Structured Meet & Greets vs "Free-range" meets

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> This consistent performance attribute is one that goes back to the mid 50s. Even today Disney tries to keep the skippers to stick with the SOP scripts. That's why there are SOPs to begin with, and it's why Imagineering "used" to be more strict with show readiness standards. <<

The idea of show consistency goes back way before Disney. It's more of a theater thing, and it's why there are directors and rehearsals.

Every evening's performance is expected to be consistent with the one that was practiced. Regardless of the mood of the people on stage. You have to do the show the way it was rehearsed.

Stage performers aren't supposed to "wing it" when they're in a different mood.

If there's any spontaneity in a performance, it tends to be a "planned spontaneity." It looks random, but it really isn't.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

You're missing my point - I think.

Almost every Disney attraction I can think of was conceived to give the same "show" to every guest. Hence, why WED eventually brought Audio Animatronics into the fold. It hasn't been until recently for rides like ToT and Indy to try to at least provide small deviations.

For the Disney characters this was never an intention. There was no anti-spontaneity position held by the Disney decision makers.

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

Free Range Chicken Little is an oh-so-much juicier and tasty chicken.

 

Originally Posted By liveforvacations

I agree that it is always more fun to meet with a character spontaneously and we recently enjoyed such a meet with Minnie Mouse where she played with my three year old son for about ten minutes.
This encounter does stand out in my mind more than any others.
That being said, not everyone can go to a Disney park often and for some it may be their only visit.
I think a lot of the people on these boards forget that.
Therefore, these guests may not be able to enjoy a chance encounter so the "set-up meet and greets" ensure that they do get to have an encounter with a Disney character.
I commend Disney for providing these opportunities as it really means a lot to people when they visit the Disney parks that they get to greet the characters and get pictures.

 

Originally Posted By Shooba

I'm glad they have both. If you absolutely must meet Mickey, it's nice that you have that option by visiting his house.

Free range characters are hard to do when it's really crowded, so an alternative is always good.

And even with free range, there's still mini-queues that form. And of course there's the downside of people that just can't grasp the concept of waiting their turn.

So, I like the free-range encounters (made easier by the fact I have no children) but like the structured meets as well.

 

Originally Posted By Skylardad

There certainly is a need for both. I agree that the experience can be diluted though. Too many structured meet and greets take away the thrill of having the chance meeting. Randomly seeing Mickey on main street is like getting that missing baseball card for your collection. It is a much more powerful memory than knowing you can see Mickey at any time of the day in Toontown.

However, I agree that the structured meeting benefits the out-of-towner who may be getting their one and only chance to meet Mickey.

My only gripe about the structured meet and greets are some of the locations. I strongly DISAGREE that Disney management use old ride queues such as 20k (pre-playground), Timekeeper, and empty restaurants (Epcot) be used.

It's really bad show to use these defunct areas. It just sends the wrong message when you are waiting by a concocted queue line of potted trees to "hide" what use to be there. In a long line it makes me wonder why this area has sat dormant for so long and question if this is the best Disney can do.

 

Originally Posted By tonyanton

Don't forget the use of the grand Diamond Horseshoe at the MK for meet-and-greets. Really depressing.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

^^Yes, but think of how much Disney saves by not paying professional entertainers under union contracts vs. college kids dressed as Woody and Co ... magical.

 

Originally Posted By mickey_ring

Free range, roaming characters are great. Years ago, A Main Street Donald was the first character my then-infant daughter saw. She was as happy as could be. WDW with pre-pre-pre schoolers ain't easy, but Mister Duck gave us memorable moment.

 

Originally Posted By dlkozy

Sadly, many people have either forgotten their manners or were never taught any in regards to politely waiting their turns when a character is "spotted".

There have been MANY times that I have stood patiently with an equally polite and patient child waiting our turn to talk to a character, when some obnoxious parent pushes their equally obnoxious child in front of everyone else.

We also now go to structured meet and greets for that very reason.

I would much rather pay a bit more for individual attention than have my child/children question why they have to stand in line when all someone else has to do is push themselves in front.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

At least the Disney meet and greet tends to be more controlled than most. Only one family at a time. Line jumpers are inhibited. And they don't just automatically push you away in order to get to the next family.

They do want you to move on so they CAN get to the next family, but if your kids want to dwell for a while, they accommodate.

If things aren't busy, they accommodate a lot more.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Like Tigger's butt grabbing?

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

<--- groovy Club

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

The one character that needs to be fixed to ensure kids can meet him is Mickey -- and that is set up in Toon Town --yet it seems many people are still unaware ? I directed at least 3 separate families there after overhearing they hadbeen there days and their kids hadn;t seen Mickey Mouse -- and while the crowds at the parks were not too bad starting June 5 for a few days- that next weekend was fairly crowded and the wait to get the set pciture with Mickey was less than 10 minutes ( in the Judging Tent ) - used tobe much longer...

the rest of the characters, I like random meetings, but being there this time with my two young nieces ( 4 and 7 )- I can tell you that people go more 'nuts' each year -- the minute the character appears -- there is this mass running and pushing and shoving ( and this is just the idiot parents) -- more parents seem to be getting their pictures taken with the characters now than kids in the lines -- and with the temperatures in the mid 90's the entire week -- most of the character greetings were 10 mins or less...allowing for little actual interaction for little kids -- after the parents get their 3 - 4 shots each with a foam head --( venting a little here) - so I am starting to understand the character meals a little more