Meeting Disney Characters on Your Walt Disney World Vacation

One of the joys of a Walt Disney World vacation is the opportunity to meet your favorite Disney characters. Who doesn’t want to have their picture taken with Mickey Mouse, with boy of you grinning from ear to ear? Or to collect character autographs as cheap souvenirs that are still fun and memorable? These are the kinds of experiences that are fun for Disney guests of all ages.

What are some tips to help you make the most out of meeting Disney characters at Walt Disney World Resort.

Last updated: Dec. 31, 2010

In addition to lots of nooks and crannies where Disney characters can pop up unexpectedly, there are several areas in each theme park where Disney characters can regularly be found. Remember, always pick up a Guidemap and Times Schedule for each park, as these resources will give you the most up-to-date information on where some of the characters will be and when for these regular appearances.

• Adventureland, Adventureland Veranda
• Adventureland, near Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Fantasyland, Ariel’s Grotto (closed due to Fantasyland expansion, moved to Adventureland veranda)
• Fantasyland, near Cinderella’s Fountain
• Fantasyland, near Mad Tea Party
• Fantasyland, Pooh’s Playful Spot (closed April 2010 to Fantasyland expansion)
• Fantasyland, near Tinker Bell’s Treasures
• Frontierland, Diamond Horseshoe Saloon
• Main Street, U.S.A., Entrance Plaza
• Main Street, U.S.A., Town Square
• Mickey’s Tootown Fair, The Fairy-Tale Pavilion (will close Feb. 12, 2011 for Fantasyland expansion)
  
• Mickey’s Toontown Fair, The Judge’s Tent (will close Feb. 12, 2011 for Fantasyland expansion)
• Mickey’s Toontown Fair, Train Station
• Tomorrowland, Star Command area
  

Future World

• Epcot Character Spot (Innoventions West)

World Showcase

• Mexico
• China
• Germany
  
• Morocco
• France
• United Kingdom
  

• Sorcerer Mickey Hat
• The Magic Of Disney Animation
• Animation Courtyard, near Playhouse Disney
• Backlot, near Luigi’s Garage
• Streets of America
• Pixar Place, Picture Shootin’ Corral

• Animal Kingdom Entrance
• Asia to Africa pathway
• Camp Minnie-Mickey Greeting Trails
  
• Conservation Station, Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Dinoland, U.S.A. Souvenir Photo Stand
• Discovery Island, Boat Landing
  
• Discovery Island, near Island Mercantile

Disney Character Tip: Want to know where you can find a particular Disney character? Check out The Mouse for Less for a handy Disney Character hunting guide!

Hardly anyone needs to be told to relax and have fun when meeting Disney characters. But there are other tips that can make a Disney character meet & greet rewarding.

Take plenty of pictures, both posed and spontaneous. Some of the best pictures come from interactions between guests and characters as they prepare for photos or autographs.

• Use PhotoPass and let Disney photographers take pictures of you with both their camera and yours. Even if you don’t order the pictures later on, having Disney photographers take the pictures (with your camera) usually helps you capture good shots.
• Treat the cast members dressed as characters – whether they are fur characters or face characters – as their characters. Ask Belle what her favorite book is, tell Mickey what your favorite cartoon is, ask Pooh if he’d like some honey, or pose with Buzz Lightyear “to infinity and beyond.”
• Approach face characters directly, not from the side, as they can see you.
• Read this general primer on getting good getting Walt Disney World photographs.
  

A couple of DON’Ts: Don’t cut in line or step in front of another guest’s pictures. And don’t push, pull, jump on, or otherwise manhandle the characters. The Golden Rule applies.

For more tips on meeting characters at Walt Disney World, check out one of these recommended Disney travel guides.

Another fun way to meet Disney characters, one that guarantees a little more interaction with them, is to take advantage of Disney character dining. There are many different Disney character breakfasts and a handful of character lunches or dinners. Over 20 dining experiences are available, and take place at every theme park and at many Disney resorts.

The advantage of a Disney character meal is that the characters come to your table, which enables shy children (or adults) a way to meet the characters with less pressure. Many character offer fun activities, like mini-parades, that take place during the course of the average meal time (about one hour, although you can stay as long as you like).

There’s also the added benefit of combining a meet & greet with characters with dining. Most Disney character meals are all-you-can eat buffets or family-style dining, perfect for the casual vibe of meeting Disney characters and good options for picky eaters.

Popular Character Meals include:

• Chef Mickey's, Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Cinderella’s Royal Table, Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom (princesses)
• Crystal Palace, Magic Kingdom (Pooh and friends)
• ‘Ohana, Polynesian (Stitch, Lilo, Mickey, and friends)
• Princess Storybook Dining, Norway in Epcot (princesses)
• Tusker House, Disney's Animal Kingdom (Donald, Daisy Mickey, Goofy)
  

Note: Disney character dining is available to all guests, including those who use the Disney Dining Plan. Most character dining requires one table-service credit; Cinderella's Royal Table requires 2 table-service credits. For more information on this option, see Disney Dining Plan, A Walt Disney World Meal Plan.

Disney autographs can be fun souvenirs. They relatively inexpensive – you can buy one for under $10 or make your own Disney autograph book. Collecting them can be one of the goals of a trip, and a lot of people try to collect as many as possible over the course of one trip or add new autographs with each Disney vacation.

Guests can also collect autographs on a variety of things that make for an even more unique souvenir. The characters will sign many things. Thinking of ideas beyond the standard autograph book can result in some very creative memorabilia.

Possible Autograph Items:

• Scrapbook Pages
• Disney Guidebooks
• Walt Disney Biographies and other Disney books
• Disney T-Shirts (can't be signed while being worn)
• Tote Bags
• Postcards

And don’t forget to bring a special, extra-large (fat) pen or marker for characters who don’t have fine-motor control for signing autographs.

Being photographed with Disney Characters is one of Walt Disney World’s magical experiences (not to mention the opportunities at Disneyland, at Disney theme parks around the world, and on Disney Cruise Line ships). Getting your pictures taken with Mickey and the gang, or gathering Disney autographs, are fun, interactive ways to create and collect personalized souvenirs.

Photo Credits: This page uses photographs or images acquired through authorized access to Disney media sites. All rights are reserved and remain with the copyright holder.