We began our day about 9:11 am on a Satruday morning. We had Fastpass+ reservations for the Mickey and Minnie meet, Expedition Everest and Finding Nemo the Musical. We started out day with some photos of the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.
As it’s listed in the Character Locator app, Rafiki was meeting outside the gates in the Oasis area. You’ll find him on the right hand side before the ticket booths between 9:00 and 10:00 am. each day, unless Animal Kingdom makes changes. “All entertainment is subject to change without notice!”
Gratuitous tourist photo op.
Since the Kilimanjaro Safari had a bit of an unexpected line due to large crowds, we chose to move our Fastpass+ reservations around and grabbed an immediate load on the Safari ride. I’ll save you the torture of looking at elephant buttocks and try to just post a couple of decent photos. Like the new Jingle Cruise, the animals don’t wear any type of Christmas costumes.
What’s the most dangerous animal in Africa?
If you guessed the Hippopotamus, you were correct. Watch for them wiggling those teeth. Did I fool you into guessing the White Rhino?
After a leisurely ride on the Safari that was cut back from 2 weeks down to about 30 minutes, we hustled down to Camp Minnie Mickey to meet the characters. I always recommend being in Camp early. If you arrive as a Festival of the Lion King Show is ending, you’ll find 4 really long lines.
As we arrived we saw this line of people. Disney always encourages people to “fill in all available space,” so we walked up the right side of the path all the way to the front where there was empty space. We didn’t leave the path and didn’t push, shove or need to excuse ourselves. The young lady behind us said, “They just beat us at our own game.” The young man with her encouraged her to “choke em out.” Lol. A really nice lady recognized my girls from the blog. It was the first time that they were recognized. I asked them how celebrity feels.
We headed for Chip n Dale first because we liked their costuming. They came out to meet at the head of the queue for several minutes because many people wouldn’t know they were all the way in the back, and tourists love to join lines for things for which they can’t see end of the line.
Kewt huh? And the chipmunks aren’t bad either.
There’s all kinds of lovely Christmas (Holiday if you’re politically correct) decorations in camp. Many are themed to the character that meets on the trail.
Donnie Duck dressed for the occasion.
After meeting Chip n Dale and Donald, I noticed Pocahontas would be out in about 5 minutes and went to join the short line before the “See a character, meet a character” crowd arrived. Know when and where characters appear and you’ll be far ahead of the game. Here’s Pocahontas’ Christmas Tree.
Don’t judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their Nikes.
Spirally Christmas wrap thingy complete with lights for those who get to stay in Camp after dark during the later closing Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. I’ll go back some time and snap some after dark photos at Animal Kingdom.
Pocahontas is celebrating Christmas with a special hair twig complete with dessert berries. I hear they are sponsored by Sunsweet.
We saved Baloo and King Louie for last, not because we don’t love them, but because they have the shortest line.
Baloo and Louie were sad that they haven’t gotten to celebrate in years past, so they pulled out some special scarfs. Nothing says, “Merry Christmas” like a Bear and an Ape in a scarf.
Debbie came up with a new interaction tip. She asked Louie if he would share his bananas with her because she loves bananas. King Louie didn’t seem very excited, but offered her a hug instead.
You wouldn’t believe I was there unless there was photo evidence.
We did it. We met all four sets of characters before going in to see the Festival of the Lion King Show. This show is expected to close along with all of Camp Minnie Mickey on January 5, 2014. This will be the FINAL Christmas season.
After viewing the show, we took in some more Christmas decorations and trees.
My oldest plays violin, so she liked this little ornament.
That’s Minnie’s tree, but she moved out long before the other forest animals can sense the danger of future bulldozers coming. Am I the only one that sees the humor in Avatar coming and they have to destroy an existing land to build it?
Daisy already said goodbye to Camp Minnie Mickey. She and Donald will be taking over for Tigger and Pooh pretty soon. I’ve heard after the new year. More evidence of that coming later in the post, so don’t close the window yet!
We used Fastpass+ to meet Mickey and Minnie in their snowflake sweaters. They meet all day, every day at the Adventurers Outpost. If you choose not to use Fastpass+, the best times to meet them are rope drop, immediately after the parade and before closing. Waits are typically 20 minutes or more depending on crowds.
Okay, so I promised you EVIDENCE that Daisy and Donald would move into the Character Landing that is currently occupied by Tigger and Pooh. Take a look at the packages in each meet and greet area. The Tigger side has blue writing on them and the Pooh side has pink writing on them. They are clearly marked with Donald’s nephew’s names, which has NOTHING to do with Pooh and Tigger. Once Daisy and Donald move into the area, it will become a Fastpass+ exclusive meet. There won’t be a regular standby line.
Isn’t Pooh Bear adearable in his top hat and scarf?
Tigger was already prepared for today’s cold snap in Orlando. What will he do when it returns to highs in the 80’s later in the week? Tourists…bring a coat and shorts when travelling in November-February because it could be 85 or 45 on a given day.
Tigger got all up in my face. Bring it tiger! Bring it!
Nothing says Christmas like Dinosaur, so we grabbed a free paper FP and went to do other stuff. The wait time was 60 minutes. The only place I ever wait 60 minutes is the DMV. I’ll take that free FP and return later.
Santa Goofy is with Pluto all day long in Animal Kingdom beginning at 11:00 am. There is always a line of at least 25 minutes and could reach much higher. Arrive early. Santa Goofy also meets at the Osborne Lights.
We returned later to meet Goofy and Pluto, but I had killed the battery videotaping Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo, so all I got was this phone pic. Always need reasons to return later :)
Gas Station is decked out.
Why is it that Triceratop almost never has a line? It’s the same ride as Dumbo and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Both of those rides offer Fastpass+, but Triceratop doesn’t. If you’re travelling during a really busy time and don’t want to wait, ride early or late.
Dinosaurs enjoy candy canes too!
aarrghh – sorry one more question. During December Tusker House character breakfast – will they characters wear safari or Christmas attire? Thanks KTP!
Safari
Hi Kenny,
Do they usually bring out the same characters at both Dinoland Dance parties?
And with the closure of Camp Minnie-Mickey – do you think all of the holiday-dress characters will be at their usual spots in the park? And where will the trees be now – like the minnie tree, Goofy Tree etc?
Sure wish Pooh was still at AK. We’ll have to try to meet him at MVMCP.
Thanks
Kelly
Same or very similar. Don’t know the answers to the AK questions, we’ll have to wait and see.
You missed Thumper and Miss Bunny! They were out later in the day. I think Radcliffe might have been there that day as well.
We were gone before they arrived that day.
Regular opening. We will be there the 26th and I think it’s a regular opening.
With regular 8:00 opening, Camp usually opens at 9:00. We’ll know for sure the Saturday before
Are Dug and Russell no more at Animal Kingdom? We love UP!
Still there, but not in Christmas attire. Posted some photos of them recently on my Facebook
If the park has an 8:00am opening do the characters at camp Mickey and minnie still not come out until 10?
8:00 regular opening or extra Magic hours?
I am so glad we took a Christmas trip last December. I will miss Camp Mickey MInnie!
thanks for this. Getting closer and closer and more and more excited whenever I read your holiday themed posts
Like :) I’ll keep em coming then
What about Ballo and Louie? I dont want them to leave. Baloo was an all time favorite after he took a picture with me even though there was lightning and his handler was saying to come inside.
They will probably move back to Africa. Guessing
sorry…. M-I-C-K-E-Y ;-)
what time does camp minnie/mickie open? 10?
Yes it does currently. Character schedules are on character link on top of site too.
thank you! we will be there Dec 3rd. Eating at Tusker at 8 (9am park opening), doing Safari, then thought we would do Mickie/Minnie then head to camp Minnie mickie to hit up the 4 characters before a 10:30 show. possible or crazy? ;-)
I just did that except i started later :)
awesome! i never know if I am overly planning or not. glad it is doable. going to follow your exact character path, hope i am as successful as you!
Only wait i had was goofy and Pluto
Are Tigger and Pooh leaving the park?
They could be relocated. It remains to be seen. A lot of characters will move around after Camp is closed.
Love the pics. When Donald and Daisy move to the character landing, will the only way to meet them be to schedule a FastPass Plus? What if you don’t have a magic band?
Yup! Eventually everyone will be able to use Magic Bands
Character landing wasn’t a fast pass plus option for us in January Am I missing something. And thanks for link it will be my home page in January. Book marked for now. One last question if I buy planning book can I have you make suggestions to itinerary iv created already. Could use some help so my wife made me do all the research for this trip.
No, it’s not on the listing yet. Minnie at DHS and Tigger and Pooh at EP will be added later too. They won’t add them until later. I posted about all this a while back. I can give a few tips to help you out with your planning.
We are scheduled for January 6th to arrive. Will characters still be there just a different location than camp minie , Mickie If so where do I find where they will be. I have an iPhone so can’t use ur app. Thanks for great site.
I can’t be 100% sure, but they are supposed to just move them around the park. Some could stay, some could leave. We’ll have to wait and see right now. Welcome!
http://www.characterlocator.com is for ALL phones btw.