Hey Howdy Hey, Terry!
Yeehaw! Welcome to planDisney. I am so happy you moseyed by with your question. Terry, it won't be long before your magical Walt Disney World Vacation is here and you are going to love all of the excitement that Disney has to offer in this next calendar year.
Terry, you can check the Walt Disney World calendar for the most up-to-date information on times of shows, parades and fireworks on the
Disney 5-day calendar. It typically only shows the next 5 days, so you won't be able to see the times for your visit in January until you are within that 5-day window. These are also subject to change depending on the weather, so while Disney Cast Members try to round up the most accurate information possible, it is always possible to change with short notice. But you can at least have an idea approximately when to expect these events by looking at the calendar.
For
character meeting times, there are a few
characters that have posted times you can expect to meet them. But many do not, though you can check the guide map for character meet-and-greet locations. If there is someone you have your heart set on meeting, I recommend heading to this location and waiting or asking a Cast Member if they know when the character is returning. Sometimes Mickey is on a cheese and cracker break or Donald is taking a swim in the lake, so you may have to wait a bit for them to return.
But another option to guarantee character sightings, photos, and autographs is to book a
character dining experience. This has been a great way to ensure you get a warm hug from one of your favorite pals, and grab a PhotoPass photo to capture your memory.
I hope this helps you, Terry! If you have any further Disney vacation planning questions, giddy-up back here to see us and we will be so happy to help you.
Happy Trails!
Keri