Guest Reactions to Disney Characters from behind the lens- Ep 120 Confessions of a Theme Park Worker

[@MaggieOffutt]

I’m 25 and I’m a kid at heart. When I was on my first trip to Disney World last April one of the characters I HAD to meet were Pooh and Tigger. I was always a fan of the characters from that story and I still have my Piglet plush from when I was three. So my mom and I got in line to meet them in their spot in Magic Kingdom. When it was my turn I walk up to them and said “Hi” and I was crying tears of joy! I mentioned to them how they we’re part of my childhood and how it was a dream of mine to meet them. I was so overwhelmed with joy and I mentioned “Olaf may give warm hugs but Pooh gives sweet hugs!” And then the character attend replied “Its all the honey” after I said that Pooh put his paw on his cheek and Tigger was laughing to himself. I got some sweet hugs and during one of my photos they both gave me a kiss on each cheek. It was definitely a magical moment for me! And I have the picture on my phone!

[@DottyGale8]

Maggie Offutt What a sweet story! I love this! 🙂

[@audrag.4756]

This wasn't a "Photopass" moment, but my husband did get the picture. My daughter was 8 months old at the time (we were in WDW for my birthday). We went to the character breakfast at the Crystal Palace. My daughter had a stuffed Winnie the Pooh doll with her that she'd had since she was born. When Winnie got to our table, I stood up with her and had her doll in my hand. She looked at Winnie kind of funny. So he "asked" me for the doll. I handed it to him. He looked at my daughter, then pointed to the doll and then at himself. She looked at the doll, then looked at him, and the most amazed look came over her face as she realize they were one and the same. It was the most amazing moment, and I'm glad my husband captured it.

[@intothesun00]

What I really appreciate is when you hand the guest in line behind you your phone (for those characters that unfortunately don't have a photopass photographer) and they go out of their way to not just take the standard pose photo, but they take multiple shots of you interacting with the character, as well. This happened to me when meeting my favorites and it was a great surprise! I'll be sure to do that next time I get the chance.

[@RoxieHeart603]

I'm 28. My brother is 23. He graduated college last year and I took him to disneyland as a gift. We met so many characters while we were there but the two that made the entire trip were the mad hatter and Peter pan. I wanted to meet hatter the most out of all the characters and my brother was the biggest fan of the pan. It was such a special moment. We saw the hatter three times while there and every time he made sure to take extra time with us. He pulled us for games every time he saw us. Peter did the sam for my brother. Chip and dale were also amazing when we met them. In disney world..... the villains made our entire trip. We started with gaston who took my brothers button that said "I'm celebrating" and wrote "gaston" on it. Of course that opened my brother up for the best character interactions of all time. Lady trumaine carried on the amazing day by spending a lot of time with us and trying to marry my brother off to one of her daughters. And photopass was there catching every second of it. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. If you are in disney, go see the characters. It doesn't matter how old or young you are. They will love you no matter what and give you experiences you will never forget.

[@donaldstevens932]

I couldn't hold back the tears when my then 6y/o daughter, dressed as Aurora, got to meet her favorite princess, Aurora. The pictures are priceless and thank God for the photopass photographer, because I couldnt focus through my own tears.

[@SirWillow]

I ran into that problem a lot- people who were "sure they weren't going to use photopass because they were going to use their own cameras" then completely missed the photos they wanted because they were wrapped up in the moment. Better to have the best of both worlds- and that's why Photopass is there.

[@sk8rpunkbarbie]

I met stitch on a freezing cold snowy day in paris in march. I was wearing a stitch onesie and he was over the moon licking me and slurping because i was ohana and like him. BEST moment ever ill never forget it. Im 30 i see no valid reason to grow up at disney....

[@bellacashew7778]

Every time I go to Disney and meet a character I always have so many ideas and questions to ask them about but when it’s actually my turn to meet them I get star struck and I get so shy and awkward 😂😂😂

[@vergoblue7438]

Focus on just one or two questions you want to ask and rehearse it in your head while you're in line. Keeping the focus on just one or two things you want to say is a good way to get yourself more comfortable.

[@bluerose7148]

I adore Captain Hook!He and I go way back... had a school girl crush on him since I was five, so it's mandatory that when I visit the parks I go find him. Last time I visited Disney, I had a birthday pin on and he just let me ramble on about how much I cared about him...it felt so good espically since my grandparents have a picture of me- age 5- and I am looking up at Hook and ready to do battle with him. There wasn't a photopass photographer around to capture the moment...pity.

[@catmomjill]

I was at Disney when I was 39 years old and I LOVE that I can be a kid at Disney! When I met Chip n Dale, I told Chip , "I named my first hamster after you! I called him Chippy!" His reaction was so cute, like he was humbled and everything. I hope to get there again by the time I'm 50. And I'll still be hugging characters!

[@mckenna8663]

Jill Hogg .. hahaha. I met Dale and called him Chip. I told him, "we love watching you on TV, Chip. You are my favorite." He crossed his arms and tapped his foot. And I had to apologize quickly... But it was very funny.

[@catmomjill]

That is funny!! Chip has a black nose and Dale has a red one. :)

[@wickedconure]

Got me tearing up just hearing the Donald Duck story.

[@chandraau1475]

I would imagine some people save for years to take a vacation to Disney, so finally getting there would be overwhelming and joyful. I loved watching people meet characters while we were in line. It was such a delight and just filled your heart with so much joy you'd almost feel like you would burst with happiness!

[@KillerBebe]

I met a photo pass photographer once who I had to take a photo of since he was dressed in 1930’s garb with what looked like an old fashion camera on Main St. He was so happy that he posed for me, it was a great day for me

[@soshiabecker2559]

Awww! No amount of watching you tube can prepare you for that first time that you actually get to meet a character! On our first WDW trip 2 years ago right when we walked into MK Pluto and mini were doing a meet and all 3 of us were sooo excited - my daughter gave them the biggest and longest hugs ever and seeing her eyes light up and my eyes lite up was just pure magic! It’s magic pure and simple!

[@lillianmanuel4956]

AWWWWW!!!!!! THESE STORIES MELT MY HEART!!!

[@littleike2228]

People like you truly make Disney World the happiest place on Earth. I have some pictures with characters that I will treasure forever and I know without a doubt that you helped create that for other people. Great video just like always 👍

[@awkwardnerdnovideos]

I was 13 years old on my last time at Disney. My mom told me recently that she was honestly nervous that I wouldn't have fun because I was in that growing pains and getting rid of kid stuff phase. I loved Disney, and I vividly remember telling a recurring cheesy joke to Mickey and his friends when I met each of them. "Why was Donald quiet leaving the restaurant? He had to pay the bill" Some of my favorite photos in middle school are me standing with a smirk on my face as the character next to me is doubled over laughing. The best one was Goofy laying his back on a large rock and kicking his feet up as he laughed.

[@robbyu.672]

Man I love this intro song. I was in a car accident in 2018 and was stuck in bed for months. I binged your channel then and this intro is my jam.

[@mckenna8663]

Our 2 year old twins LOVED watching the characters at character meals dance around and interact with other tables. They would giggle and dance in their seats. But as soon as the characters would come near them.. They would hide. So we took tons of shots of them WITHOUT the characters, and then we put pictures of the characters in the adjoining frame. They love looking at them. Maybe by the time the next trip rolls around we will get pictures of them WITH someone.

[@TheClumsyJedi]

I was 26 the first time I met Mickey Mouse. It was something I wanted to do when I was little and never got the chance. So I got in line and just about started crying because it was so special. That picture is my favorite Disney picture ever!

[@thelittlronan]

I am a big Pluto fan, but I've been lucky and always lived close enough to see him often. Regardless, it's always amazing meeting him. He loves my Pluto ears! We have a lot of great pictures together. I wish I could have met him at Disneyland Paris but he wasn't there when I went for some reason. :(

[@Allisonmarie567]

Watching this video makes so much more sense to me as to why my family & I have several side pictures of us all when a character we were meeting was hugging us. The photographers saw the looks on our faces! Haha. I’m talking, I was 20 at the time, my cousin was 19, my other cousin was 17 & my other cousin was 16/17. Haha. Those shots are actually everyone’s favorite shots. I think that’s because the photographers captured all those moments of excitement so well! ☺️

[@ZeraStargazer]

A few years ago I went to the PCH Grill in Disneyland's Paradise Pier hotel for a character breakfast. I'm a huge fan of Stitch and heard that's one of the few spots in the Disneyland Resort he appears at. He came by my table during the meal and that made my whole trip!

[@livingdivanized]

I loved watching my mom meet Goofy because they ended up dancing. I managed to get a really good picture that I've had turned into a 16"x20" canvas and absolutely love it. I met Goofy right after my mom did and at the end kissed his nose. Goofy's reaction was both sweet and hysterical as he staggered around and eventually ended up on one knee like he was proposing. The character moment/interaction that I was privileged and lucky enough to witness was at Epcot's character spot. The cast member at the head of the line asked me, when I got to the head of line, if a littler girl that was there with the Make A Wish foundation could go ahead of me. I said yes which resulted in me getting to watch the characters that were there interact with this little girl who was no older than two. I was almost in tears watching this and it's a cherished but sort of sad memory of WDW for me. I always enjoy watching cast members and characters interact with guests but there is something about kids and particularly the young ones that seems to bring out all the magic and pixie dust the cast member or character has in them.

[@Short_one41]

Last when I went to Disney World, saw chip and dale in Disney Hollywood Studios, & chip started flirting with me ☺️😄

[@fernandafidel9275]

I have my first pic meeting Mickey and I look SO star struck! 38 years waiting for that moment!

[@EmmaJonYoureWelcome]

This video was so lovely. It must be so nice to be able to see the reactions of everyone meeting their favourite character. I know I always feel so excited when I get to meet Goofy, he has always been my favourite and he is so fun to meet.

[@araparth9106]

I'm soooo looking forward the Chesire Cat at Disneyland Paris this Halloween. I just love him :))))

[@SeriouslyCreepy]

Iy's amazing to see the little ones reactions! My baby LOVED the characters so much!

[@wisteria.flower.dreams]

I hadn’t been to Disney World since early college, and growing up I went a time or two. I went last September and I had a magical experience with Pocahontas! My favorite Disney movie character and never met her before. I was a little embarrassed because of how shy I was! It was great though ☺️

[@courtcourt2]

When I met Arial for the first time last year at WDW it was the most awkward thing I’ve ever experienced. But anyways long story short in the picture we’re literally sitting about 2 feet apart on her bench thing.

[@rashaun7007]

Sir Willow telling it like it is 😂 :)

[@trainandmore]

I honestly thought it would be weird for a grown man to walk up and say hi to Mickey, guess I was wrong.

[@LilacMoon97]

I met Marie in Disneyland Paris back in 2016 when I was 19 and I remember seeing photos of her meeting spot online and when I got to the park and saw her spot I was getting giddy because I really wanted to meet her. So my mom and I went to a Cast Member and asked when Marie was going to be out and he said she wasn't gonna be out that day, I had one day in the park so I was getting all bummed out but then a few hours later when we decided to look in shops while it was raining my mom looked outside to see if it had stopped and the store just so happened to be beside Marie's meeting spot and she saw her out. My mom turns around and calls my name so I turn around and see her and she says that Marie is outside, I kid you not I ran through the store and outside immediately into her line. When it was my turn I was shy but lit up so much and had an amazing interaction. The next character I would love to meet is Rapunzel, I know for sure tears of joy will be involved 😂.

[@yorkshirelassdiaries4841]

Jess Mary you are guaranteed to meet Repunzel, Flynn, Areal and Eric at the Bon Voyage breakfast at Disney Boardwalk . The restraunt is called Trattoria al Forno :-) Rapunzel and Flyn are my fave face characters

[@LilacMoon97]

Yorkshire lass Diaries Yeah I remember hearing that!! I really want to go there but I haven't been to WDW since 2012 and of course it's getting more expensive for Canadians to travel to the U.S at the moment which is sad because I'm in need of a WDW trip!!!

[@yorkshirelassdiaries4841]

Jess Mary same with the U.K. It's very expensive . I am 40 and I havn't been since 1992 when I was a teen but trying to save so that in two years time I'll be able to take my kids, even if I have to sell some stuff

[@taz092011]

I am pretty sure the photopass photographer got a pic of me interacting with Tarzan. I'm the oldest so my two younger sisters pushed me to go first. Out of nowhere he grabs my face to do the talk like a gorilla face. I'm pretty sure the look on my face was why are you touching me. Our mother was on the sideline laughing hysterically.

[@maryyjanee247]

Great video!!!!

[@johnskowronski4906]

what a fun video

[@samanthabb422]

When u started talking about the princess and the boys I was dieing cause that happened to my brother but he was debating wither or not to go up to them and ended up completely ignoring the first two but on the third princess bell he let her kiss him and the other two princesses saw and started begging him to let them kiss him and he let them i don't know where the photo is of him finding out he had kiss mark on him but it was adorable

[@tigerfanfrv]

I went to Disney in 2015 and I was unaware at that time that Mickey talked. it kind of threw me off. Mickey said "it's so great to see you again". my first reaction was "I was 11 the last time I saw you, there is no way you could remember that". (lol). it was fun though. I always get shy around Goofy because he is my favorite. But this past year was the best ever. I was able to get a couple of the princesses, Tinkerbell and Gaston to wish my niece a happy birthday. All of them were happy to do it and the videos messages they made were all the same length. it's on my channel if anyone wants to see what the characters can do. at Animal Kingdom the group in front of me had a young man (20s maybe) openly flirt with Minnie, which lead to Mickey openly flirting with me. .......actually. all the Animal Kingdom character meet and greets were more interactive than magic kingdom this time. but fun thing to do at the parks either way.

[@yorkshirelassdiaries4841]

Loved this. I am saving up to take my children. It'll take me a couple of years to save because I have a low paid job but it's my dream. I went in 1992 when I was a teenager ( I'm now 40) and I wasn't going to bother with the characters because I thought it would be childish but now I've watched a few vlogs I've decided I'm going to let my inner child out and live in the moment. I am chatty and giggly when I'm nervous so I won't have any problems with the fur characters but I think I may feel a little awkward with the face characters but we will see lol

[@tigerfanfrv]

I think that was the same year I went when I was a kid. The week after Thanksgiving at that time was so quiet, we were able to ride Space mountain a few times in an hour. *sigh*. can't do that anymore due to crowd size and I am increasingly more sensitive to motion sickness.

[@yorkshirelassdiaries4841]

Stephanie B o wow! We went in October. I get motion sickness so not sure how I will be but can't wait to find out lol

[@lillianmanuel4956]

So when I went to Disney World for the first time I was about 6 years old. I was scared to meet the fur characters for reasons I'll explain in a second. When I was about three or four years old, my brother and I went to Chuck E. Cheese, and for whatever reason, he felt compelled to look under the shirt of the Chuck E. Cheese that was on the stage. He discovered that it was a robot and decided to tell his little sister (me) that Chuck E. Cheese was a robot. From that point on, I was terrified of those kind of characters. Back to Walt Disney World! We were in line to meet the Fab Five in Toon Town, and I was terrified, because *gasp* they were "fur characters." But then, my brother went up to Mickey and was talking with him, and I thought, well if my brother isn't scared, I shouldn't be either. And yes, this was the same brother that told me that Chuck E. Cheese was a robot. He is my only sibling, but he's still my older brother. So, I decided to be brave and go up to Mickey. He signed my autograph book, and we took some pictures with him. I even kissed him on the nose! After that, my mom asked me,"Hey Sweetie, why weren't you scared?" And then I said,"Because, Mama, it's the magic of Disney!" as i spread my arms in a kind of rainbow motion. That moment is one of the few distinct memories I have of that trip.

[@claytations]

Have you seen the new Wreak it Ralph trailer. I would love to see a reaction video of it. If you haven’t seen it I won’t spoil it, but there are multiple Disney crossovers in it.

[@SirWillow]

I actually did a reaction to it almost a month ago. :-)

[@TheThomson8]

Great video again. I have a few questions this time. Do you know if Disney owns the rights to the pictures from photo pass? If so can they publish it without the consent of those in the picture?

[@SirWillow]

Yes they still own the rights to the photos (they share their copyright with you if you purchase them) and can use them, but it is highly unlikely they will. If they want photos for publicity they will use special photographers and models for that.

[@TheThomson8]

Thanks for the answer!

[@Dragonrider1227]

So, what are the requirements of becoming a photopass cast member?

[@SirWillow]

About the same as any other cast member. :-) I did do a video a while back on how I got my job as a photos photographer. But the processes have changed over the years since I was hired back in 2006.

[@ben_the_cat_guy]

First. Yay

[@awphooey2u519]

Mr.willow. is there a way I can email you? Sorry.!I wanted to ask if you'd like to pin trade?

[@SirWillow]

My email is [e-mail] but I don't have to many pins available to trade right now. Most of the ones I had to trade away I used during my Paris trip back in March. :-)

[@awphooey2u519]

SirWillow eh,it's ok. Have a nice night anyways. I collect disney ducks