Characters in the Parks: Disney Princesses

When visiting a Disney destination, it is always exciting to meet those Disney characters that you have seen on-screen or in books. The easiest way to meet characters is through character meals, and you can read more about those in my previous blog posts:

Meals with the Fab 5Meals Fit for a Princess, and Other Character Meals. However, you can also find the characters in the parks, along with others that are not available at meals.

Mulan at the China pavilion in Epcot

Mulan at the China pavilion in Epcot

Over the years, the royal ranks of Disney princesses have grown, and now they can be found at every Walt Disney World theme park. Sometimes it is only a matter of knowing where to look!

Read on to find out more.

Magic Kingdom

The newest Disney princesses can be found at the Magic Kingdom, along with some classic favorite ones. They can be found in several locations, some of them well hidden.

There is a semi-permanent character greeting location for the princesses at Town Square Theater on Main Street. Here you can find several Disney princesses; the specific characters may change, so be careful about telling your little one exactly which princesses will be there. Princesses may include: Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Snow White, and/or Rapunzel. This is a Fast Pass attraction. This greeting area will eventually be moved to Princess Fairytale Hall in the new Fantasyland.

Rapunzel at Princess Fairytale Hall

Rapunzel at Princess Fairytale Hall

The Fairytale Garden is an outdoor theater located on the path to the right around Cinderella Castle, as you are facing the front. This location has been the meet-and-greet area for the newest of the princesses, so it now features Mereda from Brave. While adults hold their little ones' places in line, younger guests are welcome to participate in a variety of activities such as archery lessons and coloring. Then, of course, there is an opportunity to meet Mereda!

Tiana at her Garden Glen in Liberty Square

Tiana at her Garden Glen in Liberty Square

Various other princesses can often be found in locations that correspond with their characters. Jasmine is often near the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, while Tiana can be found on Liberty Square Bridge. You can also find Ariel in her grotto in the new Fantasyland.

Epcot

Princesses can often be found in the World Showcase in Epcot, in a location pertaining to their character or story. In France, you can often find Aurora and Belle, while Snow White is often in Germany. Jasmine can be found in Morocco and Mulan in China.

Mulan at the China pavilion in Epcot

Mulan at the China pavilion in Epcot

Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom

Although several princesses can be seen in shows at the Hollywood Studios, you will have more luck at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot if you want to meet the princesses. However, Megara (from

Hercules

) can sometimes be found at the Sorcerer's Hat in Hollywood Studios, while Pocahontas is often found in various locations at Animal Kingdom.

Pocahontas at Rafiki's Planet Watch

Pocahontas at Rafiki's Planet Watch

General

The most important thing to remember about character greetings is that characters and locations change on a regular basis. Be very careful about guaranteeing a sighting of any specific character. Even in locations such as Town Square Theater, where some character interaction is guaranteed, there may be a change of characters between when you get your Fast Pass or enter the line, and when you actually meet the characters. Don't let this deter you, though; as long as you make no promises, it is always a magical experience!

Be sure to check character greeting times and locations on the Park Times Guide. Even princesses sometimes need a break! This Guide will give you the most accurate information for the day you are visiting. And always keep your eyes open; you never know who may stop by!

If you have a question or have seen a princess in a location not listed, please list it in the comments section!

Enter the Giveaway!

Enter my Disney gift card giveaway! The more entries we have, the more chances there are for you to win! I will give away one $25 Disney gift card for every 20 people who enter. If you comment on this post (or any other post on the blog), you can earn 2 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a magical day! 

Overlooked Attractions: Animal Kingdom

Rafiki's Planet Watch is the most overlooked area at Animal Kingdom, and some of the most fun for little ones, and grown-ups, too!

Read more to find out about this fascinating area.

Getting there

Wildlife Express Train

Wildlife Express Train

First of all, you have to ride a train to get to Rafiki's Planet Watch! If your children are like mine, trains hold a terrific fascination, and the Wildlife Express Train is a lot of fun because you are actually sitting facing sideways, so you can see out of the train and into some of the backstage animal areas.

Habitat Habit!

Upon getting off the train, you can explore some an outdoor trail and see animals, including the cotton-top tamarin monkey. Learn about how to share our world with the animals around us.

Conservation Station

Pocahontas

Pocahontas

Here you can find interactive exhibits and a viewable onsite research facility. Experiences include:

  • Animal Encounters Stage - fun shows about wildlife habitats
  • Song of the Rainforest - 3D audio journey through the rainforest led by Grandma Willow
  • Veterinary Treatment Room - see hands-on care of the animals
  • Backstage Tour - control animal cams to see backstage animal areas
  • Character Greetings - see some hard-to-find characters like Rafiki, Pocahontas, and Jiminy Cricket
  • Eco-Web - learn about conservation efforts
  • Nutrition Center - learn about animal diets and watch handlers prepare food
  • Amphibian and Reptile Center - see a variety of creepy-crawly creatures
  • Nursery - see baby animals

 Of course, all experiences are subject to change!

Jiminy Cricket

Jiminy Cricket

We especially enjoy seeing rare characters, the baby animals, and the veterinary treatment center. There is so much information at a variety of age-appropriate interest levels.

Affection Section

This is a petting zoo area where guests can get up close and personal with several species of animal. There is a convenient washing area, and guests are encouraged to wash their hands before and after meeting the animals.

Animal brushes are available, and children love to brush, pet, and feed the animals. The animals may include:

  • goats
  • sheep
  • donkeys
  • cows
  • pigs
  • llamas
  • chickens

Other Information

Rafiki's Planet Watch often has different hours than the rest of the Animal Kingdom Park. I highly suggest you check the opening hours upon entrance to the park, and go to this area as early as possible. The animals are much more enthusiastic in the morning, before they have met several hundred other guests! It is also helpful to be present when the characters begin their appearances, to avoid waiting in a long line.

Have you been to Rafiki's Planet Watch?

Enter the Giveaway!

Enter my Disney gift card giveaway! The more entries we have, the more chances there are for you to win! I will give away one $25 Disney gift card for every 20 people who enter. If you comment on this post (or any other post on the blog), you can earn 2 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a magical day! 

Baby Time at Disney World: It Can Be Done!

Taking a baby to Disney World sounds like an insurmountable task, but you may be surprised at how many things Disney has in place to make it easier. After all, Walt Disney's dream was to build a place for families, and families have babies!

At Chef Mickey's

At Chef Mickey's

If you have a child who is old enough to enjoy Disney World, but are skeptical about going because of your younger baby or toddler, read more for tips on making it work!

Cost

Did you know that children under age 3 are free at Disney World? If your child has not yet turned 3 on your arrival date, he/she will be free for the entire stay! This includes theme park admission and all-inclusive dining experiences (though if you want to order your child a meal at a quick service or other table service restaurant, you will have to pay). In addition, your child under 3 does not contribute to the maximum room allowance at resorts, so if you have a family of 5 (and one is under 3), you can stay in a room for 4.

At Akershus

At Akershus

Baby Care Centers

Disney has Baby Care Centers at each of the four major theme parks. These centers include:

  • nursing areas
  • changing tables
  • high chairs
  • microwaves
  • purchase of limited selection of baby care items (formula, diapers, food, etc)
  • child activity areas for older children

These centers are air-conditioned, and much more comfortable than sitting in the hot sun or waiting in a restroom to take care of your baby! These Baby Care Centers saved my sanity when I took my 10-month-old!

Animal Kingdom in the summer!

Animal Kingdom in the summer!

Rider Switch

Do you want to ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster or Space Mountain, but someone has to stay with the baby? That's what the Rider Switch is for!

Rider Switch allows one adult to stay behind with the child(ren) who do not meet the height requirement for the ride. Everyone goes to the entrance of the line together, and tells the Cast Member there that there is the need for a Rider Switch Pass. The adult staying behind gets the pass, while everyone else goes through the line and rides the ride.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

When the first riders return, another adult stays behind and the first adult can use the Rider Switch pass to bypass the line (usually through the Fast Pass line, if there is one). The Rider Switch Pass allows up to 3 people to use the pass. My girls love this because the older 2 can ride twice: once with dad and once with me! (Please note: this is for those who do not meet the height requirement, not those who don't *want* to ride.)

Conclusion

Having a baby or toddler doesn't have to mean that you can't enjoy Disney World! It's so much fun to watch the little ones enjoy the magic. Age doesn't seem to matter at Disney World; that's one of the reasons I love it so much!

Meeting Tinkerbell at the Magic Kingdom

Meeting Tinkerbell at the Magic Kingdom

What do you think?