On our last trip, we got to meet “Talking Mickey” at the Town Square Theater on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom. It was quite an experience, and it made us wonder if this is the future of character Meet and Greets. Come see what we mean…
We had just entered Magic Kingdom after a great dinner at ‘Ohana, and it was starting to rain. We took shelter in the Town Square Theater and got on line to see the recently debuted, and now fully installed, “talking” Mickey Mouse.
I’d seen several videos about Talking Mickey online, and I was very excited, but I wasn’t sure how the kids would react. In seven years of visits, Mickey had never said a word to Bella… what would she think? And then there was Jackson, who at not-quite-three-years-old was great with characters (especially the Princesses) but at home was terrified of any stuffed animal that talked, sang, or danced…
So how would it go??
All that worrying about their reaction… and they were fine. Jackson was a little thrown off by it, but he didn’t run away screaming, so that was good…
I was also pleased that we got a joke, and not just a “hey, let’s get a picture” like the guest before us. But I really wished we had gotten the Haunted Mansion bit… that looked like a fun one!
But on the way out, Bella asked me why only that Mickey talks to you, and not the others you meet. She is seven now… and she’s getting close to figuring it all out (if she hasn’t already), and she brings up a good point.
Characters have evolved a lot through the years… in the early days some were downright scary, and remind me of the knock-offs you see wandering Times Square.
Thankfully, they got makeovers, new outfits, and became much better looking…. and cuddlier.
Then a few years back, they began to blink and “talk”, but only in the stage shows.
And now Mickey is talking directly to guests… albeit only in this one location, and the conversations are a bit one-sided. Mickey steers it, and I get the impression it’s difficult for him to go off on any tangents. He likes to stay focused, and the Cast Member there will help remind him to pose for a picture.
So is this the future of all Meet and Greets? Will Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and the rest of the gang start talking as well? And is there room to make the conversation more interactive??
Disney, you’ve raised the bar here, and it’s quite impressive, but you’ve only set the standard that much higher for every other character experience!
What do you think of Talking Mickey??
Guests can meet with Talking Mickey daily at the Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom.
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Evolution of Disney Parks Characters | Adventures in Familyhood
Saturday 17th of December 2016
[…] In recent years, Imagineers have taken character costumes to a whole new level. The costumed characters in shows and parades now have eyes that blink and mouths that move when they talk and sing. Until now, that’s only been for shows and parades, but we were blown away when Mickey Mouse actually talked to us! […]
Anonymous
Tuesday 11th of March 2014
We visited late this past Friday (March 7th) and he didn't talk! I was so disappointed as I had heard about this beforehand. Luckily my children didn't remember me saying anything about him talking and just went on about our visit. I wonder if he had laryngitis?
Diane @ Can Do It MOM
Monday 3rd of March 2014
I think it's great that Mickey talks, I was so thrilled when we went into see him. I do hope they all talk soon.
Beth Green
Monday 3rd of March 2014
I totally forgot about this! We'll be able to experience it in the fall! I've pinned this so I won't forget again... I also love the old character pictures! They do remind me of the knock off TImes Square characters! And what's up with Honey on Pooh's head!?!? :)
Lynn
Thursday 27th of February 2014
Yay for talking Mickey! We haven't went to meet him yet. I'm not sure how the kids will react. They don't know about it yet so maybe we'll check him out on our next trip :)