Characterpalooza

[mommycal]

so on our HS day can we ask any CM before 2pm (only fantasmic @ 6:30)exactly where to go or is it a secret type thing? So according to Kenny the only day of Palooza is Nov 1st for that week. ANY hope of it happening on other days? FINGERS CROSSED!!

 

[Yonich2501]

Thank you both for your responses! You two are the two most helpful ppl on the board!!

 

[Itinkso]

so on our HS day can we ask any CM before 2pm (only fantasmic @ 6:30)exactly where to go or is it a secret type thing?

The CMs won't say anything and most probably don't know it's moved to the ToT exit area. Just be in the area a little before 2:00 and wait near the gates - there is a Joffrey Coffee cart in that area.

Thank you both for your responses! You two are the two most helpful ppl on the board!!

You're welcome! I hope it works out for you. Be sure to head to the characters quickly because they only stay out for 15-20 minutes at the most.

 

[Cynthia1215]

Hi. We are planning to be in HS on Nov 18th. I understand that it is uncertain if it will take place, but just to keep a hole in my plan in case...

There are 2 F! scheduled with the last being at 8pm. However, we have a 50's PT ADR at 3:05. Based on your knowledge of past schedules, is it even an option for us and if so at what time?

Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

Hi. We are planning to be in HS on Nov 18th. I understand that it is uncertain if it will take place, but just to keep a hole in my plan in case...

There are 2 F! scheduled with the last being at 8pm. However, we have a 50's PT ADR at 3:05. Based on your knowledge of past schedules, is it even an option for us and if so at what time?

Thanks!

If it were still occurring on the 18th, with two Fants, Palooza would only be at 3:30. With your ADR time, you would miss it.

The Palooza characters are on Steamboat Willie at the end of Fant. They will wave to you if you wave to them... not the same as Palooza but because few guests wave at them, they will definitely wave in return.

 

[Yonich2501]

The CMs won't say anything and most probably don't know it's moved to the ToT exit area. Just be in the area a little before 2:00 and wait near the gates - there is a Joffrey Coffee cart in that area.

You're welcome! I hope it works out for you. Be sure to head to the characters quickly because they only stay out for 15-20 minutes at the most.

Awesome!!! I got it added to my itinerary!!!

 

[Zhaan]

What about on days when there is no Fantasmic scheduled?

 

[mesaboy2]

What about on days when there is no Fantasmic scheduled?

These are pretty rare. My recollection is on those days there is no Palooza.

 

[crystalsmom1021]

Ok Just a quick rant. I was so disappointed on our trip the week of 10/12. I had read about Character Palooza at Hollywood Studios. Had it figured into my plans and everything. Every thing I read said it was done on Streets of America. When we showed up around 3 there was nothing there. When did this move over to TOT? I ask a vendor that had been working there for 5 years and he said that he had never heard of it. Thought I was just CRAZY at the time but I guess I wasn't. This was on the top of my list of things to do at Hollywood Studios. Left disappointed that day.

 

[Zhaan]

These are pretty rare. My recollection is on those days there is no Palooza.

One of the 2 days I'll be at HS has no Fantasmic.

 

[KimBean]

Ok Just a quick rant. I was so disappointed on our trip the week of 10/12. I had read about Character Palooza at Hollywood Studios. Had it figured into my plans and everything. Every thing I read said it was done on Streets of America. When we showed up around 3 there was nothing there. When did this move over to TOT? I ask a vendor that had been working there for 5 years and he said that he had never heard of it. Thought I was just CRAZY at the time but I guess I wasn't. This was on the top of my list of things to do at Hollywood Studios. Left disappointed that day.

I don't know exactly when it was changed by I know in 2012 it was at SofA. I have NEVER seen it and have known about it for years. Used to be near Animation Academy at some point and we practically live there while at DHS and never ran across it.

It baffles my mind how CM's don't know about it. In fact, I wonder if it is an act? Like its supposed to fly under the radar and not have swamps of people there so they are told to play dumb?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Ok Just a quick rant. I was so disappointed on our trip the week of 10/12. I had read about Character Palooza at Hollywood Studios. Had it figured into my plans and everything. Every thing I read said it was done on Streets of America. When we showed up around 3 there was nothing there. When did this move over to TOT? I ask a vendor that had been working there for 5 years and he said that he had never heard of it. Thought I was just CRAZY at the time but I guess I wasn't. This was on the top of my list of things to do at Hollywood Studios. Left disappointed that day.

I don't know exactly when it was changed by I know in 2012 it was at SofA. I have NEVER seen it and have known about it for years. Used to be near Animation Academy at some point and we practically live there while at DHS and never ran across it.

It baffles my mind how CM's don't know about it. In fact, I wonder if it is an act? Like its supposed to fly under the radar and not have swamps of people there so they are told to play dumb?

In October 2012, it was in the Animation Building. By October 2013, it had moved to the Streets of America, and now it has moved again.

If you use the term "Characterpalooza" no one will know what you're talking about. That's the term the Disney fan base uses. Some CMs may call it the "PM Set" and I think there's also another term for it (that Itinkso has used) as well.

Because it's unadvertised and supposed to be a suprise, the CMs who do know about it likely won't confirm it for you until you see characters walking out from backstage (and even then they might deny it!). The closest CM confirmation we've gotten is a wink and a statement that "Maybe some extra characters might be coming out soon." But that's about it. I wouldn't expect a food vendor to know about it unless they'd witnessed it happening.

 

[KimBean]

In October 2012, it was in the Animation Building. By October 2013, it had moved to the Streets of America, and now it has moved again.

If you use the term "Characterpalooza" no one will know what you're talking about. That's the term the Disney fan base uses. Some CMs may call it the "PM Set" and I think there's also another term for it (that Itinkso has used) as well.

Because it's unadvertised and supposed to be a suprise, the CMs who do know about it likely won't confirm it for you until you see characters walking out from backstage (and even then they might deny it!). The closest CM confirmation we've gotten is a wink and a statement that "Maybe some extra characters might be coming out soon." But that's about it. I wouldn't expect a food vendor to know about it unless they'd witnessed it happening.

I've never asked anyone. Just commenting on other people's post. I don't know how I know about SofA since I didn't go in 2013. But, I went in Dec of 2012 so maybe everyone was already reporting the new location for 2013. I've never seen it, but I attribute that to going in Nov-Dec my last 4 trips. Still hoping they hold it over this Dec!!

 

[Itinkso]

Ok Just a quick rant. I was so disappointed on our trip the week of 10/12. I had read about Character Palooza at Hollywood Studios. Had it figured into my plans and everything. Every thing I read said it was done on Streets of America. When we showed up around 3 there was nothing there. When did this move over to TOT? I ask a vendor that had been working there for 5 years and he said that he had never heard of it. Thought I was just CRAZY at the time but I guess I wasn't. This was on the top of my list of things to do at Hollywood Studios. Left disappointed that day.

Palooza/PM Sets/Fant Sets moved to the ToT exit area when Frozen Sing Along was extended indefinitely and Osborne Lights were put into place in September. It follows a basic formula for running and won't occur if the weather is bad or lightning is predicted. Because they are the Fantasmic show CMs, they follow the same safety guidelines for protection and to ensure the show goes on that evening,

One of the 2 days I'll be at HS has no Fantasmic.

Palooza will definitely not occur if Fantasmic is not scheduled. All the Fantasmic CMs get scheduled elsewhere for that day.

 

[ariane37]

Because it's unadvertised and supposed to be a suprise, the CMs who do know about it likely won't confirm it for you until you see characters walking out from backstage (and even then they might deny it!). The closest CM confirmation we've gotten is a wink and a statement that "Maybe some extra characters might be coming out soon." But that's about it. I wouldn't expect a food vendor to know about it unless they'd witnessed it happening.

We FINALLY caught Characterpalooza (twice!) in August after trying unsuccessfully (twice) in Feb. The 2nd time this past Aug. we were waiting on the sidewalk, right next to 2 PP CM's. Even though we were in the same place we'd caught it 3 days prior I had been wondering if it would definitely happen that day, and seeing those PP CM's was my clue that it would. There's nothing else going on there, why else would they be hanging out I didn't bother asking them b/c I was aware they'd most likely not confirm. However, twice other guests asked them if something was about to happen - a parade or something maybe?- and both times the CM's just said, "no, nothing is scheduled to happen here". Another family specifically asked about Characterpalooza and were told, very nicely, that they were never sure if or when that would occur. You could tell some guests, like us, just "knew" and were parked there waiting, while others were walking slowly down the street looking all around, a bit confused, watching those of us who were standing still and wondering why we were hanging out lol.
Anyway I believe as jtowntoflorida said, some CM's likely aren't aware of it and those that are may be instructed to try to keep "the secret" so it stays somewhat a surprise, and also so people don't come to expect it if for some reason it cannot or does not occur.

 

[Berlioz70]

...Every thing I read said it was done on Streets of America. When we showed up around 3 there was nothing there. When did this move over to TOT? I ask a vendor that had been working there for 5 years and he said that he had never heard of it.

If you use the term "Characterpalooza" no one will know what you're talking about. That's the term the Disney fan base uses. Some CMs may call it the "PM Set" and I think there's also another term for it (that Itinkso has used) as well.

THIS

The PM Sets (sometimes known as Fant sets) have been moving around the park for years.

• When I first started character hunting, they alternated between the park entrance and the hat, I'm not sure when they started there.
• Then they went to the Animation Building in Sept 2009. Some of the characters would pop up on Pixar Place (such as Jessie and GAM)
• They were there until an experiment at Echo Lake in Sept 2012.
• Then they headed to Streets of America later in 2012.
• The sets were moved to Tower at the end of Sept this year.

Which each movement, I've see some characters go and others added into the rotation.

 

[Itinkso]

I have been doing massive research about this since finding out it existed. Kenny The Pirate doesn't have it projected after Nov1 and in years past it has stopped with daylight savings time. It does appear that many different people across several message boards are speculating that it may continue past Nov 1 but it appears to be wishful thinking. Kind of a bummer for us, our first day in the studios is Nov 2.

Updating again... Not sure how long you will be in the parks but Palooza will still be occurring at least through November 9th.

 

[vfalkner]

Updating again... Not sure how long you will be in the parks but Palooza will still be occurring at least through November 9th.

Does this mean on Nov 9th also? We are going on the 9th and I will definitely rework my plan to be there around 3:30! If we go to the 3:00 Beauty and the Beast (out at 3:30) will we get to Palooza in time or is that too late?

Thanks for the update.

 

[Itinkso]

Does this mean on Nov 9th also? We are going on the 9th and I will definitely rework my plan to be there around 3:30! If we go to the 3:00 Beauty and the Beast (out at 3:30) will we get to Palooza in time or is that too late? Thanks for the update.

Yes, for November 9th. Beauty is very close to the ToT exit area so head out of the show as quickly as possible.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

We made it today (at 3:30 with fantastic at 6:30 and 8:00) and saw Snow White, Evil Queen, Chip and Dale, Mulan, Pocahontas, Jasmine, and Tianna. This was a fantastic experience. Thanks for all of the tips. We are going again on Thursday!