Toonfinding
Page 5 of 5
Oh yeah, before I forget… if you happen to see an atmosphere character that you absolutely adore, please do not take a running start at them. If they see you running towards them they are more than likely going to take off running in the other direction. Nothing like getting clobbered into a bear hug by someone you have no clue who they are… I know I’m not too keen on the whole bear hug thing as it is already unless I am really comfortable with you (I can see it now, I’ll be walking through the parks and will be bear hugged all day by complete strangers). Walk, don’t run… sounds like a lifeguard at a pool or the principal of some school… but it’s the safest thing for the characters and you.
Esmerelda dances with a young fan
So back to the atmosphere characters… another great example of "playing" with the characters is someone like Kuzko or even Esmerelda. Both love to dance, and guess what? There’s atmosphere music!!! If they are dancing around don’t be ashamed to do the traditional 80’s dance step… just try to keep the beat, eh? Nothing worse then tourists being out of synch with the music and with each other. Esmerelda is known to drag out a kid or two from the watching crowd to join her in a gypsy dance… and as for Kuzko, well he’s got a style all of his own.
Now let’s take a step into a realm where evil rules and black is the definite color of the fashion runways every year… the villains. Most of the US parks have sort of been slowly removing them from the parks only because of the numerous complaints from guests about the villains being mean to them and their kids. Guess what folks? They are villains… they are not going to be cheery and perky like Mary Poppins or Mickey Mouse. Villains will treat you like dirt unless you can figure out a way to get them to like you… a good one is to know something about them or treat them like they are as high and mighty as they think they are (this is going to get me into trouble with Cruella for sure). Flatter them… kiss their feet (not literally)… do all of that but also remember that they are human too and deserve to be treated as such. Doing so will cut down on the villainous treatment from them.
Cruella in one of her better moods
But if for some odd reason that does not even work, don’t complain about them… they are simply doing their job. And their job is to be a villain, not your playtoy. Example? Cruella DeVil is by far one of the most complained about characters within the Disneyland Resort because of her "attitude" with the guests. So how does one butter up someone like Cruella? Rather easily actually… compliment her on her clothes and/or hair. That is the quickest way to her heart and to open the doors of conversation with her. And why does this work? Because if one recalls from the live-action movies she is a fashion designer so looks are everything to her. She only wants the puppies to further her fashion statement.
With that I close for now… maybe some day I will return and add to what I have said. Or maybe I’ll get the ever so busy Milady to add a couple of her cents to this (as though I don’t keep her busy enough writing for my site). I hope this might have opened a few eyes to the world that I have lived in over the past few years… possibly taught something to those who never were quite sure how to do the whole character experience. Thanks for tuning in for a short bit and I hope to hear from you. My inbox is always open to answer any questions you may have about the characters.
And always remember this… you are never too old to get a character autograph or to get your photo taken with a character. If you are in a Disney park then you must be a kid, either physically or in spirit. To be anything but just means that you need a big huge hug from Mickey or Minnie to bring a smile onto your face.
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Related Links
- Toonfinder.com
Chris Scott's (the author's) site dedicates to Disney toons
-- Posted October 8, 2001
-- Story by Chris Scott
-- Pictures by LaughingPlace.com Staff
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