Like most people, we're happy to "hunt" for things while at the most magical place on earth. Whether it is hidden Mickey's or short attraction lines or coveted desserts or great viewing spots for parades and fireworks or Disney trading pins or unusual Disney characters we hunt for it. It's all part of the adventure. And, our most recent trip to Walt Disney World was no exception when it came to meeting either new to us or not typically found characters.
Meeting Baymax from Big Hero 6 was new for all of us. His meet and greet location in EPCOT in Innoventions West across the breezeway from the EPCOT Character Spot was easy to find and had minimal wait. All objects must be removed--bags, lanyards, etc.--prior to greeting Baymax. The background of the workshop is cool too! We asked about meeting characters from "Inside Out" and a cast member pretended not to know what we were talking about but I made reference to the wall that was painted and he then gave it up--said that construction was delayed. Recent updates do indicate that Joy and Sadness will be coming to EPCOT soon!
The addition of the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios has added some definitely new to us characters. We met Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. Disney Reward Visa has a meet and greet in the same area--Imperial Meet and Greet--and we were hopeful to meet Darth Vader. We met Kylo Ren again. When I asked the cast member about it, I was told that it was only Kylo Ren.
We also bumped into Storm Troopers--the would not pose for a photo! And Jawas characters milling around inside the Launch Bay. If you have something shiny, the Jawas may give you extra attention.
Also at Disney's Hollywood Studios we found Robin Hood and the White Rabbit greeting guests just outside The Great Movie Ride. Of course, the White Rabbit thought he was late for something. . . what could it be?
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, we bumped into Tarzan who we also had never met before. He was soon joined by is sidekick Terk. Interestingly, we had met Terk during another visit to the park a few years ago.
Also at Disney's Animal Kingdom, we were able to say hello to Flik from "A Bug's Life." He was a character we had met on a trip several years ago. I don't think he remembered us, but we did ask him to say hello to Atta for us.
At Magic Kingdom the fellows found Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I'm not sure which is which, but the boy decided to play rock, paper, scissors with one of them. We had met these characters before but it had been a while!
Also at Magic Kingdom were Gaston, Lady Tremaine's daughters and Cincerella's step-sisters Anastasia and Drizella, and Alice and the Mad Hatter. We had met all of these characters previously, but they can sometimes be difficult to find. Based on the lines for Gaston, near his tavern in the New Fantasyland, he is becoming more and more popular. Anastasia and Drizella were wandering around behind the Castle without their mother. Alice and the Mad Hatter, who heartily wished me a Happy Birthday, were near the Teacups of course.
How do we find these characters? One way is to pick-up a Times Guide along with a park map when you enter a park. Various character meet and greets will be listed in the Times Guide. Another way is to be on the look-out and know whether or not you have time in your day to stop and possibly wait a few minutes to say hello to a character. The boy is excellent at scoping out characters. I lookout for Photopass photographers. Often they arrive at a meet and greet before a character. The photographers can often tell you who is coming, when, and where to wait. We've been in the front of lines when characters arrive because of this tip.
We already know which characters we will be hunting for on our next trip!
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