The Princesses due to their popularity the last several years are pretty well represented (where a decade ago many of them weren't out at all) for meets and greets. Of course they can also be seen (though not met) in all the parades, Fantasmic and Belle and Ariel have their own show.
Snow White is out with Dopey often, but only at Epcot and not all day every day while we were there in Jan/Feb 08. The CM at MK told me that she's a bit rare but does appear in Toontown in MK. Occasionally she's at CRT for breakfast/lunch. Apparently the other dwarves are out during special occasions like the Food & Wine Festival last year and the Halloween party some years.
Ariel isn't difficult to find.....she's always in her grotto in MK....and she's occasionally at Akershus restaurant in Norway....but those are the ONLY places you'll find her for meet and greet (she's in the parades too but obviously not for meet/greet).
Cinderella is probably the easiest....we've seen her wandering MK, at Akershus, in Toontown and of course at her Castle for those eating at CRT. Cinderella and her step-sisters (and usually her step-mom) can be seen each night at 1900 Park Fare (in Grand Floridian). Akershus as well.
Aurora is a regular at Toontown....she's quite often seen along the riverbank near the bridge in France, and occasionally we saw her wandering MK. She's also at Akershus or CRT on rotation.
Jasmine is often in Morroco, either inside one of the buildings, or outside by the river in nice weather.....often with Aladdin and sometimes with Genie (she signs for Genie). We also saw her near Aladdin's Carpets in MK. Also at Akershus on rotation. Also CRT breakfast and lunch on rotation.
Mulan seemed to have a regular schedule of appearances in China, but it was only a few times a day, so you'll want to ask about her times. She often was joined by Mushu who was much taller than we thought, lol.
Belle can be found most of the day on the sidewalk/near the river in France in her blue dress, often with the Beast (she signs for him). She's often in her yellow gown for photo ops at Akershus (and occasionally doing the room in her blue dress). She's another rare figure at Toontown. And of course she has her own Storytelling nook to the right of the Castle (looking from the hub)...check the schedule board just outside this area for times. She's in her blue dress there. She also appears at CRT for breakfast/lunch on rotation.
Pocahontas isn't considered one of the Princess franchise, but her Dad was King, so that makes her a princess in my eyes.....she used to have her own show/meet/greet in Animal Kingdom but that ended not to long ago. I don't recall seeing her on any of the restaurant lists or wandering around, so she may very well have become one of the more elusive characters for a meet.
Now with the exception of Aladdin, and the Beast in beast form, the Prince for each of these ladies is very rare in a meet/greet. They are often in parades/Fantasmic, but we were there a month looking and hoping and never got to actually meet them in person. I guess they're too busy running their kingdoms to make appearances, lol. I've read about them being out and about during the Halloween party. We went to the Pirate & Princess Party hoping to see them, but only saw Aladdin. EDITED TO ADD: Someone pm'd me to remind me that Cinderella's Prince is very often with her at the 1900 Park Fare dinner with the step-sisters/mother. I had forgotten because the night we did 1900 he wasn't there, so we still haven't met him, except at
Disneyland.
The other characters....there are sooo many of them, many of which have never been at meet and greets, that this would be a long and difficult list. The best way to know who will be out during the day, and most importantly where and when, is to ask a CM at the front of the park. They often have a list they can go over with you. The other CMs around the park may not have a list but can call and ask, but that's easier when you're asking about a particular person instead of asking a general "who's out". Guest Services is another place we've had good luck with.....when we've asked for a particular character at GS, we've actually had them tell us she's not "here" but she'll be in another park, so we have the option of hopping over to the other park.
We're planning a new trip in June and bringing more family along. A few observations: 20 years ago we had a hard time finding MM himself in the parks and finally got pics with him in Epcot. Would you believe we only saw him once this time around too and that was from afar in MK while he was in a show? Granted we did no character meals..so it was just a hit or miss thing seeing characters or princesses. Who is the most hard to find princess or character in the World? We saw Jiminy Cricket signing autographs and almost waited to have a photo with him..but the line was really long. I DID get a photo with Aurora in Epcot and was very happy about that. She was signing outside the France area. So.....who's the big "get" as far as character photos?
go ask Donald.
