Epcot Character Connection

[KaryCam]

About how many characters are in the new character connection at a time?
Is it set up like Toontown's Hall of Fame where it is all roped off?

Thanks for any info.

Do you like it better than the bus?

 

[kabbie]

When I was there in Dec 2005, they had one big room with characters standing about 100 feet apart. The characters that were there: Mickey, Goofy, Chip & Dale, Pinocchio & Gideon, and Donald Duck. You would visit with one character and go to the next one.

 

[kabbie]

Do you like it better than the bus?

I would have to say that the Character Connection is far too structured. The bus led to more sponteaous moments like the characters dancing with the kids, etc.

 

[HLAuburn]

Can I ask what the Epcot Character Connection is exactly? And what do you mean by a bus...did they use to ride up in a bus?

Can you tell this will be my first trip with kids!? LOL

Thanks

 

[wtpntigger2]

We were in there on Monday and there was no one in there (except for the characters). As a pp mentioned each character is in their own little section. When we were there it was Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy. Chip & Dale were on an acorn break.

I didn't know this had replaced the holiday bus.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

We had a wonderful experience Dec 15 - 23. We went several times during our trip. The characters were very playful, Donald and Mickey were bothering each other. Goofy took one of my family members cell phone and pretended to call some one. Minnie and Mickey were dancing with each other and us. Chip and Dale played on the floor with a baby (it was really sweet). I think being inside the air conditioning may help the characters be more "playful". The double decker bus was fun to look at, but I prefer the new set up. I can't wait until our March trip!

 

[BethanyF]

Where is this located in the park? And is it permanent....or will it at least be there until the end of March?

 

[KaryCam]

One thing I really liked about the bus is that there were so many (like 10) different characters on it, not just the "regulars." And you could pick and choose which character to see. I am hoping that there is a sign outside telling you which characters are inside.

 

[Mellie2162]

Can I ask what the Epcot Character Connection is exactly? And what do you mean by a bus...did they use to ride up in a bus?

This is the bus.

 

[slp87]

One thing I really liked about the bus is that there were so many (like 10) different characters on it, not just the "regulars." And you could pick and choose which character to see. I am hoping that there is a sign outside telling you which characters are inside.

I totally agree. We were able to see Mushu, Daisy, Dopey, Max, Friar Tuck, Robin Hood, the King from Robin Hood, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Timon, Rafiki, and Baloo on the bus. I wish they would have different characters. There are so many places to see the othes.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

I agree the bus was cool.....however there are some inherit problems with the bus issue....
1. safety of guests and characters because of the moving bus.
2. HEAT for characters - esp. in the summer
3. Proximity of places to take your "acorn break" or "dog bone" break or "go feed Pluto" break.
4. Not as many guests were able to interact with the characters that wanted too....one bus in - one bus out......and a REALLY LONG time before you met any more characters.

By having the set location- you have the ability to see characters almost all day long...and they can rotate in and out of position.

Also- You can find Pooh & Friends and sometimes Poppins in the gift shop in the UK....and I have seen Belle & Beast in France before. And Sometimes Donald (with Sombrero) will be outside of Mexico.

Hope this helps! I am off to the World this morning myself.....I will tell Rafiki Hello for you all.

 

[disgram]

Am so sorry to learn that the bus is gone! My DGGs were able to meet so many different characters and they were thrilled. Can someone tell us where the Character Connection is? Am taking another group in August and would like for them to meet my "extended family"!!

 

[liamsaunt]

We had a great time at the character connection in December. My dsis and I took my niece aged 4 in (my nephew wante to go play the video games at innoventions with Uncle John instead of meeting the characters). It worked out great because it was not crowded, and also my dniece was able to skip meeting those characters she was afraid of. When we were there, it was Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Donald, Mary Poppins, Hook and Smee, Baloo, Pinnochio, and erm, someone I did not recognize!

I thought all of the characters took their time and had fun with the kids, as well as with the adults. For example, Goofy got down on the floor with my niece, Mickey snuck up behind me while I was taking a picture and "kissed" the back of my neck (I jumped about a foot), Minnie "fought" with my sister over her Red Sox hat, Pluto chased my niece around...it was really nice.

Location-wise, character connection is right next to innoventions, behind the fountain bakery.

 

[Matt]

On a side street/alley near American Adventure you can run into the rarer characters. In November, we saw Daisy Duck, The Country Bears, Baloo, and many more there while the standard ones were in the Character connection.

 

[angel's momma]

On a side street/alley near American Adventure you can run into the rarer characters. In November, we saw Daisy Duck, The Country Bears, Baloo, and many more there while the standard ones were in the Character connection.

Matt, did you just happen upon this location, or was it on the Times Guide or posted on the event sign in the pavillion? This is the first time I've read about characters in that location.

 

[Matt]

Matt, did you just happen upon this location, or was it on the Times Guide or posted on the event sign in the pavillion? This is the first time I've read about characters in that location.

Well, I was at Epcot the first day they began the new Character Connections. So, I just assumed this would be a normal thing. We were walking around in the mid afternoon and the characters were just walking out. I don't think it's on the map.