Prioritizing the Epcot Characters – Locations, Pictures, Wait Times, Best Times to Meet etc.

5/24/12 Update: All character meet times updated.

This is the third part in the character prioritization series. Check out the Magic Kingdom edition here and the Hollywood Studios edition here. The Magic Kingdom edition provides a little color about what you’re looking at below as well if you haven’t read over the previous articles. Basically, the point of this article is to identify where the various characters are located and create a plan to minimize waits as much as possible. While even the “lowest priority” characters will have afternoon waits of 10 to 15 minutes, it simply isn’t possible to meet every character in the morning when waits will generally be shortest. Because of that, we need to identify the characters that will have the longest afternoon waits and visit them first. Then we can move on to the “less popular” characters later in the morning or whenever we can expect their waits to be shortest.

Overall Strategy: In Future World, there is really only one main priority – the Character Spot. You’ll want to visit first thing in the morning or after 7:30pm if possible. Otherwise, you can expect 30 to 60 minute waits. In World Showcase, you’ll find the two longest lines at Belle/Beast in France and Aladdin/Jasmine in Morocco. Because the characters around World Showcase first appear throughout the late morning and early afternoon, you should be able to arrive at most of the characters just as they are scheduled to appear to find the shortest waits.

Let’s take a look at what we’re dealing with.

Character Spot – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto in Their Classic Outfits

Priority: Highest

Location:

Character Spot is located in Future World to the right of Fountainview Cafe and the Fountain. As you enter from the main entrance, you’ll come across this area after passing Spaceship Earth.

The queue is through this door with the posted wait time on the right.

Usual Meet Times:

• 8:50am – 10pm

The Character Spot does not operate during morning Extra Magic Hour, but it does run through the entirety of evening Extra Magic Hours.

Process:

First, you’ll enter through the doors and enter the main waiting area:

On the plus side, the queue is air-conditioned and organized. Once you make it to the front of the queue, you’ll proceed to the first meet and greet area featuring Mickey Mouse. Once you meet him, you’ll move on to the next four characters individually. You may find a wait of one or two minutes in between characters as the previous group finishes up, but once you make it through the main queue. you’ll be meeting one character after the next without additional formal queues.

Interaction: Average. None of the characters talk, but they do their best to interact playfully. The characters don’t necessarily rush the interaction, but wait times are longer here than just about any other Meet and Greet, causing most meets to be on the short side of things.

Wait Times: Because of the limited capacity and popularity of this Meet and Greet, wait times are often 30+ minutes from 10am – 7pm and can hit 45 to 60 minutes when crowds are heavier.

Best Times to Meet: The best time to meet is first thing in the morning at or before 9am. While the conventional wisdom is to head straight to Soarin’, that attraction has a much higher capacity and offers FASTPASS. Like most Meet and Greets, the Character Spot has a capacity of one person/group per character and doesn’t offer FASTPASS. If you visit Character Spot first and move through in ten or fifteen minutes, you’ll still be in great position to ride Soarin’ with a short wait and collect FASTPASSes with a return time that’s about an hour in the future. The second best time to meet is after 8pm. By that time, most people will move on to World Showcase for dinner, shopping, and IllumiNations, leaving Future World relatively empty. Plan to head over after 8pm if you don’t visit first thing in the morning.

Other Meet Locations:

These characters are all over the place. For a detailed list, check each character in the Magic Kingdom Prioritization. The list would be 50 or 60 deep if copy/pasted here.

Belle and Beast – Belle in Her Blue Scrubs and Beast in His Purple Cape and Blue Britches

Priority: High

Location:

Belle and Beast meet along the promenade across from the France Pavilion.

Usual Meet Times:

Belle:

• 11:15am – 11:55am
• 12:15pm – 1pm
• 1:15pm – 1:55pm
• 3:15pm – 3:55pm
• 4:15pm – 4:55pm
• 5:15pm – 5:55pm
• 6:15pm – 6:45pm

Beast:

• 1:35pm – 1:55pm
• 2:35pm – 2:55pm
• 3:35pm – 3:55pm
• 4:45pm – 4:55pm
• 5:55pm – 5:55pm

Belle often meets without Beast before 1:25pm. In the afternoon and early evening, he appears ten minutes after Belle arrives and stays for 30 minutes.

Process:

The line for Belle and/or Beast runs along World Showcase Lagoon out in front of where they greet guests. If the characters are going on break soon, the cast member should allow you to enter the line and wait there for the characters to return.

Interaction: Great if you can get them together. Beast is large and foreboding and Belle is a sweetheart. A great picture.

Wait Times: Afternoon waits can easily hit 30+ minutes and may actually be closer to 40 or 50 minutes if you have to wait for the characters to take one of their many 20 minute breaks.

Best Times to Meet: You’ll find the shortest wait first thing after World Showcase opens at 11am. If you arrive around 11:05am, you’re looking at a 10 to 15 minute wait. Note that guests are held at the bridge that connects the International Gateway and the France Pavilion until 11am most days.  You’ll want to wait there at 11am and book it over to the Belle line to catch her with the shortest wait. Unfortunately, you won’t have the opportunity to also meet Beast because he doesn’t appear until later in the afternoon. To meet both characters together, you’ll want to get in line around 1pm, just as Belle is leaving on break. This will put enough people in front of you that you won’t meet Belle when she’s by herself and you’ll get to meet both Belle and Beast together before they disappear again at 1:55pm. Unfortunately, you’re looking at a 30+ minute wait to accomplish this. There just isn’t any way around it. World Showcase will only get busier later in the afternoon and evening and the characters are out in an obvious location on the promenade, which attracts further crowds. If you’re happy meeting just Belle, plan to arrive by 11:10am. To meet both characters, arrive just as Belle is scheduled to take a break and prepare to wait. If you arrive when both characters are already out, you’re looking at an even longer line and you’ll most likely have to wait through an additional break.  You can always get lucky, especially if overall crowds are incredibly low, but don’t count on it.

Other Meet Locations:

This is the only location where Beast ordinarily meets guests. The easiest way to see Belle is to visit her in Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom, where wait times are shorter and FASTPASS is available. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Cinderella and Aurora at the same time.

Belle:

1. Epcot – Belle greets guests dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion in her yellow gown and takes pictures with them upon arrival, but does not meet tableside.
2. Magic Kingdom – Belle meets in her yellow gown in Town Square Theater alongside Cinderella and Aurora.  Waits are shorter and FASTPASS is available.
3. Magic Kingdom – She meets diners at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
4. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011 – Belle appeared with Beast in her gorgeous red gown in Fairytale Garden (where Rapunzel usually meets).

Aladdin and Jasmine – Classic Outfits

Priority: High

Location:

Aladdin and Jasmine meet along the World Showcase promenade across from the Morocco Pavilion.  If you’re walking from France, you’ll see them on the left after you pass most of the Morocco Pavilion.

Usual Meet Times:

• 11:45am – 12:25pm
• 12:45pm – 1:25pm
• 1:45pm – 2:25pm
• 3:45pm – 4:25pm
• 4:45pm – 5:25pm
• 5:45pm – 6:25pm
• 6:45pm – 7:15pm

Barring any strange occurrences, Aladdin and Jasmine meet side by side throughout the day.

Process:

Like the Belle/Beast meet, the line runs along the World Showcase Lagoon in front of the characters. Simply get in line and wait your turn.

Interaction: Above average. For one reason or another, these aren’t the two friendliest or most engaging characters in Walt Disney World (generally speaking). But they are happy to see you, sign autographs, chat, and mingle with guests.

Wait Times: Wait times are usually 25 to 35 minutes in the afternoon, but can hit 45 minutes to an hour if you don’t meet them before they take one of their 20 minute breaks.

Best Times to Meet: Arriving by 11:35am for the 11:45am meet will reduce wait times as much as possible. If that isn’t going to happen, try to arrive about ten minutes before they’re scheduled to appear. That way, you should be able to meet them during their next set and not have to wait for the full 20 minute break. Once most people see the (long) length of the line and the character attendant tells them that the characters won’t be reappearing for 10 or more minutes, they’ll plan to “head back later.” Once the characters are scheduled to come out in a couple of minutes, people are more likely to get in line. If you can’t do the 11:45am meet, try to do the 12:45pm one. Lines will be consistently long from then on as more and more people work their way up to Morocco.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Magic Kingdom – Both characters meet in Adventureland at the Agrabah Bazaar in the same outfits. Their lines are usually much shorter there, making it a better place to meet them.
2. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011 – Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu, and Genie met in the same location in pairs of two throughout the night.
   
3. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011 – Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu, and Genie met in the same location in pairs of two throughout the night. Aladdin appears in his “Prince Ali” outfit and Genie/Abu wore scarfs.

Alice – Blue Dress

Priority: Moderate

Location:

Alice Meets in this area across from Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the United Kingdom Pavilion.

From the other direction. She can also meet guests in the circled area opposite Mary Poppins depending on crowds and wait times.

Usual Meet Times:

• 12:30pm – 1:10pm
• 1:25pm – 2pm
• 2:20pm – 3:0pm
• 3:30pm – 4:10pm
• 4:20pm – 4:50pm

Process: Alice’s line should continue out in front of her along the railing on the way to the France Pavilion. Line up and wait your turn.

Interaction: Great. Alice will chat you up and sign her autograph.

Wait times: Waits are generally 15 to 20 minutes in the afternoon, but may be shorter if the overall crowd level is lower or it’s earlier in the afternoon.

Best Times to Meet: Arriving by 12:25pm for the 12:30pm meet is best. Your total wait should be around ten minutes. Otherwise, arriving at 4:40pm for the 4:45pm meet is best. The 35 minute break from 4:10pm to 4:45pm will scare most people off and a lot of people will be further up into World Showcase by this time. Wait times are pretty consistent from 1:30pm to 4:10pm because it’s an obvious Meet and Greet with a decently popular character.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Magic Kingdom – Alice meets with White Rabbit in Fantasyland in front of Mad Tea Party in the same outfit. Waits are usually similar.
2. Grand Floridian Resort – She meets diners at the 1900 Park Fare Breakfast Buffet.
3. Grand Floridian Resort – She meets guests at the Wonderland Tea Party (expensive).

Mary Poppins – White and Red Dress with Umbrella

Priority: Moderate Low

Location:

Mary Poppins meets just past the United Kingdom Pavilion on the right side as you’re walking towards France or right before the United Kingdom Pavilion on the left as you walk to the UK from France.

Usual Meet Times:

• 1:00pm – 1:40pm
• 2:00pm – 2:40pm
• 3:00pm – 3:40pm
• 4:00pm – 4:40pm
• 5:15pm – 6pm

Process: Mary Poppins’ queue runs along the railing next to where she meets. Hop in line at your convenience.

Interaction: Good. Mary may come across as being a little snooty, but it is her character after all.

Wait Times: Afternoon wait times are generally in the 10 to 20 minute range depending on overall crowd level and time of day.

Best Times to Meet: Arriving at 12:55pm for her 1pm meet would be perfect. It’s unlikely anyone will be in line before the characters first appear in the afternoon. Otherwise, arrive around 5:10pm for the 5:15pm meet. The 35 minute break is too long for people to wait around and the Meet and Greet is informal enough that few people will be waiting around to meet her if she isn’t actually there.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Magic Kingdom– Mary Poppins meets in the same outfit at Magic Kingdom in Town Square. She’s usually near The Chapeau store and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Lines are ordinarily shorter there – only a few people long.
2. Grand Floridian Resort – Mary Poppins meets diners at 1900 Park Fare breakfast.

Chip and Dale – Au Naturel

Priority: Low

Location:

Chip and Dale meet on the back side of the Character Spot across from the walkway up to the Land Pavilion.

Usual Meet Times:

• 11:30am – 4:30pm with intermittent breaks

Process: Chip and Dale’s queue runs off to the right of them. Wait your turn and then tell the chipmunk with the red nose that you think he’s Chip. Hilarity ensues.

Interaction: Good. While they don’t talk much, Chip and Dale have more fun together than most characters.

Wait Times: Wait times are usually in the 10 to 15 minute range in the afternoon, but can occasionally be longer if a large group gets in line and takes pictures in a dozen different configurations.

Best Times to Meet: If you can arrive at 11:25am, you’re in excellent shape. You’ll most likely be the only people waiting and the total wait time will be five to ten minutes. Otherwise, try to arrive around 5pm. The characters will reappear from their break and lines will be shorter than the afternoon. The good news is that this Meet and Greet is really only obvious for those walking down from the Land Pavilion and max wait times aren’t often longer than 15 minutes.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Animal Kingdom – Chip and Dale meet at Camp Minnie-Mickey Greeting Trails in their usual attire. From the middle of November through New Year’s, they meet in scarfs and hats.
2. Epcot – They greet diners at Garden Grill in their usual attire (still naked) along with Mickey and Pluto.
3. Hollywood Studios – Chip and Dale meet at the Sorcerer’s Hat in the morning in hats and ties, usually until noon. Lines are usually shorter before 10am but may be longer from 11am – 12pm.
4. Magic Kingdom – Chip and Dale meet in Tomorrowland in their space vests. Lines are ordinarily longer.
5. Fort Wilderness – They join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy at Mickey’s Backyard BBQ in their grill master outfits.
6. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011 – Chip and Dale hosted a dance party in Tomorrowland with Stitch, Pluto, and Goofy in the same outfits they wear in Tomorrowland.
7. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011 – Chip and Dale hosted a dance party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe wearing scarfs and hat with Goofy and Pluto.

Mulan – Chinese Princess

Priority: Low

Location: Mulan can meet in two general locations depending on if the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats are scheduled for a show.

The Acrobat show happens here in this same location where Mulan is currently meeting guests. If the Acrobats aren’t performing, Mulan will most likely greet guests here near the front of the Pavilion.

If the Acrobat stage is set up, Mulan will most likely meet up here at the Temple of Heaven near the back of the Pavilion.

Usual Meet Times:

• 11am – 11:40am
• 12pm – 12:40pm
• 1pm – 1:40pm
• 3pm – 3:40pm
• 4pm – 4:40pm
• 5pm – 5:40pm
• 6pm – 6:30pm

Process: Mulan’s informal queue runs in front of her or off to the side.

Interaction: Good. Mulan isn’t necessarily as Asian as you might expect, but she’s very sweet.

Wait Times: Wait times are generally longer when Mulan appears near the Temple of Heaven, which is odd because it’s a less obvious location. However, it does get a lot of foot traffic from people entering/exiting the building to see Reflections of China. Even so, expect to wait between 10 and 15 minutes regardless of where Mulan appears. Wait times can balloon after a Reflections of China show gets out. If the line seems long, shop or grab a snack nearby and return in about ten minutes and the line should be much shorter.

Other Meet Locations: This is the only location where Mulan ordinarily greets guests.

Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) – Pink Dress

Priority: Low

Location:

Aurora meets in the France Pavilion off to the right of the main walkway into the Pavilion and Impressions de France/Boulangerie Patisserie.

Usual Meet Times:

• 12:30pm – 1:10pm
• 1:30pm – 2:10pm
• 2:30pm – 3:10pm
• 4:30pm – 5:10pm
• 5:30pm – 6:10pm
• 6:30pm – 7:10pm
• 7:30pm – 8pm

Process: Aurora’s usually-short-line runs in front of her.  Try not to fall asleep while you wait.  Princes don’t come around every day, you know?

Interaction: Good.  Aurora doesn’t necessarily have the most personality of the Disney princesses, but she isn’t as uptight as Cinderella!

Wait Times: Afternoon wait times are usually in the 10 to 15 minute range.  She’s a bit out of the way in France and isn’t as obvious or as popular as Aladdin/Jasmine or Belle/Beast out on the promenade.

Best Times to Meet: Try to arrive about five minutes before she’s scheduled to appear.  You’ll find the shortest waits if you arrive by 12:25pm for the 12:30pm meet or 4:25pm for the 4:30pm meet.  This way there won’t be any residual guests waiting through the break from the previously scheduled meet.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Epcot – Aurora meets diners at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion.
2. Magic Kingdom – Aurora meets guests in Town Square Theater in the same outfit along with Cinderella and Belle.  Wait times are usually slightly longer there, but you do get the added benefit of meeting two other popular princesses and FASTPASS is available.
3. Magic Kingdom – Aurora meets diners at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
4. Grand Floridian Resort – She appears during the Perfectly Princess Tea Party at the Grand Floridian Resort.
5. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011 – She appeared with her Prince in Fairytale Garden (where Rapunzel normally meets).
6. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011 – She met with her Prince at Town Square Theater along with Snow White/Prince and Rapunzel/Flynn Ryder.

Snow White – Classic Attire

Priority: Low

Location:

Snow White meets in the Germany Pavilion.  As you walk toward Germany from the China Pavilion, you’ll see her on your left before you arrive at the main Pavilion.  From Italy, you’ll see Snow White on the right after passing most of the Pavilion.

Usual Meet Times:

• 12:30pm – 1:10pm
• 1:30pm – 2:10pm
• 2:30pm – 3:10pm
• 3:30pm – 4:15pm
• 5:30pm – 6:10pm
• 6:30pm – 7:10pm
• 7:30pm – 8:00pm

Process: Snow White’s line snakes around in front of her depending on how many people are in line.  Don’t bring an apple that isn’t candied.

Interaction: Good.  Snow White doesn’t seem to ooze personality, but it’s a fun picture.  At one time, Snow White usually appeared with one of her Dwarfs, but this is much rarer now.

Wait Times: Wait times are generally 10 to 15 minutes.  The line above is as long as I’ve ever seen it, so it isn’t necessarily the best barometer to use.  Ordinarily, wait times are less than 15 minutes, but can occasionally be longer if a group takes pictures in an infinite number of configurations.

Best Times to Meet: This isn’t a Meet and Greet that you’ll want to take the time to wait through a break for.  Try to arrive about five minutes before she’s scheduled to appear.  You’ll find the shortest waits if you’re in position by 12:25pm for the 12:30pm meet.  Arriving around 5:25pm for the 5:30pm meet is your second best choice because there won’t be anyone waiting through a break from a previous meet time.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Epcot – Snow White meets diners at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion in the same outfit.
2. Magic Kingdom – Snow White meets visitors in Town Square in the same outfit.  Waits are usually very similar.
3. Magic Kingdom – Snow white meets diners at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the same outfit.

Marie – Pink Bow

Priority: Lowest

Location:

Marie meets near the front of the France Pavilion.  From the United Kingdom, you’ll see her right after you cross the bridge into the Pavilion.

Usual Meet Times:

• 11:30am – 11:50am
• 12pm – 12:20pm
• 12:40pm – 1:20pm
• 1:40pm – 2:20pm
• 3:10pm – 3:50pm
• 4:10pm – 4:50pm
• 5:10pm – 5:50pm
• 6:10pm – 6:50pm

Process: Marie’s line wraps around the area where she meets.  Hop in line and wait for your turn to meet “The Cat.”

Interaction: Not good, generally speaking, but it isn’t necessarily her fault.  Virtually no one knows who Marie is or what the Artistocats are.  On top of that, Marie is generally “training” to be another character because she isn’t particularly popular and no one knows what to expect.

Wait Times: Wait times are usually ten minutes or less assuming you arrive in time to meet her before she takes a break.  Marie probably takes more breaks than just about any other character in order to receive feedback and regroup.

Best Times to Meet:  Try to arrive right around 3:10pm to minimize waits as much as possible and virtually guarantee that she won’t leave before you have a chance to meet her.

Other Meet Locations: This is it.

Donald – Sombrero and Poncho

Priority: Lowest

Location:

Donald meets guests outside in an alcove to the right of the large pyramid that comprises most of the Mexico Pavilion.  He is located across the way from the La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant.

Usual Meet Times:

• 1:25pm – 3:15pm with intermittent breaks
• 3:45pmpm – 6:30pm with intermittent breaks

Process: Donald’s line is usually just a few people long and runs to the side of where he meets guests.

Interaction: Good.  While not particularly chatty, Donald has a lot of personality and the outfit is a lot of fun.

Wait Times: Despite being relatively obvious and in an awesome outfit, Donald doesn’t seem to attract much of anyone.  Wait times are generally ten minutes or less, but can hit 15 or so when crowds are heavier.

Best Times to Meet: Arriving at 12:45pm or 3:55pm would be best.  That guarantees you won’t wait longer than a few minutes and Donald won’t decide to take a 20 minute break right before it’s your turn to meet him.  Otherwise, don’t expect to find much of a line here.  If there is, shop around a bit and return a little later.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Animal Kingdom – Donald meets in the Camp Minnie-Mickey Character Greeting Trails in his safari outfit.  Around the winter holidays, he also dons a wreath.  Wait times are comparable to Magic Kingdom, generally speaking.
2. Animal Kingdom – At Tusker House Restaurant, he takes pictures and interacts with diners before they are seated.  He does not visit tableside.  He’ll be in his safari outfit.
3. Epcot – Donald meets in his classic outfit at the Character Spot.  Afternoon waits are much longer, but you also have the opportunity to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto in one swoop.
4. Hollywood Studios – He meets alongside Daisy at the Sorcerer’s Hat, usually through 12pm.  Waits are short before 10am, but are usually equivalent or longer than Magic Kingdom from 10am until they stop appearing.  On the plus side, you do get to meet Daisy at the same time.  Both characters are in summer-y outfits.
5. Magic Kingdom – Donald appears in his frontier finest in Frontierland.  Wait times are usually longer, but the outfit is just as fun.
6. Beach Club Resort – He meets in a (ridiculous) beach outfit at Cape May Cafe’s breakfast.
7. Contemporary Resort – Donald appears at Chef Mickey’s in his chef’s outfit.
8. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011 – Donald met with Daisy in Adventureland and then in Fantasyland later on in his buccaneer outfit.
9. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011 – Donald met in his red flannel shirt and cap in Fantasyland.  Still, no pants.

Daisy Duck – Pink Top with Purple Bow.  Hold the pants.

Priority: Lowest

Location:

Daisy greets guests just inside the main entrance on the right side.

Usual Meet Times:

• 8:45am – 12:45pm
• 1:15pm – 4:15pm

Process: Line up in front of her and wait your turn.

Interaction: Below average.  Daisy isn’t the most exciting character.

Wait Times: In the morning, wait times can hit 10 to 15 minutes.  After 1pm, wait times are usually less than ten minutes.

Best Times to Meet: Plan to visit at some point after 1:25pm.  Because of her proximity to the main entrance, people tend to get in line after they enter Epcot between 10am and noon.  Because Daisy and Stitch are so far away from World Showcase and most of the Future World attractions, few people will be heading back in this direction after 1pm unless they’re headed to the exit.  After 1:30pm, the wait is almost always less than ten minutes.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Animal Kingdom – She can appear in place of Donald Duck at Camp Minnie-Mickey Character Greeting Trails, but that is rarer.
2. Animal Kingdom – She meets diners at Tusker House Restaurant in her safari outfit.
3. Epcot – Daisy meets just inside of the main entrance in the same outfit.  Her wait times there are normally even shorter with just a handful of people in line at any given time.
4. Hollywood Studios – She meets with Donald Duck at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat, usually through 12pm in a summer dress.  Lines are usually longer, but you do have the opportunity to meet both characters at once.
5. Magic Kingdom – Daisy meets in the same outfit in Town Square at the Flag Pole.  Wait times are similar, though wait times are usually longer here than Epcot.
6. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011 – She appeared with Donald in her genie outfit (or princess?) in Adventureland and then later Fantasyland.

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger – Just a Red Shirt on Winnie the Pooh

Priority: Lowest

Location:

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger meet inside The Toy Soldier store in the United Kingdom Pavilion.  As you walk to the UK from Canada, take a right down the road across from Rose & Crown Pub.  Continue walking and you’ll see the store on the right side and the gazebo in front of you.  If the UK band is performing, follow the noise.

And walk straight back.  The Kidcot station is also back here.

Usual Meet Times:

• 1:00pm – 5pm with intermittent breaks
• 5:35pm – 8:25pm with intermittent breaks

Process: This is an odd location for a Meet and Greet in that it’s entirely out of the way and not at all obvious.  You’ll enter the Toy Soldier either through this main entrance or one of the side entrances on the left side of the building.  Simply wait in the short line near the Kidcot station and wait your turn to be tackled by Tigger.

Interaction: Good.  For characters that don’t talk, they are a lot of fun.  Tigger in particular is excited to see you.  Their surroundings are also new – they now meet in Christopher Robin’s bedroom.

Wait Times: Wait times are usually less than ten minutes.  They can be a bit longer if the UK band has just finished playing.  When that happens, someone invariably mentions that they’re headed to the Winnie the Pooh Meet and Greet and others follow.  Should the line be longer than ten or fifteen people, shop around a bit and return later.

Best Times to Meet: Any time is usually fine.  Just try to avoid getting in line after the UK band performs unless you’re among the first people to head over.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Animal Kingdom – Both Tigger and Winnie the Pooh meet at Discovery Landing.  Ordinarily, you meet each character individually.  Eeyore may or may not join them.  They normally appear in their classic outfits, but may have scarfs and hats around the holidays.  Lines are usually short because the entrance to the queue is far away from where they actually meet and the characters aren’t visible unless you really know where to look.
2. Hollywood Studios – Winnie the Pooh meets in the Animation Building in front of a cute honey pot backdrop.  His waits are usually short there too – in the 5 to 15 minute range.
3. Magic Kingdom – Winnie the Pooh and Tigger meet in the same outfits (or lack thereof) in one location or another.  Currently, they are meeting guests in Tour Guide Gardens to the left of City Hall on the left side of Main Street just inside the entrance.  But construction has begun on a Meet and Greet area at their attraction in Fantasyland.
4. Magic Kingdom – Winnie the Pooh meets diners at Crystal Palace on Main Street with Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore.
5. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011 – Winnie the Pooh met with Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger in their Halloween costumes at the Flag Pole.
6. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011 – Winnie the Pooh met with Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger in scarfs in Fantasyland.

Duffy – Navy Outfit (Also Pumpkin Shirt or Christmas Sweater Depending on Time of Year)

Priority: Lowest

Location:

Duffy is located at the base of World Showcase on the left side as you walk toward the Mexico Pavilion.

Usual Meet Times:

• 12pm – 3:45pm
• 4:30pm – 7:15pm

Process: Duffy is located in a gazebo with his line extending to the left of him (most likely your right).  Wait your turn to meet everyone’s least favorite Tokyo Disneyland export.

Interaction: Poor.  Duffy doesn’t do a whole lot other than wave, sign, and hug.

Wait Times: Afternoon waits are generally ten minutes or less, despite being one of the most obvious and accessible characters.

Best Times to Meet: Sometime in the afternoon would be best.  You don’t need to make a special trip over here to catch him at a “good” time of day.  Visit when it’s convenient and if the line is longer than ten minutes, try again later.

Other Meet Locations:

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas/Not So Scary Halloween Parties 2011 – Duffy met guests in Tour Guide Gardens to the left of City Hall.  For Halloween, he had a Halloween shirt and pumpkin cap on.  For the Christmas Parties, he wore a Christmas sweater and cap.  He appeared in the same outfits over at Epcot.  Wait times were similarly short.

Stitch – Naked

Priority: Rock bottom.

Location:

Stitch meets alongside Daisy just inside the main entrance on the right side.  They do have individual lines, assuming there are lines.

Usual Meet Times:

• 8:45am – 12:45pm
• 1:15pm – 4:15pm

Process: If there is a line for Stitch, it will be out in front of him.  Go ahead and make his day by taking a picture with him.  You’ll be the most exciting thing that happens to him all day.

Interaction: Fine.  Considering the wait is usually around two minutes, you’re certainly getting your money’s worth.  He takes a picture with the best of ‘em.

Wait Times: There’s usually about five people in line at any given time after 1:30pm.  Maybe ten people on Christmas Day.

Best Times to Meet: Any time after 1:30pm would be perfect.  Skip him in the early morning because you’ll have bigger priorities – whether that be going to the bathroom, perusing the ice cream cart menu, or looking at batteries.

Other Meet Locations:

1. Hollywood Studios – Stitch may appear in the morning at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat in Hollywood Studios.  He should either appear as normal or possibly have a floral lei on similar to the one he wears at ‘Ohana.  Lines depend on time of day, but they’ll most likely be longer than Epcot.
2. Magic Kingdom – Stitch meets in his same outfit in Tomorrowland.  Lines are usually significantly longer, making this a much better place to meet him.
3. Polynesian Resort – Stitch greets diners along with Lilo, Mickey, and Pluto for breakfast in a floral lei.
4. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2011 – Stitch hosted a dance party with Chip, Dale, Goofy, and Pluto in Tomorrowland.