One of our favorite things to do while at the Disney World parks is get our pictures taken with various characters. While you will find characters roaming around various locations of the parks, there are some Disney World characters that have designated areas where you should be able to easily spot them.
Where to Meet Disney World Characters
We have compiled a list of where to find characters at Disney World so that you can bookmark and take it with you when you travel.
Disney Characters at Magic Kingdom
Main Street USA
- Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
Tomorrowland
- Buzz Lightyear
- Stitch
Adventureland
- Aladdin & Jasmine at Agrabah Bazaar
- Captain Jack Sparrow (Currently Closed)
Fantasyland
- Alice (and sometimes Mad Hatter &/or Rabbit) in Wonderland at the Tea Cups
- Ariel at her Grotto near Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid ride.
- Minnie, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy at Pete’s Silly Sideshow
- Gaston at his Gaston’s Tavern
- Mirabel at Fairytale Garden
- Peter Pan near the ride
- Rapunzel at Fairytale Hall
- Tiana at Fairytale Hall
- Elena of Avalon at Fairytale Hall
- Cinderella at Fairytale Hall
- Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet at Thotful Spot
- Belle at Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Fairy Godmother (or Step Mother & Sisters) Behind Castle in Fantasyland
Frontierland
- Chip & Dale
- Country Bears
Disney Characters at EPCOT
Entrance
- Various Characters
World Nature
- Moana near Journey of Water
Image Works
- Vanellope von Schweetz
- Joy in ImageWorks
- Figment
World Showcase
- Asha from Wish at World Showcase Plaza Gazebo
- Anna & Elsa at Royal Sommerhaus
- Alice &/ or Mary Poppins in the United Kingdom (behind tea shop)
- Belle in France along Lake in France Pavilion
- Aurora in France Pavilion
- Donald Duck in Mexico Pavilion
- Mulan in China Pavilion
- Snow White in Germany Pavilion
- Jasmine & Aladdin in Morocco Pavilion
Pixar Short Film Festival
- Mickey & Minnie Mouse
Characters at Animal Kingdom
Adventures Outpost
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse
DinoLand U.S.A.
- Goofy and Pluto
- Donald, Daisy, Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack
- Chip & Dale
Floatilla
- Russell and Dug
- Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack
- Characters from Disney’s Pocahontas or Disney’s The Lion King
- Goofy and Pluto
Disney World Characters at Hollywood Studios
- Minnie & Mickey at Red Carpet Dreams
Animation Courtyard
- Doc McStuffins
- Fancy Nancy
- Vamparina
Pixar Plaza
- Edna Mode at the Edna Mode Experience
- Mr Incredible, Mrs Incredible and Frozone
Toy Story Land
- Buzz Lightyear
- Woody
- Jessie
Celebrity Spotlight
- Olaf
Star Wars Launchpad
- Chewbacca
- Darth Vader
- BB8
Walt Disney Presents
- Ariel from Live Action Version of The Little Mermaid
While there are other Disney World characters you might see in the parks, these are the ones that have designated meet & greet locations.
How to Find Disney World Character Meet & Greets
There are two ways to know where to find characters and the times that they are available for meet & greets.
My Disney Experience App
We have found that the most up-to-date and easiest way to find characters in Disney World is to use the My Disney Experience app.
Disney World Times Guide
One thing that will make it easier to find Disney World characters no matter which park you are at is the Times Guide.
Each park has a Times Guide that tells you the times of shows, parades and where characters are for meet & greets throughout the day.
Tips for Meeting Characters at Disney World
These are some things to keep in mind when you do meet & greets at Disney:
1. Plan ahead
Decide which characters you would really like to meet.
Chances are you might stumble upon characters here & there on your trip, but many Disney characters have set meet & greet times and locations.
Use the Disney app to know where they will be.
If you know where and when the characters will be, you can get there first!
2. Bring your Camera or Cell Phone
While many Disney character meet & greets have a Disney Photopass photographer, not all do so you should be prepared.
Regardless if there is a photographer, I would take your own pictures too.
The cast member working the meet & greet area will gladly take a family picture for you if you would like to be in the picture too.
3. Get your autograph book in advance
Have your
- 50 blank pages
- Elastic pen loop
- Patterned inside covers
- Mickey holding banner with ”This book belongs to:” and blank field inside front cover
- 4 1/2” H x 6” W x 1/4” D
Not all characters will sign autographs, but for the ones that do, it is best to have the book open to the page you would like signed and a pen handy.
We have found that retractable Sharpies work best because the character doesn’t have to try to pull off the pen lid with their large hands.
- Same great Sharpie ink, now in a fine point retractable marker that allows easy, one-handed operation- just click and mark
- Unique Safety Seal valve design prevents dry out, and there is no cap to remove or lose
- Durable fine point tip produces thinner, detailed lines
- AP certified non-toxic
- Set of 3 Markers includes 1 each of Black, Blue and Red
Don’t want to do an autograph book? There are other options to showcase your autographs.
4. Be Ready for a Line
Lines can get long. If you are willing to wait with children, bring a snack and an activity.
This keeps the kids occupied when they might otherwise get fidgety.
5. Reserve a Disney Character Meal
A Character meal is a great way to knock out meeting many characters at one time.
You get to meet characters while you eat so you are killing two birds with one stone!
6. Use the Genie+ system & Lightning Lane
While there are a few occasions where using the Lightning Lane might be the best way to meet a character with minimal wait times, I think it is far better to use them on rides.
7. Disney Visa Card Holders can get access to special meet & greets.
One of the perks to having a Disney Visa Card through Chase is that you can get access to elite Disney Character Meet & Greets that aren’t available to the general public.
Take advantage of these as they are usually much shorter lines and with great characters!
8. Engage the Characters
If you are wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt, show Mickey. Or better yet, show Donald! Characters love to be admired and teased!
They also make great photo ops!
It is exciting when you get the chance to meet your favorite Disney Characters in Disney World! We hope these tips help you to have a wonderful experience with them!