Disneyland: the Face character experience
When my niece, 16, and my nephew, 12, met the Evil Queen from Snow White, he couldn’t stop laughing. As they walked up to get her autograph, the Queen told him to “Stop laughing. It makes me nervous.”
When she noticed my niece’s henna tattoo of fire she said, “Is that fire? That’s dangerous. I could use your services.” The Queen then asked what the two liked best about her.
“You’re evil.”
“You have a cape.”
“Both of those are true,” said the Queen.
We took a photo where the queen blocked their faces with a cloak and said that she was all the photo that anyone needed, and then she posed for some other photos. As they walked away, the Queen noticed that my nephew was still laughing. “Pull it together!” she shouted.
While characters like Mickey and Minnie are good at pantomime, it is the “face” characters, characters that don’t have a mask, who can really provide some excellent interactions. They are able to quickly and intelligibly respond to questions without anything being lost in the translation of body language. Peter Pan can talk about pixie dust. The Fairy Godmother can remark on the goslings in the park. Royalty can ask what kingdom the guest hales from and what adventures he or she has had today.
Impromptu sing alongs, storytelling and knowing when a little more interaction can help a child feel great about his or her experience are all a little easier when the person can interact vocally as well as physically. Of course, these interactions aren’t only important to the children. The best characters interact with the adults as well.
The sultry Cruella DeVil delighted her audience and line of admirers with her monologue on manners (No one knows how to talk any more. Do they remove their brains and vocal cords at the front gate?) and her actions as the fashion diva she believes she is.
While the Queen was near the Wishing Well just off of Mani Street, U.S.A. and Cruella was near the Firehouse, Disneyland gives guests the opportunity to meet the fairies in Pixie Hollow, Captain America and Thor in Tomorrowland, Aladdin and Jasmine can be found in Adventureland and Disney royalty can be met at the Fantasy Faire. All you have to do is wait in line.
When she noticed my niece’s henna tattoo of fire she said, “Is that fire? That’s dangerous. I could use your services.” The Queen then asked what the two liked best about her.
“You’re evil.”
“You have a cape.”
“Both of those are true,” said the Queen.
We took a photo where the queen blocked their faces with a cloak and said that she was all the photo that anyone needed, and then she posed for some other photos. As they walked away, the Queen noticed that my nephew was still laughing. “Pull it together!” she shouted.
While characters like Mickey and Minnie are good at pantomime, it is the “face” characters, characters that don’t have a mask, who can really provide some excellent interactions. They are able to quickly and intelligibly respond to questions without anything being lost in the translation of body language. Peter Pan can talk about pixie dust. The Fairy Godmother can remark on the goslings in the park. Royalty can ask what kingdom the guest hales from and what adventures he or she has had today.
Impromptu sing alongs, storytelling and knowing when a little more interaction can help a child feel great about his or her experience are all a little easier when the person can interact vocally as well as physically. Of course, these interactions aren’t only important to the children. The best characters interact with the adults as well.
The sultry Cruella DeVil delighted her audience and line of admirers with her monologue on manners (No one knows how to talk any more. Do they remove their brains and vocal cords at the front gate?) and her actions as the fashion diva she believes she is.
While the Queen was near the Wishing Well just off of Mani Street, U.S.A. and Cruella was near the Firehouse, Disneyland gives guests the opportunity to meet the fairies in Pixie Hollow, Captain America and Thor in Tomorrowland, Aladdin and Jasmine can be found in Adventureland and Disney royalty can be met at the Fantasy Faire. All you have to do is wait in line.