Walt Disney World is all about characters. Whether it’s their rides, their stories, or getting to meet these heroes in person Walt Disney World delivers a one of a kind magical experience. Part of the fun is tracking down favorites or finding surprise characters in unexpected places. However, for some characters, this just will not do! They are too popular! Because of the popularity of certain Disney friends, they have a very tight schedule and lots of places to be. Crowds line up to meet the popular characters and will wait in line for over an hour to get that one special photograph or signature. Some locations are so popular you can even get a Fastpass for the experience! Here are the five most popular character meet and greets in Walt Disney World.
The Five Most Popular Walt Disney World Character Meet And Greet Experiences
Ariel
New Fantasyland is full of character and detailed worlds from classic Disney and the Disney Renaissance. Here you can meet Belle for interactive story time or stop and have a chat with Gaston outside his tavern. The most popular character here though is Ariel. You can meet her right outside here attraction if you don’t mind the wait.
Elsa and Anna
If you love Frozen, you will want to dedicate a couple of your Epcot Fastpasses to the Norway pavilion. Not only do they have Frozen Ever After, but Elsa and Anna just happen to have a summer home here as well. This one is a very popular character meet and greet. Just be aware that you will have to choose either Elsa or Anna because they have separate lines. Also, during special events, Olaf and Kristoff have been known to be available to meet here, as well.
Jack and Sally
These two are a rare sight to behold, but if you come to the Magic Kingdom at the right time of year and have tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can meet Jack Skellington and Sally at Liberty Square. This one is a hugely popular meet and greet opportunity, so if you are a Nightmare Before Christmas fan, you will want to show up early and get your pictures before the line fills in.
Princess Fairytale Hall
The Princesses are always popular, and you can find a lot of them occasionally in their corresponding pavilion in the World Showcase. However, the biggest and most popular draw is at Princess Fairytale Hall where you can line up to meet two characters. You have a choice between meeting Rapunzel and Tiana, or Cinderella and Elena of Avalor. It is a big opportunity to meet two princesses so snag your Fastpasses to be sure not to miss it.
Mickey Mouse Town Square
Mickey Mouse is not just the most famous Disney Character; he also just turned 90! His popularity this year is through the roof. Even though Mickey makes the rounds at all of his parks, he is still busiest at the Magic Kingdom by the Town Square theater. The line here gets well over an hour long. Luckily, there are lots of other places he likes to go that aren’t nearly as crowded.
SO, ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING A WALT DISNEY WORLD TRIP FOR THE CHARACTER MEET AND GREETS?
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Dara says
I’d like to meet Olaf! Is he normally at the Anna / Elsa meet up?
Janine says
Actually, we took that picture last summer during a DVC after-hours event at Epcot. So, I know he was there then and possibly at other special events, as well.
Tamara says
I don’t think I even knew that Jack and Sally were a possibility! Wow! We met Elena and Anna and Elsa once each and it was super worth it. I can’t remember if we FastPASSed it, or just booked to them first thing in the morning.
Janine says
Jack and Sally are around usually Mickey’s Halloween Party or Christmas Party’s. They seriously were one of the best meet and greets we have done. So much fun. We definitely Fastpassed Elsa and Anna the first year when they were still in the Magic Kingdom. Years after, have gotten lucky. but definitely, recommend Fastpassing if it the first time meeting them still 🙂
William Holland says
Very cool for little kids. I can see Disney as a great experience, for sure, just not one I will ever see. But I get to see it through your eyes and photos, so it’s not a total loss. 🙂
Happy Weekend, Janine!
Janine says
Aw, I love sharing our Disney adventures with you, too, Bill. Now, also wishing you a very, Happy Weekend ahead 🙂
Meredith Spidel says
My husband would die to meet Jack and Sally! Hopefully we can make it at Christmas sometime 🙂 Thanks for sharing all of these recommendations, Janine!
Janine says
Aw, so happy to share and if you ever go around Christmas time would love to see if we were there to and could meet up 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
I think I love the characters even more than my son does! When we were at Disneyland a couple weeks ago, Woody from Toy Story walked by and I was SO ridiculously excited! I was like THERE IS WOODY RIGHT THERE! LOL. Thanks for sharing, Janine. I’ve learned so much more about Disney tips from your posts!
Janine says
Kristi, I am seriously just like you and probably get even more excited than my kids with the characters if that is possible. And always so very happy to share my Disney tips with you, too 🙂
Jen says
This is so fun! There are some princesses we have yet to meet! Time to get on that. Elena and Elsa are waiting for us!
Janine says
Aw, hope you can meet Elsa and Elena soon, too now 🙂
Cynthia says
Your young’uns are going to be so familiar with Disney that I predict they’ll be writing screenplays and movies for them when they get older. Hehe.
These characters sound so awesome! It’s amazing all the things they know and have seen – and how much they truly enjoy it. Way to go! 🙂
Sending you hugs and I wish you a wonderful week! xo
Janine says
Aw, I hope you are right and seriously that would be awesome!! Many hugs back and wishing you an equally wonderful week once again now xoxo <3
Seana Turner says
I remember these “meet and greets” being a highlight for my children when we went to Disney. Before we went, I wondered if my oldest might find the whole thing a little hokey, but she totally didn’t, which I loved. Great that you have this current information on your blog. I can see that a lot has changed since I was there. Most of these locations didn’t exist. I seem to remember getting a few shots around the park, and then a bunch when we ate at Cinderella’s castle. As I always say, anyone going to Disney should stop by your site before they go!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Seana and loved hearing how much your daughter also enjoyed the character meet and greets when she was younger, too 🙂
Christine Carter says
Ah! Those pictures are just so ADORABLE and you guys look so HAPPY! I love this list, Janine. Such great info for any families going to Disney! Pinning for future reference! And I’ll surely let all my friends know about this too!
Janine says
Aw, thanks, Chris and truly just such a magical place always. So happy to share our awesome pics with you, too 🙂