what is characterpalooza?

[cab0ad]

I've seen this on a lot of threads. I assumed it was a limited time magic thing but it keeps popping up. Is this a permanent event now? Just a bunch of random characters that come out? do they take pics/sign books or just mingle or dance or something? where and when is it? Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Itinkso]

I've seen this on a lot of threads. I assumed it was a limited time magic thing but it keeps popping up. Is this a permanent event now? Just a bunch of random characters that come out? do they take pics/sign books or just mingle or dance or something? where and when is it? Sorry for all the questions!

A lot of the talk has been about how Characterpalooza/Surprise Pop-ups Sets may change in the next couple of weeks when the summer scheduling begins. For now, Kenny the Pirate has a very accurate description of what it is and where it can be found:
http://kennythepirate.com/tag/pop-up-surprise/

Times may fluctuate a little depending on how many Fantasmics are scheduled - when two Fants are scheduled the sets appear a little later...the second set has been appearing a little after 5:30. Hope this helps!

 

[Jfsag123]

That link is wonderful, but I still have one question. He has this to say about days with no Fantasmic, which does not seem to be entirely applicable for our situation:

•When there is no Fantasmic, there will be four 30 minute sets at 4:50; 5:20; 5:50 & 6:20 pm. (two groups with two sets each)

We are going on a non-Fantasmic day, but the park will be closing at 6. Does anyone have any knowledge of how such an early close time may affect characterpalooza times? Will they just do the first two sets? Are there still four sets, but earlier in the day? The thing my kids are most excited about this trip is meeting characters, so I want to do my best to catch this.

 

[Itinkso]

That link is wonderful, but I still have one question. He has this to say about days with no Fantasmic, which does not seem to be entirely applicable for our situation:

•When there is no Fantasmic, there will be four 30 minute sets at 4:50; 5:20; 5:50 & 6:20 pm. (two groups with two sets each)

We are going on a non-Fantasmic day, but the park will be closing at 6. Does anyone have any knowledge of how such an early close time may affect characterpalooza times? Will they just do the first two sets? Are there still four sets, but earlier in the day? The thing my kids are most excited about this trip is meeting characters, so I want to do my best to catch this.

It probably won't occur at all because they are the Sets that lead up to Fant for the CMs involved in Fant. Plus, it sounds like you will be there in the Fall when Characterpalooza may be on hiatus. I would advise to wait a few weeks to see how Characterpalooza changes with the new scheduling.

 

[Jfsag123]

It probably won't occur at all because they are the Sets that lead up to Fant for the CMs involved in Fant. Plus,, it sounds like you will be there in the Fall when Characterpalooza may be on hiatus. I would advise to wait a few weeks to see how Characterpalooza changes with the new scheduling.

We actually will be there in three weeks. May 23rd is the specific day I'm talking about. The only reason I'm thinking there will still be Characterpalooza even with no Fantasmic is that Kenny the Pirate lists typical set times specifically for days with no Fantasmic, which suggests that it still does happen regardless of whether or not the show is going in.

 

[jmcghee2024]

We are also there May 23rd. The Dis website is now showing a change of hours for that day...open until 9 and there is Fantasmic.

 

[Itinkso]

Okay, if the park is open until 9:00, then there should be Characterpalooza if the new schedule that begins the second week in May still includes it.

 

[kennythepirate]

I can sum up the current state of Character Palooza: a disaster! I was third in line to see Capt Hook. The attendants were all running around screaming "There is no lines!" Capt Hook just left the area and moved somewhere else. People were just shoving their kids up to get photos. It reminds me of the "good ole days."

I have NO idea who that little girl was on the left with my new bride at the time. Some lady just shoved her in my photo. I wish they would return to organization!

 

[mesaboy2]

I can sum up the current state of Character Palooza: a disaster! I was third in line to see Capt Hook. The attendants were all running around screaming "There is no lines!" Capt Hook just left the area and moved somewhere else. People were just shoving their kids up to get photos. It reminds me of the "good ole days."

I have NO idea who that little girl was on the left with my new bride at the time. Some lady just shoved her in my photo. I wish they would return to organization!

First: that's disappointing to hear.

Second: ROGER RABBIT?????? Cool!

 

[Jfsag123]

Ah! Would love to see Roger Rabbit, but I'm confident that's a thing of the past. All of the other sites (Disneyworld.com, easywdw, touring plans) still show the 23rd as closing at 6 with no Fantasmic. So, if anyone is willing to humor me and give my original question a shot, I would greatly appreciate it. I understand that it is a disaster that may not even happen, but if it were to, best guesses as to when? Anyone actually been there on a day like this? Again, I'm still sticking with the possibility of it happening on a non Fantasmic day because why would Kenny the Pirate list times for non Fantasmic days if it never happened when there was no show?

I'm sure we will have a magical trip regardless and my heart won't be broken if it doesn't happen, but I would really appreciate any info anyone might have. I'm sorry that I just can't let it go - I am super excited for this trip and just trying to gather as much info as I can in the last few weeks before we head out!

Edit: Looks like The Dis is still showing a 6pm closure as well. ??

 

[kennythepirate]

First: that's disappointing to hear.

Second: ROGER RABBIT?????? Cool!

It was 1990

 

[kennythepirate]

Ah! Would love to see Roger Rabbit, but I'm confident that's a thing of the past. All of the other sites (Disneyworld.com, easywdw, touring plans) still show the 23rd as closing at 6 with no Fantasmic. So, if anyone is willing to humor me and give my original question a shot, I would greatly appreciate it. I understand that it is a disaster that may not even happen, but if it were to, best guesses as to when? Anyone actually been there on a day like this? Again, I'm still sticking with the possibility of it happening on a non Fantasmic day because why would Kenny the Pirate list times for non Fantasmic days if it never happened when there was no show?

I'm sure we will have a magical trip regardless and my heart won't be broken if it doesn't happen, but I would really appreciate any info anyone might have. I'm sorry that I just can't let it go - I am super excited for this trip and just trying to gather as much info as I can in the last few weeks before we head out!

Edit: Looks like The Dis is still showing a 6pm closure as well. ??

In the past it has happened when there was no Fantasmic, but not when the park closes at 6pm. It's changing so much right now, that we'll have to wait and see

 

[crazycatlady]

We were at DHS last October when the park closed at 6 and there was no Characterpalooza that day.

 

[mesaboy2]

It was 1990

Oh I know--still cool.

 

[kennythepirate]

Here's a report I just received about Palooza from a reader on my site:

I've done character palooza twice. Both times I sat on the bench in front of the restrooms right in front of Lights, Motors, Action. If you look across you can see the backstage area they come out of, so when they come out, you are the first to know. I happened to discover this by accident one day when I saw the characters exiting while on the end of Catastrophe Canyon. Get there early and wait, and when they come out you can follow them to the Streets of America. I don't know where they come out for the Echo Lake palooza. Both times I saw them at Streets.

Kind of chaotic. Some characters will pose for photos. Some sign autographs. Brief, but a lot of fun seeing characters you don't normally see.

Some of the rarer characters I got photos of include the Queen of Hearts, Hook, Queen Grimhilde (from Snow White), Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Max, Meeko, Gepetto and Pinocchio. I even got a castmember to take photos of me with Hook and Queen Grimhilde last time.

 

[PrincessKida]

Doesn't seem to be happening on Saturdays- I have tried 3 times and all 3 times it has not happened. Checked Echo Lake and Streets from 4-5:30. Nothing.

 

[mm522]

Also anymore rumblings as to what will happen to Characterpalooza when the schedule changes happen in May? Will it still exist or will it disappear?

 

[Jfsag123]

Thanks so much for the responses! We won't count on seeing it.

On another note, my son is convinced he is going to see Roger Rabbit because we have the Disneyland Fun singalong dvd, which he loves. I keep trying to tell him that RR is from when mommy was a child, but I don't think I'm getting through.

 

[kyzman]

I went to DHS last night and waited at Streets of America and then bounced between the streets and lake during the times that either set would be taking place. No characters were out last night. Bummer.

 

[kennythepirate]

Thanks so much for the responses! We won't count on seeing it.

On another note, my son is convinced he is going to see Roger Rabbit because we have the Disneyland Fun singalong dvd, which he loves. I keep trying to tell him that RR is from when mommy was a child, but I don't think I'm getting through.

Let him know that was only Limited Time Magic