One of the most magical parts of visiting Walt Disney World is meeting your favorite characters! Whether you want to hug Mickey, take a selfie with a princess, or dine with classic Disney friends, there are countless ways to experience character interactions. In this guide, I’ll break down the best character meet-and-greet locations, top character dining experiences, and special character events to help you plan the ultimate Disney trip.
Best Character Meet-and-Greet Locations in Each Park
Every park has designated areas where you can meet iconic Disney characters. Here are the best spots in each park to find your favorites:
Magic Kingdom
- Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
- Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
- Why It’s Special: Mickey sometimes talks at this meet-and-greet, and he’s dressed in classic magician attire.
- Princess Fairytale Hall
- Location: Fantasyland
- Characters: Cinderella, Tiana, and rotating princesses (Rapunzel, Elena, etc.)
- Why It’s Special: A chance to meet multiple Disney princesses in one spot.
- Meet Belle at Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Location: Fantasyland
- Why It’s Special: This is an interactive storytelling experience where kids can participate in the tale.
- Pete’s Silly Sideshow
- Location: Storybook Circus (Fantasyland)
- Characters: Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Minnie in circus outfits.
- Why It’s Special: Unique costumes you won’t see anywhere else!
EPCOT
- Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus
- Location: Norway Pavilion (World Showcase)
- Why It’s Special: The sisters have a cozy, beautifully themed cabin where they greet guests.
- Character Spot near Spaceship Earth
- Location: Future World
- Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy
- Why It’s Special: A great spot to meet classic characters without a long wait.
- Mulan in China, Jasmine in Morocco, Belle in France
- Location: World Showcase
- Why It’s Special: These princesses appear in their respective pavilions, making for great themed photos.
Hollywood Studios
- Star Wars Characters in Galaxy’s Edge
- Location: Batuu (Galaxy’s Edge)
- Characters: Rey, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, The Mandalorian & Grogu
- Why It’s Special: Characters roam freely instead of standing in one spot, making it feel immersive.
- Meet Sulley from Monsters, Inc.
- Location: Pixar Place
- Why It’s Special: Sulley is giant and fluffy, making him a fun meet-and-greet for all ages.
- Disney Junior Play and Dance!
- Location: Animation Courtyard
- Characters: Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Fancy Nancy
- Why It’s Special: Kids can dance and interact with their favorite Disney Junior characters.
Animal Kingdom
- Adventurers Outpost: Meet Mickey & Minnie
- Location: Discovery Island
- Why It’s Special: Mickey and Minnie wear explorer outfits unique to this park.
- Meet Donald and Friends at DinoLand U.S.A.
- Location: DinoLand U.S.A.
- Characters: Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto
- Why It’s Special: Fun dinosaur-themed costumes!
- Pocahontas on Discovery Island
- Location: Near the Tree of Life
- Why It’s Special: One of the only places to meet Pocahontas in the parks.
Top Character Dining Experiences
Character dining is one of the best ways to meet Disney characters while enjoying a great meal. Here are the top choices based on atmosphere, food, and character lineup:
Best Overall: Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)
- Characters: Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White
- Why It’s Special: You dine inside Cinderella’s Castle with a royal view.
- Food Highlight: Beef tenderloin and seasonal soup.
Best for Classic Disney Fans: Chef Mickey’s (Contemporary Resort)
- Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto
- Why It’s Special: A lively buffet with great views of the Monorail passing through the resort.
- Food Highlight: Mickey waffles, carved meats, and mac & cheese bar.
Best for Disney Princesses: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (EPCOT)
- Characters: Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella, and more
- Why It’s Special: A medieval-style feast with Norwegian-inspired food and princesses stopping at your table.
- Food Highlight: Meatballs, salmon, and lingonberry desserts.
Best for Unique Characters: Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)
- Characters: Safari Mickey, Donald, Daisy, Goofy
- Why It’s Special: Characters wear exclusive safari outfits in an African-themed setting.
- Food Highlight: African-inspired buffet with tandoori chicken and plantains.
Best for Kids: Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios)
- Characters: Disney Junior stars in the morning, Minnie & friends at lunch/dinner.
- Why It’s Special: The only place where Disney Junior characters meet guests.
- Food Highlight: Breakfast buffet with Mickey waffles and bacon.
Special Character Experiences
1. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Magic Kingdom)
- Only time to meet rare characters like Jack Skellington, Sally, and the Seven Dwarfs.
- Villains roam the park, including Maleficent and Jafar.
2. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom)
- Exclusive characters like Santa Goofy and Scrooge McDuck.
- Meet holiday-dressed Mickey and Minnie in festive outfits.
3. Character Cavalcades
- During certain times, mini-parades called character cavalcades pop up.
- Best seen at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
4. Special Character Sightings in EPCOT Festivals
- During the Festival of the Arts, you might see rare characters like Figment and Remy.
- At Festival of the Holidays, Santa Claus meets guests in the American Adventure Pavilion.
Pro Tips for Meeting Characters
✔ Use Genie+ for Popular Meet-and-Greets – Some character meet-ups like Mickey at Magic Kingdom have Genie+ reservations available to skip long lines.
✔ Check the My Disney Experience App – Daily character schedules are posted there, so you know exactly when and where to meet your favorites.
✔ Bring Something for Characters to Sign – Autograph books are classic, but characters will sign hats, shirts, and even MagicBands!
✔ Time Your Character Meals Right – Breakfasts are usually cheaper than dinner for character dining, and morning reservations give you extra time in the parks.
✔ Wear Themed Outfits – If you dress like a character (Disneybounding), you might get extra attention in meet-and-greets!
Meeting Disney characters is one of the best ways to add magic to your trip. Whether you want to dine with Mickey, explore Batuu with Star Wars heroes, or hug your favorite princess, there are plenty of ways to experience Disney characters beyond just rides.
