Disney Focuses on Character Meet and Greets – From Mickey Mouse to Lotso

One of the biggest parts of visiting Walt Disney World is experiencing all the Disney characters in person. You may think you are to grown up for that type of thing, but when you get around Tigger, and you start having a bouncing contest with him, you realize that you really are a kid at heart. I know this for a fact, because I experience such a contest. It was very impromptu, but lots of fun. I won, in fact, and Tigger brought us over to Space Mountain, and we got front of the line privileges. This was a few years back, and I remember it so well. In fact, just typing the story out here makes me feel all Disneyfied.

Disney really goes the extra mile to keep the character interactions fresh and new. Of course, there are the old stand bys, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, all of the friends, Winnie the Pooh, and all his friends. I can’t leave out all the Princesses; Disney knows how much we love the Princesses. What I think is really cool is the new characters that have come on board, and Disney has set up lots of new Character Meet and Greet opportunities for their guests. Along with the many character meals at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Disney has special areas they created for us to meet our favorite characters. In fact, they are going to great lengths to create new, and more true to life, Meet and Greet areas. There is a big focus on this with the upcoming Fantasyland Expansion. Disney plans to have lots of new areas, where we can meet our favorite princesses.

We don’t have to wait until the new Fantasyland is opened, to see new characters.

The Meet & Greet locations for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will move from Towntown Fair to the Exposition Hall in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom by Late Spring 2010.   Meet & Greet locations will be set up in the Exposition Hall for the Fairy and Princess Meet & Greets while Fantasyland construction progresses.  These new Meet & Greet areas will replace the existing movie theaters. I am sure this is in preparation for the removal of Toon Town Fair, and a sure sign that the work will be getting started real soon on the new Fantasyland.

The UP Character Meet & Greet in the Magic of Disney Animation building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will end in Early May 2010. Carl and Dug will begin new Meet & Greet appearance at Disney’s Animal Kingdom once the Studios location closes.   Currently it is planned for Russel to be retired when the UP Meet & Greet ends its Studios run.

The new character, Lotso, is scheduled to start daily Meet & Greet appearances, in early May 2010, in the Disney of Animation building.  Lotso will replace the spot vacated by the UP characters.  He is a purple teddy bear who will be introduced in the third chapter of the Toy Story trilogy.

Last, but certainly far from least is this news, which I already reported on. As of February 7, 2010, Cinderella’s Royal Table, at the Magic Kingdom, in Walt Disney World, has been presenting the Royal Family at every meal! Yes, this means that the princesses are back!! How exciting! The Fairy Godmother will no longer be appearing at all. The dining experience at Cinderella’s Royal Table is called Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Disney keeps it fresh, always. Part of the Disney Difference is providing the guests with new vacation experiences, and Disney scores big on that. Even Disney Cruise Line has a new character offering; a brand new show focusing on the villains. It is called “Villains Tonight!”.

If you are planning a visit to Walt Disney World, contact an OLP Travel agent today for help, or contact me personally, and I will be happy to help you plan your trip.

Written by Francine - Visit Website
Filed under Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Walt Disney World | Comments (2)