Newest Characters to meet in Walt Disney World (and where to find them)

For many kids and adults alike, meeting characters is a HUGE part of vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort. Before kids, I had a key few that I tried to get each trip, however I mainly just stopped to grab a picture if I saw a smaller line. Now that I have tots in tow, we have a game plan for each trip on who, when, where and how to meet these guys. We are already planning our strategy for our next trip around the newest characters that can be found. Now since we have yet to see them the pics are of the cartoon versions. Rest assured they exist...check it out!!

(Click the title link to go to the official Disney info page)


Gaston

Nooooooo oooooooonnnnnneeeee hits like Gaston, matches wits like Gaston. In a spitting match, no one spits like Gaston....he's especially good at expectorating...TEN POINTS FOR GASTON!! The guy we love too much to hate. Is he a villain? I mean he did try to "slay the beast"...but he's just too fun to hate! I heard that the meet and greet version is especially fun! Announced on 10/11/12, Gaston can be found for meet and greets outside of his tavern in the new Fantasyland. He has been known to be a bit flirty with the ladies and is always flexing his guns for the photos. Oww owww!



Sofia the First

 

 

Sofia the First is one of the newer shows on Disney Junior. My 3 year old boy loves it and has been know to watch it over and over again. She is a sweet girl and always tries to do the right thing. If you have a younger kid in your travel party, this will be a "must do". Announced on 7/2/13, she can be found by the Disney Junior: Live on Stage attraction. She can also be found at the Hollywood and Vine character meal, which in my opinion is very under rated. We just love the food there!

 

 

 

Doc McStuffins 

 

 

 

Another preschooler fan favorite is Doc McStuffins. I actually even enjoy this show...it is imaginative and fun. This character meet and greet is so new that it was just announced a week ago, 12/17/13. She can be found only at the Hollywood and Vine character meals. However, I could foresee that changing in the near future to allow her to meet out in the Animation Courtyard along with her Disney Junior counterparts. She is super popular!!

 

 

Wreck-it-Ralph and Vanellope

 

 

 

 

 

This meet and greet was announced 11/20/12 and can be found in the Magic of Disney Animation building. If any of you are familiar with the meet and greet areas from the past, it is where Pooh used to be. The line wraps around the back and has some interactive stuff to keep the kids busy. We usually hit up this building in efforts to get some rare autographs due to "characterpalooza". Head over to Kenny the Pirates site for more info on that...LINK HERE

Periwinkle

Tink's sister, Periwinkle, has made it to Tinker Bell's Magical Nook!! She was brought to light by the film, Secret of the Wings. Her meet and greet was announced 11/18/12. This is another wonderfully themed (and air-conditioned) waiting area for a meet and greet. The lines can get long for Tink and her sis, but if you head there early in the day it shouldn't be too bad!

Update: Tink has been moved to the Town Square Theater near the entrance to Magic Kingdom!

Anna and Elsa

 

 

 

The moment you have allllll been waiting for............FROZEN meet and greet!!!!!! We have literally been singing this movie since we saw it. We love the story, characters and music. I for one, cannot wait to meet the Princess and the Queen! Announced on 11/19/13, the ladies will be hanging out in Norway. I did some research to see if I could find where they are located and I think it is inside of the gift shop where you exit Maelstrom. This will be a must do for our family (and probably yours if you have seen Frozen)!!

 

Update: They have moved the sisters to Princess Fairytale Hall! The meet and greet is showing up on the Fastpass+ lineup, however if you do not get the FP+ you can still get to them much more easily than before, by heading there at rope drop. The lines will not be like they were at Epcot!

 

Rumor Alert: Talk has been swirling around like Elsa's snow about a possibility of Maelstrom closing and a change-over happening to create a Frozen ride! Now, it will be bittersweet for me. Maelstrom is one of my favorite rides of all time. But Frozen is AWESOME! Disney Imagineering will have fun with a ride like that...it is sure to be great :)