Originally Posted By disneyfan4ever82 One of the things that I enjoy doing when I go to the Magic Kingdom, and by extension all other Walt Disney World parks, is speaking to the face characters. I've heard that the only way to speak to Belle now is by visiting Enhcanted Tales With Belle. I haven't visited the park since 2011...I don't know what's changed since then.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Well, disneyland4ever82, duckling, it's true that you can meet Belle at Maurice's cottage. But whether or not you can get to talk to her is another thing. The way they have things set up for her, now, is that you aren't allowed to get your picture taken with her unless you are chosen to participate in her little skit with a few other guests. There is an announcement they make--after you've already stood in a long line--that you can't take any pictures beyond a certain point and you certainly can't take any pictures of Belle unless you are a part of her little skit. ORDDU: From what we've heard, some guests are already upset about this little known fact. Even when you are allowed to get your picture with Belle, you're forced to use a professional photographer who then gives you a photo pass--which means you end up paying sky high prices for the opportunity to get your picture with her. But it's only you who gets to be in the photo with her. The rest of your party is left out. ORWEN: If they would make all this clear to guests before they went to stand in a long line it would be so much better. I mean, who wants to wait in a long line--like we did--only to be surprised and disappointed to find out you can't get a picture with Belle like you thought you could. There are too many rules to follow in this particular meet and greet and it takes all the fun out of meeting Belle!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: We should add that there is a less convoluted way to meet and greet with Belle over at Epcot in France. She usually wears her blue peasant dress, there, instead of the gold ball gown she wears inside Maurice's cottage.
Originally Posted By disneyfan4ever82 Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind when I make my way down there in 2014. Do the same rules apply for meet-and-greets with characters like Ariel, who also has her own meeting place?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros So you're not allowed to take photos throughout the experience with Belle? Is it just at the very end when everybody is getting their 1-on-1 photos, or during the 'show' itself? I can't imagine either would go over particularly well with guests who have been waiting in those long lines, but I hope they can at least take pictures of their family members in the skit. And given that you're allowed to take photos of almost anything else at WDW (assuming you turn your flash off and aren't backstage), I find it pretty strange that they require you to use the PhotoPass option here, unless guests doing their own really slows the process down *that* much Yet another way the integration of the NextGen system, requiring you to buy the PhotoPass picture to remember your experience, is going to end up costing the guests a lot of money As for Ariel and other characters, I believe they still have the 'normal' style meet and greets, where you wait in line, and the meet you in a room for a few moments, and you get your photo. Since there's no structured show/interaction element, I assume that they'll still take the PhotoPass picture first, but also give you the option to have one taken with your own camera.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Yes, you can still meet Ariel the 'normal' way without all the hassels that go along with meeting Belle. ORDDU: We can't imagine why such a bone headed decision was made in regard to the way you meet Belle in Maurice's cottage, though. It is a total disappointment for so many who aren't aware of what to expect until it's too late. We just checked again, yesterday, to find out if any changes had taken place and they have not. So guests are forced to pay for the professional photo only--and can't get a picture with Belle at all if they weren't chosen to be part of the skit. ORWEN: The thing the really irks me is taht when you ask a cast member about this, they say that "everyone has the same chance to get a picture with Belle"--meaning you have the same chance to be chosen to participate in the skit. But those who aren't chosen for the skit and who still want a picture with Belle are out of luck. This is the most ridiculous arrangement I've ever seen for a meet and greet!!!
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I am so glad I don't have any small children anymore. I couldn't imagine doing the character things that you all go through now to see a character. I miss the days when you just kind of happened upon them.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I would like to add that the line is very long and then you are crammed into the cottage to wait and then enter the area to be "chosen" with the magic mirror but the cramming into this room is experienced again, to wait, and then you enter another room to see/ wait for Belle. After it is all over they had everybody the PhotoPass card...As if you are going to purchase strangers posing with Belle for your magical memory. I wonder if they include a special picture of Belle in your photopass purchase...
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub In other words push your children to the front so they will be chosen to be in the skit cause they will receive a gift bookmark from Belle, which is kinda nice.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "So you're not allowed to take photos throughout the experience with Belle? Is it just at the very end when everybody is getting their 1-on-1 photos, or during the 'show' itself?" Disneygeek could and did.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Did Disneygeek get chosen to participate in the skit? That's what qualifies you get a professionla photo with Belle.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance No, he didn't. He just took pics of the show, scenary, etc. Don't know about any professional photos.
Originally Posted By tashajilek They actually hand guests photo passes of Belle with other and expect people to purchase this? Hahaha wtf.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Yes I was so shocked I wanted to say those exact words but instead I said I thought you were handing me a bookmark too. So he gave me one, but he had to go to a separate place to get it for me. He def was not handing those bookmarks freely but everybody got a Photopass. I do kinda wonder if there is a professional Disney photo included in the package. Occasionally they will give a family a professional pic of Mickey Mouse and the gang when checking into the hotel. I need a birthday child when I travel apparently...
Originally Posted By disneyfan4ever82 A lot of good info in this thread...At least it seems that Enchanted Tales is the exception to the rule about meet-and-greets. I have about 7-and-a-half months to go until the big trip. I'm glad I got this info now.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: When us Cauldron girls went to see Belle, there was a man next to us to tried to take a picture of Belle with is personal cameral and a cast member came forward to insist that he not take any pictures at all. He was ignoring the original instructions that were announced. They don't really want you to use your own camera but I'm sure some people disobey the rules anyway.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: This is one time I don't blame guests for disobeying the rules, either. It's not a matter of safety or ruining the show when people take their own pictures like that. Until Disney puts up a sign outside to explain what guests can expect, they shouldn't be surprised that everyone will want a picture of Belle.
Originally Posted By Friar Tuck and Roll I took pictures with my own camera of the show without anyone saying anything to me. Also, if you do want a picture with Belle, in the room with the wardrobe, they ask if everyone that wanted a part has one, and if you say you want a part they will give you a random character, but this will get you a picture with Belle.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub It would add a lot of fun and drama to the little skit if security entering commando style and confiscated all cameras and cellphones!
