One more week! Also, Merida/Pixie Hollow question.

[NorthernCalMom]

I'm so excited! We'll be driving down a week from now. I got lots of snacks that don't need refrigeration, Ridemax plans, interesting stuff for the kids for the drive down, etc. I also found a very compact "Finding Waldo" travel edition so the little ones can keep themselves busy when waiting in line (they announced that they want to chat with Merida). Anybody waited for her? How long was the wait, when does she start, when does she leave, and is there any time that's better than others? Also, somebody mentioned a while back that Pixie Hollow opened at 8am, when they were there. Anybody know if that's still the case? I was trying to find character schedules online but no luck.

Edited to add:
We also got pink sunhats for me and the girls, which I prettied up for the occasion. My girls' have "Princess" rhinestone/glitter appliques on it, and mine says "Queen."

 

[mystic_path]

There will be schedules at the park gates telling you what time Pixie Hollow opens. I dont recall exactly but I remember once going down there around 9am after park opening and getting in line.

As for Merida I am curious too cause I have full plans to go meet her. But from a few sources here on the Dis I have read that you should go to her meet and greet area right as the park opens. She's in Fantasyland in front of It's a small world just before you round the bend to go into Toon Town. She really takes her time with each guest, and for that the wait in line can get quite long. But once you meet her you understand why and feel that it was worth the wait. From the videos I have watched of her on You Tube I can say YES she takes her time and has a bit of a chat with you and or with you plays a game of hide and seek with the bears.

 

[Jkpark]

We met Merida (didn't do Pixie Hollow this trip). Here was our experience. We had EE and the Matterhorn was down. We knocked out most of FL and at 7:40 we went for coffees/snacks. DH left for DCA to get RSR FPs and I took DD4 and DD6 towards IASM. there was no rope but a CM holding people as ToonTown and IASM were closed. I asked her where I should get in line but she didn't know. She was more there to lead people in to Toon Town. At 8 we walked over to the Brave area across from IASM and there wasn't a sign telling me where the line started so the girls stood at a sign that read Meet Merida. While standing there another man walked by and kind of looked at us while I was saying out loud I wasn't sure where to wait. Anyway - I went to put something in the stroller and this man was standing at another spot. I asked him if that was the start of the line and he said yes. He had been here the day before and left after waiting 30 minutes. I was a little frustrated he couldn't have told me that when he walked by earlier - but oh well. I moved my girls and we were second in line at around 8:05. So go all the way around to where the hay and big display is and stand just to the right of that (when looking at it). CMs started arriving at 8:20. Merida showed at exactly 8:30. At this point there were probably 10 families in line. She spent 3-5 minutes with the girl in front of us and then us (I should add the man in front of me was joined by his wife and daughter - it wasn't just him wanting to meet Merida) . She spoke with them, posed shooting an imaginary bow an arrow, it was cute and she was great! My girls who are usually chatty with characters froze - try were awestruck - so cute! There is coloring set up while you wait in line, but being 2nd we didn't need that. After meeting her, another CM helps the kids (and adults if they want) shoot a bow and arrow - great pictures! Hope this helps!
I should note DH was able to get FP for RSR, get back to DL, get Star Tours FP and meet us to take pics just as Merida arrived. Woo Hoo!

 

[dlinne]

When I was there a couple of weeks ago Pixie Hollow was opening at 8am. I think Merida opened at 9am but i can't remember for sure. I know that Rapunzel was open at 11am. Rapunzel and Merida were the 2 longest lines we stood in (30-40 min each). Tinker Bell was quick because we got there at 8am and only had a few families ahead of us.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

in may my first stop was midira and she wasnt there till 830 so we rode isw forst got in line waited 10mins then boom met her had fun shot bow and got pics. Then on ee mat 8am pixi hollow opened we were in line 3mins before ee ended and saw her in 15mins fun times all around

 

[mysteriouspnai]

We met Merida during Memorial Day weekend as a group of 3 adults. I definitely noticed she spent way more time with the children than she did with our group, basically pointing to her bears, and "Let's take a picture!" and sent us on our way. I was very disappointed with her character interaction, and I'm hoping for better the next time I go to see her. The wait to see her was about 30 min and we got in line about 15 min before the end of her day.

 

[NorthernCalMom]

Thank you so much for the detailed information! This is really helpful. I'll report back after our trip how it went. Fortunately, I negotiated with my girls that we won't have to wait for Rapunzel this time around. Last year, we did, and it was a 1.5 wait, regardless of when you would get in line (mostly without shade). They loved seeing her, though, and we got a really nice photo out of it, which is now hanging in my older daugther's room.