I still can't figure this out!

[MartianCrab]

I think it's a good effect but it's too late for my own kids to enjoy it. Even when I was young, I never got a charge out of costumed characters so it means nothing to me personally. I could see how kids would like it though, and it makes more sense to me to wait in line for something that can interact with you rather than just nod and gesture. I never understood the whole autograph thing, though. Do kids really think it's the "real" Mickey Mouse's autograph?

[WDW4Ever]

Do kids really think it's the "real" Mickey Mouse's autograph?

I think there is a brief period in a child's life in which they believe that he really is Mickey Mouse, but I think the notion of him being the Mickey Mouse is slightly altered in 2011 from where it was in 1955. Kids can be too young as to not even realize what is going on when they're getting his autograph. In otherwords, they don't realize that it's the Mickey Mouse they have seen in cartoons. They can be just old enough, also, to have a suspicion that he isn't Mickey Mouse. They're just old enough to start putting 2 and 2 together. "If Mickey's a drawn cartoon character, how can he be standing in front of me?" Where these new talking heads can play a slight factor in is the kids who are just on the cusp of being suspicious. If he didn't talk, then they'd know he's fake, but since he now blinks and talks to me, he's gotta be real! It is partially this reason as well that I think that the princesses are more popular in the parks. As for us with Peter Pan syndrome, I'm excited that I can finally (slightly) justify waiting in a line to see a Mickey that will now talk to me. A lot of the fun with meeting characters is being able to converse and tell inside jokes with them. It was always kind of awkward meeting a character with a head because you never know when to take the picture, what to say, what they're trying to do, etc.

That reason that I believe this has changed from 1955 is because kids don't see him on TV every night or every Saturday anymore. Heck, some people think Walt Disney wasn't even a real person anymore. They put him in the category of a Betty Crocker. Just a stage name used to endorse products. That reason is the reason why Diane Miller started the WDFM in San Francisco. The reason that it's in San Francisco is unfortunate because it is due to the fact that she wants it to be disassociated with the WDC. Tangent aside, kids see live action shows like "Hannah Montana" and the similar garbage. So that is a real person that they can see/meet however unlikely that may be.

Does anyone remember one of the first videos we got of the new talking Mickey? It wasn't scripted as some people think this one is and you can tell that the original is not. The girl's face just absolutely illuminates with joy. She has to take a second and think about the fact that she's talking to Mickey. You can even see her initially talk slowly and stroke his arm.
Talking Mickey

Even the adults in this one are "Oh my god"-ing this because it is that amazing.
Talking Mickey Mouse

I think these will soon already have a Talking Face 2.0 with the eye technology that is used in Ariel's Undersea Adventure in California Adventure on Sebastian. It's also used on Buzz's face in Space Ranger Spin and Mr. Potato Head's eyes in the queue for TSMM.

[supernova]

I think it's a good effect but it's too late for my own kids to enjoy it. Even when I was young, I never got a charge out of costumed characters so it means nothing to me personally. I could see how kids would like it though, and it makes more sense to me to wait in line for something that can interact with you rather than just nod and gesture. I never understood the whole autograph thing, though. Do kids really think it's the "real" Mickey Mouse's autograph?

Agreed. Taking a picture of a local Florida HS teen in a Tigger costume makes a lot more sense than having that teen sign "Tigger" in a book.

[Dizisit]

I'm diggin' this. Much cooler than "Mimey" Mouse.

[Dizisit]

Agreed. Taking a picture of a local Florida HS teen in a Tigger costume makes a lot more sense than having that teen sign "Tigger" in a book.

High schoolers drivin' monorails, and NOW in Tigger costumes?
What's the "World" comin' too?!?!?!

[MartianCrab]

High schoolers drivin' monorails, and NOW in Tigger costumes?
What's the "World" comin' too?!?!?!

"Have a magic day...magical...have a day!"

[supernova]

High schoolers drivin' monorails, and NOW in Tigger costumes?
What's the "World" comin' too?!?!?!

Who else is going to take a job for $7/hr? Hopefully not an adult with a family to feed!

[Dizisit]

Who else is going to take a job for $7/hr?

Asian sweatshop children. It'd be like hittin' the lottery.

[HauntedGabe]

I don't think they would ever do that

I agree. That is a long standing tradition that remained very popular through the years.

Since they moved Mickey out of his house in Toon the lines to meet Mickey have been non-existent. This will likely boost the guest count considerably.

[supernova]

Asian sweatshop children. It'd be like hittin' the lottery.

From the three people I know who have worked for the Mouse, I'm not sure Disney could match the benefits package.

[joanna71985]

Who else is going to take a job for $7/hr? Hopefully not an adult with a family to feed!

I know plenty of adults that work at Disney (both with and without families). I myself work at Disney, love it, and can't see myself working anywhere else

[supernova]

I can't see myself working for $7/hr at 35 years of age, either.

[Dizisit]

From the three people I know who have worked for the Mouse, I'm not sure Disney could match the benefits package.

What?!?!
Do you mean to tell me the Asian kids are gettin' less lashes per day than us CM's?!?!?!

[joanna71985]

I can't see myself working for $7/hr at 35 years of age, either.

Well, good thing it pays more then that, then

[supernova]

Well, good thing it pays more then that, then

Really?
MouseTrapped 2010 - part 1 of 2 - YouTube