I actually liked the random encounters around the parks. It was very special for the little kids and it didn't negatively effect anyone's day. In fact it actually made most peoples days; especially the kids. Having a line for a character meet and greet will really ruin most peoples experience with their vacations due to everyone knowing where the characters are and flocking to that area, making huge lines and packing too many people in one area. It is a profit-minded decision that should have been turned down the second the person came up with the idea.
-on another note, the editor on screamscape went on a monstrous rant over how photopass is the real world skynet. I wouldn't jump THAT far, but they do seem to think the six flags approach is good for the profit side of business.