10 Tips for Meeting Disney Characters

There’s nothing quite like the moment you spot your favorite Disney character in real life.

That instant smile - pure magic, although sometimes that smile is followed by hesitation, hiding behind your legs, or even a few tears. That’s completely normal too! 

Meeting characters can bring up big emotions, especially for little ones (and honestly even for adults). One minute you’re watching them on screen, and the next they’re standing right in front of them ready for a hug. 

Over the years, I’ve watched the kids in my family go through all the phases: infant excitement, toddler skepticism, pure childhood magic, and even the “is this real or fake?” stage.

A little preparation goes a long way in turning these moments into some of the most memorable parts of your trip. Here are my top tips to help make character meet-and-greets feel easy and magical.

1. Know Where to Find Characters: 

The easiest way to find characters is in the My Disney Experience app. You can see who is out that day, where they’re located, and what times they’ll be meeting. Some characters are available throughout the day, while others only appear for short windows - so it’s worth checking ahead.

How to find characters on the My Disney Experience App: 

1. On the map in your app, select “Characters” from the drop down options. 

2. Next click “Show List” in the top right corner to see who will make an appearance that day.

3. Select your favorite character to see what times they will greet guests, where they will be located and even get directions in real time. 

2. Plan Ahead for Popular Characters

Some characters are always in high demand. For limited appearances, plan to get in line early - typically 15 - 30 minutes before they begin meeting. Once the line fills, they may stop accepting additional guests.

If a character is a must-do for your family, a little planning helps avoid disappointment.

If you’re traveling with younger kids, it can also help to divide and conquer - one adult can hold a spot in line while another lets the kids move around nearby. Just be mindful of how you rejoin and avoid having large groups jump in at the last minute. Not only can that be frustrating to the guests behind you in line, but the character attendants base line cut offs on how many people are actively waiting to make sure the character receives their scheduled breaks. 

3. Let the Characters Lead the Interaction

If you’re not sure what to say or do - don’t panic! 

Characters meet guests all day long and are incredibly good at guiding the interaction. They’ll help make it feel natural, so you don’t have to overthink it. 

Characters will try their best to engage with you, so play along and don’t hesitate to ask the character attendant (the non-costumed Cast Members) to help facilitate - they are great interpreters for characters who don’t speak!

4. Use Your Surroundings 

Many character meet-and-greet locations are thoughtfully themed with props and details you can point out or talk about. 

This is especially helpful with non-speaking characters, who often use gestures (and sometimes their attendant) to help tell the story.

Some of our favorite interactions have come from simple things: pointing out flowers in Rapunzel’s hair, looking at Moana’s necklace together, chatting with Olaf about summer in his beachscape, or noticing an outfit that matches my daughter’s in some way.

5. Highlight a Celebration

Wearing a celebration button or simply mentioning a special occasion can make interactions feel more personal. 

Characters love acknowledging birthdays, first visits, anniversaries, or even just a family vacation, as it gives them an easy way to connect with you.

Many people wear shirts or accessories that acknowledge celebrations like birthdays, weddings, family vacations, or girls trips. However, if you forget to bring something from home you can always pick up a celebration button from Guest Services or your Disney Resort Hotel front desk to mark the moment too!  

6. Ask for Help with Poses

If you never know what to do in photos (same), try asking the character how you should pose.

This almost always leads to more fun, personality-filled photos -  especially with fashionable characters like Minnie and Daisy, or anyone with a signature pose like Piglett. 

While younger visitors typically have photos taken of the interaction - hugs, waves, high fives, and princess twirls - as they get older, photos can shift from playful interactions to more “stand and smile” moments. This is an easy way to bring the fun back into these meetings. 

7. Get Creative with Autographs

Autograph books are always a hit, but thinking outside the box can make these interactions even more memorable.

I’ve seen characters sign everything from backpacks and water bottles to picture frames and Mickey ears. Just keep in mind they can’t sign anything you are wearing - so whatever you want signed has to be removable. 

I try to think creatively when coming up with items to autograph so they don’t just sit in a drawer at home until our next trip. One of my favorite traditions is having characters sign a book my daughter loves so it becomes part of her bookshelf at home. I’ve also had characters sign runDisney medals from races they are featured in, which always turned into a fun conversation starter.

Pro tip: Bring a clickable Sharpie or have whatever you are using to sign ready to go. Characters wearing gloves have a much easier time using thicker and pre-opened markers. Attendants may ask you to hand them anything you want signed before engaging with the characters so they can make sure it goes smoothly too! 

8. Be Ready When It’s Your Turn

Have your camera out, autograph items ready, and anything else prepped before you step up. 

The interactions aren’t rushed, but being ready helps you make the most of your time - especially when little ones are involved. If you want to FaceTime someone at home, make sure they’re already on the call before it’s your turn so you don’t miss the moment.

We also find it helpful to brainstorm questions to ask characters while in line to pass the time and prepare for the interactions. Simple questions like favorite colors, favorite foods, asking what their animal friends are up to, or asking seasonal questions like if they are dressing up for Halloween or what is on their Christmas list can help keep the interaction going and make it feel more natural.

We started prepping these questions and answers when my nephew was about 4 years old and we noticed he would freeze during interactions if asked a question.The pre-planning made a huge difference in his confidence!

9. Drop a Hint if you are Seeing a Character Again 

No one wants to feel forgotten, so if you are meeting a character for a second time, make sure to clue them in during your introduction. 

For example: “Hi Cinderella, it is lovely to see you again. We enjoyed having breakfast in your castle yesterday” or “Hi Tinker Bell, it was so kind of you to sprinkle pixie dust on us at the parade.” 

This helps start the conversation and makes your kids feel special when the characters have a jumping off point to “continue” the conversation. 

10. Don’t Overthink it

It’s easy to put pressure on these moments, especially when you want them to be perfect, but the best interactions usually happen when you lean into it a little. 

As adults, the best thing we can do is model interactions and play into the experience. Be a little silly. Play along. Let your kids take the lead, or give them a minute if they need it. Some moments will be big and magical, others might be quick or even a little awkward… and that’s all part of the experience.

The more you meet characters, the more natural it all starts to feel.

Final Thoughts

Character interactions really do embody the magic of a Disney vacation, so I hope these tips have helped you feel prepared for character meet and greets on your next trip.

Don’t stress too much about getting it “right.” The more you relax and lean into the moment, the more memorable it becomes - for both you and your kids.