Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Why can't they have more then one pair of cast members in different rooms playing the princesses.<< Part of the reason the queues have been so long is that they weren't expecting the film to be the huge runaway success it's become. Had they known just how popular it would be, I'm sure they'd find a way to have multiple rooms, or have meet & greets in multiple parks. But as it is, they're just in a temporary spot in a corner of a small shop. Given that they'll now have continuous sets (meaning that one pair of sisters can take a break while the other is onstage) the daily capacity will be higher, which *should* decrease wait times, but it could also just allow more people the opportunity to wait for hours on end
Originally Posted By FerretAfros No, they currently only greet guests in the Norway pavilion in Epcot. They're stationed in one of the corners of the store, while the queue is switchbacks in the main pavilion courtyard. Fairytale Hall seems like it would be a good place to send them to manage the queues better; there's also space on the north side of the Norway pavilion for a more permanent meet & greet location (where the Viking ship playground used to be) that would get them out of the store and the queue out of the walkway, should they decide to keep them around
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "No, they currently only greet guests in the Norway pavilion in Epcot." Of course, CC said that. My bad.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: The fact that there are so many who enjoy meeting the characters is a positive testament to the success of Disney storytelling. The Disney characters are the heart and soul of the Disney company and always will be. They are always appreciated by the young at heart--regardless of physical age. To not understand this shows a lack of understanding and it's insulting to genuine Disney fans when someone comes on a site like this to disrespect those who DO enjoy meeting the Disney characters. If you're one of those who can't understand why the characters are so much loved by guests of all ages then you are the one who is lacking. ORGOCH: Yikes!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>The fact that there are so many who enjoy meeting the characters is a positive testament to the success of Disney storytelling.<< Or a testament to the lack of fresh attractions in the park. Or a testament to TDO's philosophy that guests don't want an intellectually stimulating experience, but rather one full of corporate branding. Or most likely, it's a sign that people have incredibly different priorities while in a park. A duo of characters meeting and greeting guests for 5 hours has about the same capacity as a single Dumbo spinner in one hour; the daily total is still less than an hour at Spaceship Earth. Anna and Elsa's visitors are a tiny fraction of the overall guest population on any given day Different guests have different priorities. Many guests don't like thrill rides, or aren't willing to schedule their day around the parade or fireworks. I would guess that most wouldn't consider waiting 2+ hours to meet characters, but there are enough who are willing that the queue builds up. That still doesn't mean that it's anywhere near a majority of guests, or even a significant percentage >>To not understand this shows a lack of understanding and it's insulting to genuine Disney fans when someone comes on a site like this to disrespect those who DO enjoy meeting the Disney characters.<< Similarly, to not understand the long-standing legacy of the parks' ability to entertain without relying on inserting characters into every possible nook shows a lack of understanding. Different people have different priorities and preferences for what they want in a park experience, but to say that someone not wanting a character-based experience is somehow disrespecting another poster is pure poppycock As far as I can tell, nobody in this thread said anything disrespectful or "lacking" some sort of comprehension. It was mostly just people marveling at the long waits, which are routinely 2-3 times longer than any other meet & greet in WDW, and the longest wait in the park
Originally Posted By disneyfan4ever82 I waited about 2 1/2 hours to see Anna and Elsa on my most recent trip there. Since it was my 20th visit to Walt Disney World, I didn't made the wait. If this were my first time going, I might want to concentrate on the rides exclusively, but with 20 trips behind me, I'm not in a rush. Anna and Elsa do take a while to meet, and that's because they speak to the parkgoers. I know face characters do that in general, but I don't mind the wait, and I spoke to them as well.
Originally Posted By kennect for a wait that long I could watch the film several. for me that would be more satisfying than just standing in a line doing nothing.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt >>The fact that there are so many who enjoy meeting the characters is a positive testament to the success of Disney storytelling.<< "Or a testament to the lack of fresh attractions in the park." I'm going to go out on a very long limb and attribute this phenomenon to the parks' gradual transformation into physical extensions of Disney's larger corporate brand, which in turn has caused guests to expect (demand?) a more kid friendly experience everywhere at the parks. In short, no matter how serious the subject (history, food, art, culture, etc.) anyone visiting "Disney" must have kids in tow, and therefore expects there to be character photo-ops in every nook and cranny and lots of them.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I agree that the parks are an extension of the Disney brand, and to a certain extent always have been. However, there has been a real paradigm shift in the last ~20 years (especially in the last 10) that puts the focus clearly on characters and franchises. In the 80's, I would say that EPCOT Center was every bit as representative of the brand as the Disney Channel. Both have evolved with the times, but both tend to reflect greater trends >>...anyone visiting "Disney" must have kids in tow, and therefore expects there to be character photo-ops in every nook and cranny and lots of them.<< Disney has always provided a family-friendly environment (with a handful of exceptions like Pleasure Island), but in recent years they really seem to be aiming squarely at the kids. Walt created DL as a place for families to have fun together, but it seems like that philosophy has really been slipping away in recent years. Yes, I'm sure there's a lot of magic in watching your kid interact with their favorite character even if you aren't into the movie, but I can't help but think that there are better ways of doing things "together"
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I agree that the parks are an extension of the Disney brand, and to a certain extent always have been. However, there has been a real paradigm shift in the last ~20 years (especially in the last 10) that puts the focus clearly on characters and franchises." That was my point.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Competition is much more prevelant today than it was back in Disneyland's beginnings. I think Disney is really trying to seperate themselves from the other guys now a days by relying more on their character base and franchises. Because let's face it, they have some hugely, popular characters/franchises.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I think you're right, and it seems to be working quite well for them. The problem for me, aside from what I stated previously, is that I don't care for characters much (except for Duffy of course and a drop dead gorgeous Mary Poppins I saw at DL two years ago).
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: The point I was trying to make, Ferret, is that it's very wrong for someone to come on a Disney site and disrespect or insult those adults who happen to like meeting the characters. The point you were making doesn't address that at all. Your point addresses a totally different subject which is valid in itself. If anyone were to insult those who prefer attractions over meeting characters, they would be equally out of line.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: I would also like to add that I don't think Disney is wrong to promote their movies within their own theme parks, via character meet and greets and attractions. This is a matter of taste, naturally, and some have made it clear they disapprove of this fact. But Disney is going to continue doing what the majority of its guests want so there's really nothing a minority can do about it except to not visit the parks if they have become so disappointing to them.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I would also like to add that I don't think Disney is wrong to promote their movies within their own theme parks, via character meet and greets and attractions." Personally I don't think it's wrong as much as it is annoying. It's fine that Disney parks aren't as serious as they used to be, but I'm pretty certain that the offerings would be more appealing to *me* if they limited the character stuff (particularly the princess junk) and added things that both adults and children would find equally appealing. I think the most recent additions at DCA strike the right balance.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>I think Disney is really trying to seperate themselves from the other guys now a days by relying more on their character base and franchises. Because let's face it, they have some hugely, popular characters/franchises.<< Disney thinks that the only way they'll distinguish themselves from the rest is by using their characters. After all, anybody can have an "space/future" themed area, but only Disney has Buzz Lightyear. And to an extent, I see the logic behind this argument, but I don't think it's the strongest To me, Disney does top-notch theming better than anybody else. Even in the best-themed areas of Islands of Adventure (often cited as being the most Disney-like), I'm constantly reminded that I'm in a theme park. Only Disney really has the ability to transcend that and take you do other locations. It's a more intangible concept, and the competition could theoretically outdo Disney at some point, but to me it's where they really thrive and create the most exciting environments To a certain extent, I think it's a product of our wider culture. Everything these days is branded. If you ask a child to draw a picture, I doubt it will be a generic house like I would have drawn as a kid; it would probably be something from a movie or TV show they like. Just look at how popular Disney-inspired art is online (princesses as real people, prince beefcake, "Disney bounding", etc). Part of me hopes that Disney has the vision to look past this and stick to what they do best, though they've certainly made a boatload of money doing it the other way Like Hans, I have relatively little interest in the characters and would prefer original non-branded experiences. Unfortunately, it seems like we're in the minority
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>The point I was trying to make, Ferret, is that it's very wrong for someone to come on a Disney site and disrespect or insult those adults who happen to like meeting the characters.<< Maybe I'm misreading things, but I don't think anybody said anything insulting or disrespectful about people who enjoy meeting characters. Everybody just seemed pretty baffled at the crazy long queues. Similar threads happened with Soarin' and TSMM first opened. I'm still baffled by those queues, though they're shorter than they originally were and they're not really "newsworthy" any more so they don't get as much discussion. Unless I missed something, I didn't take this discussion to be anything other that "Golly, that sure is a long line! I don't think I'd want to wait in it"
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Disney thinks that the only way they'll distinguish themselves from the rest is by using their characters." In all fairness their characters ARE their brand today. At least to the extent that they are the strongest and most globally recognized and marketable things Disney owns other than the word 'Disney'. "To a certain extent, I think it's a product of our wider culture. Everything these days is branded." My current employer (a major tech firm) uses this word ALL THE TIME in relation to not only customers but in conjunction with workplace strategy for employees.
