A Loss of Character: Flynn leaving Rapunzel meet at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

A Loss of Character: Flynn leaving Rapunzel meet

Rapunzel and Flynn at Magic Kingdom

As of July 2, Disney fans will lose their chance to meet Flynn Rider (aka Eugene) at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, at least according to WDW News Today.

Disney created a special “play and greet” area late last year, replacing the Story Time with Belle with a re-theme to tie into Tangled. The interaction with Rapunzel and Flynn was purposely more intensive and interactive than a standard meet and greet, with guests getting to dance with the characters and play out their story (see Erica’s earlier post about the meet). Flynn’s presence was important to the play and greet, particularly because of his prominence in the film as an adventure interest targeted at boys. The meet and play seemed like a preliminary trial of the meet and play opportunities now being planned at California adventure, and it certainly pulled large crowds at the Magic Kingdom. It also allowed the cast members portraying Rapunzel and Flynn to spend a little extra time making their guests feel special.

The WDW News report suggests that not only will Flynn be leaving the meet, but the entire experience will be revamped to make “lines move faster.”

Although the lines at the meet can be daunting, streamlining the experience to make it more of a meet and greet with less “play” will reduce some of its magic, and it will certainly call into question the removal of the Story Time with Belle from the area if the play portion of the character encounter is removed. Furthermore, the idea of streamlining the experience raises questions about the meet and play model. Was the Flynn & Rapunzel meet a prototype which Disney intends to change in future encounters, or is the meet and play a bad model that will be returned to mini “shows” and meet and greets?

One of the unanswered questions remains whether Rapunzel or any other princess will retain a special meet and play outside of Fantasyland. Perhaps this is one step toward moving Rapunzel out of the spotlight as Tangled takes its place in the pantheon of Disney movies past. What do you think of the potential change? Are you disappointed that Flynn is leaving, or would you like to see the whole meet and play removed?

Meet Wendy Neeld

A princess by determination, Wendy Neeld has a long standing passion for Disney and the wonder, fantasy, and magic it represents. A central Florida resident, she visits Walt Disney World regularly, and loves not only the parks but the theming and history of Disney itself. A professor of humanities by day, she loves to share culture, history, and wonder with others. Communicating those things in written form is her joy and her goal in writing and publishing on the internet.

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http://ericadawn16.deviantart.com/ Erica Freeman

That’s very sad, I can’t help wondering if part of this was the actor. I know when I went he was very shy compared to the actor playing Naveen, but I thought maybe this would go away as he gained experience…Naveen and Tiana have lasted a lot longer, at least at Walt Disney World.

I also hope they don’t abandon the Play and Greet idea. I thought it worked really well especially as they try to incorporate more play into waits at the rides.
Michelle

That is sad that Flynn (and Rapunzel too) is leaving MK. I’m glad I got to meet them this past April. The wait was long but it was well worth it. They are my two new favorites!
Royal@heart

I feel that by taking Flynn out, Disney is really taking away from the experience. Rapunzel would’ve never left her tower if it weren’t for Flynn. These characters were designed to play off of each other and create a give and take…I assume all that Disney is seeing right now is the $ that they are losing by not allowing enough guests to see the tangled characters. It’s just sad to see this company lose another piece of their soul for financial gain.
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Tina

We were there the first week of December 2010. The FLynn Ryder that was there was not the one pictured above and not shy at all. He actually looked more like FLynn Ryder than the one pictured above. He was very outspoken, funny and outgoing. We loved him. I have to admit I didn’t pay much attention to him because I was taking pics and video but he was very good. I loved the interaction of the meet and greet and told all of my friends that they have to stop and do that when they visit. I hope they change their minds.
Carly

That is so sad! I am going to WDW in October with my husband and two young children (4 and 3) and they absolutely love Tangled. I was really hoping that they would get the chance to meet Rapunzel and Eugene. Does Rapunzel still make appearances or is she gone too?
- Nelly
  
  Rapunzel is still there. But it’s a bummer that Flynn’s not there. At least he’s at Disneyland.
  - Trey
    
    Who plays Rapunzel in this picture? We where wondering if she has acted in anything else we could go so?
    - http://imaginingdisney.blogspot.com/ Wendy Neeld
      
      I have no idea as to the Cast Members name. When Disney cast members are in character, they dont’ give out their civilian names; the picture is simply an in-park snapshot of the lady who was playing Rapunzel that day at the Magic Kingdom.
Megan

My daughter loves tangled and has been begging to meet Rapunzel and Flynn since she saw the movie. She has seen youtube videos where people were able to meet Rapunzel and Flynn and dance with them. She was expecting that when we went to Magic Kingdom and she was very disappointed when we went on Friday, August 5th, 2011 and only Rapunzel was there. On top of that, Rapunzel didn’t walk around and admire the kids drawings or dance with them. She just thanked everyone for coming and started greeting and taking pictures. I’m not sure why they changed this, but I can say that my daughter kept asking why Flynn wasn’t there and if he was sick. She was excited to meet Rapunzel, but would have been thrilled to have been able to dance, and meet Flynn.
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Anonymous

Hi i been to disney world alot of times and i never got the chance to meet my favorite characters rapunzel and flynn and now i find out flynns leaving im going to disney world early next month and i would really like to see both of them! it would really make my dream come true if i got to see flynn and rapunzel! please disney bring him back pleasee!
- http://imaginingdisney.blogspot.com/ Wendy Neeld
  
  Unfortunately, the only place you can “for sure” see Flynn these days is at the Not So Scary Halloween Party. We’re all hoping he’ll be brought back sometime…he really is an important part of the film and a very boy-friendly part of the movie!
Natika

Bummer. I really like Flynn. My family is hoping to go to Disney World again soon. We have been twice, but at the time they didnt have Flynn or Rapunzel. When I heard both were characters I was really excited. I would really love to see all the Princesses with their Princes. Maybe I can talk my mom into the Not So Scary Halloween Party…. Does he do character meet and greet at that time? Or is he just in a parade or something?

A Loss of Character: Flynn leaving Rapunzel meet

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