Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Hello all you sweet little character loving ducklings out there! Us Cauldron girls have an update for anybody who wants to know why certain characters at Walt Disney World aren't anywhere to be found. And since somebody recently asked about Giselle from ENCHANTED, we'll start with her. ORDDU: Just yesterday--while swooping down into the Disney Hollywood Studios--we inquired about the status of Giselle because we had been told--a while back--that the character department was at work on the prospect of having her out for meetings and greetings. ORWEN: But yesterday we were told that they decided to NOT have Giselle out in any of the parks for meetings and greetings because the pretty white wedding gown--which they believe to be her 'signature' outfit from the movie--is just too expensive to maintain and to keep re-making all the time. So, for all of us Giselle fans, it's a big let down to have to know she'll be a 'no show' from now on--except maybe for special events and parades. ORDDU: Then there's the situation with Remy from RATATOUILLE. We were told that he won't be making any more appearances at Disney Hollywood Studios either. Instead he MIGHT turn up at Epcot in the French section of World Showcase. At least it's being CONSIDERED that he will do meetings and greetings over there at the French Restaurant. But please don't hold our broomsticks to the fire over this report because it hasn't been verified, for certain, that this is going to happen. ORWEN: Anyway, we just thought some of you would be interested to know what we were told. ORGOCH: Hmmmm...so they's really thinkin' a lettin' the rat take a home over at Epcot, eh? Guess that oughtta make Marie from 'Arrest the Cats' mighty happy. She'll have somethin' ta chase all over the place, if'n that's the case, an' if'n she fin'ly catches up ta ol' Remy he'll end up bein' a 'no show' all over agin!!
Originally Posted By magic0214 That sounds cool. I am just wondering who are they going to put in the Magic Of Disney Animation area? I know they are not putting Wall-E there, who else are they going to put. no more animated movies other than wall-e till 2009. WHOS GOING THERE!!! And Orgoch, Marie is to sophisticated to chase a cat. Also are they going to bring Eemile over to France too?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Ya might be surprised just how wild that pretty kitty can be when most folks ain't lookin', magic0214, ducklin'. I already seen her chase down lizards 'n frogs, once. ORWEN: Anyway, we weren't told if Emile would be joining Remy at World Show Case but it wouldn't be the same without him. Personally, I think they ought to let the rats do the cooking over there in that French Restaurant! ORGOCH: If'n ya was any dumber, sister, ya'd be drinkin' yer water outta some pig trough...
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 Not doubting your information, Witches, but if that was the case about the wedding dress being too expensive to maintain, why wouldn't they have her appear in other clothes--maybe the dress from "That's How You Know"? That's a fairly unique look. It reminds me of Belle--the yellow ball gown and the blue dress with the apron are both easily recognized. I would think the same system would apply for Giselle: when it's just a meet-and-greet, Belle usually appears in the blue dress. But for special occasions, parades and such, she appears in her ball gown. I'm sure there's a good reason they're not going to use the same system for Giselle, I'm just curious about what it is. Hopefully, they'll change their minds and eventually Giselle will appear in the parks on a regular basis, regardless of what costume she appears in.
Originally Posted By X-san ***I'm sure there's a good reason they're not going to use the same system for Giselle*** The good reason is that those other costumes cost money too. While that Belle costume does cost a cool million bucks for Disney, a good reason why you'll NEVER see her dressed that way for a meet and greet , the blue dress costs a good bit more than any old girl in any old blue dress (like, ten thousand or so bucks more). At least, that's my guess.
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 Well, I know they are expensive. Particularly a dress from a live action movie, where the textures and fit have to be more precise, as opposed to simply the color. But I don't know that the Giselle dress would be *that* much more expensive than another character. And I would imagine that it would always be cheaper to outfit a face character than a character like Ratatouille or Emile. Maybe they just don't see enough franchise potential in Enchanted to merit a character. But I would think the suits would just love to get kids even more interested in Giselle. They may have difficulty getting Amy Adams back, but the animated version of the princess is at their endless beck and call.
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 "to merit a character" I meant a walkaround character, obviously.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Actually, christiemarsh88, duckling, my sisters and I asked the very same question of the cast member whom we were talking to. We suggested that they allow Giselle to wear the pink dress that she is first seen wearing at the beginning of the movie--or that she be allowed to wear blue and white one she later wore after using Robert's curtains. ORWEN: The cast member said he didn't know why the Character department hadn't considered that idea. He only knew that, for now, Giselle isn't going to be making any more appearances, other than special events. ORDDU: He also mentioned that this same pattern for the more recent Disney characters seems to be the normal practice these days. The characters from MEET THE ROBINSONS are also extict. It's as if the company doesn't have enough faith in their more recent characters. ORGOCH: Yeah, that's why they ain't allowed out a their cages as much as, say, the one's from Malice in Blunderland, Peter Pansy, Scary Poppins, Cindersmelly er Snoozin' Floozie. OREWN: I don't think that's fair, either. I mean, the more recent Disney characters have fans, too. But if they aren't allowed out to play with guests, they eventually just fade away to the point where they're totally forgotten. It's such a crying shame. ORDDU: I suspect the REAL reason behind these decisions has everything to do with money. 'Tis the season for budget cuts, what with the current treacherous economy. At such times, even the Disney characters suffer.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl Maybe I'm crazy but I'm almost positive I've seen Belle in her gold gown for a meet and greet. In fact... I don't recall seeing her in her blue dress for quite some time. But then again I'm not one to get my pictures with the Princesses so maybe my memory is faulty. ~Beth
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Expensive for a corporation versus the little girls that wear these expensive (per family budget) dresses all over the parks....I feel more for the average family budget. My niece has many princess outfits including Giselle's white gown and they are all lovingly worn in the parks and played with at home. If they are worn out we will replace them or give them to friends. I know Belle's and Giselles gowns are Disney's most expensive.But these are expensive for every budget. Do you restrict your child from wearing them and enjoying them?
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 No, but I won't use a business model to raise my children. I see your point, Mickeymouseclub, and mostly agree with you. By putting their walkaround characters out their, they raise awareness of them and show support for the character. This gives them value, and makes them more of an asset to the company--can you really put a price on that? Witches, it was good to hear more from you on this. Sounds like it wasn't so much a Giselle-specific issue as a general walkaround character issue. I guess it does make sense that, especially in today's economy, they would wait to see if a character would stand the test of time before investing in creating a walkaround.
Originally Posted By X-san ***Maybe I'm crazy but I'm almost positive I've seen Belle in her gold gown for a meet and greet.*** Certainly possible. I was referring specifically to a particular dress (the million dollar one) that she wore in one of the Magic Kingdom parades in Florida. I'm sure they have less expensive versions. That particular one, however, I know for a fact would never be worn "around the park". At least, that's what Belle told me. And also her costume designer
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Belle still wears her peasant dress at Epcot in the French section of World Showcase. But, just recently, she started appearing in her gold ball gown over in the judges tent at Mickey's Toon Town Fair. I guess she looks more appropriate in her formal wear, considering she's in the same room with Cinderella and Princess Aurora--who are always dressed fit for a ball.
Originally Posted By X-san That makes sense. The only time I saw Belle walking around (outside of Tokyo anyway) was at Epcot. So the simple dress made sense. When she's dancing with the other Princesses of course she would be dressed up too (that's how I saw her in Tokyo most of the time...especially during Princess Days..).
Originally Posted By StitchMom84 We had breakfast at the Norway pavillion this past October ( the Storybook Dining meal) and Belle was in the front of the restaurant for photos in her yellow ball gown. Those are the photos that were in the package that they came around with later for purchase. And, in this particular package, they had two different poses.
Originally Posted By DlandDug All of the princesses, totally gussied up, appeared at the El Capitan Theatre for the Enchanted Experience. Giselle did meet 'n greet the public in the big white dress. However, when Giselle made appearances at Disneyland, she was always seated in a carriage, and did no meet 'n greets. I was told that there was only one dress, and that it cost in excess of $100,000. I would guess that many characters are "no shows" because they no longer resonate with the public. Several years ago there was an Annual Passholder's party where entertainment came up with the bright idea of having rare walk around characters in the park. Oddest of all was seeing the villains from Dick Tracy! I also recall seeing the Rocketeer that night. These days you could have the cast of Treasure Planet, or Chicken Little appear. The way Disneylanders can tell whose stock is high is by looking at the personnel on the Mark Twain at the finale of Fantasmic! The very front of the boat has featured any number of charming ladies over the years, but they all eventually give way for Ariel. The chimney sweeps accompany Mary Poppins up among the smoke billowing from the stacks. And it's pretty much anybody's guess who will be on the decks, twirling streamers and waving at the crowd.
Originally Posted By DlandDug BTW, here is Giselle at the ENchanted Experience: <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-516-6.asp" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/L...16-6.asp</a>
Originally Posted By dl1956 That photo of Princess Giselle in her gown explains why she doesn't do meet 'n greet at the Parks. No child could get within five feet of her let alone give her a hug.
Originally Posted By hightp Dug, they're nice pics, but I wonder why Jasmine looks more Asian than Middle-Eastern. Belle made meet and greet appearences in her gold ballgown during Mickey's Christmas Party in WDW. True, that was a few years ago, but I have pictures of the kids and her at the Castle's rear Courtyard.
