and in princess building.
Was disappointed at the lack of liveliness in the parks. Everything had to be scheduled or planned or reserved.
Would definitely prefer to have more roaming characters for photo ops and signatures. Feels more fun than being herded through a building like cattle being processed.
If people could respect the rules, there wouldn’t be an issue. Unfortunately everyone thinks their own little Timmy and little Suzie are the only children on the planet and the most important guests in the park. A trip to Disney is about schedules and experiences. If you want to relax on a vacation, go to a beach. It’s not that difficult to schedule your times and go to where the meet and greet are.
First time at Disney World was in 1979. Characters roamed then and it was fun. My son, Donnie, had his name on his shirt and Donald Duck hugged and played with him because of the shirt. : )
This author states disney world (in Florida) did away with roaming characters… not true. My family was there in July of 2023 and we saw/ interacted with several characters while exploring all the parks.
In magic Kingdom Captian Jack Sparrow led my kids on a treasure hunt, and in Galaxy’s Edge Mando, Rey and Chewie spoke to my son for several minutes.
These were awesome experiences for my kids of course, but also for my wife and I because of the joy it brought to our kids. Furthermore while I did see crowds following the characters (expected) I did not see swarming (BTW I didn’t see that in the pictures above either), and the actors didn’t seem to mind. Plus actors usually have an attendant with them to prevent swarming.
This author obviously has a different opinion, but he/she should not present their opinion as fact.
This is not true. Took my kids to Disney world in July 2023 (this summer). Captian Jack Sparrow led my kids on a treasure hunt. Also Mando, Rey and Chewie all talked with my kids for several minutes. There were crowds but no swarms.
I like the roaming characters. It brings the magic to life and helps emerse you into the world of the theme. While I did like the scheduled character interactions in Hollywood studios, it’s not magical. The chance meeting in the parks is better.
This author should present their opinions as just that… their opinion, not fact. I didn’t witness any of the experiences the author described.
I’m not able to visit the Parks anymore, so on my last trip to Disneyland I saw different characters roaming around except for Mickey himself, I was very disappointed about that. After all, he is the star of the parks.
I like and don’t like the roaming characters. I have 2 special needs children and they would never be able to see the roaming characters due to the swarm of guest around them. I would prefer the scheduled ones so my babies can see them as well with out getting trampled by the swarm.
Outrageous! Roaming characters must not be discontinued! Even though they only have not less than a minute to meet guests, they should still be around! Somebody’s gotta do something!
Just saying as an international tourist I’d have no way of knowing what the “standard edict” would be. So I can understand visitors excitement at seeing their favourite characters in person (you just walking around) and flocking to them but I can also imagine the annoyances the locals would feel.
Maybe have roaming characters for Mickey and the gang, the princesses and the like? But have meet and greet events for those incredibly popular characters like Mando, Groku and Ashoka (apologises for if I misspelt anyone’s names). If I knew that I could one meet these characters in person I’d happily wait in line!
At any Disneyland I’d expect to be able to take a selfie with Mickie but would happily wait in line to meet other beloved characters. But if I waited in line for hours to meet a character but didn’t get the chance, yeah I’d be really disappointed. Probably angry and rightly so.
Removing all roaming characters from Galaxy’s Edge would detract from the ambiance of the place. I think having occasional storm troopers etc.l is an important part of the experience.
My ideal solution would be to have a meet & greet for specific characters like Ahsoka or Mando, assuming doing so is better for the safety of those cast members. But even then, still have free roaming for random storm troopers and others who are less likely to be swarmed by a crowd.
Being able to randomly discover a character among the crowd and interact with them is really awesome, but not if it is going to jeopardize safety.
I hope Disney doesn’t end up eliminating roaming all together in Galaxy’s Edge.
Comments for Disney Park To Do Away With Roaming Characters After Crowds Swarm Galaxy’s Edge
Ck
Saw princesses roaming behind the castle at Magic Kingdom this week during the fireworks. They seemed oblivious to the swarm that would follow but interact with children quickly then continue frolicing in and out of the crowd. Cinderella, Aurora, Tiana, Repunzel, and Elena. Then the step sisters also roaming during mnsshp on Tuesday.
George Reynolds III
Yes…. there are too many guests in the outside public areas of the park who want to meet the characters! If they stopped for a photo with every guest, the cast member/character would not be able to stay on their schedule. Stopping few a minute or two to greet a guest is one thing…. Trying to accommodate every guests needs for several minutes takes up too much time! There is an area (I forgot the name) where the cast members/characters are scheduled to be for the purpose of meeting the guests. They greet the guests, chat with them , and allow approximately 4 minutes to take any photos with them. This is much more convenient.
Chloe
I like the roaming characters 98% better then meet and greets because there’s no line, you can have a longer interaction and someti?es that’s the only way you’ll see a character in the day is if there roaming because if you want to do the rides you ?ore than likely don’t have time to wait around in a longer line just to meet and greet a character. Roaming ones are the best.
Jonathan
Took the kids to Disney World for the first (and last) time last year. Only characters we saw were on parade, Mickey meeting and in princess building.
Was disappointed at the lack of liveliness in the parks. Everything had to be scheduled or planned or reserved.
Would definitely prefer to have more roaming characters for photo ops and signatures. Feels more fun than being herded through a building like cattle being processed.
Matt
If people could respect the rules, there wouldn’t be an issue. Unfortunately everyone thinks their own little Timmy and little Suzie are the only children on the planet and the most important guests in the park. A trip to Disney is about schedules and experiences. If you want to relax on a vacation, go to a beach. It’s not that difficult to schedule your times and go to where the meet and greet are.
Connor Macleod
Bring back the cuddles with Mickey Mouse and the rest of the gang!
Connor Macleod
Meet and greets are better cause I’m hoping that I get a cuddle from Mickey Mouse when I arrive next year!
Sharon
First time at Disney World was in 1979. Characters roamed then and it was fun. My son, Donnie, had his name on his shirt and Donald Duck hugged and played with him because of the shirt. : )
Jeff
This is not Disney any longer.
Mark
This author states disney world (in Florida) did away with roaming characters… not true. My family was there in July of 2023 and we saw/ interacted with several characters while exploring all the parks.
In magic Kingdom Captian Jack Sparrow led my kids on a treasure hunt, and in Galaxy’s Edge Mando, Rey and Chewie spoke to my son for several minutes.
These were awesome experiences for my kids of course, but also for my wife and I because of the joy it brought to our kids. Furthermore while I did see crowds following the characters (expected) I did not see swarming (BTW I didn’t see that in the pictures above either), and the actors didn’t seem to mind. Plus actors usually have an attendant with them to prevent swarming.
This author obviously has a different opinion, but he/she should not present their opinion as fact.
Mark
This is not true. Took my kids to Disney world in July 2023 (this summer). Captian Jack Sparrow led my kids on a treasure hunt. Also Mando, Rey and Chewie all talked with my kids for several minutes. There were crowds but no swarms.
I like the roaming characters. It brings the magic to life and helps emerse you into the world of the theme. While I did like the scheduled character interactions in Hollywood studios, it’s not magical. The chance meeting in the parks is better.
This author should present their opinions as just that… their opinion, not fact. I didn’t witness any of the experiences the author described.
Abby
I’m not able to visit the Parks anymore, so on my last trip to Disneyland I saw different characters roaming around except for Mickey himself, I was very disappointed about that. After all, he is the star of the parks.
Brandi
I like and don’t like the roaming characters. I have 2 special needs children and they would never be able to see the roaming characters due to the swarm of guest around them. I would prefer the scheduled ones so my babies can see them as well with out getting trampled by the swarm.
Quinn
I don’t bother. I know they’re just teens or 20-something’s in a costume.
Matthew Weikert
Outrageous! Roaming characters must not be discontinued! Even though they only have not less than a minute to meet guests, they should still be around! Somebody’s gotta do something!
CJ
Just saying as an international tourist I’d have no way of knowing what the “standard edict” would be. So I can understand visitors excitement at seeing their favourite characters in person (you just walking around) and flocking to them but I can also imagine the annoyances the locals would feel.
Maybe have roaming characters for Mickey and the gang, the princesses and the like? But have meet and greet events for those incredibly popular characters like Mando, Groku and Ashoka (apologises for if I misspelt anyone’s names). If I knew that I could one meet these characters in person I’d happily wait in line!
At any Disneyland I’d expect to be able to take a selfie with Mickie but would happily wait in line to meet other beloved characters. But if I waited in line for hours to meet a character but didn’t get the chance, yeah I’d be really disappointed. Probably angry and rightly so.
Have both.
Jarlie
Removing all roaming characters from Galaxy’s Edge would detract from the ambiance of the place. I think having occasional storm troopers etc.l is an important part of the experience.
My ideal solution would be to have a meet & greet for specific characters like Ahsoka or Mando, assuming doing so is better for the safety of those cast members. But even then, still have free roaming for random storm troopers and others who are less likely to be swarmed by a crowd.
Being able to randomly discover a character among the crowd and interact with them is really awesome, but not if it is going to jeopardize safety.
I hope Disney doesn’t end up eliminating roaming all together in Galaxy’s Edge.
Come on, people, don’t spoil this for us!
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