Meeting Disney World characters is an exciting and magical part of Disney vacations with new options available plus the return of old favorites. Here’s how to find Disney World characters and tips for individual Disney World character meet and greets.
Where Can I Find Disney World Characters?
There are so many ways to see Disney World characters in 2023. Character cavalcades, regular parades, character meals, distanced sightings, and traditional character meet and greets are all amazing options to enjoy your favorite Disney friends.
Individual Disney World Character Meet and Greets
Traditional character meet and greets have returned to Disney World. Wait in a traditional standby queue before having a fun, personal interaction which can once again include hugs with favorite Disney characters.
The princesses have entertaining discussions with guests while Mickey and Minnie’s over the top gestures communicate how excited they are to see you.
Magic Kingdom Character Meet and Greets
Currently, Magic Kingdom has the most Disney World character meet and greets. The first is just inside the park at Town Square Theater where Mickey Mouse is happy to see his pals.
At Fairytale Hall near Cinderella Castle, princess fans can rejoice at the opportunity to meet four Disney princesses. The queue is split in two and each line leads to two charming Disney princesses. You’ll usually find Cinderella, Elena, Rapunzel, and Tiana here, but sometimes one or more will be a surprise princess.
One of my favorite princesses, Belle, welcomes guests to Maurice’s Cottage for a meet and greet tucked into the former queue of Enchanted Tales with Belle. This meet and greet will likely end soon since Enchanted Tales with Belle returns February 19, 2023.
Pete’s Silly Sideshow returned January 15, 2023 with Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy dressed as adorable circus performers. Find this fun character meet and greet across from Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Barnstormer.
Head under the sea to Ariel’s Grotto starting January 22, 2023. Find Ariel in her mermaid form at this Disney World character meet and greet.
Hollywood Studios Character Meet and Greets
Hollywood Studios has several meet and greet options. Visit Minnie and Mickey Mouse at Red Carpet Dreams in Hollywood Studios, Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight, or Sulley at Animation Courtyard.
Look for Woody and Jessie just outside Toy Story Mania! while Buzz Lightyear meets guests near the Toy Story Land entrance.
Star Wars fans can do traditional meet and greets in Star Wars Launch Bay with Darth Vader, BB-8, and Chewbacca. Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, and Rey also mingle with guests in Galaxy’s Edge.
Have little ones who love Disney Junior? Meet Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, and Fancy Nancy in the Animation Courtyard near Star Wars Launch Bay.
Epcot Character Meet and Greets
When rushing to start your Epcot day don’t miss the first opportunity to meet characters. Classic Disney friends like Pluto, Goofy, and Minnie greet guests near the front entrance of Epcot just to the right side of the entrance fountains.
In World Showcase say “hi” to Donald Duck in the Mexico Promenade before riding The Gran Fiesta Tour.
Next door, between Mexico and Norway find the Royal Sommerhus. This is where Frozen fans can meet both Anna and Elsa.
Many of the princesses are back meeting guests throughout World Showcase. Find Snow White in Germany, Sleeping Beauty and Belle in France, and Mulan in China.
Jasmine sweetly interacts with guests off the beaten path in Morocco while both Joy from Inside Out and Venellope von Schweetz of Wreck-it Ralph have now returned to ImageWorks.
Mary Poppins and Alice have returned to the United Kingdom pavilion and the nearby International Gateway hosts Daisy Duck.
Animal Kingdom Character Meet and Greets
Find Mickey and Minnie Mouse in adorable safari gear at Animal Kingdom. These two meet guests each day at Adventurers Outpost on Discovery Island and even have PhotoPass photographers there to catch the moment.
Daisy Duck is at Daisy’s Design Studio while Donald Duck greets guests at the DinoLand USA Welcome Center.
The often mischievous Chip and Dale are on the Upper Cretaceous Trail in Animal Kingdom.
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Character Experiences
There are currently five Genie+ Lightning Lane character experiences.
Magic Kingdom Character Genie+ Lightning Lanes
There are three Lightning Lane character options at Magic Kingdom. Use Lightning Lane for Mickey at Town Square Theater, Princess Tiana plus a visiting princess, or Cinderella plus a visiting princess.
Hollywood Studios Character Genie+ Lightning Lanes
There are two character Lightning Lane options at Hollywood Studios.
Use Genie+ to skip the standby line for Olaf or Meet Disney Stars, which includes Sorcerer Mickey and Minnie elegantly dressed, at Hollywood Studios.
Animal Kingdom Character Genie+ Lightning Lanes
There is only one Genie+ character option at Animal Kingdom, but it is an extremely popular meet and greet. Book a Lightning Lane to avoid the often long wait to meet safari Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost at Animal Kingdom.
Disney World Character Cavalcades, Floatillas, and Motorcades
These Disney World mini parades showcase characters waving to guests along a set route at all four theme parks. Cavalcades are not identical with the style and characters varying by park.
Animal Kingdom has floatillas where beloved Disney characters float along rivers and wave up to guests on bridges above. Expect to find characters like Timon or safari-style Donald at Animal Kingdom.
Over at Hollywood Studios motorcades transport characters in style. Look for Mickey and friends or Pixar pals cruising down Hollywood Boulevard in convertible cars.
At Magic Kingdom find fan favorites like Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto during Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade. This cavalcade, and others, roll down Main Street several times each day.
Use the Disney World My Disney Experience app to find exact cavalcade, floatilla, or motorcade times. Cavalcade and motorcade details are under “Entertainment” and can be filtered by park to easily find them.
Although not my favorite way to see characters, Disney World cavalcades are super popular. People love seeing characters without waiting in line and the characters do a surprisingly good job interacting with the crowds.
Pro Tip for Disney World Cavalcades: If you are at Disney World and hear the music abruptly change and get louder this is a great signal a cavalcade is coming.
Disney World Character Sightings
Character sightings differ from individual character meet and greets. These casual Disney character interactions are done at a distance, outdoors, and in select areas.
You don’t wait in line to see characters for these sightings, but also you won’t necessarily have a specific Disney character interaction like a normal meet and greet.
There are a variety of characters for Disney World character sightings with some information on My Disney Experience app under “Characters”. While this is a good starting point to find character sightings, many more are unlisted. You never know where you’ll find an impromptu Disney World character sighting so always keep an eye out.
Tips For Meeting Disney World Characters 2023
Get Ready To Hug Disney World Characters
Disney World character meet and greets are now back to normal. After almost two years of distanced interactions a traditional meet and greet complete with hugs is extremely exciting.
Practice Your Selfie Skills
Although excited to see my Disney character friends again, I am disappointed there are not always PhotoPass photographers. This means awkward character selfies or someone is left out of the pictures. Red Carpet Dreams at Hollywood Studios recently added photographers so hopefully more return soon.
Use the My Disney Experience App
Individual character meet and greets are not available from park open to close. Check My Disney Experience under the characters tab to find meet and greet hours.
Download the My Disney Experience app here for Apple users or here for Android.
Bring Your Autograph Book!
Characters are once again allowed to sign keepsake items for guests. Although autograph books are a popular favorite we personally love our autograph pillowcases and ornaments best.
Disney World Character Meals
Over the years we’ve done tons of character meals and have always loved them despite the high price tag and mediocre food. Disney World character meal interactions are also back to normal with close interactions, pictures, and hugs making them a better value than when it was distanced interactions.
Disney World character meals are either individually plated meals or family style with buffets currently on hold. This change has been a great improvement in experience and food quality versus previous character meals.
Akershus
Meet several Disney Princesses at this extremely popular Epcot character meal. Although the dining rooms are dim, the charming princesses brighten the mood of guests dining here.
Chef Mickey’s
Located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort within walking distance of Magic Kingdom, Chef Mickey’s is a popular character meal. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto all roam through the vast restaurant while you enjoy a family style breakfast or dinner.
The new menu is a big improvement, the location is great, but the actual ambiance of Chef Mickey’s is mediocre with some seating areas amazing and others terrible.
Garden Grill
Inside The Land Pavilion at Epcot, Garden Grill features Mickey, Pluto, and the mischievous Chip and Dale. The restaurant actually rotates during the meal which is cool, but can be disconcerting or an issue for those with severe motion sickness.
Hollywood and Vine
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has two different character meals at Hollywood and Vine. Have breakfast with favorite Disney Junior characters or visit Minnie and friends during lunch and dinner.
Minnie’s Seasonal Dine rotates themes through the year with Minnie and friends dressed in different seasonal attire. The characters’ seasonal outfits are always gorgeous and the location is conveniently located within Hollywood Studios. Food and ambiance are fair.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
This is one of our favorite Disney World character meals. The food is incredible and you get to see hard to find characters like The Wicked Queen, Dopey, and Grumpy in addition to Snow White.
The characters, ambiance, and food are great at Story Book Dining, but getting to Wilderness Lodge can be a hassle.
Topolino’s Terrace
The top of Riviera Resort houses Topolino’s Terrace where Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald showcase their art skills during breakfast. The breakfast quality is good, the views are gorgeous, and the characters adorable.
We didn’t have the best character interactions at Topolino’s Terrace, but others rave about the experience. Disney’s Riviera Resort is a Skyliner stop which makes it easier to access than some resort dining options.
Tusker House
Who can resist Donald in safari attire? Not me! Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Mickey roam this large restaurant in outdoor themed outfits at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The food variety is good with adventurous food items and also basics sure to please everyone. Tusker House’s location in Animal Kingdom makes this an easy to access and popular Disney World character meal.
The Crystal Palace
Join Hundred Acre Wood friends like Winnie the Pooh at this Magic Kingdom staple on Main Street. The menu features carved prime rib, peel and eat shrimp, and more starting September 20, 2022.
Polynesian Resort
Lilo and Stitch make you feel like ‘Ohana at Best Friends Breakfast. This popular character meal with Hawaiian flair returned September 27, 2022.
Beach Club Resort
Cape May Cafe Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast is located in this New England inspired restaurant at Beach Club. Expect Minnie and some of her best friends to make the rounds at breakfast starting October 4, 2022.
Disney World Parades
Festival of Fantasy Parade returned to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom March 9, 2022. This incredible 10 minute long parade features tons of Disney characters.
Expect to see princesses, princes, Peter Pan with his friends, Mickey, Minnie, and so many more during this daytime Magic Kingdom parade.
Crowds tend to be larger for parades than cavalcades since there are more characters and floats. This means securing a parade spot ahead of time versus showing up last minute for cavalcades.
Avoid using precious park time to secure a parade spot if you purchase Disney World Genie+. Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing is now one of the options for Magic Kingdom Genie+ Lightning Lanes.
Final Thoughts On Finding Disney World Characters
Parades, cavalcades, character meals, character sightings, and individual Disney World character meet and greets mean many opportunities for seeing characters. Find your favorites and keep your eyes peeled since you never know who you’ll find during a day at Disney World.
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