When Walt Disney World reopened to guests in 2020, there were a few changes that had been made for the safety of guests and Disney Cast Members. One of those changes was character meet and greets. In the past, guests could meet a myriad or Disney characters across the four parks at Disney World plus in the resorts. You were able to get your picture, ask for an autograph and even give them a hug if you’d like! With the reopening of the parks, character interactions came back in an adapted format that allows for social distancing of guests and cast. So what is it like meeting characters at Walt Disney World in 2022? Read on to find out.
Please note that operational and policy changes are constantly being made. For the most up-to-date information, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
As of April 18, 2022, non-distanced Disney Character Meet & Greets are back! There are currently three different ways that you can experience characters in Walt Disney World – meet & greets, parades and character dining. Each will provide you a different kind of experience and level of interaction with the characters.
Where to Meet Characters at Walt Disney World
Meeting Disney characters while in the parks is one of the best experiences! Read on to see where you can interact with characters at each park.
Magic Kingdom
At Magic Kingdom, guests can view several “character cavalcades” and a daytime parade throughout the day. Cavalcades are short parades that usually include a minimal number of floats and run multiple times throughout the day. You can view the cavalcades and parade on Main Street, U.S.A. These include:
- Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
- Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade
- Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade
Additionally, a number of characters can be seen a varying times throughout the day. For times, check the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member for assistance. These characters include:
- Anastasia and Drizella – Fantasyland, Cinderella Fountain
- Belle – Fantasyland, Maurice’s Cottage
- Captain Jack Sparrow – Adventureland, Adventureland Stage
- Chip & Dale – Fantasyland, Storybook Circus
- Cinderella – Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall
- Elena – Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall
- Mickey Mouse – Main Street, U.S.A, Town Square Theater
- Princess Tiana – Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall
- Rapunzel – Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall
- Stitch – Tomorrowland, Sighting at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage
EPCOT
At EPCOT, guests can view several characters across the park. These include:
- Mickey Mouse – Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival (PhotoPass photographer)
- Joy – ImageWorks (exit of Journey into Imagination with Figment)
- Vanellope Von Sweets – ImageWorks (exit of Journey into Imagination with Figment)
- Minnie Mouse – Gazebo at World Showcase Plaza near Mexico pavilion
- Pluto – EPCOT Entrance, to the right of Spaceship Earth
- Goofy – EPCOT Entrance, to the right of Spaceship Earth
- Donald Duck – Mexico Pavilion (PhotoPass photographer)
- Anna & Elsa – Royal Sommerhus in Norway Pavilion
- Winnie the Pooh – Imagination! Lawn (outside of Journey into Imagination with Figment)
- Mary Poppins – Courtyard in United Kingdom Pavilion
- Alice – Courtyard in United Kingdom Pavilion
- Aurora – Adjacent to Chefs de France in France Pavilion
- Belle – Adjacent to Chefs de France in France Pavilion
- Snow White – Wishing well in Germany Pavilion
- Mulan – Bridge in China Pavilion
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
At Hollywood Studios, guests can meet characters throughout the park in several locations. For times, check the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member for assistance. These characters include: These include:
- Chewbacca – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Chip & Dale – Hollywood Boulevard, Sighting on Brown Derby Lawn
- Daisy Duck – Hollywood Boulevard, Sighting on Front Entrance Balcony
- Donald Duck – Hollywood Boulevard, Sighting on Front Entrance Balcony
- Goofy – Sunset Boulevard, Sighting on Tower of Terror Balcony
- Mickey Mouse – Red Carpet Dreams (Commissary Lane)
- Minnie Mouse – Red Carpet Dreams (Commissary Lane)
- Pluto – Animation Courtyard
- James P. Sullivan (Sulley) – Animation Courtyard, Walt Disney Presents
- First Order Stormtrooper – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Rey – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Vi Moradi – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Kylo Ren – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Doc McStuffins – Animation Courtyard
- Fancy Nancy – Animation Courtyard
- Vampirina – Animation Courtyard
- Olaf – Celebrity Spotlight (Echo Lake)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
At Animal Kingdom, guests can view “character flotillas” throughout the day. Flotillas are boats that travel along the waterways in Animal Kingdom, carrying beloved Disney characters. These include:
- Mickey and Friends Flotilla
Additionally, Kevin, from “UP” can be seen at the entrance of Dinoland U.S.A. throughout the day.
Character Dining at Walt Disney World
If you want to guarantee you get to see one of your favorite Disney characters, Character Dining is the way to go. Currently, modified character interactions are in place to ensure the safety of guests and Cast Members, but you’ll stay have the chance to take a socially distanced photo with characters. Check out the list below for the restuarant, location and who you can meet at each.
- Chef Mickey’s Buffet at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Mickey Mouse and friends
- Garden Grill Restaurant at The Land Pavilion in EPCOT – Chip ‘n’ Dale and friends
- Hollywood and Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Disney Junior Stars (Breakfast), Minnie and friends (seasonal dining parties)
- Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort – Snow White and friends
- Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort – Mickey and friends dressed in their Riviera best!
- Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Mickey Mouse and friends
Other Character Dining experiences may come back in the future, but at this time the following have not reopened with characters:
- 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Alice, Mary Poppins and friends
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Aurora and other Disney Princesses
- Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom – Cinderella and other Disney Princesses
- Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Mickey Mouse and friends
- Garden Grove at Walt Disney World Swan Resort – Goofy and friends
- Ohana’s Best Friends Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Village – Lilo and Stitch
- Perfectly Princess Tea Party at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Disney Princesses
- The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom – Winnie the Pooh Bear and friends
- Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort – Rapunzel, Flynn and friends
Interested in booking a Disney Vacation with the help of an experienced Travel Agent who specializes in Disney? Let me help you out! My assistance in complimentary!
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