EPCOT Character Spot Refurb and Character Changes

[cousininmiami]

I know that usually Chip and Dale are just outside the breezeway on the way to The Land. I love seeing the characters out in the open, and will wait in line to get a picture! But I am a little embarrassed to go into the Character Spot and wait in line, it seems like that is for the kiddos and not adults.... but someday I will have grandkids and get to do it all over again!!! Yay!

[cy1229]

I know that usually Chip and Dale are just outside the breezeway on the way to The Land. I love seeing the characters out in the open, and will wait in line to get a picture! But I am a little embarrassed to go into the Character Spot and wait in line, it seems like that is for the kiddos and not adults.... but someday I will have grandkids and get to do it all over again!!! Yay!

This is me, too... I am a kid at heart but don't want anyone to think I'm a complete loon. Maybe it's why Peter Pan is my absolute favorite Disney movie.

You know, after giving this whole situation with characters more thought, and incorporating thoughts about fast passes, interactive queue elements, etc. I've come to realize that all of these issues stem from one central premise - the parks are getting "too crowded" to enjoy the way we used to enjoy them. Disney very artfully crafted festivals, Star Wars weekends, and running events to bring people into the parks at their "down" times, which means not only are the busy times of the Christmas holidays, spring break, and summer crowded, but also what used to be "quiet" times of early fall, January, February, and right before school is out. There really isn't a time of year when there aren't a lot of people in the parks, which means longer lines. Those of us who remember being able to walk-on our favorite attractions get a little irritated at having to wait, and Disney has responded appropriately in an attempt to alleviate that irritation. It does mean that some of the things we really love are gone, as a trade-off.

[dsnymommy]

Well you could always do a character breakfast or dinner if you want to see Daisy.

Character breakfasts are the way to go for my family. With two little kids, waiting in line for rides is hard enough. Waiting in line to see your favorite character is worth it... until they have to say goodbye. Then the tears start all over again. At least with breakfast someone new is wandering around.

I agree though that it does take something away from the parks. I remember when we were little and used to go that there seemed to me that there were Disney characters popping out of every corner. It was like walking into a Disney storybook where all of your favorite characters lived. Now that bit of the magic seems to be disappearing.

[BenB]

I'm not sure that taking characters away from the Epcot spot would really make the line take less time. Since you greet the characters one at a time, you only have to wait for the family in front of you to leave Mickey. When they move on to Minnie, you're good to go. It would be the same amount of time if instead of going to the next character, they're done. The only difference is after waiting all that time, you only get to visit three characters instead of five.

Or am I misunderstanding - by 2 rooms, do you mean that there are (whisper) 2 Mickeys?

[Amy]

I'm not sure that taking characters away from the Epcot spot would really make the line take less time. Since you greet the characters one at a time, you only have to wait for the family in front of you to leave Mickey. When they move on to Minnie, you're good to go. It would be the same amount of time if instead of going to the next character, they're done. The only difference is after waiting all that time, you only get to visit three characters instead of five.

Or am I misunderstanding - by 2 rooms, do you mean that there are (whisper) 2 Mickeys?

Yeah, I think he was meaning the later ~ gasp!

[cy1229]

I'm not sure that taking characters away from the Epcot spot would really make the line take less time. Since you greet the characters one at a time, you only have to wait for the family in front of you to leave Mickey. When they move on to Minnie, you're good to go. It would be the same amount of time if instead of going to the next character, they're done. The only difference is after waiting all that time, you only get to visit three characters instead of five.

Or am I misunderstanding - by 2 rooms, do you mean that there are (whisper) 2 Mickeys?

Yeah, I think he was meaning the later ~ gasp!

ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

EVERYONE knows there's only ONE Mickey Mouse!!

[Cardinals314]

This sensitive information must never be leaked to the general public.

[Len90]

Hate to spoil it all but the real Mickey can't be everywhere at once. He has three friends who see the guests at the Townsquare theater and he will be having two friends greet guests at the character spot.

The two rooms will mean one for the fast pass and one for standby.

[BuzzyFan]

I wonder if kids even think about what you are mentioning though Len. I would guess the excitement of seeing their favorite characters probably overrides any curiosity of what is behind other doors. Kids, and most adults, are so self-centered, they aren't really paying too much attention to what is happening to others so I doubt there would be many problems. And if a kid is curious, I'm guessing parents can assuage their concerns fairly easily.

Heh. You know, I would really hate to be the parent of that one kid who happens to be fairly observant... or strikes up a conversation (before the line splits) with the family in line ahead of them that goes into the other dressing room.

[fancyfeet]

I really wish they would bring out more characters than just Mickey and Minnie. Not that I'm not a fan, because I definitely am, but there are a lot of fun characters you almost never get to see (The 7 Dwarfs!). I wish they would rotate more variety in.

[Amy]

I really wish they would bring out more characters than just Mickey and Minnie. Not that I'm not a fan, because I definitely am, but there are a lot of fun characters you almost never get to see (The 7 Dwarfs!). I wish they would rotate more variety in.

I wonder if they keep some of the more rare ones as an incentive for people to buy the extra tickets ~ like the Dwarfs are always at the Halloween party right?