Use of Disney Characters in the Theme Parks

As much as I love Walt Disney World, I must admit that the park could do a better job of incorporating its characters. Having never been to Disneyland I don't know exactly if that is the same case, but I hear it often. It says a lot that many people's favorite thing to do at Walt Disney World (including mine) was to see those more rare characters @ Character Palooza @ Hollywood Studios. The demand and desire from this event became so popular that Disney ended up cancelling character palooza last month.

First, let me say booo to that decision. I do understand Disney trying to protect this magical experience and moving it around. However, it should tell Disney that it is in high demand and that guests want to meet more characters. They can move it around and spread it around, but make it more frequent. Nobody wants to roam the park all day wondering when, where, and if character palooza is going to happen. They just want to meet their favorite characters. If my favorite movie is Pinocchio and I want to meet the title character, then I should be able to know where he might be. I shouldn't have to wonder around the whole park looking. This is my one gripe with Disney in that they don't incorporate their characters in the best way possible.

Here are 10 changes I'd immediately do if I was in charge!

1) Make sure you could meet each of the following in every park, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Jiminy Cricket

2) Add more character dining (Details of which to be released in a future entry)

3) Rotate some rare characters through the parks every other hour and have the selection of characters change weekly.

4) Replace the meet and greet at town square with characters from the movie that most recently released from the vault

5) Animal Kingdom Entrance you can meet the Three Little Pigs

6) Hollywood Studios Entrance you can meet Handy Manny and Bullseye

7) EPCOT Entrance you can meet Lewis and Wilbur Robinson (these can rotate to other characters after about a year)

8) Outside of Mexico guests can also meet Jose Carioca and Panchito Pistoles with Donald Duck

9) In Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom add a meet and greet spot to permanently have Abu and the Genie.

10) Instead of meeting Dug and Russell, you should be able to meet two animal characters in ANIMAL KINGDOM. My choices would be Jiminy Cricket and Flik since it is right outside of the Bug's Life area.

Bonus: I'd also put into action a new park which I'll describe in a later entry.

Here is the list of characters that Disney has a costume for that are virtually unable to meet (non-face)

Abby Mallard

Abu

Agent Oso

Annie

Atta

Big Bad Wolf

Bolt
Bowler Hat Guy

Brer Rabbit

Bullseye

Captain Hook

Carl Fredrickson

Chicken Little

Clara Cluck

Clarabelle Cow

Clarice

Darkwing Duck

Emile

Fiddler Pig

Fifer Pig

Flik

Foulfellow

Friar Tuck

Judge Frollo

Genie

George Sanderson

Gepetto

Gideon

Goliath

Gov. Ratcliffe

Gypsy Moth

Hades

Handy Manny

Horace Horsecollar

Jiminy Cricket

JoJo

Jose Carioca

June

Kenai

Koda

Launchpad McQuack

Leo

Lewis Robinson
Lotso
Louis the Alligator
Lucky the Dinosaur
Ludwig Von Drake
Lumiere
Miss Bunny
Mittens
Mr.Potatohead
Mushu
Needleman
Oogie Boogie
Panchito Pistoles
Perla
Pinocchio
Practical Pig
Prince John
Queen of Hearts
Quincy
Rabbit
Remy
Rhino
Robin Hood
Roger Rabbit
Roxie
Sebastian
Shaker
Shan Yu
Sherif of Nottingham
Slim
Smitty
Terk
Thumper
Timon
TRex
Tweedles
WallE
Wendell
Wilbur Robinson

That is quite the impressive list and I am sure that people would love to meet the majority of the characters on it.

Next week I will start an updated countdown of the Disney characters. Have a great weekend!

-Noland