Character Explosion

Would you like a chance to meet some unusual Disney characters? Would you like them to all be in one place with short lines? If so, I have a secret. Shh. . . you can't tell anyone else. Promise?

OK, the secret is what our family calls the character explosion at the Magic of Disney Animation "attraction" at Disney's Hollywood Studios. On non-Fantasmic nights--Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday--shortly before 5:00 pm in the large, multi-leveled room that you exit into after viewing the animation show with Mushu, you will find characters in abundance. And, mostly unusual or not easily found characters. The characters rotate about every 20-25 minutes and new ones appear.

Jafar from Aladdin
Meeko and Pocahantas

The Queen of Hearts

The Queen

A Penguin from Mary Poppins

On our last visit to Walt Disney World, we made a special trip on a Wednesday evening to Hollywood Studios just for the character explosion. This Williams family titled event is not published or posted anywhere, yet you can find out more by visiting with most character handlers. And, as you can see from the photos above, you can meet some interesting characters for photos and autographs.

OK, here comes another secret. . . shh. . . again, promise not to tell? OK, here it is. You don't have to sit through the Mushu show to get to the "room." Just go the the Animation Courtyard and look for the entrance to the Magic of Disney Animation. Just left of the entrance to the attraction is an entrance to a store. . . a store that sells Disney art and animation. There are often animators on hand practicing their work at the two artist's desks in the shop and that is really neat to see. Oh, I digressed. OK, so if you find the shop/store, just walk in and keep walking to the frosted, sliding glass doors at the back of the store. Usually the doors are open, but if not, they will open when you walk up to them. Veer to the right and in front of you will be some of the many OSCARS that Mr. Disney has won. Keep walking until you come to the entrance of a large room. You're here! There are computer stations and animation stations throughout the room and some character meet and greets are here permanently, like the Incredibles, most recently the characters from UP, and Sorcerer Mickey. If you want to see the characters from UP you'd better hurry. As of early May, they will be replaced by a large, purple, hugging bear, Lot'so from Toy Story 3.

May the magic be with you as you hunt for and find Disney characters. The husband is still on the look-out for the Big Bad Wolf.