Just a few weeks ago it was revealed that the newest meet and greet to hit Walt Disney World, the Royal Sommerhus in the Frozen-ified Norway pavilion, would not be offering FastPass+ reservations when it debuts in just a few weeks.
This came as quite a shock to many Frozen fans, as FastPass+ reservations to meet Anna and Elsa at the Magic Kingdom are highly sought after, often “selling out” weeks in advance. However, though this might come as a shock to Frozen fans who might be used to getting FastPass+ reservations, there are actually other characters that do not offer FastPass+ reservations either. Here are five characters you can’t get a FastPass+ reservation for, but are still definitely worth meeting!
1. Chewbacca
The Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is filled with all kinds of treasures for diehard fans to discover — from lightsaber replicas to behind-the-scenes footage — but the longest lines (usually anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes) are reserved for the chance to meet some of the beloved characters from the legendary movies. And Chewbacca’s lines will probably be even longer since he’s been in the news lately (thanks to “Chewbacca Mom” Candace Payne, seen with her hero above).
Chewy’s big heart and quick wit are on display here, and after your encounter with the fuzzy giant, you can head over to the dark side and visit the newest “Star Wars” villain, Kylo Ren. He replaced Darth Vader at the attraction earlier this year, and with such a huge list of characters to choose from, other “Star Wars” stars could come and go from the site in the future. So if you get the chance to meet your favorite while he or she is there, go for it! Lines are typically shorter at lunchtime (around 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and right before Fantasmic (about 9 p.m.) Keep in mind that these characters don’t sign autographs (Chewie is reportedly known for “breaking pens and getting frustrated”) and Kylo Ren adds an intimidating air to the atmosphere, but it’s all in good fun!
2. Olaf
Now that his favorite season has unofficially started, the loveable snowman from “Frozen” is making daily appearances at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can meet Olaf at the brand-new, summer-themed Celebrity Spotlight in the Echo Lake district Some good times to meet this newest character is at dinnertime (around 6-8 p.m.) and during the park’s nightly fireworks show (around 9 p.m.) Try asking Olaf if his hugs really are warm!
3. Baymax
Image: Disney
The huge star of “Big Hero 6” is worth meeting just to take in his costume, which is one of the most unique at any of the parks. You can find Baymax at the new Character Spot at Epcot, which is off to the right when you enter Future World plaza. The line to meet Baymax is usually 20 to 30 minutes long, and there are some things to remember when you meet him. First, you can’t wear pins or lanyards when approaching him, and a cast member will remind you to only give him gentle hugs! Baymax also doesn’t talk, but he does blink. If you get to see this character when the park opens, while most people are rushing to Test Track and Spaceship Earth, you’ll likely have a much shorter wait!
4. Baloo (and King Louie)
While construction is underway at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this park is a good one for some great character interactions. You can meet Tarzan (a face character who will happily inspect your hair for bugs); Safari Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Goofy; and Flik from “A Bug’s Life.” But it’s two of the stars of “The Jungle Book” that are probably worth meeting the most. And they have the most opportunities for fun interactions too. You could ask Baloo to show you how to use a claw to pick a prickly pear, ask him to demonstrate how to get the bare necessities or bring him a plastic pear as a gift. Another excellent photo idea is to pose as three monkeys (“hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil”) with the pair and ask Louie if he was elected a king or if he was born into a royal family. King Louie will also dance with you if you ask. This pair appears in Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and a good time to visit is about an hour before the park’s closing time.
5. Gaston
Nobody can ham it up like the antagonist of “Beauty and the Beast,” and Gaston is happy to pose with his admirers at the tavern that bears his name in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. You can compare muscles with him, ask about the small animals on his tavern’s walls, discuss LeFou’s Brew and, of course, flatter him with a song or poem about himself. But you have to move fast — while there’s typically not a long wait to see him, he’s usually only available to his fans from about 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day. But that’s still plenty of time to challenge him to a pushup contest, tell him your favorite character is the Beast and be told to “go away and stare at my statue until you come to your senses”! Face characters, especially villains, that can sound grumpy or even insulting to guests (while completely staying in character) are some of the most fun!
Don’t forget to pick up a Times Guide when you enter each park (or look up the guide on the My Disney Experience app) to find out the most up-to-date character hours. And if you do have a chance to make some FastPass+ reservations, you also won’t want to miss the Talking Mickey (who speaks several languages) and Tinker Bell at the Town Square Theater at the Magic Kingdom. Are there any other must-see characters on the list? Let us know below!
