Epcot comes with a significant number of character meet and greets. There are several Epcot characters that are unique to the park, but there are still plenty that can be found in other parks. So, don’t feel like you need to get your meet and greet groove on when you are here. You can afford to be choosy if needed. Here in our guide to Epcot characters, we’ll tell you who’s where in the park and roughly when they meet!
As we said in our Magic Kingdom article on characters, keep your eyes peeled for informal chances to meet characters in the park. These can be some of the best chances for special and truly unique interactions. If the characters have the time, they are always willing to interact. There will be a few instances where they may have to keep moving along due to a commitment. Don’t take offense. As an example, check out this random meeting with Alice from Alice in Wonderland, where she was strolling along and our girls simply waved at her. This actually occurred in Epcot. These can make some of the most cherished memories for you and your kids. Keep those eyes peeled!
Remember, one of the time-honored traditions of Disney World is that characters will sign autographs. If you’ve got little ones with you, this is a great way to make a memory that will last for them. These are some tried and true Disney autograph books. A good pen is also helpful for the fur characters as their hands are covered with a costume.
Below we’ll lay out for you the formal opportunities and some of the information ones, where you can catch a few minutes with some of your favorite Disney characters. As we said, certain characters can only be met at Epcot. If these characters are on your list of must do things make sure you plan accordingly. The characters you can only meet in Epcot for free are:
- Anna and Elsa
- Mulan
- Joy
Note that some of these characters can be met in other parks or resorts at character meals. Since you have to pay for those opportunities by buying food, we don’t consider them opportunities since some of the meals are a bit pricey and you may choose not to do them. We’ll note those other chances to meet the characters listed above when we cover them.
Always get a daily times guide as you enter each park. The Epcot characters who are available for meet and greets will be listed on there, along with specific times and locations for when and where you can find them.
Also, while times may show as continuous over several hours, be aware that characters take breaks throughout the day, so you may have to wait while the characters take a break. As you can imagine, an hour in the hot Florida sun and humidity while sporting some of those costumes can take it out of you!
Alice in Wonderland
Where: United Kingdom pavilion
Times: Alice usually meets starting around 11:30 AM, shortly after World Showcase opens, until around 6:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Alice also meets in Magic Kingdom near the Mad Tea Party and at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian for a character meal
Anna and Elsa
Where: Norway pavilion inside Royal Sommerhus
Times: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: This is your only chance to meet Anna and Elsa, so make sure you stop in if they are “must meet” people for your group
Ariel
Where: Norway pavilion at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Times: All day
Other Epcot Characters: All the various Princesses that show to this character meal (all princesses are subject to change)
FastPass+ Eligible: Yes
Other Opportunities to Meet: Ariel can also be found in Magic Kingdom at the Ariel’s Grotto meet and greet or Cinderella’s Royal Table. At Ariel’s Grotto she is in mermaid form, while Royal Table is traditional human form Princess Ariel. You can meet Ariel at Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s Boardwalk.
Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
Where: France pavilion
Times: Usually between noon and 6:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Aurora also is on the rotation for the Princess character meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot. Note that the princesses are always subject to change for character meals.
Belle
Where: France pavilion, in her blue and white dress
Times: Belle usually meets starting around 11:00 AM, shortly after World Showcase opens, until around 5:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Belle is also one of the princesses you can meet at Norway pavilion at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. She actually greets all the guests, while wearing her yellow ball gown. You can also meet Belle at the Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction in Magic Kingdom at the end of the show. Note that the attraction offers a fairly limited interaction with her.
Cinderella
Where: Norway pavilion at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Times: All day
Other Epcot Characters: All the various Princesses that show to this character meal
FastPass+ Eligible: Yes
Other Opportunities to Meet: Cinderella can be found several other places. You can meet her at Cinderella’s Royal Table or Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom or at the 1900 Park Fare dinner at the Grand Floridian Resort.
Chip ‘n’ Dale
Where: Garden Grill character meal
Times: During normal meal hours
Other Epcot Characters: Mickey and Pluto
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: You can also see Chip ‘n’ Dale at Fort Wilderness Resort for their campfire sing-a-long. They also meet in all of the other parks (for free).
Donald Duck
Where: Mexico pavilion, in a sombrero
Times: Usually from around noon until 6:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Donald meets in all the parks
Daisy Duck
Where: Near the new temporary Mouse Gear location
Times: Shortly after park open to around 5:00
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: You can meet Daisy in all the parks.
Goofy
Where: In Front of Spaceship Earth
Times: All day
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Goofy meets in all the parks.
Jasmine
Where: Morocco pavilion
Times: Jasmine usually meets starting around 11:30 AM, shortly after World Showcase opens, until around 6:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: You can meet Jasmine at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom and sometimes at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot. Jasmine also meets with Aladdin in the Magic Kingdom near the Magic Carpet ride.
Joy
Where: Imagination! Pavilion
Times: All day
Other Epcot Characters: None
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: None
Mary Poppins
Where: United Kingdom pavilion
Times: Usually between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: She is part of the character buffet at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. She also meets in Magic Kingdom.
Mickey Mouse
Where: Imagination! Pavilion, in the queue area for Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Times: All day
Other Epcot Characters: None
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Mickey meets in all the parks.
Minnie Mouse
Where: Showcase Plaza gazebo
Times: All day
Other Epcot Characters: None
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Minnie meets in all the parks.
Mulan
Where: China pavilion
Times: Usually from about 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Mulan is also on the princess rotation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot. She’s not always there, but can be found from time to time. Note that the princesses are always subject to change for character meals.
Pluto
Where: Legacy Plaza West (to the right of Spaceship Earth)
Times: Usually from about 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Pluto meets in all the parks.
Rapunzel
Where: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot
Times: During normal dining hours
Other Epcot Characters: All the various Princesses that show to this character meal. (all princesses are subject to change)
FastPass+ Eligible: Yes
Other Opportunities to Meet: Rapunzel is on the rotation for Akershus but not a regular for this meal, so do not count on meeting her here. You can meet Rapunzel at Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s Boardwalk. She’s there for a character meal (breakfast only) along with Flynn and Ariel and Prince Eric. Rapunzel also meets at Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom.
Snow White
Where: Germany pavilion
Times: Usually between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Snow White also is on the rotation for the Princess character meal at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot and Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom.
Winnie the Pooh
Where: UK Pavillion, inside the Toy Soldier Store in the very back
Times: Usually in the afternoon, from around noon to 6:00
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: Pooh also has a meet and greet in Magic Kingdom with Tigger. You can also meet him in the Crystal Palace character meal.
Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope
Where: ImageWorks (in Imagination building)
Times: Usually between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM
Other Epcot Characters: No
FastPass+ Eligible: No
Other Opportunities to Meet: None
The Disney VISA Photo Spot at Epcot
In addition to the Epcot characters we listed above, there is on other character meet and greet available. However, it is only for holders of the Disney VISA card.
The characters you can meet here changes each day, but it always consists of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. Sometimes it’s one of them, sometimes two or three.
Wrapping Up
That’s all of the Epcot characters. Most free, but there are a few that you have to pay to meet while eating a meal. If characters are really your interest right now, below are links to the character articles we have for each of the other parks.
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