Question about meeting certain characters...

[PHamrick]

So, I've been looking at the Disneyland app about meeting characters at the parks. I'm confused about the timing for some of the characters. For example, my daughter is DEEPLY invested in meeting Princess Aurora. However, on the app, it appears she only meets for five minutes? Is that right? Or does she meet everyone who is in line at that time? Do you only have a five minute window to get in line?

Also, I see that some characters meet for five minutes a few times in certain locations, but other characters meet for longer times. Do the characters who meet for longer times have a specific meet and greet location--more like the WDW meet and greets?

Any experiences you can share with me about your interactions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[SMD]

The only fixed locations are Mickey's House in TT and somewhat Minnie's though she's not always there, the Royal Hall near the castle, Winnie the Pooh characters in Critter Country, SW characters in TL and Frozen in DCA. Everything else is a random, roaming character that will have to enter and exit on stage. Generally you can assume that at the times characters will be meeting in Town Square there will be at least 1 by the Opera House, and a few places that they usually stop, but it does vary somewhat. Oswald will be near the front of DCA, but there are 4 different places that he tends to actually stop, so just camping out at 1 isn't necessarily going to mean you're first. However with Oswald he meets regularly for a lot of the day, so it's also not imperative to camp out. For the shorter ones, they're approximations of times and locations, so I'd get there 5-10 minutes early and be on the lookout for the character to arrive. They are often there for less than 10 or 15 minutes and yes, the line can be capped in less than 5 minutes on busy days. If you're lucky, Aurora will be one of the princesses in Royal Hall when you're there.

 

[dshimel]

I have seen Aurora by Royal Hall (used to be Carnation Plaza) and next to Dumbo/Casey jr.

If the app says just 5 mins, probably when the "friend" jumps on the back of the line and says "that's it", but that is just a guess as I've not done the character thing since the app came out (but will in March as going with 2 grand daughters).

 

[Diszona]

You might want to consider doing a character meal at Ariel's Grotto if you are also going to DCA. The character interaction isn't extensive (they are going from table to table after all) but there is a good chance that Aurora will be one of the princesses. It isn't guaranteed but we have eaten there several times and she has been there each time.

 

[monorailrabbit]

We met Aurora by the wishing well next to the castle on our trip last summer. The line capped very quickly - and we waited about 30 mins for her. I HAD to get Aurora by her castle, haha, it was really my only must-do! We also went to Ariel's Grotto, but did not see Aurora.

 

[agamble]

Aurora is often at the Royal Hall, that is an all day engagement.

 

[SMD]

I'd discreetly ask a CM no matter what the sign says outside the Royal Hall, though. They probably won't tell you who is inside, but if Aurora is on a break they might send you to a certain side. I was there and it said Snow White, Aurora and Ariel the CM asked who I was most excited to meet and I said Snow White because we have the same hair. I got Snow White, Jasmine and Mulan. Which to me was a plus, but 1 out of 3 wasn't what I was expecting. I told the CM afterwards that I was so excited to get a brunette like me!

 

[lorijohnhill]

You can also look for a CM with the "ask me about characters " badge. It's a Mickey hand pointing to the side. They can usually tell you where and when you can find a specific character.

 

[Epek]

The 5 min period is the approximate start time, I've found. They stay until the time posted for the next character. For those roaming characters, a good idea is to show up while the previous one is meeting.