Character Interactions

[Mags2002]

I wanted to bring up a sensitive topic… behavior during character meet and greets.
As a character performer, I have had some not so nice interactions with Guests recently.
I understand that you have paid a lot of money and have waited a long time to see a character, but please please please treat them with respect!!
Here are my suggestions for having a magical interaction with your favorite character:
-talk about things you have seen and done around the ship/CC.
-talk about the character and their movie.
-the (face) character will keep the conversation going. You never know what will come out of this if you engage enthusiastically!
-think about the character you are meeting. Is there something special you could do with them? (Eg waltzing with Cinderella).
-the character is always happy to sign autographs. Please have an appropriate pen or marker ready.

-please do not touch the character inappropriately. Ever. Yes this has actually happened.
-please do not speak harshly to the character. It is not their fault the line was long or your children were restless or did not smile etc.
-please do not ask questions that a character will not be able to answer. Cinderella does not know Harry Potter or what time the ship will arrive in port.
-please do not try and trick a performer into breaking character. Performers are very well trained and it would take a lot for this to happen. Please just don’t go there.

As a character performer, I LOVE portraying beloved Disney characters, meeting Guests and seeing the magic and joy that these interactions bring. Please help us to help you have a wonderful, successful and magical character interaction

Please do not be afraid to ask me any questions you have regarding character interactions.

*please note all views are my own and are based on my own personal experiences*

 

[DWillowBay]

Gosh....So sorry that people are being insensitive to the characters. That's got to be a difficult job already, made worse by people's lack of awareness. Well, I don't know which ship you're on, but THIS family will be on the Dream in November and can't wait to see our friends again. As a wise person once said...."In a world where you could be anything, Be Kind!"

 

[happycamper47]

I wanted to bring up a sensitive topic… behavior during character meet and greets.
As a character performer, I have had some not so nice interactions with Guests recently.

It amazes me how absolutely ignorant (being nice) people can be... Great post!

 

[Lizgistix]

This may be a silly question, but I'm overly paranoid about it because I don't want to be weird or creepy.
When standing next to the princesses for pictures, I instinctively put my right arm behind their back. Not to grab their waist or pull them closer, my arm is just kind of there and I don't know what to do with it standing so close.
Is that weird or creepy? I'm socially awkward when it comes to character photos.
(talking with them is the easy part!)

 

[Mags2002]

Gosh....So sorry that people are being insensitive to the characters. That's got to be a difficult job already, made worse by people's lack of awareness. Well, I don't know which ship you're on, but THIS family will be on the Dream in November and can't wait to see our friends again. As a wise person once said...."In a world where you could be anything, Be Kind!"

Thank you for your kind words. I hope you enjoy your cruise!

 

[Mags2002]

This may be a silly question, but I'm overly paranoid about it because I don't want to be weird or creepy.
When standing next to the princesses for pictures, I instinctively put my right arm behind their back. Not to grab their waist or pull them closer, my arm is just kind of there and I don't know what to do with it standing so close.
Is that weird or creepy? I'm socially awkward when it comes to character photos.
(talking with them is the easy part!)

Not silly at all! Thank you for asking.
Yes you can put your arm around the Princess’s back, that is not weird or creepy. Or if the Princess is striking a pose you can copy what they are doing!

 

[motherdaughtercruisers]

I wanted to bring up a sensitive topic… behavior during character meet and greets.
As a character performer, I have had some not so nice interactions with Guests recently.
I understand that you have paid a lot of money and have waited a long time to see a character, but please please please treat them with respect!!
Here are my suggestions for having a magical interaction with your favorite character:
-talk about things you have seen and done around the ship/CC.
-talk about the character and their movie.
-the (face) character will keep the conversation going. You never know what will come out of this if you engage enthusiastically!
-think about the character you are meeting. Is there something special you could do with them? (Eg waltzing with Cinderella).
-the character is always happy to sign autographs. Please have an appropriate pen or marker ready.

-please do not touch the character inappropriately. Yes this has happened.
-please do not speak harshly to the character. It is not their fault the line was long or your children were restless or did not smile etc.
-please do not ask questions that a character will not be able to answer. Cinderella does not know Harry Potter or what time the ship will arrive in port.
-please do not try and trick a performer into breaking character. Performers are very well trained and it would take a lot for this to happen. Please just don’t go there.

As a character performer, I LOVE portraying beloved Disney characters, meeting Guests and seeing the magic and joy that these interactions bring. Please help us to help you have a wonderful, successful and magical character interaction

Please do not be afraid to ask me any questions you have regarding character interactions.

*please note all views are my own and are based on my own personal experiences*

Please please please ALWAYS be kind to CM!! It is an unwritten rule to respect them! Don’t be the person and reason DCL will have to make it a written rule!! I know many people ask how to get pixie dust… pixie dust is a PRIVILEGE! You have a better chance of receiving the most amazing pixie dust when you are kind, respectful, and interact appropriately with these amazing characters!

If the line is long and you know that you and/or your child(ren) are not very good at waiting in lines or that it will test you and/or your child(ren)’s patience, please do yourself, your child(ren), and the performer a favor and skip this particular meet and greet! Instead, go to guest services and ask for the next time the meet and greet for this particular character will be and ask what time you should arrive to start the queue so as to have a minimal wait. That way you and your child(ren) will not have your patience tried and your child(ren) will be ready to have a bright smile for the picture!

Also, these performers have worked hard and tirelessly to know their characters inside and out. Playing along with their movie like reciting a favorite line gives the performer an opportunity to give you a magical response and interaction!

Remember that these character performers are people too. They deserve to be treated as such! Treat these performers how you would want someone to treat your child if they were that performer.

Meeting a character is a privilege! Cruising is a privilege! Character performers will go out of their way to make everything magical for you, but they can’t do that when they are put in compromising situations.

Be kind. Be courteous. Be respectful.

 

[DisneyKatie1]

I wanted to bring up a sensitive topic… behavior during character meet and greets.
As a character performer, I have had some not so nice interactions with Guests recently.
I understand that you have paid a lot of money and have waited a long time to see a character, but please please please treat them with respect!!
Here are my suggestions for having a magical interaction with your favorite character:
-talk about things you have seen and done around the ship/CC.
-talk about the character and their movie.
-the (face) character will keep the conversation going. You never know what will come out of this if you engage enthusiastically!
-think about the character you are meeting. Is there something special you could do with them? (Eg waltzing with Cinderella).
-the character is always happy to sign autographs. Please have an appropriate pen or marker ready.

-please do not touch the character inappropriately. Yes this has happened.
-please do not speak harshly to the character. It is not their fault the line was long or your children were restless or did not smile etc.
-please do not ask questions that a character will not be able to answer. Cinderella does not know Harry Potter or what time the ship will arrive in port.
-please do not try and trick a performer into breaking character. Performers are very well trained and it would take a lot for this to happen. Please just don’t go there.

As a character performer, I LOVE portraying beloved Disney characters, meeting Guests and seeing the magic and joy that these interactions bring. Please help us to help you have a wonderful, successful and magical character interaction

Please do not be afraid to ask me any questions you have regarding character interactions.

*please note all views are my own and are based on my own personal experiences*

Thanks for posting this. I think it is good to know what to do and not to do when you are with characters

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Apologies if you have mentioned this before, but I'm wondering are you on The Dream in Europe or have friends on The Dream in Europe? I am just off the 4 night Spanish cruise to Bilbao, I've just started my trip report. This cruise and the ones before have been somewhat challenging for the crew, in all departments. The cruise I was on was 90% UK people and I saw and have heard about so much bad behaviour from both adults and children. I'm not surprised by what you have posted, as from what I saw on my cruise, things like this would have happened alot.

This is not the place, but keep reading my trip report as I will write about the very challenging times for the crew and how I'm sure it was a very stressful cruise.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

Apologies if you have mentioned this before, but I'm wondering are you on The Dream in Europe or have friends on The Dream in Europe? I am just off the 4 night Spanish cruise to Bilbao, I've just started my trip report. This cruise and the ones before have been somewhat challenging for the crew, in all departments. The cruise I was on was 90% UK people and I saw and have heard about so much bad behaviour from both adults and children. I'm not surprised by what you have posted, as from what I saw on my cruise, things like this would have happened alot.

This is not the place, but keep reading my trip report as I will write about the very challenging times for the crew and how I'm sure it was a very stressful cruise.

The bad behaviour has been an ongoing thing over the Summer it seems. i ve had friends on pretty much each European itinerary since mid July and they all come back with the same stories: stolen stuff, screaming, shouting, cutting in front, drunk behaviour, even fighting… makes me so scared for my TA next week

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

The bad behaviour has been an ongoing thing over the Summer it seems. i ve had friends on pretty much each European itinerary since mid July and they all come back with the same stories: stolen stuff, screaming, shouting, cutting in front, drunk behaviour, even fighting… makes me so scared for my TA next week

It should calm down for the TA. UK schools are back in term now. On my cruise it was the last before term started, there were a high number of people who had only been on the UK Staycation cruises or first time cruisers. This was the first time on a full capacity big ship for 90% of the passengers so as a result there was a high number of people wanting to everything. As it was a 4 night cruise, time on board was short, so everything was high demand. Unfortunately there were also a lot of people wanted the biggest bang for their buck and a "I paid big money for this cruise so I'm entitled to do xyz" attitude. Ive seen in other Disney communities UK people who are Gold and Platinum CastAway Club Members saying this cruise and the other European cruises were not what they have experienced before and that there was a very different vibe and atmosphere compared to their previous cruises.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

It should calm down for the TA. UK schools are back in term now. On my cruise it was the last before term started, there were a high number of people who had only been on the UK Staycation cruises or first time cruisers. This was the first time on a full capacity big ship for 90% of the passengers so as a result there was a high number of people wanting to everything. As it was a 4 night cruise, time on board was short, so everything was high demand. Unfortunately there were also a lot of people wanted the biggest bang for their buck and a "I paid big money for this cruise so I'm entitled to do xyz" attitude. Ive seen in other Disney communities UK people who are Gold and Platinum CastAway Club Members saying this cruise and the other European cruises were not what they have experienced before and that there was a very different vibe and atmosphere compared to their previous cruises.

Our fb group for the ta is full of firsttimers unlike other years… and tbh my wintercruises on the Dream and Fantasy (esp Dream mdas but even Fantasy pixar) had a lot of people with that kind of attitude…
Im still in doubt about Panama for December and a lot will depends how this TA will go… i have b2b Alaskas booked for May cause Im taking a friend who has never been to Alaska but Im seriously thinking if this is what the future holds for DCL I might be done

 

[Mags2002]

Apologies if you have mentioned this before, but I'm wondering are you on The Dream in Europe or have friends on The Dream in Europe? I am just off the 4 night Spanish cruise to Bilbao, I've just started my trip report. This cruise and the ones before have been somewhat challenging for the crew, in all departments. The cruise I was on was 90% UK people and I saw and have heard about so much bad behaviour from both adults and children. I'm not surprised by what you have posted, as from what I saw on my cruise, things like this would have happened alot.

This is not the place, but keep reading my trip report as I will write about the very challenging times for the crew and how I'm sure it was a very stressful cruise.

I am not on the Dream but do know people who are. It never hurts for people to be reminded that the character (or indeed any CM) standing before them is an actual person with feelings.
I look forward to reading your report

 

[Mags2002]

The bad behaviour has been an ongoing thing over the Summer it seems. i ve had friends on pretty much each European itinerary since mid July and they all come back with the same stories: stolen stuff, screaming, shouting, cutting in front, drunk behaviour, even fighting… makes me so scared for my TA next week

I understand people are excited to be on the cruise and excited to see the characters, but they need to remember some social skills and basic manners.
My roommate who is also friends with a Princess was asked if her Prince was good in bed. Like seriously?

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I understand people are excited to be on the cruise and excited to see the characters, but they need to remember some social skills and basic manners.
My roommate who is also friends with a Princess was asked if her Prince was good in bed. Like seriously?

Yikes, but also, not really that shocking, after being on my cruise, thats the level of passengers who were on the ship.

You need to Google Chav, both the word meaning and Google images.

I am calling my cruise The Chavtasic P&O Does Disney Cruise. P&O are a UK Cruise company, part of the Carnival Cruise Company. It was very much like what I see online about South Beach in Miami during Spring Break.

 

[FastPasser.]

If management wanted to they could end the inappropriate behavior by instituting a no contact policy between adults and princesses. And they could have hosts remind adults in line that conversations should be limited to character related topics and be child appropriate.

 

[Mags2002]

If management wanted to they could end the inappropriate behavior by instituting a no contact policy between adults and princesses. And they could have hosts remind adults in line that conversations should be limited to character related topics and be child appropriate.

If stuff like this keeps happening it may have to come to that which would be a shame. Distanced interactions were terrible during covid and everyone hated it. I would not like that to become the norm forever. But we also deserve to be treated with respect while performing our role

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

If management wanted to they could end the inappropriate behavior by instituting a no contact policy between adults and princesses. And they could have hosts remind adults in line that conversations should be limited to character related topics and be child appropriate.

While thats a nice idea, from what I saw on my cruise, passengers ignored CM instructions and just did their own thing. The only thing that would work is not having characters.

This actually happened on my cruise. The cruise before mine was the 4 Night French Cruise to La Rochelle. The queue for Stitch was 2 hours long and was absolute chaos. Stitch did not appear on my cruise.

Captain Jack was only supposed to be out for 15 minutes. I didnt queue, just sat on the seats at Preludes to watch. After 30 minutes he was still going and I had to leave as I wanted to do something else.

I avoided the Main Atrium on most days as the queues for characters were just insane and doubled around.

These European Cruises are a very different passenger type and they dont know or care about cruise and character etiquette. Google Chav, both the word meaning and Google images.

 

[FastPasser.]

While thats a nice idea, from what I saw on my cruise, passengers ignored CM instructions and just did their own thing.

For any policy to be effective it has to be enforced and have ramifications if it’s disregarded. I know,.. it’s Disney.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

oh my goodness- these are real people! Helping to make magic for your vacation! Something has happened in this world. Some people have lost their patience and ability to discern right from wrong in action and in word. Not sure how we get back to treating people and characters with kindness.