Character M&G info

CapnJacksGirl

Mom to two little scalliwags!
Joined
Oct 25, 2006
Messages
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I know that character M&G can be a lot less regimented at DL than WDW but is there anywhere to find out what characters are regularly in a certain spot and when? I see on the maps that there is a red square with a Mickey hand pointing to character meeting spots with a note that says 'see Times Guide for hours.' Anyone have a recent Times Guide? :)

Also, which characters are currently appearing at Surf's Up breakfast at PCH Grill? We have reservations there, particularly for Stitch. My 4 YO nephew absolutely HAS to see Pluto so any advice on running into him is appreciated!

Thanks everyone!
 
I know that character M&G can be a lot less regimented at DL than WDW but is there anywhere to find out what characters are regularly in a certain spot and when? I see on the maps that there is a red square with a Mickey hand pointing to character meeting spots with a note that says 'see Times Guide for hours.' Anyone have a recent Times Guide? :)

Also, which characters are currently appearing at Surf's Up breakfast at PCH Grill? We have reservations there, particularly for Stitch. My 4 YO nephew absolutely HAS to see Pluto so any advice on running into him is appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

Stitch and Pluto are both at Mickey's Surfs Up, as is Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. IMO Surfs Up has the best interaction between characters and guests. You'll have a blast!

Honestly the best source right now for character locations and hours is the Disneyland App. In our experience it's been pretty accurate, but I know others have had issues with it's time windows. Throughout the day it lists characters and the times they're set to appear (note if a character's scheduled time is not close to the current time, they may not show up on the list, but they'll reappear as their scheduled window gets closer). We were looking for Frollo but I didn't notice him in the character list on the app, but we were able to meet him as he was roaming around Fantasyland yesterday. (edit: I just checked the app and it does indeed list Frollo. I must have been blind yesterday).
 
This whole characters-roaming-freely thing is totally bizarre to me! Don't get me wrong.... I think it's wonderful, but having only been to WDW, it is a totally foreign concept! We occasionally see characters and their handlers walking from a backstage area to their meeting spot, and it's really funny how they become like the Pied Piper, with people following them to wherever they are headed, not being able to stop them for a photo or autograph, and then getting to the assigned spot to find an already-formed line. I honestly won't know what to do if I see a character at DL! Do I dare talk to them?!? I will feel like I'm breaking some unwritten Disney law! I really hope I can un-learn some of my WDW etiquette and schedule-following when we arrive at DL. Truth be told, it sounds like heaven!
 
When you arrive at DL, you can go to City Hall and they will let you know when and where the characters will be throughout the day. For the most part, of course there are those roaming characters that don't just stand in one spot, like Peter Pan.
 

This whole characters-roaming-freely thing is totally bizarre to me! Don't get me wrong.... I think it's wonderful, Truth be told, it sounds like heaven!

LOL! It is nice to just happen upon a character. The last time we were at the parks we saw Captain Hook in Fantasyland. We'd only ever seen him at Minnie's breakfast before. It was nice to see him and my daughter was so happy to get a picture with him.

Pluto is easy to find. He is on Buena Vista street and in Toon Town. He's also often at the front of the park.
 
The new "DISNEYLAND" app for smartphones has a "characters" tab on the map screen that creates a mickey face over areas of the park that currently have characters. Touch on the mickey head, and a list pops up of the characters in that area. Haven't been to the park yet to test out how accurate it is, but it looks pretty legit.
 
It's in the Disney app, but this info I found on fb from Perlster Pix helps a bit even though the info is related to Photopass.

*First, if you are fan of any of the following characters, some bad news:
My experience is that - even though they are commonly seen -
you will have no chance of getting Photopass shots with:
Alice, Mad Hatter, Peter Pan, Bert, Mary Poppins, Captain Hook,
Fairy Godmother, and [Snow / Evil] Queen Grimhilde.

*At the park entrance, it's very common to see a photographer taking
pictures of guests in front of the floral Mickey. However, when princesses
are in the area - usually to the right of the floral Mickey - I have never seen a photographer with them

*Taking into account the exceptions above, when a character is holding
a meet 'n greet session in Town Square, a photographer is generally present.

*At Fantasy Faire, Merida and Rapunzel greet guests outside.
A photographer should be there, but occasionally has showed up
late or been absent from an early meet 'n greet session.

*Inside the Royal Hall at Fantasy Faire, a photographer is present
with each princess you meet.

*One or more photographers are often taking pictures of guests in the
forecourt of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

*Photographers are always present in Pixie Hollow.

*Captain America and Thor have a temporary meet 'n greet
location across from Innoventions, against the building with the satellite
gear on top. You can expect photographers to be there.

*I haven't seen this myself, but a photographer supposed to be at each Jedi Training Academy session in Tomorrowland.

*From what I've seen, there are very few photographers in Disneyland Park that aren't always assigned to a fixed location (generally with characters).
Here are some exceptions I've noted: A photographer is occasionally
just inside Fantasy Faire - on the path nearest the castle. The other
places you may find such an unattached photographer are at the wishing
well or further down the right side path around the castle.

*However, when a character (usually Aurora now) is at Snow White's
wishing well, no photographer will be present.

*No photographer will be taking pictures when a character is meeting
guests in front of the Dumbo organ.

*When characters are seen in front of back drops at Big Thunder Ranch
Jamboree, a photographer should be present at each location. If characters are roaming about the area, no photographers will accompany them. [It now looks like BTRJ will be closed permanently soon and these appearances are in the past.]

*Expect to find a Photopass photographer when Jack Skellington and Sally
appear in New Orleans Square during Halloween Time.

*Also during Halloween Time, one or two photographers are often stationed at the pumpkin Mickey in Town Square.

I am less certain of the likelihood of a photographer being present
at the final three locations:

*Woody and Jesse can be seen during meet 'n greet sessions at Big
Thunder Ranch, just outside - and to the left of - the Jamboree entrance.
This will be a "maybe" until I have more chances to see the two
characters here (or if other visitors can add their observations)

*Aladdin, Jasmine, and/or Genie used to meet inside Aladdin's Oasis,
but now greet guests just outside, to the left of the entrance.
Before, this would have been a definite "no", but it seems now that a
photographer is often (if not always) present.

*Tiana meets in New Orleans Square - the usual location is on a sort of
elevated platform near the French Market, toward the Rivers of America.
I'm considering this to be a "probable" location to find photographers.
[She may not appear during Halloween Time since Jack Skellington and Sally meet guests in the same place.]

Reports of your own experiences with Photopass photographers in
Disneyland Park are welcome in the comments. This post will be updated
as my own future observations and other new information allow.
 
That is all so helpful, thank you!!

Watchtower, I just checked out the app. I hadn't looked at the app very closely yet but I know now to familiarize myself with that more before we go. Very helpful!

texasgingerbread, thanks for the photographer info. I have to admit that I giggled out loud a little bit when I saw the bit about Captain America. Yep, I'm, well old enough to not have crushes on super heroes, but dang I have a crush on Captain America. If they are around, I will no doubt totally embarrass my kids. Another bonus!! :-)
 
Just to clarify-- the app doesn't track free-roaming characters, does it? It only tracks characters who have a set meeting place, like Tiana, Think, Woody & Jessie, etc. It's not going to track, say, Peter Pan randomly showing up in FL.
 
Mousequake, I've seen Peter pan pop up on the map on the pathway between the Matterhorn and the castle.
 
Just to clarify-- the app doesn't track free-roaming characters, does it? It only tracks characters who have a set meeting place, like Tiana, Think, Woody & Jessie, etc. It's not going to track, say, Peter Pan randomly showing up in FL.
It might say that he'll be in FL from 1-2, but it would say what his 15 min on/15 min off will be, or where specifically he will stop in FL. And sometimes they're not really in the land, like on the Main St side of the castle instead.
This whole characters-roaming-freely thing is totally bizarre to me! Don't get me wrong.... I think it's wonderful, but having only been to WDW, it is a totally foreign concept! We occasionally see characters and their handlers walking from a backstage area to their meeting spot, and it's really funny how they become like the Pied Piper, with people following them to wherever they are headed, not being able to stop them for a photo or autograph, and then getting to the assigned spot to find an already-formed line. I honestly won't know what to do if I see a character at DL! Do I dare talk to them?!? I will feel like I'm breaking some unwritten Disney law! I really hope I can un-learn some of my WDW etiquette and schedule-following when we arrive at DL. Truth be told, it sounds like heaven!
That's not really how it works at DL either. They can't just stop and take a picture or sign an autograph when moving to their spot. They can't block walkways or intersections, so 99% of the time they aren't going to stop because the crowd swarms too quickly. Usually you'll see them walking around, but really going towards a spot where a line can form. They might not have an escort and will manage their own line, but it's still pretty formal. If they were out previously or another character was out there may already be people waiting in an line when they stop. The lines aren't controlled with chains, but sometimes there is tape on the ground.
 
Just a note... Goofy does not usually appear at Surf's up. As far as I know, he only goes to his own breakfast at DLH. Daisy is the fifth character at Surf's up.

We must have been there a few weeks ago on a lucky day. Goofy was there in his old DCA attire (Aloha shirt, sun hat and shorts).
 
Note that the photographers only take pictures of Tink, not her friend (if she has one).

The last two times we were at DLR, we met Tink & her friend together (Tink & Rosetta twice, and Tink & Fawn), with the PP photographer. He made sure to get shots with my girls with each fairy separately, and all together.
 
Not true. I have many PhotoPass pictures with Periwinkle and Rosetta.

The last two times we were at DLR, we met Tink & her friend together (Tink & Rosetta twice, and Tink & Fawn), with the PP photographer. He made sure to get shots with my girls with each fairy separately, and all together.
Huh. I have never seen a PhotoPass person with Tink's friend. Phooey.
 
We must have been there a few weeks ago on a lucky day. Goofy was there in his old DCA attire (Aloha shirt, sun hat and shorts).
Goofy, Donald in DCA outfit, and Max have all been there at times when Ive been there as alternates.

Ive also heard of the chipmunks making a rare appearance, but never seen a pic.
 


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