Hiya, Charlene, and welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! We love being part of your vacation-planning process!
As the mom of three Mouseketeers, we spend a lot of our park time
meeting Characters, so I’m happy to share the scoop! First off,
here’s a helpful list of Character Experiences that are currently available in the parks. Of course, these are always subject to change, but this list should give you a good idea of what to expect. Yes, there are lines for these Character Experiences, and Characters are rotated throughout the day.
The allotted wait-time per Character varies by the type of Character Experience and the time of year, but on average, I’d plan on spending about 15-20 minutes waiting for each Character, then spending a few minutes for the actual interaction. The Characters truly go out of their way to make each interaction unique and special, which is something I treasure! I’ll never forget my rather shy daughter meeting with Anna and Elsa for the first time at
Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome… they took the time to make her feel comfortable, instead of just rushing into the picture, which is just what she needed!
The main exception to that estimated Character wait-time is for meeting Disney Princesses at
Royal Hall. Here, you'll typically find a longer wait time, however, you get the chance to meet three Princesses at once, so I think this spot is a win-win!
The most helpful way to track down your favorite Characters is with the
Disneyland app. Simply click on the map feature, than select “Characters” from the drop-down list. Click on “Show List” to find available Characters. Keep in mind that meet-and-greets vary by day, so you’ll want to plan your Character interactions on a daily basis.
Another option that allows more personal Character interactions is
Character Dining. My family’s favorite Character Dining experience is
Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park, located at Plaza Inn in Disneyland Park. It’s a great way to meet classic Disney Characters in one spot, while enjoying a delicious breakfast buffet! There are several other Character Dining experiences outside of the theme parks, including Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures and Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet (both at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa), Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel), and Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast (Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel). You can book reservations for all of these experiences online or by phone at (714) 781-DINE (3463) up to 60 days before your vacation.
Lastly, if you find yourself in a time crunch, I recommend standing outside the swinging doors in-between The Mad Hatter and Disney Showcase, on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park. This is where the Characters enter and exit Town Square, so it’s a great way to get a high-five or a quick hug from a Character on their way in or out.
Wishing you a magical, memorable visit to the Happiest Place on Earth!
Kristin