Meeting Merida Strategy in MK?

[Arden01]

Meeting Merida is a must-do for my 9 year old daughters. All the advice I've read online seems to be before A&E hoopla and the 7DMT opening. We are visiting MK for a week in late Aug and lower crowds are predicted. What's the best time to meet her-morning, afternoon? What are the current waits like? I've heard she's popular, but has that died down now with A&E? Do you need to head to Merida right after RD or are the waits relatively ok until about 10:30? We are also planning on FPP for A&E somewhere during our trip. We have three days planned for MK-one day is RD (mid-afternoon break and going back in evening), on another we have an pre-park ADR (8:25), and one day is an afternoon arrival. Any advice appreciated. TIA.

 

[kprena19]

Merida is where the step sisters used to be. right on the edge of fantasy land kind of. It's next to cosmic rays. Her line is about average. We were walking into fantasy land one day and she just happened to come out as we were passing by. If I remember correctly, she was out during the morning. We saw her just as her movie was coming out a few years ago. There was a line of about maybe 8-10 people. Nothing like the lines for Anna and Elsa. Being able to see her shouldn't be a big hassle for you and your family, especially if you're going during a low crowd time. Someone please correct me if I am mistaken. I wish you guys the best of luck! Hope I was helpful in some way.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Merida is where the step sisters used to be. right on the edge of fantasy land kind of. It's next to cosmic rays. Her line is about average. We were walking into fantasy land one day and she just happened to come out as we were passing by. If I remember correctly, she was out during the morning. We saw her just as her movie was coming out a few years ago. There was a line of about maybe 8-10 people. Nothing like the lines for Anna and Elsa. Being able to see her shouldn't be a big hassle for you and your family, especially if you're going during a low crowd time. Someone please correct me if I am mistaken. I wish you guys the best of luck! Hope I was helpful in some way.

I don't remember the step sisters ever being in Merida's location (previously it was Belle's Storytime and then the Rapunzel meet/ greet area.

In any case to get there I would go right at RD - her first meeting time (in my experience but do check Kenny the Pirates site to be sure) is 9:15. Go on a non-EMH (morning) day - if you go on an EMH day folks will start lining up earlier to see her. When RD is at 9 am you have a great shot of getting into the first meeting set. Ideally you want to head for the castle (with the crowd) but take the path that is immediately to the right of the castle (from the hub) sort of like you are heading directly for the Tea Cups.
After you cross that bridge her meeting area is on the left before the Wishing Well (Cosmic Rays is on the right).

I said "ideally" because when we were there in May there was a CM blocking that path (presumably to prevent people from circling that way to get to A & E and then running) - so we had to go through the castle - make an immediate right and then walk past the Wishing Well to get to Merida. They did open up the 'normal' route after the initial rush had gone by (we walk fast).

If you get there close to 9 (ie going directly from RD and you walk quickly) you'll be in/ out of there before 9:30 - we're quick and usually the first or 2nd family and done by 9:20. We love meeting Merida she's wonderful.

 

[SillySallySews]

Last year meeting Merida was a must for our girls. We just got in line one afternoon and waited. The line seemed long but from the time we jumped in until she was signing their autograph books was maybe 20 minutes. It moved quick. Once you actually get inside the M&G area it's shaded and there are activities to do while waiting. If it were me I'd probably do it on the day you'll be there at RD or after the early ADR simply to beat the afternoon heat.

 

[jeffbear]

While we were there the second week in May the wait times for Merida were in the 20-30 minute range. It's easy enough to knock off during your lunch break or whatever. I wouldn't stress over it or plan around it.