Fake MAW buttons?

[Sarah Magdalene]

What I notice are that those MAW children and their guests are extremely happy and excited to meet the characters. They are happy, running to them to give hugs - they adore the characters when they meet them.

Then comes your some of your wait-in-line guests and kids who just go to the character, hand you their book and pen and just turn to face the camera - not bothering to hug, shake hands, or even interact! Half of them do not even smile!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

What I notice are that those MAW children and their guests are extremely happy and excited to meet the characters. They are happy, running to them to give hugs - they adore the characters when they meet them.

Then comes your some of your wait-in-line guests and kids who just go to the character, hand you their book and pen and just turn to face the camera - not bothering to hug, shake hands, or even interact! Half of them do not even smile!

Thats probably because the SG helicopter parents MUST get a picture of little timmy with every single Character, even though the kids might not like that particular one! So they can show how wonderful their trip was, and no one else had as much fun as they did in the history of the park!

[joanna71985]

Honest, it does not take that long for a MAW family just to pop ahead of you. Like what, 2 mins at most? Why do people make such a fuss? It's two little minutes of your life. Get over it SG's!

Exactly!!

tell them, we will give you all one if you come backstage with us so we can cripple you.

I'll have to remember that.

What I notice are that those MAW children and their guests are extremely happy and excited to meet the characters. They are happy, running to them to give hugs - they adore the characters when they meet them.

Then comes your some of your wait-in-line guests and kids who just go to the character, hand you their book and pen and just turn to face the camera - not bothering to hug, shake hands, or even interact! Half of them do not even smile!

So true!!

[Sarah Magdalene]

So they can show how wonderful their trip was, and no one else had as much fun as they did in the history of the park!

Too bad if Timmy is standing there deadpan or crying. Oh yeah, a LOAD of fun!

Minnie had a couple of little girls dressed head to toe in what obviously was designer Disney children's wear, completely Minnie Moused all the way from the bows on their heads to the matching polka dot bows on the sneakers. They go to her, just scarcely lift their pens and books and just stand there - even when Minnie is holding their freshly signed autographed book to them. No attempt to even take the book.

SG Mom: "Act Excited!"

Minnie twins, about 4 years old: *just barely a whisper* Hi Minnie ... *light, no effort hug to Minnie who gives them each a kiss*

PhotoPass: "This your first time meeting Minnie?"

SG Mom: "Sure is! We been up since 6 AM looking for her!"

(this at Character Spot in Epcot, 11:35 PM)

*PhotoPass snaps a few shots during interaction*

SG Mom: Now give her a kiss on the nose!

Minnie twin 1: *gives a little kiss and another hug*
Minnie twin 2: "Nooooooooooooo ....."

SG Mom: "Just one more honey, your sister did it...."

Minnie twin 2: *Flops on floor* "Nooooooo......"

[SWTexasBelle]

My children do much better at the character meals than with the characters in the parks, which suits me just fine. I'd just as soon not have to line up and miss time on the rides! I do have my very favorite picture of my boys from one of the special preschool mornings - Goofy took them each by the hand, and they trotted off towards the carousel. Sigh. Perfect - just perfect - and not the kind of thing you can plan.

[Rowan]

What I dont get is why someone would even need to steep to such a low level. But Im not surprised that it happens.
If you can go to all the trouble of making a fake button, fake handicap placcard, shave your head and walk around on crutches acting sick. (or whatever it is you do to pull this off) why not just follow some of the great touring advice out there and apply half as much effort to that.

Seriously, even when I have been there during Easter week I have never waited more then 15 min for anything (except for when we get in the FP line right before Space breaks down for 1/2 hr...hmph).We dont cut in line and dont pretend to be sick, we just research which park is likely to be the most/least crowded and stay away from the big ticket items in the middle of the day unless we have a FP.
I dont understand why but it seems 95% of people fall into 2 categories-

1.do no research, show up and expect to have fun even though we show up mid day to a EMH park with no idea what to do first and then complain about long lines and hot weather

OR


2. lie, cut, push, run and cheat the system in any way possible to make sure we have more fun then everyone else we come in conctact with, and then complain about long lines and hot weather

[thomaskr]

As a guest and a father of 3 young kids I agree that making/selling/using fake MAW buttons are disgusting and should be punished by a one-way trip to a mine field.

However, I think some of you are being too harsh on some of the ignorant guests. Yes, there are a few people who have no compassion for anyone, but I'm sure that a large percentage of those fuming because someone skipped the line have no idea what's going on, that MAW Foundation even exists, and they would be mortified if they knew the real story. It makes it doubly difficult to understand if there's no apparent or visible problem with the child (i.e. wearing a wig or a hat can conceal chemo-related hair loss).

Also, we're all guilty of helicopter parenting at some point (especially in a crowded amusement park full of strangers) but be aware that some children are naturally shy and it has no bearing on whether or not they are enjoying being there. My son (who is 6) walks right up to characters and tries to get their attention, while my oldest daughter (who is 8) would clam up and freeze. It's just the way they are, and they have to learn for themselves how to get over it. Please don't assume that quiet and withdrawn kids are spoiled or uninterested!

[Cheshire Figment]

A few days ago I was the "line greeter" (outside the gates near the ticket booths) at TL. I saw a family with MAW button lined up at a ticket window. I also noted that the father was wearing a lanyard with one of the special GACs only given to the Wish families showing.

I know that at GKTW they don't include water park tickets, so I took the family our of the ticket line and gated them.

[Cranbiz]

A few days ago I was the "line greeter" (outside the gates near the ticket booths) at TL. I saw a family with MAW button lined up at a ticket window. I also noted that the father was wearing a lanyard with one of the special GACs only given to the Wish families showing.

I know that at GKTW they don't include water park tickets, so I took the family our of the ticket line and gated them.

And that is the difference between employees and CM's.
What a magical moment that must have been, and probably very rewarding.

[thomaskr]

I know that at GKTW they don't include water park tickets, so I took the family our of the ticket line and gated them.

That really was nice of you! Um... why don't they include access to all of parks???