Etiquette & Tips for a Great Disney Character Meet-and-Greet

When visiting a Disney park, most youngsters (and the children hidden in many adults) get excited when they see a favorite character. We enjoy watching kids react in wonder at each encounter and we love the fact that so many believe the characters are real.

Disney attendants work with each character and coordinate the meetings – it’s the attendant’s job to make sure that guests behave appropriately and follow simple rules of etiquette.

Rules of etiquette…for a character meet and greet? Yes, indeed! To help make the experience as magical as possible, we have compiled a list of dos and don’ts for you and your children.

If you don’t have time to read our full PDF download (get it below), here’s a short list to get you started. These suggestions are all common sense and reflect proper manners that some children forget in the theme park scramble.

Character Meeting Advice

Don’t let your kids cross the line. This includes improper touching, grabbing or even inappropriate language. Lack of preparation or bad behavior – from adults or children – can ruin a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

Be gentle - characters are people too!
Be gentle – characters are people too!

Prepare your little prince (or princess). Come with the right stuff (autograph books and pens or pencils and your camera!) and also let your youngsters know what to expect in advance.

Look “likeable.” Have a friendly demeanor. It pays off in spades at Disney (as it does anywhere else in the rest of the world).

Be courteous in the queue. Of course you don’t want to see others get pushy. Give people at least three feet of space around their bodies (and stay away from their strollers!) If you bump into anyone, say, “Sorry!”

Many folks in the parks are hot and tired. Remember to be courteous.
Many folks in the parks are hot and tired. Remember to be courteous.

Be kind to characters. There is no “play boxing” with Captain Hook, nor smacking big-ol’ Goofy’s nose. Talk to all of them like they are your best friend, because they are just waiting to become one!

If you are interested in learning more about how to have an above-par encounter, download our 7-page document to read the rest of our 20 Disney Character Meet & Greet Dos and Don’ts.

Do you enjoy Disney character meet and greets?

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