Disney character greetings are on pause right now at Disney World because of COVID-19.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t see and wave hello to your favorite Disney characters on your next trip.
Enter Character Cavalcades! The creative way Disney lets you see your favorite characters without sacrificing current health and safety measures.
These fun little parades happen periodically through the day at all the parks without warning. Suddenly music starts playing and there is your favorite characters riding, walking, or dancing by.
We LOVED these little parades on our last trip. We always had a front row seat because of the reduced capacity.
Honestly, we didn’t miss the big parades at all.
These fun character cavalcades aren’t they only way to see your favorite characters. Sometimes they pop-up at random places around the park to wave hello to you from a safe distance.
There isn’t a published schedule for either the pop-up appearances or the cavalcades. You must be lucky enough to catch them.
The good news is you can increase you luck of catching them. You just need to know where to look for them.
I can help you with this!
Below I’ve listed out the Character Cavalcade routes in each park, along with locations of where you are most likely to find characters popping up to wave hello.
When you head out on your next Disney World vacation, pay special attention to these locations and you are bound to catch your favorite character.
Oh, and here is an important tip for you. Whenever you need to take a break, head to the Character Cavalcade route and find a place to sit. Hopefully one of the cavalcades will pop up as you are resting. We were able to catch several of them doing just this!
Your Guide to all the Character Cavalcades and Character Pop-Ups
Magic Kingdom
Character Cavalcades
Where to Find Them
The cavalcades begin between Splash Mountain and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café, heads straight through Frontierland, takes a right on the path between the Hall of Presidents and the Liberty Tree Tavern, goes around the hub in front of the castle before heading down Main Street USA.
Who You'll See
You have the chance to see a variety of characters, and it seems to change on the regular. Of course, the main fab five will make an appearance. But you might also catch Max, various Villains, Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie (during Halloween time), all your favorite princesses and more. Magic Kingdom has the most variety of all the cavalcades!
Where the Characters Pop-Up
On the Main Street Railroad Station Balcony
When you first arrive to Magic Kingdom in the morning, make sure you turn around and look up at the Main Street Railroad station balcony after you enter Main Street. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and more friends will be waving a big welcome! You may also be royally welcomed by the princesses.
"Galactic Gateway" Stage in Tomorrowland
Here you'll find Stitch and Buzz Lightyear.
Roofs Above Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland
Keep your eyes peeled for some of the Country Bears from the Jamboree and Chip and Dale.
On the second floor balcony outside of Pinocchio Village Haus.
I've heard reports that Jiminy Cricket is making appearances on the second floor of this restaurant. I believe that was just for the holiday, but that's a fun one to spot!
Hollywood Studios
Character Cavalcades
Where to Find Them
The cavalcades begin near the front entrance, heads down Hollywood Boulevard, makes a left just before Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and heads down past Echo Lake towards Star Tours.
Who You'll See
Some of your favorite Pixar Characters pop up in this cavalcade, including Sully, the Incredibles, Edna Mode, Woody, Jessie, Buzz and the Green Army Men. Mickey, Minnie and Pluto also make an appearance.
If you have little ones in your family, there is a Disney Junior cavalcade they will love. Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, and Doc McStuffins are the stars of this show.
One of my favorite parts of this park’s cavalcades are the sweet cars some of the characters get to ride in. Minnie and Mickey, Buzz, Edna Mode, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins all cruise through the cavalcade route in convertible coupes all styled to match their personality. They are so much fun!
Where the Characters Pop-Up
Any Raised Platform around Galaxy's Edge
Look for your favorite Star Wars characters to pop up anywhere around Galaxy's Edge where there is a raised platform.
They typically pop up across from the Droid Depot and near the star fighters scattered around. For example, Kylo Ren likes to hang out by the star fighter near First Order Cargo.
Epcot
Character Cavalcades
Where to Find Them
The cavalcades typically head around the World Showcase.
Who You'll See
Here you’ll find your favorite Disney princesses pulled around in a horse drawn carriage, Mickey and Minnie in a sweet roadster with Goofy and Pluto walking nearby, and Anna and Elsa.
Where the Characters Pop-Up
Imagination! Lawn
Keep your eyes peeled for Joy or Winnie the Pooh to pop up in this large patch of grass near Journey into Imagination with Figment.
Gazebo in the United Kingdom Pavilion
Mary Poppins and Alice from Alice in Wonderland pop-up here.
Near the Royal Sommerhus in Norway
Attention Anna and Elsa fans! These Queens pop up outside the Royal Sommerhus in Norway, where their pre-COVID meet-in-greet queue was.
EPCOT Entrance
Mickey, Pluto, and Goofy will pop up just beyond the front entrance of Epcot. When facing Spaceship Earth and the new fountain, look off to your right. There is a covered area that they will sometimes be under.
Animal Kingdom
Character Cavalcades
Where to Find Them
The character cavalcades in this park all cruise around Discovery River by boat. They have it the best in my opinion.
It’s easy to know where to situate yourself to catch one of these cavalcades. Anywhere you can see the river is a good spot. Try taking a break in the Rivers of Light bleachers near Expedition Everest for example.
We even had luck with a cavalcade floating by while we were waiting in line for Flight of Passage, which had wound its way all the way towards the Festival of the Lion King theater.
Make sure to keep your eyes open to catch a cavalcade every time you cross a bridge walking around the park. Those are a great place to see them!
Who You'll See
There are several different boats that cruise around with a different theme.
Pocahontas and Meeko are on one, Rafiki and Timon could be on another.
Goofy with Chip and Dale dressed up as dinos are featured on another boat, with Donald, Daisy and Launchpad are on another. (My personal favorite.)
The Discovery Island Drummers even make an appearance on the river. So fun!
Don’t worry, no cavalcade would be complete without a Mickey and Friends themed boat. Keep your eyes peeled for this one as well.
Where the Characters Pop-Up
Unfortunately, characters do not pop up and wave at you anywhere in Animal Kingdom. But if this changes I will be sure to update this post.
Ready to See a Cavalcade in Person?
When you are ready to head back to Disney World and catch these cavalcades, hit me up! I would love to help you plan the perfect Disney vacation.
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