When are Characters at Epcot?

[momof2cutegirls]

I've been reading about how many of you have seen lots of characters at Epcot (i.e. Aladdin/Jasmine in Morocco, Belle in France, etc.). I was just wondering if these characters are out and about in the a.m. hours or later in the afternoon.

Are they out in front of the rides or pavillions...or hidden back in the gift shops (that little room in England's toy shop comes to mind).

How hard will we have to search for them?

Any information/tips you could give me would be great!

 

[outlander]

There are certain time they are out (1:30-5:30ish??) You can pick up a times guide to be sure. The park map has the locations as well. They do seem to be a little 'tucked' away. Some more than others but they are pretty easy to find. Unless it's raining, then they are inside one of the buildings (right near where they would be outside) and therefore aren't *as* easy to just spot from the street.

 

[Rayn]

If you're looking for someone particular, talk to a cast member in the country. You could actually ask an cast member anywhere where any character will be that day. We have access to a hotline (called CHIP) that gives us that information. If the CM you talk do doesn't know, just ask them if they can call the CHIP hotline.

 

[pooh4me]

Check at guest service when you enter the park,they should be able to tell you what time and where the characters will be.

 

[makinorlando]

The schedule for some of the countries will say intermittenly from 12:30 - 8pm. Check out the times guide for the day you are there.

You can also check out this site - http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/EPCOT.htm

As others have said utilize the CMs - they can call the hot line!

They will be out for a while, and then come back in a few minutes or if there is a group - one might leave and the other stay.

Many times they are out front but other times they are hidden a bit - sometimes Mulan is inside the pavilion other times out around the gift shop area.

On the same day we saw Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie near the water, and later just Jasmine near the fountain.

In France they generally are in the garden tucked in the back on the far side of the shops.

We have only looked for characters once in UK - at that time they were in the Toy shop in the back, but I believe with them as well you will find them outside from time to time. On this particular day they were coming in shifts - it at the point we were there four of the Pooh characters were far in the back, and Alice as well - then all of the Pooh characters left and 2 were coming back five minutes later.

Character Connection has characters daily from 9 - 5:30 (extra time on EMH). This is in Innoventions West.

 

[loribeth]

I was at Epcot on Wednesday. I knew ahead of time that Belle would be out at 12:30. We asked where she would be and they told us she'd be in the front of France by the water. We sat and waited and out she came with Aurora. After that we walked down to Germany and Snow White was out. Then we went to China and Mulan and Mushu came out at 1:30. They were in the back near the Kidcot station.

 

[makinorlando]

I think they change locations within the countries throughout the day so the sun is not behind the characters for purposes of taking photos..... I know the one day that I was awaiting Beast in France - the CM was moving Aurora around so the sun was not glaring into the camera!

 

[LaraK]

Also, don't forget about the double decker bus that comes around. Last time we went, we got Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Donald, Goofy and Pluto....all in one shot! We were right at the gateway to the World Showcase. We got there a few minutes early and set up shop. One warning....it was HOT!!! and that was in November!

 

[sticker231]

I don't think the bus is used anymore, but it was pretty awesome.

 

[makinorlando]

Also, don't forget about the double decker bus that comes around. Last time we went, we got Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Donald, Goofy and Pluto....all in one shot! We were right at the gateway to the World Showcase. We got there a few minutes early and set up shop. One warning....it was HOT!!! and that was in November!

No more bus.... Character Connection in Innoventions West replaced the bus.

 

[LaraK]

I don't think the bus is used anymore, but it was pretty awesome.

Well now I have to take a few minutes to be sad!!! The bus was great! What's charecter connections? Something like the unending lines in MK and AK?

 

[triplefigs]

We saw last week from 1pm to 5pm:

Donald Duck, Panchito, José Carioca from 3 Cabelleros at Mexico
Mulan and Mushu at China
Aladdin, Genie, and Jasmine at Morocco
Snow White and Dopey at Germany
Aurora, Belle, and the Beast at France (saw Esmerelda there in December too)
Pooh, Tigger, Alice in Wonderland, and Mary Poppins at England
Koda the bear at Canada
Classic Fab 4 at Character Connection
Aurora, Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle, and Ariel in her ball gown at Norway for lunch

 

[sticker231]

Well now I have to take a few minutes to be sad!!! The bus was great! What's charecter connections? Something like the unending lines in MK and AK?

Character Connection seems to be unknown. You can get your picture taken with several characters in a short amount of time. We met Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip & Dale. We had plenty of time with each character and were still in and out without a wait. It took like twenty minutes to go down the line, we could have taken more time because there were only like two other families in there while we were.

 

[makinorlando]

Well now I have to take a few minutes to be sad!!! The bus was great! What's charecter connections? Something like the unending lines in MK and AK?

Character Connection really isn't too bad - at least I have never experienced a line longer that 5 or 6 families in front of me. Nothing like the lines in Toontown.... I like it as it is orderly, people know where the line is and there is no "cutting" by those who are not up on character etiquette!!!

It is inside Innoventions West - the entrance is next to the Fountainview Bakery - it is open from 9-5:30 - you will normally find, but not limited to Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Donald, Goofy - I have never seen less than five characters - you move from one to another - each has a photopass photographer. There are usually "extras" in the back hallway - the last time we saw Gideon, Pinocchio in addition to the characters above.

They have backgrounds that I like (personal preference) that look like giant postcards....

 

[momof2cutegirls]

Thanks for the scoop! We will be going to the Princess Storybook Breakfast at 10:30 in December, and I am trying to figure out what else to do with a 3 and 5 year-old while at Epcot. We'll head to MGM later in the day, but I think looking for characters around World Showcase will keep them occupied.

 

[angel's momma]

Character Connection seems to be unknown.

Some CMs don't even know about it. I overheard a guest ask where to find the characters & the CM said they're only in WS. When we explained about the Character Connection, he said he'd have to go check it out on his break.