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How to find rare characters at Walt Disney World

How to find rare characters at Walt Disney World


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By placing the character locations and schedules  on Character Locator, it was my hope to help some people locate their favorite character more easily. Some characters were listed on the Times Guide, but others are left off the Times Guide. This makes some characters more rare and hard to find at Walt Disney World.  The official Disney line was “ask a Cast Member.” That can be helpful at times, but other times the hard-working cast members just don’t know the answers or haven’t worked there long enough to answer guests questions.

At other times the schedules were guarded like State secrets in a black box with handcuffs attached. Recently, one twitter follower said she was given 5 different answers when she asked where Mary Poppins was meeting. I hoped to help people know where to go and when to go there to meet their favorite characters. It was my experience on Ultimate Tours that character meets were always the longest lines, even when the meets were well-planned. Of course, we were trying to do EVERY attraction and EVERY character in the same day which we first accomplished in June, 2011.

Currently, there are about 60 different characters available for regular, scheduled, in-park meets. There another several characters that can be met by paying a fee for a meal or character experience that don’t meet regularly. But, what about the “Rare” characters? Where do they meet and how can you find them?

Some characters like Abby Mallard, Angelica, Chicken Little, Iridessa, Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, Prince Caspian, Rhino, Silvermist and the Power Rangers are just EXTREMELY RARE or impossible to meet in Walt Disney World. But there are other characters who do show up from time to time in set locations, but NO SET SCHEDULES. Well, no set schedules that most of the public will see.

Some characters may only appear once or twice a year like Li Shang (right before Christmas parade) or Shan-Yu in Epcot.  Recently, Eric appeared for several meets in Epcot and in the past Hercules and Megara might pop in once or twice a year.  Other characters who regularly appear in the parks use Epcot to train their attendants and photographers.

One might also see characters training for the Halloween Party in mid-August in Epcot or Animal Kingdom.  A rare, random meet, like seeing Mushu in Epcot might happen from time to time, but the list below are characters that are a bit more difficult to find.  Maybe you’ll get lucky and find Governor Ratcliffe in Animal Kingdom or the Brers at the Frontierland Hoedown. With the help of a good friend, I was able to compose this non-exhaustive list of characters who don’t make scheduled appearances, but are most likely to appear in a park.

how to find rare disney world characters

Be sure to check out Character Locator for great character info and schedules!

These characters are considered more difficult to locate in Disney World.

Epcot Training meets may not happen daily, but the regular times are included on Character Locator.

Frontierland Hoedown is a scheduled experience that often allows a brief time of meet and greets it’s included with Character Locator subscription.

Character Palooza is a great meet and greet at Hollywood Studios.  Schedules vary, be sure to check Character Locator on your week of travel.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are ticketed events that any guest can purchase tickets to attend (some dates sell out in advance.)

Updated June 18, 2017

Abu

Beast

Bert

Big Al

Bolt

Brer Bear

  • Epcot Training
  • Frontierland Hoedown
  • Animal Kingdom – entrance late afternoons

Brer Fox

Brer Rabbit

  • Frontierland Hoedown
  • Animal Kingdom – entrance late afternoons

Captain Hook

Clarabelle Cow

  • Frontierland Hoedown

Dopey

Eeyore

Genie

George Sanderson

Gepetto

Gideon

Gov. Ratcliffe

  • Animal Kingdom  – randomly pops up with Pocahontas

Handy Manny

Horace Horsecollar

  • Frontierland Hoedown

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Danielle Wohlfrom

Thursday 13th of December 2018

Is it possible to get an updated list of character meet and greets for 2018

kennythepirate

Friday 14th of December 2018

Sure www.characterlocator.com. Subscribe, it is worth it

Jenny

Friday 2nd of February 2018

Is there any chance whatsoever of seeing Ursula? She is my 4 year old daughter’s absolute favorite character. I told her we probably won’t see her but would love to surprise her if possible.

kennythepirate

Friday 2nd of February 2018

No, only appears for Little mermaid show and in Little mermaid ride. No meets

Katie Poynor

Sunday 21st of January 2018

When I was at disney in 2007, we had a dinner scheduled in cinderella’s castle one night. We got there about 20 minutes early to check in and they were so far behind. Everyone there was really upset and in sour moods. The next thing we saw was Mary Poppins and Bert walk in the room. They started dancing and having a sing a long with all of us . Then suddenly 4 people dressed as penguins walked in and did a whole dance number with Bert. It was such a fun surprise and a great way to lift our spirits for the wait. Disney really knows how to make us feel good and that we matter. It was so fun.

Jennifer

Tuesday 15th of August 2017

I'm almost 60. I never knew until today, that the queen in Snow White had a name. I thought she was just "the evil queen". Thanks!

Rob & Cyndi Blankenship

Friday 31st of March 2017

You can usually find Jessie with Woody in Frontierland in MK.

kennythepirate

Friday 31st of March 2017

No you cannot. All characters, locations and times are kept current on www.characterlocator.com

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