Opinions

Tips for your meeting with characters
By Dania. - December 31, 2001

Top 10 tips for your meeting with characters

10. NEVER forget your autograph book
9. Always have the book and pen ready for them
8. Make sure whomever is taking the picture doesn't snap it until the character is posing with you and not writing
7. If you have bags that you are carrying with you watch out cause some characters love to look
6. Always have a BIG pen for them to use
5. Don't expect all characters to be able to give autographs
4. If the cast member says that the character has to go soon don't whine but ask polietly when he/she will return
3. Always check before you rush up to a character to see if there is a line already waiting
2. Don't ask another character to sign your book while in line for someone else

AND NUMBER ONE
1. Expect the Unexpected

Clarification for number 1. We weren't expecting to run into any characters til we got closer to the spots designated for their greets. Well low and behold we found characters almost everywhere. It was a blast finding them in the oddest places. I'm listing below by Park the meeting places we found characters and whom we found to be there. I'm sure there are lots more that we didn't find but this is a good start.

Magic Kingdom - Main Street, USA- We found 7 characters hanging around out there our first full day in Magic Kingdom. We got Aladdin, Genie, Cruela DeVil(who was so in character), Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, The Sheriff, Friar Tuck, and The White Rabbit. They were all in various places around the square. It was fun to run from one line to the other just meeting different ones.

Tommorrowland - We found Balou, King Louie(who didn't sign), Rafiki, Chip & Dale, and Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum. We only got 2 of those autographs because we caught them on the tail end of the singing but it was fun to just see them out and about. They were pretty much stationed there around the TTA and Carousel of Progress.

Adventureland - There are two greeting places in Adventureland by Pirates of the Caribbean and Carpets of Aladdin. We never did make it over there to meet anyone though :(

Fantasyland - Ariel's Grotto is the best place we found to meet Ariel. Also the Character Caravan has characters there daily. We met Prince John, Governor Ratcliff, and the Queen of Hearts. There was also a meeting place there in front of the Tea Party. We got Belle's autograph after her storytime at The Fairytale Garden.

Mickey's Toontown Fair - There are 3 places to meet characters here. The Judge's Tent is where Mickey is located. Toontown Hall of Fame is where Minnie, Chip & Dale, Cinderella, Pearla, Pooh, Tigger, and Piglet are located along with others. Those were the ones that were there while we were there. If you haven't been through this before you will have to get in seperate lines to see either Princess, Minnie's Friends, and Pooh's group. They only bring out the characters for that line and they only let that line inside so that's why it seems to take so long. Also at the Toontown Gazebo some characters are found.

The times listed for most are:
Pirates of the Caribbean- Daily 11:00 am to 5:30 pm
Near Magic Carpets of Aladdin- Daily 10 am to 12:30 pm
Judges Tent- Daily 10 am to Park Close
Toontown Hall of Fame- 10 am to park close
Toontown Gazebo- Mon-Thu 10 am to 6 pm, Sat & Sun 10 am to 7 pm
Ariel's Grotto- Daily 10 am to 8 pm
Fantasyland Character Festival- Daily 10 am to 5:30 pm

Epcot
The two main places to meet characters are in Moroco and at the Showcase Plaza.

Morocco- Aladdin and Jasmine meet you there
World Showcase Plaza- We met up with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Goofy, Rafiki, Pooh, and Tigger. They were dressed in their holiday finery.

MGM
We really didn't get a chance to explore here but I've been told that some hang around the Animation building and at the end of New York Street.

AK
We ran into Chip & Dale again here near the park entrance on our final day. We also saw goofy next to the Disney Vacation Club area. We also went to camp Minnie/Mickey and meet up with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Daisy which was a nice surprise. We also headed out to Rafiki's Planet Watch and meet with Rafiki and Terk. We missed Mushi by a few minutes

In closing I would like to add that always keep your autograph book handy because you never know who you'll run into. We are both Adults but had a grand time finding the characters we love or love to hate and getting their autographs. There were a few we didn't get but overall Characters abound everywhere if you know where to look. I hope this helps travelers on future trips know where to start looking.