No visit to Walt Disney World® Resort or the Disneyland® Resort is complete without saying hello to some favorite Disney pals! But where do you find them? We put together a list of locations where you can see, meet and hug Characters—and a few are even private spots reserved just for Disney® Visa® Credit Cardmembers!12 Be sure to read to the end of the article for insider tips on meeting Characters at the parks.
Where to Meet Characters at Walt Disney World® Resort
Character Experiences at Walt Disney World® Resort are enchanting experiences with autographs, photos, hugs and plenty of playful banter. You’ll feel like the Characters stepped out of your favorite Disney stories. Learn about where to find them below, from palaces and gardens to restaurants with Character Dining opportunities.
Magic Kingdom® Park
Enchanted Tales with Belle
It’s a tale as old as time—and now, you get to be a part of it! Tour Belle’s country cottage and the Beast’s castle, where you’ll meet the Enchanted Wardrobe. When Belle appears, you’ll get a chance to participate in the fairytale or just cheer along!
Meet Ariel at her Grotto
Ariel wants to be where the people are. Stop by her shimmering ocean retreat for the opportunity to pose for a photo and make her dream come true.
Meet Characters from Aladdin in Adventureland
Soar over for a chance to meet Aladdin, and you may even get to hear all about his adventures in Agrabah
Meet Princesses at Princess Fairy Tale Hall
Hugs, pictures and happily ever after. Cinderella and Princess Tiana have been known to stop by, joined by other visiting Princesses.
Meet Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Sideshow
Step right up and grab your camera and pen! Meet some of your favorite pals while they’re visiting, like The Great Goofini, Minnie Magnifique and more!
Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
Go behind the curtain for a chance to greet Mickey Mouse. You’ll find props and posters from his magical career in the theatre. Say the magic word and he may strike a pose with you!
Meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger at The Thotful Spot
Spend some time deep in the Hundred-Acre Wood. You may spot Winnie the Pooh and Tigger sharing hugs and dreaming of their next smackerel of honey.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Soaring stone archways, a feast fit for royalty and the opportunity to see Disney Princesses visiting for photos and autographs. What more could you desire? (Advance reservations are highly recommended.)
The Crystal Palace
As you dine on a bountiful buffet in the Crystal Palace, friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood may stop by for photos and hugs. It’s a scrumptious experience! (Be sure to make your reservation in advance.)
EPCOT®
Disney Visa Cardmember Photo Opportunity
Grab your Disney Visa Card the next time you visit EPCOT® and stop by our private location just for Cardmembers. Each day, there’s a photo opportunity with some favorite Disney Characters. You’ll even receive complimentary downloads of your pictures.12
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Dine on Norwegian-inspired fare in a medieval castle. You may encounter a promenade of Disney Princesses who love to make new friends. (It’s always a good idea to reserve Character Dining in advance.)
Garden Grill Restaurant
Hungry for a little mealtime magic? You may catch Chip ‘n’ Dale and their Disney pals parading through this rotating restaurant. (Keep in mind, it’s ideal to reserve your table in advance.)
Meet a Favorite Pal at Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Get ready for your close up! Disney pals are known to greet Guests and pose for photos just inside the entrance of the Magic Eye Theater.
Meet Alice in the United Kingdom
A garden is the perfect place to try and spend some time with Alice. You may even hear all about her curious adventures. Just beware of rabbit holes!
Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus
When their travels bring them to this charming summer cabin, get the chance to meet Elsa and Anna. You can say hello, exchange stories and ask them about finishing each other’s sandwiches.
Meet Disney Pals Near EPCOT® Main Entrance
You never know who might stop by for a visit! You can find Disney pals near the Main Entrance to EPCOT® at select times throughout the day.
Meet Donald Duck in Mexico
Come to the front of the ancient Aztec pyramid for an opportunity to say “hola” to El Pato Donald. You may even get to pose for photos before he hits the stage with The Three Caballeros.
Meet Mulan in China
Mulan would be honored to have you as a Guest. You may come away from your encounter with a photo—and a few legendary tales.
Meet Pluto Near World Showcase Plaza
This playful pup loves meeting new pals. Find him near World Showcase Plaza at select times throughout the day and see if he’ll paws for a picture.
Meet Princess Aurora in France
A regal gazebo in the lovely gardens of the France Pavilion. What could be more stunning? Meeting Sleeping Beauty, of course!
Meet Princess Jasmine in Morocco
Explore the shimmer Morocco Pavilion as Princess Jasmine stops by. You may hear tales of a whole new world and fly away with a photo in hand.
Meet Snow White in Germany
Stop by the wishing well for your chance to meet Snow White. Perhaps you’ll hear stories about friendship and learn which apples to avoid!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents
Step out onto the terrace of Prince Eric’s Castle and find Ariel from the live-action movie waiting for you amidst sweeping ocean views. She’s excited to hear stories from your travels.
Disney Visa Cardmember Star Wars Photo Opportunity
Bring your Disney Visa Card next time you visit the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® for an experience that’s out of this galaxy! Encounter Darth Vader on his Death Destroyer, pose for photos and download them for free.12
Meet the Toys in Toy Story Land
Stop by Andy’s backyard. Some of his favorite toys like Woody, Jessie and Buzz may be playing there, and there’s nothing they love more than saying hello to new pals.
Green Army Drum Corps
Keep your eyes and ears open for the Green Army Drum Corps in Toy Story Land. This band is ready to break their poses and entertain Guests of all ages with high-energy drum sequences.
Meet Disney Junior Pals in Animation Courtyard
Rock out with Vampirina, get a checkup from Doc or be fancy with Nancy at her play palace. Your little one may skip away with star-powered pictures and plenty of stories to share.
Meet Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams
When Tinseltown’s beloved stars head to Hollywood, they’ll welcome you backstage for some star treatment. You may see Minnie Mouse in a dazzling red-carpet gown and Mickey Mouse fresh out of his hit picture Fantasia.
Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
Olaf steps into the Celebrity Spotlight to take photos with friends old and new. You may even get to give him a warm hug—well, not too warm!
Star Wars Launch Bay
Journey into a hidden Rebel base with the chance to meet the beloved Wookie warrier, Chewbacca, or brave Resistance droid, BB8. You may even encounter the the power of the dark side with a visit from Darth Vader.
Hollywood & Vine
Breakfast with Disney Junior Stars, or lunch and dinner with Minnie Mouse and friends? Whichever you choose, your meal is sure to be served with a side of fun. (Same-day reservations are limited and subject to availability, so reserve in advance if you can.)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Meet Moana in Discovery Island
Take off on an excursion to Discovery Island—a place common to explorers from all over the world. During your journey, you just might find Moana, the voyager from Motunui.
Find Kevin in Discovery Island
Keep your eyes open for Kevin, the colorful, exotic bird visiting from Paradise Falls. She’s hard to miss as she roams through Discovery Island!
Character Flotillas
Wave to favorite Characters from Disney’s The Lion King, Disney’s Pocahontas, Up! and more as they cruise along Discovery River.
Donald’s Dino-Bash!
Camera? Check. Join this celebration of Donald Duck’s prehistoric relatives in DinoLand U.S.A.! Friends like Chip ‘n’ Dale are known to stop by, rocking their finest dino costumes.
Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
When Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse head out on safari, you can catch them here, ready to pose for postcard-perfect pictures. Stop by during your next expedition and see if your travel schedule lines up with theirs.
Tusker House Restaurant
Donald Duck and his friends may be traveling through the dining rooms at this lively Harambe marketplace eatery. Wave them down while you enjoy African-inspired flavors from the buffet.
Where to Meet Characters at the Disneyland® Resort
Character Experiences at the Disneyland® Resort are where memories are made. Share stories and joke back and forth with some favorite Disney friends. You can even join them for a meal at the Character Dining opportunity listed below!
Disneyland® Park
Disney Visa Cardmember Star Wars Photo Opportunity
Flash your Disney Visa Card and pose for photos just outside of Star Wars Launch Bay. You’ll have the chance to encounter Darth Vader himself when he arrives outside Star Wars Launch Bay and get complimentary photo downloads.12
Meet Disney Princesses in Fantasy Faire
Your fairy tale come true! Step into a quaint medieval square for the opportunity to meet Disney Princesses. In the Royal Hall, you can pose for photos and collect autographs with up to three Disney Princesses at any given time. Then, step into the Royal Theatre and take your place in the audience to watch as witty versions of scenes from Beauty and the Beast or Tangled are reenacted live on stage.
Meet Disney Princesses at Royal Hall
You can pose for photos and collect autographs with up to three Disney Princesses at any given time. Each Princess receives Guests in her own special nook. It’s a fairy tale come true!
Meet Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow
Grab your shadow and head to this enchanted forest, where Tinker Bell may be hiding in anticipation of meeting new friends. Don’t forget your camera―pixies just adore having their picture taken.
Minnie’s House
Put on your favorite bow and walk through Minnie Mouse’s charming home to spot sweet surprises around every corner, like photos and notes to Mickey Mouse. You may even run into the owner herself.
Plaza Inn
Drop inn to this Character Dining experience for a hearty American breakfast and keep a lookout for some favorite Disney friends. They love posing for selfies, so have your phone ready. (Advance reservations are highly recommended.)
Storytelling at Royal Theatre
The funny, fantastical world of “happily ever after” is just inside this open-air medieval-style tent. Take your place in the audience and watch as witty versions of scenes from Beauty and the Beast or Tangled are reenacted live on stage.
Disney California Adventure® Park
Disney Visa Cardmember Photo Opportunity
Make your way to our private Cardmember location near Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! in Hollywood Land to meet and pose with some favorite Disney Characters. You’ll even receive complimentary downloads of your photos.12
Ancient Sanctum
Visit these ancient ruins for the opportunity to learn about the amazing Orb of Cagliostro from Doctor Strange. If you visit after dark, you may even get to catch the orb being extra active with magical energy.
Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome
Stop by this frosty spot inside the Disney Animation building. The two beloved sisters may be waiting to tell new friends all about their adventures in Arendelle.
Avengers Headquarters
Some of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are on guard, ready to defend their headquarters—and meet with new recruits like yourself. You may encounter a number of brave Super Heroes, including Black Widow, Iron Man, Thor and many more. Ask them to show you some of their most effective moves!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!
Star-Lord and Gamora power up a dance party with mixtapes straight out of Peter Quill’s boom box. Show off your moves and keep an eye out for Groot, as he may stick around as the party winds down.
Disney Junior Dance Party!
Get ready to party like a Disney Junior star! Kids get to dance and sing along at this high-energy show starring some favorite Disney Characters like Vampirina and Doc McStuffins. Even Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse may drive in for the fun.
Meet Disney Pals on Buena Vista Street
You may run into some big stars dressed in their 1930s best as you stroll Buena Vista Street. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy love making new friends here.
Meet Pixar Pals at Pixar Pier
Pixar’s most popular stars—from The Incredibles, Toy Story and other iconic films—are often found in various locations around Pixar Pier. So bring your very best smile and don’t forget the camera!
Turtle Talk with Crush
Bring a question to the Aquatorium and watch as Crush chats in real time with land-based dudes and dudettes. He may also introduce you to his pals Marlin, Nemo, Dory and even his little guy, Squirt.
Tips for Meeting Characters at Disney Parks
Reserve Character Dining as early as possible
Character Dining fills up fast! To ensure you don’t miss out on any fun, book reservations early—up to 60 days before you vacation.
Check the official apps for updates
Get the most up-to-date info on when and where to encounter Characters with the My Disney Experience app (the official app of Walt Disney World® Resort) or Disneyland app. Open the map to filter Character locations and see each Character’s schedule of appearances for the day.
Consider purchasing Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World® Resort
Save time waiting in line with Lightning Lane entry to meet new pals like Ariel, Olaf and Mickey Mouse himself. Purchase Disney Genie+ service to use Lightning Lane entrances to select Character Experiences at Walt Disney World® Resort. Remember, Cardmembers can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward this service!11*
Enjoy the moment while Disney PhotoPass Service captures it for you
When using Disney PhotoPass Service, you don’t have to worry about capturing every moment or getting the perfect shot—professional photographers will do that for you! Just relax and enjoy yourself while they capture photos throughout the parks and onboard select attractions. When you redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward Memory Maker, you can download all your Disney PhotoPass vacation photos from Walt Disney World® Resort. At the Disneyland® Resort, you can redeem toward Disney Genie+ service or Disney PhotoPass+ One Week to enjoy downloads of your photos.11*
Keep your eyes open for surprises
Is there anything more splendid than an unexpected meet and greet? Characters may appear without notice throughout the parks, so always be on the lookout for Disney stars!
With seemingly endless Characters to meet, your next vacation is sure to be one for the books. And remember, you can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward purchases in the parks like autograph books, pens and other souvenirs to help make your memories last a lifetime.11
