10 Most Popular Character Meet & Greet Spots at Disney World

Characters are a huge part of the whole Disney World experience. We all feel like kids again when we get around our favorite characters and see them really come to life before our eyes. Given all of this, that makes them extremely popular to meet, and there are character meetings all over all four theme parks. Here are ten of the most popular character meet and greet spots at Walt Disney World:

10 – Star Wars Launch Bay – Hollywood Studios

The popularity of Star Wars just keeps growing, and not surprisingly, guests love the chance to meet their favorite Star Wars characters. Over at Star Wars Launch Bay, guests can meet fan favorites Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and BB-8! Each character has his own meeting area. Chewbacca’s queue features different helmets from the Rebel Alliance. Darth Vader’s queue area includes different helmets that are seen on the Empire characters. BB-8 also has his own special meeting area. Wait times for the characters will vary but generally run anywhere from 15-30 minutes.

9 – World Showcase – Epcot

Believe it or not, there are actually a lot of character meet and greets throughout the World Showcase. Each pavilion has a couple of different characters native to that pavilion that come out and meet guests throughout the day. This is a great way to get to explore the World Showcase and keep kids entertained. They can still meet many of their favorites as you stroll from country to country, taking in all of the beautiful surroundings.

8 – Toy Story Land – Hollywood Studios

Over at Toy Story Land, you get to meet Woody, Bo Peep, Jessie, and Buzz from Toy Story. Woody is in front of Toy Story Midway Mania, Buzz is in front of Slinky Dog Dash, just as you pass the Sherrif Woody Toy Story Land sign, and Jessie can be found in the land as well. Green Army Men also walk around and interact with guests as they move through the area or wait in line. They are also a lot of fun to take pictures with. Toy Story remains an extremely popular movie with a huge fan following, so expect to wait in line for this one!

7- Princess Fairytale Hall – Magic Kingdom

This is a very popular character spot due to the strong popularity of Disney princesses. Cinderella and Rapunzel are the featured princesses. Currently, Tiana and Elena of Avalar have joined Cinderella and Rapunzel. However, these princesses may rotate since Disney designates them as “Visiting Princesses.” Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date information.

6 – Royal Sommerhus – Epcot

Anna and Elsa are in the Norway Pavilion in their own exclusive meet-and-greet area. The Royal Sommerhus is a cozy cabin retreat where Anna and Elsa meet guests, pose for pictures, and even offer their own warm hugs! Most waits have been from 15-30 minutes for these famous ladies!

5 – Imagination! Pavilion and Pixar Film Festival – Epcot

At this location in Epcot, you can greet three characters, two of which can only be found at Epcot. First, head to the entrance of the Pixar Film Festival to meet the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse. The location is off the beaten path, so the wait time to meet Mickey here is usually short. Then, head right next door to the exit of the Imagination! Pavilion, where you can meet Joy from Inside Out and Figment!

4 – Pete’s Silly Sideshow – Magic Kingdom

This is a newer character spot at the Magic Kingdom, but it is extremely nice because it is inside and air-conditioned. Inside, you get to meet Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy as their circus characters in the Big Top. The whole area is themed like a circus, carrying perfectly to the sideshow. This is the only place on property where you will meet them in these outfits and backdrops, too!

3 – Mikey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams  – Hollywood Studios

We all love the main mouse, but there is just something about meeting him in his sorcerer costume that is extremely cool.  His sorcerer costume is from his appearance in Fantasia with the sorcerer Yensid (Disney spelled backward).  You’ll now find Sorcerer Mickey and a very unique Minnie in a permanent meeting place in what used to be the American Idol audition rooms. Minnie appears as a Tinsel Town Starlet in a flowing pink gown. Note that they are in separate rooms and do not appear together. You will wait in one line and will see Minnie first and then Mickey.

2 – Adventurer’s Outpost – Animal Kingdom

You can meet Mickey and Minnie in their explorer/safari outfits at Animal Kingdom. They are just too cute in their safari hats, which is absolutely perfect for Animal Kingdom. This also gives guests an excellent opportunity to cool off for a little bit and get out of the heat. You can use Genie+ for this location, too! Note that this location is the only location where you can meet Mickey and Minnie together. Red Carpet Dreams (our #4) has you visiting them in separate rooms. If you want to meet Mickey and Minnie together, then don’t miss them at Animal Kingdom!

1 – Mickey Mouse – Magic Kingdom

No visit to Disney World is complete without stopping for a hug and photo with the mouse that started it all, Mickey! However, many guests miss out on meeting the Big Cheese because they expect to spot him walking around the park. Nope. Can you imagine the complete chaos if Mickey strolled down Main Street, USA? Fortunately for guests (and Mickey), Disney World has provided a place to meet Mickey in a calm, orderly, and air-conditioned experience. If you’re looking for Mickey, head over to Town Square Theater near the train station. Be sure to bring your autograph book! You can use Genie+ for this meet & greet since Mickey is popular. Otherwise, keep an eye on the wait times during the day using the My Disney Experience App.