Character meet and greets are a big part of what makes a trip to Walt Disney World so special, and in recent months Disney has taken it upon themselves to make a number of improvements and changes to each park’s character line-up, including bringing back character meet and greets that had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and making adjustments to existing character meet and greets to make sure that as many guests as possible can experience them and see their favorite characters.
This month, Disney’s Animal Kingdom gets a huge character infusion with four characters added to the daily lineup in addition to new “floatilla”-style character interactions, plus fan favorites return to the Magic Kingdom, and Disney quietly updates its website to confirm that more characters are on their way soon!
1. Buzz, Woody and Jessie set to return to Toy Story Land in the near future
Disney has confirmed via its official character attraction website that beloved Toy Story characters Buzz, Woody and Jessie will soon be returning to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No specific date for the return of these characters has been provided, but considering the long-awaited Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant has been confirmed to be opening before the end of the year, this new addition to Toy Story Land could provide a great opportunity for Disney to showcase the return of these characters to this park. However, nothing has been confirmed just yet.
2. Donald, Chip ‘n’ Dale, and Daisy now appearing in Dino-Bash costumes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Earlier this month Donald, Chip ‘n’ Dale and Daisy returned to DinoLand USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in their Dino-Bash costumes for the first time since 2020. Though the full lineup of characters that used to meet in this area has not fully been restored (LaunchPad McQuack and Scrooge McDuck are still not meeting here for photos or up-close interactions), guests can still meet these four characters periodically throughout the day beginning at 10 AM. More information about daily meet times for these characters is available in the times guide inside the My Disney Experience app.
3. Pete’s Silly Sideshow character attraction at the Magic Kingdom set to reopen in the near future
Though Pete’s Silly Sideshow at the Magic Kingdom has not operated since 2020, fans remained hopeful that this character-based attraction would one-day welcome guests once more as the exterior was repainted and extensively refurbished last year.
And though it has been nearly a year since this physical update, it looks like Disney is finally ready to reopen this attraction and has updated their official attraction website to indicate that the character meet and greets inside this attraction, which include Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy, will indeed be coming back in the near future. No specific date or range has been given just yet, but it seems likely that these characters will return to the Magic Kingdom in the next few weeks to once again meet and take photos with guests in this area.
4. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger now greeting guests daily in Fantasyland
In advance of their return to Crystal Palace restaurant on September 20, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger have come back to their meet and greet location at “The Thotful Spot” in Fantasyland near the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction. These characters are available for photos and hugs several times during the day at this spot as well as during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party special event. More information about daily meet times for these characters is available in the times guide inside the My Disney Experience app.
5. New “Adventurers” boat character encounters debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring DuckTales and Up characters
Two new floating character experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Discovery River debuted earlier this month. Periodically throughout the day, guests can see either LaunchPad McQuack and Scrooge McDuck from DuckTales floating along the river or Russel and Dug from the movie Up. Like with other floating character encounters, each time this boat passes by an announcement will play, and guests can wave and take pictures of the characters as they pass by. This experience happens at random points throughout the day, so guests wanting to catch a glimpse of these characters will want to keep their eyes peeled.
6. Minnie’s Halloween Dine has returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has transitioned back into buffet-style dining as of last month, and just it time, the fan favorite Minnie’s Hollywood Dine character experience has returned. This fan favorite experience features character appearances by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto, all dressed for the season. Reservations are required for this experience and lunch and dinner pricing starts at $55 per adult and $36 per child. More information, including menu items and a link to make reservations is available on the Hollywood & Vine website here.
7. Lilo and Stitch set to return to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort later this month
The Ohana Best Friends Breakfast is coming back to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on September 27, and will once again allow early risers to meet Lilo and Stitch while enjoying a generous buffet-style breakfast that includes Pineapple Coconut Breakfast Bread, Mickey Waffles as well as the iconic Lilikoi Juice and Moana Smoothie. Reservations are required for this experience and can be made on the official Ohana website here.
8. Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe will bring back characters next month
Next month, beginning on October 4, Minnie and friends will once again join guests at Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s character dining experience at Cape May Cafe. Guests eating breakfast here will be able to meet Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy dressed in their finest beach attire as they enjoy Salted Caramel “Beach Buns” and the famous Mickey and Minnie Waffles at this restaurant. Reservations are required for this experience and can be made on the official Cape May Cafe website here.
