Where are all the characters that stroll through Disneyland?

[jenniferrose]

Buzz Lightyear is mentioned by name in the Entertainment Times Guide, with times for when he's out in the Tomorrowland area. And, unlike the bogus Buzz at WDW, DLR's Buzz signs his name. No sad little stamps for the DLR Buzz! (at least, the last times DS has met him)

Is this recently? When we were there last November, we asked a CM when/where we might be able to catch him because my son LOVED him. She said he hadn't been around for months.

 

[Vala]

Is this recently? When we were there last November, we asked a CM when/where we might be able to catch him because my son LOVED him. She said he hadn't been around for months.

We were there in November too and were told Buzz would be coming back some time in 2010. I think the CM said April, so he could be back by now.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Buzz is back out in the parks finally. He just started make regular appearances over the last few weeks. If you stop by the Info Board or City Hall or even just ask a random cast member, they can find where a specific character will be for you.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Is Jack Sparrow out and about or is he gone?

Sorry, he's gone.

One of our favorite places to see characters is by the Hyperion Theater. I've seen Frozone, The Incredibles, Sully, Queen of Hearts, Pluto, and Goofy-just to name a few.

There's a door over by ToT where characters come in (and out) we have lucked into Pluto there several times and usually he isn't too busy. He will play around with my DD, which she loves (she says Pluto is her fav. character-mostly because he is so playful!)

As you can see there are plenty of places to find characters. Most of them are areas set up for Meet 'n Greets. But if you keep your eyes open, you may just be surprised.

Hollywood

A great spot to find Mickey (Apprentice), Woody, and Cinderella is right after Drawn to the Magic Show. They will pose and sign for a very short time as soon as the show is done.

I have been to WDW many times and I will say that I see more characters unexpectedly at DLR than I have at WDW. Yes, there are many characters at WDW but rarely do I find them just roaming around. Usually only at set up areas. Last trip we did stumble upon Mulan by the theater in China. No one even noticed her there. This was the only "unplanned" sighting we had-in 11 days.

 

[barefootmomma]

Buzz is back out in the parks finally. He just started make regular appearances over the last few weeks. If you stop by the Info Board or City Hall or even just ask a random cast member, they can find where a specific character will be for you.

This is so great to know! Thank you for sharing the information. My son is over the moon for Buzz. I will have to find out where we can catch him on our next trip. He'll be so excited.

 

[Dobie]

The Dobies literally "bumped" into Indiana Jones by the treehouse two years ago. He was running from a bad guy. I guess they will let anyone into Disneyland now!

On the same trip, we saw Jack Sparrow peeking from the bushes on Tom Sawyer Island, from the SS Columbia.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Except I've never seen Belle (outside the PFF) or the Beast (outside the holiday parade.

Not too long ago my cousins were here and we saw Belle and the Beast to the left of the castle. We parked the stroller with my younger cousin in it so we could take a pic of his older sister with Belle. When we got back to the stroller he was cringing, and no wonder the Beast was RIGHT THERE!

We quickly moved him, but boy did he give us a dirty look.

We hadn't left him for long and apologized profusely. At the time we felt really bad, and of course, we'd never do that on purpose.... but the look he gave us at the time.

I'll have to remind him in a couple of years when he's older.

 

[disneywondergirl22]

Best Times and Places for Meet and Greets

Disneyland:
Town Square- most characters are out from open until 4pm (look around the flagpole area, NOT down main street); Mickey and Minnie are out in the evening until close (again, around the flagpole area, NOT main street)

Critter Country- pooh and friends during regular daytime hours (like, 10-6pm)

ToonTown- Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy are outside (Minnie is at her house on the porch). Mickey can be found in his house.

Ariel's Grotto- mostly face characters, daytime hours

Fantasyland- you can often find Alice, Mad Hatter, and friends here, mostly morning-afternoon hours

Also, great for character meets (princesses and fur) are Minnie's breakfast at Plaza Inn, Paradise Pier Hotel Breakfast, Storytellers breakfast, and Goofy's Kitchen.


DCA-
with food and wine festival and the construction, characters have moved so you'll want to speak with a cast member to see where the characters are that day.

 

[kimnjed]

We were there on Monday and saw Buzz come out from the Space Mountain exit. We chased him down and got autographs. My 4 year old was so excited!!!

 

[tanyaewa]

When we walked into Disney for the first time - Mickey & Minnie were literally right there! Just inside the Main gates - at about 3pm


Just inside on the rigt we saw over the course of 5 days - Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, PLuto, Chip, & Dale several times. Even Donald

Pooh, Tigger, Eyore down by Splash Mountain/ Winnie the Pooh

Alice, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins - between the end of Main St & Castle

DCA - between ToT & Monsters Inc near Hyperion Mr Incredible, Stitch, Max, Sully, Guy Fieri - lol

By Soaring Over Cali - Pluto, Minnie, Mickey

Goofy's Kitchen/ Surfs Up - Jasmine, Goofy, Pluto, Mulan, Mickey, Minnie, Daisy Duck, Pluto

 

[mom2rtk]

Hmm...ignoring the troll...

OP, I go pretty frequently and see a lot of characters, but they are usually in the same spots.

I was there yesterday, in fact, and saw Chip and Dale, Cruella, Mary Poppins, a penguin, Bert, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto on Main St. near the flag pole. I commonly see Eeyore, Tigger, and Pooh near Splash Mountain. I saw Captain Hook as well near Plaza Inn, and the Mad Hatter and Alice walking around in Fantasyland.

In DCA, the characters are usually in front of the entrance to the Hollywood area. I saw Mickey, Minnie, and Chip and Dale (again) there yesterday, but wearing different outfits than in DL.

So where were Mary, Bert and the Penguin?

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

So many wonderful posts about where to see characters! Guess we just had terrible timing, and maybe on an off day?? It was a much less crowded weekday, not near any holiday or anything either. that could've been why too...?
I think I was just reminiscing a vivid memory of just wandering through the park and seeing a character, not as bombarded as they get now! So I do understand more planned "stations"... Nonetheless, it will always be Disneyland for me! (THough I definitely don't hate on WDW as well... it's all loooove for me!)

 

[Vala]

So where were Mary, Bert and the Penguin?

I've only seen Bert during the castle show I'm afraid, and never saw the Penguin. But I've seen Mary all over Town Square, most frequently at the cinema and near City Hall.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Is Tiana still over in the New Orleans square?

 

[LuLusApple]

So many wonderful posts about where to see characters! Guess we just had terrible timing, and maybe on an off day?? It was a much less crowded weekday, not near any holiday or anything either. that could've been why too...?
I think I was just reminiscing a vivid memory of just wandering through the park and seeing a character, not as bombarded as they get now! So I do understand more planned "stations"... Nonetheless, it will always be Disneyland for me! (THough I definitely don't hate on WDW as well... it's all loooove for me!)

we have had days like that where it just seemed no characters were around. We must of missed them, like a shift change wrong place wrong time.
but they definatley are not out strolling about like they used to be. Once in awhile you'll catch them in an odd place, but mostly they are chaperoned and going to and from their "station".
Recently we did see Peter Pan in a quiet moment alone. We were standing by the organ behind Dumbo, no one was there. Out popped Peter Pan sitting on the ledge like he jumped thru the hedge. Caught us of guard we had him to ourselves for a couple minutes till he was spotted lol
we also saw Baloo, Stitch and Rafiki in front of City Hall very late one night. It was less crowded and they had no visible handlers. That was a nice surprise
that trip we saw Bert and Mary riding the carousel, we hadn't seen that in a few years
We have many pics of our kids years ago(early 90s) meeting up with characters that were wandering and looking for guests, and interacting for what seemed like long periods.
now the characters are hounded by both kids and adults. We recently were in a one to see Alice Hatter and the Queen of Hearts by the tunnel and this woman jumped the line in front of kids to get her pic with them. It happened so fast the CM handler didn't know what to do or say.

I guess times just change and they evolve new ways to keep up with the crowds and demand. But I miss the days of strolling characters too

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Sorry, he's gone.

One of our favorite places to see characters is by the Hyperion Theater. I've seen Frozone, The Incredibles, Sully, Queen of Hearts, Pluto, and Goofy-just to name a few.

There's a door over by ToT where characters come in (and out) we have lucked into Pluto there several times and usually he isn't too busy. He will play around with my DD, which she loves (she says Pluto is her fav. character-mostly because he is so playful!)

I saw Stitch there last week, and Sulley came out too! Stitch's handler said that Sulley hadn't been out for several months, so I was thrilled to be there at just the right time!