Magic KingdomPlanningTips
9 Disney Character Experiences You Don’t Want To Miss In Magic Kingdom

When visiting the Walt Disney World Resort, one aspect that Guests look forward to is the opportunity to interact with Disney characters. We love to meet the Disney characters, share hugs, collect autographs and make memories. Character dining is also something we plan for every Disney vacation. There are several Disney character meet and greets in each Disney Park. Walt Disney World characters meet in all the Disney Parks, such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy.
Magic Kingdom offers some excellent Disney character experiences. Here are all the Disney character experiences you should include in your next visit to the Disney theme park.
Mickey Mouse
Meeting Mickey Mouse is a must for any Disney vacation. While there are plenty of locations to meet the Disney character in the Walt Disney World Resort, meeting him in Magic Kingdom Park is the most special. You’ll find him in the Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. Enter the backstage of a theater and meet Mickey in his rehearsal room between 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily. Mickey’s line time varies throughout the day – keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date wait times. If you use Disney Genie+ during your visit to Magic Kingdom, you can make a Lightning Lane reservation to meet Mickey.

Anastasia & Drizella
Few Disney villains feature in the Disney theme parks. However, the ugly stepsisters from Cinderella (1950) meet Guests in Fantasyland, by the Cinderella fountain, between 10:55 a.m. and 3:55 p.m. each day. You’ll have fun meeting Anastasia and Drizella with their quirky nature. If you plan on dining in Cinderella’s Royal Table or visiting the Bibbidi Bobbed Boutique, we recommend visiting them afterward.

The Country Bears
When you are strolling through Frontierland, keep a lookout for the Country Bears. Throughout the day, Big Al, Liver Lips McGrowl, Shaker, and Wendell wander near The Country Bear Jamboree. You can get photos and have fun with them. A great time to see them is while you are waiting for the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade to begin.
If you pass through Frontierland during the afternoon, you may be lucky to see the Frontier Hoedown. Watch Disney characters, including the Country Bears, and cast members throw a flashmob-style hoedown. It’s a lot of fun!
Disney Princesses
Magic Kingdom Park is an excellent place to meet the Disney princesses. The obvious locations to see them are at Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland or while dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Throughout the day, Cinderella, Elena, Princess Tiana, and Rapunzel meet guests in Princess Fairytale Hall. The Disney experience is available when using Disney Genie+, which can help to minimize your wait in line. Meanwhile, Disney princesses join guests at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Cinderella Castle. You may see Cinderella, Jasmine, Aurora, Ariel, and Snow White during your dining experience. You’ll need an advanced dining reservation to enjoy a Disney character meal in Cinderella Castle.

Alternatively, you can see the Disney princesses in other locations around the Disney Park, including:
- Ariel at Ariel’s Grotto, near Under The Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid in Fantasyland
- Merida at the Enchanted Glade Gazebo, near Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square
- Aladdin & Jasmine, at Agrabah behind The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland
- Snow White at the Town Square Theater Porch on Main Street, U.S.A.
Pete’s Silly Sideshow
Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus is a lot of fun. The Disney character experience allows you to meet Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse in unique costumes. Join one of two lines and meet The Astounding Donaldo and The Great Goofini or Minnie Magnifique and Daisy Fortuna. Nearby. Chip and Dale also meet at Storybook Circus.

The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace is an alternative character dining experience to the Disney princess one in Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. Dine in a beautiful Victorian-inspired greenhouse to the side of Main Street, U.S.A. During your dining experience, you’ll be joined by Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. The Crystal Palace is open throughout the day, serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., lunch between 11 a.m. and 2:55 p.m., and dinner from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Don’t worry if you want to enjoy other character dining experiences than the one offered at The Crystal Palace. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger meet guests at Pooh’s Thotful Spot in Fantasyland. See them before or after you ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, Stitch & Captain Jack Sparrow
Additional Disney character experiences are available throughout Magic Kingdom Park. You can meet Peter Pan at the Never Land Map in Fantasyland, near Peter Pan’s Flight. You’ll find him there between 12:25 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. daily. Meanwhile, Captain Jack Sparrow meets guests near Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland. Look out for him outside the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar.
Tomorrowland is a great place to meet Disney characters, too. If you plan on riding Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, look out for Buzz Lightyear as you exit the Disney attraction. He meets guests throughout the day at the Buzz Lightyear Exit Courtyard. If you’ve become a Galactic Hero while riding, you’ll definitely want to celebrate your achievement with Buzz.
While you’re exploring Tomorrowland, you may also see Stitch. He often roams around the Magic Kingdom land, interacting with guests and causing mischief as he goes.
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
Watching the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is an excellent way to see plenty of Disney characters. Secure a spot at the edge of the parade route, and you’ll have the best chance to interact with the characters as they pass. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade goes through Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Main Street, U.S.A., at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily. We recommend securing your viewing spot at least 15 minutes before the parade begins.

Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade
Watching the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade is another excellent opportunity to see Disney characters in Magic Kingdom Park. The Cavalcade travels along the parade route daily at 5:10 p.m. and 6:25 p.m. Many Disney characters feature, including Woody, The Incredibles, Coco, Moana, Raya, Timon, and more.

Meeting characters is part of the Disney experience. Include these character experiences in your next visit to Magic Kingdom. Similarly, learn about the Disney character experiences you want to experience in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT here.