Finding characters in DL/DCA

[mom2dzb]

Hey Disneyland experts! I've got a question for you . . .

When I travel with my family we usually hit a few character meals so we don't have to wait in lines for pictures. For my upcoming trip I'm traveling with some of my friends who do not want to eat at buffets but do want to meet characters. So . . .

Where do you find the characters? I'm familiar with Mickey's House, Minnie's House, Pixie Hollow and the Visa Meet and Greet. Any advice for getting through these quickly?

What about other characters that don't have official greets? Any advice for finding them?

 

[DizNee Luver]

You'll find characters on Main Street thru-out the day (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Mary Poppins, Bert.....just to name a few).

You'll also find them in front of the floral Mickey as you enter the gates.

Characters can be found beside the castle at times, up by Thunder Ranch, Buzz sometimes appears over by Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant & stage area. We've also seen Brer Bear & Brer Fox up by Splash Mtn.

Pixie Hollow (hit it early), Princess Fantasy Faire (hit it early), Tangled in Fantasyland (hit it early) & Pooh Corner....pretty much can do anytime of day.

DCA: By the plane by Soarin' has Aviator Minnie & Goofy, Mater & Lighting McQueen was across from Soarin' (but I believe it was moving over by CarsLand somewhere) & you can see assorted characters on Hollywood Backlot. Mickey & Duffy have meet areas by Ariel's Grotto restaurant heading into Paradise Pier.

 

[Mama Who]

We saw Alice and the Hatter and the Tweedles hanging out by the tea cups quite a bit this trip.

 

[specialks]

Check out this thread which has a post included with links to more threads...

DLR Character Thread with further Links

 

[perlster]

As previously stated, there are some good threads in this forum about where to find characters. Without being redundant (I hope) .. here's some info:

Someone wrote that "characters don't walk around", but rather stay in one spot. That is true on Main Street and for the vast majority of characters. However, three characters: Peter Pan, Mad Hatter and Alice sometimes do a "set" without every stopping at any one place for more than a moment. For example, this past Friday, Mad Hatter was "looking for a Jedi" after leaving backstage near Carnation Plaza with Alice tagging along. They went to Pixie Hollow first, then walked about in Fantasyland , and eventually went backstage where they had gone onstage.

Another question that arises is if/when can you see princesses "out and about'. From my experience, your best chance would be to see Snow White by her wishing well. As others have written, princesses sometimes make appearances just inside the Disneyland entrance . There is certainly no schedule listed in the times guide, and no one (who's talking) knows of any time or day when they are guaranteed to be out there.

I was just lucky to see four princesses - and even rarer, a prince, Friday afternoon. You can see them in my flickr photostream

 

[mom2dzb]

Thanks for the advice on where to find characters! As for the meet & greets, any suggestions for getting through them quickly? Any better time of the day than another?

 

[stubby]

Thanks for the advice on where to find characters! As for the meet & greets, any suggestions for getting through them quickly? Any better time of the day than another?

As a PP said...go early. The later you wait the longer the line. We did the fairies right after they opened and waited around 20mins. However we did the PFF later in the day and waited almost an hr.