Character fans at Walt Disney World are a little spoilt for choice. Hubs like Center Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Character Spot at Epcot provide plenty of space for guests to meet favorite animated characters, and if you don’t mind doing a little walking and park hoping, it’s possible to meet all 11 Disney Princesses on property (and in one day!)
However, though there are plenty of character experiences to be had across Walt Disney World, there are actually more characters than there are meet and greets. How is this possible? Well there are several characters that can appear in shows, at special events and in parades while simultaneiously being off-limits for guests to meet. Here are nine characters that are pretty easy to find around the parks that most guests will probably never get the chance to meet up-close.
1. Kristoff
Another Frozen character that guests can’t currently meet is Kristoff. This character also appeared as part of the Frozen Summer Fun Royal Welcome parade and can also be seen briefly during For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing a Long. However, those wanting to shake hands with this ice harvester are currently left in the cold, as Kristoff does not meet fans anywhere at Walt Disney World.
2. Flynn Rider
Though the Magic Kingdom held a limited time test earlier this year that featured an on-the-run version of Flynn Rider, and guests can see this Tangled character every day in the Festival of Fantasy parade, it is currently impossible to actually meet this character anywhere at Walt Disney World. Rapunzel still meets guests in the Princess Fairytale Hall, but sadly she only meets guests solo, as there’s just no room for this roguish hero at this venue.
3. Oogie Boogie
The Nightmare Before Christmas hasn’t always been well-represented at Walt Disney World, but over the past few years this film has been gaining in presence at the parks. Jack and Sally have been meeting guests at special events, and Oogie Boogie is a fixture of the castle entertainment at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. However, unlike Jack and Sally, Oogie Boogie has not been able to meet guests at all, even during special events, preferring to stay on stage for appearances only.
4. Megara
While Megara occasionally appears at Halloween events on stage (most recently as part of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Unleash the Villains event) and can also sometimes be found during the finale of Fantasmic!, this Hercules character has not had a proper meet and greet at Walt Disney World in several years. Though you might think that this character would make a great meet and greet for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, thus far she has not appeared at this event in any capacity.
5. Mr Smee
Image: Loren Javier, Flickr (license)
Mr. Smee currently appears alongside Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, and Wendy Darling in the Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom, but the difference between this character and all those he appears with is the fact that Mr. Smee actually does not meet guests at Walt Disney World in any capacity. Despite this character gaining in popularity among the preschool set thanks to the Jake and the Neverland Pirates cartoon on Disney Junior, Mr. Smee does not interact with any guests, anywhere at Walt Disney World.
6. Hitchiking Ghosts
Image: Disney
Disney’s world-class attractions have spawned some truly memorable characters, but nothing is arguably as iconic as the Hitchhiking Ghosts. Though you can always see these silly spooks at the Haunted Mansion, during Halloween they materialize during the Boo to You parade. Though its great to see these silly spooks from afar and in the (undead) flesh, it would be amazing to actually meet them in person. Unfortunately Disney has never offered a character meet and greet for Ezra, Phineas and Gus, and likely never will.
7. John Smith
Image: Disney
Though John Smith has met guests at Walt Disney World in the past, he has all but vanished from the parks in recent years, now only appearing during Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While you can wave to him from your seat, if you want to talk to Jamestown’s most famous settler, you’ll be sadly disappointed.
8. Flora, Fauna and Merriweather
You can meet Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora at the MAgic Kingdom pretty regularly and secondary characters Prince Phillip and Maleficent are both easily found at special events at the Magic Kingdom. However, three Sleeping Beauty characters are sadly left out of the meet and greet rotation: fairies Flora, Fauna and Merriweather. These characters can be seen and photographed during the Festival of Fantasy parade every day, but those wishing to discuss the finer points of magical theory with them (or ask about Royal Prep, as seen in Sofia the First) won’t be able to get much of a word in with these characters.
9. Bullseye
Toy Story is one of the most well-represented properties at Walt Disney World, with characters from this film franchise meeting guests at both the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, though it’s easy to find Woody, Buzz and Jessie, one member of the team is conspicuously absent: Bullseye! This key member of Woody’s Roundup can be seen during several parades, but if you want to meet him in person, there are unfortunately no regular options in the parks.
