How to Meet Disney Characters in EPCOT 2024
EPCOT is known for its food, drink, and that giant silver ball, but did you know there are lots of Disney characters in EPCOT that guests can meet and interact with throughout the park? Some are exclusive to EPCOT, and you won’t find them anywhere else! From classic characters like Mickey Mouse to newer favourites like Joy from Inside Out, there’s a range of Disney personalities just waiting to say hello. In this post, we’ll take a quick look at all the characters in EPCOT, and by the end, you’ll know where and when to find your fave!
EPCOT Character Tip: Don’t forget your autograph book! Most characters will sign autographs. It’s a fun way to create a souvenir, and all the signatures are unique!
Please note: This post gives an overview of the characters, locations and times in EPCOT. It can change daily, and the best place to check is the My Disney Experience app (see below). I’ve also provided a webpage link for each individual character, so you can easily check updated times and availability!
How to use the My Disney Experience App to find EPCOT Characters
The easiest way to find the characters at EPCOT, including times and locations, is to use the My Disney Experience App. It has up-to-date information and a handy map, so you can easily find who you’re looking for!
How to use the My Disney Experience app:
1. Open the My Disney Experience app. If you don’t have the app on your phone, you can download it from the Apple app store or Google Play.
2. On the bottom menu, select the map by clicking the pin icon.
3. Click ‘filter’ on the top left of the screen. Choose EPCOT and press apply.
4. The app automatically shows wait times. So on the dropdown menu at the top, press “wait times” and change it to “characters”. You will now see the location of the different characters around the EPCOT map. You can select each one individually for more information.
5. Press “show list” to see a complete list of each character at EPCOT. You can select each Disney character to view more information such as location and appearance times.
Disney Characters in EPCOT World Celebration
Goofy
Goofy appears alongside Minnie near Spaceship Earth and is pretty easy to spot in his classic green hat and bright orange t-shirt!
Location: Near the EPCOT main entrance along with Minnie.
Times: You can meet Goofy at regular intervals throughout the day from 9 am – 3.40 pm. You can see the latest times here.
Other Locations: Goofy can be found at Grand Avenue, Hollywood Studios and at Pete’s Silly Side Show in Magic Kingdom.
Mickey Mouse
EPCOT is a great place to meet Mickey Mouse and often has one of the lowest wait times compared to the other parks. Another perk of this location is there’s a Photopass photographer to capture the moment!
Location: Magic Eye Theater (Disney & Pixar short film festival). The theatre is located right beside Journey into Imagination with Figment.
Times: Mickey is usually there from 10 am-5.30 pm throughout the day. The latest times can be found here.
Other Locations: Mickey appears in all four parks and at some Character dining locations such as Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Character Experience Tip: Arrive a few minutes before the scheduled meet-and-greet time and be prepared to line up quickly. The characters take time with each guest, and the lines can move slowly so the wait times build up. If you arrive too late, you may miss out, as a cast member may stop new additions to the queue during the session.
Minnie Mouse
Minnie welcomes you to the park in her classic red polka-dot dress. Her autograph is super cute!
Location: Near the EPCOT main entrance.
Times: Minnie appears regularly throughout the day from 9 am. You can see the latest times here.
Other Locations: You can meet Minnie at all four parks and at certain character dining locations such as Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios.
Check out some of our favourite Minnie Mouse quotes!
Joy (Inside Out)
Joy brings some happiness to ImageWorks with her bright blue hair and sparkling personality!
Location: Joy is currently located inside ImageWorks, next door to Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
Times: Joy appears mornings and afternoons until 5.40 pm. The latest times can be found here.
Other Locations: Joy can only be found at EPCOT.
Vanellope Von Schweetz
Vanellope meets in the same place as Joy from Inside Out. She’s a popular character and so the line may get long, but she’s a fun character to encounter!
Location: ImageWorks beside Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
Times: You can meet Vanellope from 10.45 am to 5.55 pm and can check the latest times here.
Other Locations: This is the only meet-and-greet for Vanellope.
Winnie the Pooh
Wave hi to Winnie the Pooh as he catches butterflies next to the Imagination Pavilion! This is a character sighting rather than a meet and greet.
Location: On the grassy area beside Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
Times: Every 30 minutes from 10 am to 4.40 pm. The app is the best place to check for the latest times.
Other Locations: You can find Winnie the Pooh at The Thotful Spot in Magic Kingdom.
Disney Characters in EPCOT World Showcase
Alice (Alice in Wonderland)
Alice is ready to curtsey and pose for photos outside the old thatched cottage in the UK Pavillion.
Location: The United Kingdom Pavilion outside the cottage.
Times: Appears several times between 9 am and 2.30 pm. You can check the latest times here.
Other Locations: Currently Alice does not appear at any other location.
Anna & Elsa
This location uses an automated PhotoPass camera to snap a photo of you alongside Anna and Elsa!
Location: Royal Sommerhus at the Norway Pavilion.
Times: The sisters are here all day from 9.15 am to 6.30 pm. You check the updated times here.
Other Locations: There are currently no other Anna & Elsa character meets.
Belle (Beauty & the Beast)
Belle appears in her blue provincial dress, in her home country France. The lagoon makes a beautiful backdrop for this character meet!
Location: Belle will be waiting in the France Pavilion right by the World Showcase Lagoon.
Times: Belle appears at select times between 9.30 am and 3 pm. The latest times can be found here.
Other Locations: Belle sometimes appears at various character dining locations, such as Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Cinderella’s Royal Table. However, the princesses rotate, and you are not guaranteed to meet a certain princess at these locations.
Daisy Duck
Daisy is a fun and entertaining character to meet – she really knows how to strike a pose!
Location: Daisy is ready for her close-up at the International Gateway between the France and United Kingdom Pavilions.
Times: Daisy Duck appears regularly from 9 am – 3.40 pm. The best place to check for Daisy’s times is the Disney app!
Other Locations: You can meet Daisy Duck at all four parks!
Donald Duck
Donald Duck comes ready to impress in his colourful Mexican poncho and sombrero! This is a photo pass location so get ready to smile!
Location: In front of the Aztec pyramid in the Mexico Pavilion.
Times: Meet the star of The Three Caballeros between 10 am and 4 pm. For current times click here.
Other Locations: You can meet Donald Duck without his sombrero at the other three parks.
Mary Poppins
Practically perfect in every way, Mary Poppins and her iconic umbrella pose for photos under the gazebo in the UK gardens.
Location: In the United Kingdom Pavillion courtyard.
Times: Mary Poppins greet guests from 9.30 am to around 3.00 pm.
Other Locations: Currently, you can only meet Mary Poppins in EPCOT.
Mulan
You can find Mulan in her home Pavilion, wearing her traditional Hanfu dress. Be ready to discuss your training to defeat the Hun!
Location: Meet Mulan in the China Pavilion, usually near the water garden or beside the Temple.
Times: Mulan’s meet-and-greets start around 10 am, and end around 3.30 pm. The latest times can be found here.
Other Locations: The China Pavilion is the only Mulan character experience.
Pluto
There are two ways to meet Pluto at EPCOT. You can pose for a photo at the World Showcase Plaza or meet him for dinner at the Garden Grill!
Location: The Friendship Ambassador Gazebo near World Showcase Plaza. The plaza is located between the Mexico Pavilion and Canada Pavilion. Pluto will be at the waterside gazebo across from the Disney Traders store.
Times: Pluto appears regularly between 9.30 am and 4.10 pm. For the latest schedule click here.
Other Locations: Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios.
Princess Aurora
Sleeping Beauty is a popular Princess and can be found in the gardens of France! She also makes appearances at Storybook Dining in the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.
Location: The gazebo in the France Pavilion.
Times: Princess Aurora makes various appearances from 9 am. You can check the latest times here.
Other Locations: Princess Aurora doesn’t appear at other parks but may sometimes attend Princess character dining events.
Princess Jasmine
You meet Princess Jasmine in front of a beautiful backdrop of Agrabah. This is a Photopass location so you’ll get a photo of your meeting!
Location: Inside Lamps of Wonder at the Morocco pavilion.
Times: Jasmine is available from 9.30 am to 3 pm. Check the latest times before you go.
Other Locations: Agrabah in Adventureland, Magic Kindom.
Snow White
Snow White can be found standing by a wishing well (Ah-hahahaha)! She meets in her notable blue and yellow dress and is always ready to pose for a photo or sign an autograph!
Location: The wishing well on the outskirts of the Germany Pavillion.
Times: You can meet Snow White 10 am – 3.50 pm but check the latest schedule here.
Other Locations: Town Square Theater Porch, Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. You can also find Snow White and her friends at Story Book Dining at Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
EPCOT Character Dining
Character dining gives you the opportunity to meet your favourite characters in EPCOT and eat some good food at the same time! There are two restaurants in the park where this is available, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill.
Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Storybook Dining gives you a chance to dine with Disney princesses at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. The banquet hall is located in the Norway Pavilion, and serves traditional Norwegian food, such as meatballs and lefse, alongside the more familiar macaroni cheese and corn dog nuggets. The Disney Princesses rotate, so there’s no guarantee to meet a particular princess when dining. However, you can expect to see princesses such as Mulan, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora, Pocahontas, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Alice and Belle. Belle is usually the host princess and will greet you as you arrive! In total, you’re likely to meet five Disney princesses!
Character Dining Tip: If you book breakfast at one of the character dining locations, you can take advantage of pre-park opening. Book a reservation before EPCOT opens, and you’ll be one of the first guests to enter the park. It’s a great way to capture some photos while it’s quiet! If you can get an early reservation, it’s also possible to finish breakfast, and be ready for rope drop! Just beware, this can be a bit of a rush!
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at Garden Grill
The Garden Grill Restaurant is a unique dining experience as the restaurant rotates slowly! The restaurant is in The Land Pavilion and provides a panoramic view of the Living with the Land attraction, which showcases innovative agricultural techniques and the history of farming. The characters you can expect to meet here are farmer Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale.
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Lindsey is the creator and writer for Mouse Trip Magic. When she’s not walking down Main Street, she likes to bring the Disney magic home with Disney movies, fun recipes and cute Disney finds. Her love of storytelling and cinematography led her to pursue a degree in film and media, which means she loves to research and take a deep dive into all things Disney!
