FastPass or VIP options for Character Meets?

[Prince_Hawkins]

My apologies if this was already covered someplace in the various FAQs threads and I'd missed it somehow. I'm only a three-time past Disneyland guest, so I don't have nearly the breadth of knowledge that most of you have when it comes to the parks.

My next Disney visit date is TBD, but I'll want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck...

When it comes to the Character Meet-and-Greets, is there any expedited option comparable to FastPass or a VIP package, so I can maximize the number of characters within a park on a given date whom I can meet?

To clarify:

I've done the Princess Faire at Disneyland, and I'm aware of Fairy Grotto too. So I already know about those options.

I've never done a Character Meal, but that's definitely something I want to do if/when I can finally visit WDW.

I don't care about rides or shows (with the exception of Fantasmic). My main thrill, from my future Disney trip, will be getting to have memorable character interactions to videotape/photograph (since I would be with a group rather than it being a solo trip).

So, is there any sort of VIP-style package I can purchase in any of the parks that guarantee me character meetings during an allotted amount of time?

Or is my only option going to City Hall early and finding out who is tentatively scheduled to be appearing where...and then arrange my itinerary accordingly?

 

[DisMommyTX]

Lots of characters have FP available for advance booking at WDW. Mickey and Minnie in every park (different outfits), as well as Princesses and Tinker bell at MK
Lots of others have designated meeting spots in each park, and arriving 5 min in advance will allow you to see most in 10 min or less.

There are lots of character locator websites online but Kenny's or Touring plans have always been my go-to for advance planning (each has a fee for a year subscription but all of the research and and info they have compiled is more than worth $10 to me!) When you arrive, exact times for most characters will be listed in the park schedule. The character handlers are often very helpful if you are looking for specific characters not listed.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

My apologies if this was already covered someplace in the various FAQs threads and I'd missed it somehow. I'm only a three-time past Disneyland guest, so I don't have nearly the breadth of knowledge that most of you have when it comes to the parks.

My next Disney visit date is TBD, but I'll want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck...

When it comes to the Character Meet-and-Greets, is there any expedited option comparable to FastPass or a VIP package, so I can maximize the number of characters within a park on a given date whom I can meet?

To clarify:

I've done the Princess Faire at Disneyland, and I'm aware of Fairy Grotto too. So I already know about those options.

I've never done a Character Meal, but that's definitely something I want to do if/when I can finally visit WDW.

I don't care about rides or shows (with the exception of Fantasmic). My main thrill, from my future Disney trip, will be getting to have memorable character interactions to videotape/photograph (since I would be with a group rather than it being a solo trip).

So, is there any sort of VIP-style package I can purchase in any of the parks that guarantee me character meetings during an allotted amount of time?

Or is my only option going to City Hall early and finding out who is tentatively scheduled to be appearing where...and then arrange my itinerary accordingly?

There are character greets in each park that have a FP option tied to them. In MK, it's the Princesses (Tiana and Rapunzel then Elena and Cinderella), Mickey and Minnie then Tink in her own room have FPs.
In EPCOT it's Meet Disney Pals at the Character Spot...that's Mickey and his gang.
In AK it's the Adventurer's Outpost with Mickey, Minnie, and I believe Donald and Goofy

There are tons of other character greets, but these are the ones tied to FP which will give you optimal time since you're avoiding the standby lines. If you download the MDE app, it has the option of showing you where all the characters are in the parks. If you time it correctly, you can probably be close to the front of the line every time. My son and I are looking to meet a lot of characters this trip. We want to meet ALL the "live" characters in the World Showcases: Anna/Elsa--Norway, Jasmine--Morocco, Mulan--China, Snow White--Germany, Belle--France, Alice--UK, Princess Aurora--France. With the app, my son and I can time it around the world and be pretty doggone successful. You can also specifically meet Donald in Mexico which we will, but if we've got him at AK or MK, we won't worry too much if we miss him.

Let me know if I can help any other way.

 

[Prince_Hawkins]

S

When you arrive, exact times for most characters will be listed in the park schedule. The character handlers are often very helpful if you are looking for specific characters not listed.

So it the best rule-of-thumb to head to City Hall first thing in search of the listing, when character meetings are my priority?

 

[mom2rtk]

If you're really into characters, check out Kenny the Pirate's site.