Meet & Greet Magic

One of the most magical parts of a Disney vacation is the opportunity to meet your favorite characters in person. Whether you adored a Disney Princess or Stitch as a child, or you have a child who is currently captivated by Buzz Lightyear, character meet and greets bring Disney stories to life in a memorable way. Here is all the information you need about where to find characters, how to plan for meet and greets, and additional tips to maximize your experience.

Where to Find Characters in Disney

Character meet and greets occur across the four theme parks, with some also appearing at resorts and dining venues. I'll start by breaking it down by park:

1. Magic Kingdom: The ideal spot to find classic Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse is in the Town Square Theater at the start of Main Street, U.S.A. For meeting beloved Disney Princesses, head to Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland, with Winnie the Pooh and Friends available just a short distance away. You might also encounter other familiar faces in this part of the park, including Alice and her Wonderland friends, Anastasia, Drizella, Peter Pan, and more! Additionally, characters like Mirabel from Encanto, Princess Jasmine, Aladdin, and Stitch can be found in other areas of the park.

2. EPCOT: The ideal locations to meet characters in this park are in their respective "home countries": Mulan in China, Anna and Elsa in Norway, and Belle and Aurora in France. You can meet Donald Duck in Mexico, and other friends of Mickey can be available in their "World Celebration" outfits.

3. Hollywood Studios: This is where Star Wars and Pixar fans shine! You can meet characters from a galaxy far, far away like Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Rey, and Stormtroopers in Galaxy's Edge. Meanwhile, in Toy Story Land, you can encounter your favorite toys like Woody, Jessie, and Buzz. Olaf is also available to meet you in this park, and he is located just on the other side of the Frozen Sing-Along!

4. Animal Kingdom: Although this park features fewer meet and greets because the animals are the main attraction, you can still encounter some unique characters, such as Doug and Russell from Up, along with Pocahontas. Kevin from Up will also be roaming around during the day, so don't forget to look out for him! You can also meet Mickey and Minnie dressed in their safari gear here.

Dining with Characters

Character dining is a wonderful way to meet multiple characters while enjoying a meal. Reservations for character dining go quickly, so be sure to book your dining experience early. Some popular options include:

1. Chef Mickey's (Contemporary Resort): Here, you can encounter Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto dressed in their Chef outfits!

2. Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom): Here, you can enjoy a meal with Cinderella herself and your favorite Disney Princesses.

3. Tusker House (Animal Kingdom): Here, you can enjoy safari-themed dining with Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Mickey.

4. Topolino's Terrace (Riviera Resort): Here, you can meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy dressed in their artist outfits!

5. The Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom): Here, you can celebrate friendship with Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, and of course, Tigger!

Tips for the Best Meet & Greet Experience

• Use the My Disney Experience App. Character locations and times are listed daily. Some locations even offer lightning lane passes.

• Bring an Autograph Book (or something fun). Characters love signing autograph books and even ears, hats, books, pictures frames and more. This makes for a wonderful keepsake of your experience!

• Be ready with your camera. Disney's PhotoPass Photographers often capture the magic for you, but if you do not have the Memory Maker Photo Package, be sure to take your own photos!

• Interact with the characters. Don't be shy! Ask Ariel about her favorite piece from her collection or show the Evil Queen your best evil laugh. The characters love playing along and interacting with you as well!

• Plan around wait times. Some characters, especially Mickey Mouse and the princesses, can have extremely long lines. Arrive early or use Lightning Lane if available if you do not want to wait for a meet & greet!

Why Character Meet & Greets Are Worth It

Whether you are a full-grown adult or a small child, there is something so special about giving a character you adore a hug. As an adult, this brings you back to a time before responsibilities were in full swing. If you have a child, seeing your child's face light up as they meet their heroes in real life is something you will never forget. These are the moments that are pure Disney magic, and those moments often become some of the most treasured memories from your trip.

One final tip: Don't rush. Take time to enjoy each character interaction. It is more than a quick photo opportunity. It is a chance to step into the story yourself!