Character Bus - Epcot

[Maddle]

When we were at Epcot November 2002, a double decker busload of characters came to the point where Future World and World Showcase meet. This was a scheduled event in the mid-morning. (We were told what time to expect them.) Lots of characters, who spread out for greet/autographs/photos with the guests, then piled back on the bus. Does anyone know if this still occurs?

Thanks
Maddle

 

[Cinderella37]

When we were there in July 2003 it was still occuring - it's a great way to get pictures. Every time we've "met the bus," we've been able to get every character's picture.

 

[dahirsh]

As of this past week it was still happening

Deb

 

[Maddle]

When did it come through, and is it always the same time? Thanks. MJ

 

[Ted and Holly]

Holly says she saw it yesterday on her way in to meet me. It was around 4:00pm.

Ted

 

[meeko_33785]

Here is the current schedule from Steve Soares' WDW Entertainment Site

Future World Pin Central: Daily at 9:05am
Spaceship Earth: Daily at 10:10am
Showcase Plaza: Daily at 11:15am, 2:05 (Not Thursdays), 3:10 & 4:15pm
Japan: Daily at 12:20pm

Times and locations can change (I know they usually don't have the bus back in Japan during Christmastime), so the best thing to do is to check the entertainment schedule that you get with your park map for times and locations when you enter. It's called "Disney Characters On Holiday" and is always listed in the entertainment schedule.

 

[meeko_33785]

Drats. A double post.

 

[rangebob]

This is what is on today's time sheet:

Disney Characters on Holiday
Pin Central (Daily) 9:05
Spaceship Earth (Daily) 10:10 am
Japan (Daily) 12:20

Characters from the Disney Classics
Morocco, France & UK (No Tuesday) intermittently from 12:00 pm until 7:20 pm
Tuesday Intermittently from 1:00 pm until 7:20 pm

 

[Maddle]

Thank you all so very much - that is exactly what we needed. We won't be there until mid-January, but at least we'll have a rough idea. My Sweet Niece was enthralled with the experience, and we're looking forward to seeing it again.

By the way - I just loved that Steve Soares site - it was just chock full of information!

Maddle

 

[jeankeri]

Where exactly are Pin Central and Showcase Plaza ?

 

[meeko_33785]

Pin Central is the area behind Spaceship Earth by the tip board (between Innoventions East and West). Showcase Plaza is the area between Canada and Mexico at the entrance to World Showcase.

 

[jeankeri]

Thanks! Do you know if either area is more crowded than the other?

 

[meeko_33785]

I would say that Showcase Plaza is the more crowded area of the two. Because they usually do their meet-and-greet there right when the park opens, there are not that many people in the park and lines for the characters are usually either very short or non-exhistant. The Showcase Plaza meet-and-greets are latter in the day when the park is more full, so the lines are a good degree longer then.

 

[Cinderella37]

Even in July, World Showcase Plaza was almost empty for Character Caravan. I assume it's due to the location - most people are either in World Showcase or in Future World.