Meeting characters may not be at the top of your mind when you visit Epcot. But the park features some great characters, some of whom are unique and can’t be found in any of the other Disney World parks. What characters can you meet at Epcot? Here’s our complete guide to help you plan your day.
From dreamy princesses to all-time favorites like Mickey and Friends, Epcot is home to some of the most beloved characters from the world of Disney. You can interact with the characters and pose for photos at formal meet-and-greets as well as informally throughout Epcot.
Today we’re giving you the lowdown on Epcot characters, from locations and timings to FastPass+ eligibility and more. We’ve written this guide so it’s easy for you to find the characters your family loves. We do our best to keep this guide updated, but keep in mind that times and locations change seasonally. Our advice is to grab a Times Guide when you enter Epcot or check the My Disney Experience app for the times and locations for character meet and greets on the day of your visit.
One quick bit of advice from us – while formal poses for photographs are great and can get you that frame-worthy picture, don’t overlook the numerous opportunities for informal interactions. Sometimes these are the character encounters at Epcot that make the best memories.
Characters you can only meet at Epcot
There are some characters you can only meet at Epcot for free. They’re present at some paid events like character meals in the resorts and other parks, but do not interact with guests otherwise in any of the other Disney World parks. So, if you don’t want to spend any extra money and these characters are your kids’ favorites, don’t miss the chance to catch them at Epcot.
- Mulan
- Anna and Elsa from Frozen
- Joy
Check the Times Guide to find the locations and times to meet these Epcot exclusive characters or look in the My Disney Experience app. Remember, the characters do need to take regular breaks (makeup and costumes can be brutal in the Florida heat), so factor in some waiting time.
Epcot characters by location
If you’re in a certain part of Epcot, it helps to know which characters you can encounter in that area. Here’s our guide on finding characters at Epcot by location.
Future World
The character spot is located between Innoventions and Club Cool and is frequented by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale. Nemo can sometimes be found hanging around the entrance of The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Figment can be found at Figment’s Place which is near the Honey I Shrunk the Audience 4D attraction.
Mexico
You might run into Panchito, Jose Carioca, or Donald Duck near the pyramid entrance.
Italy
Pinnochio, Gideon, Gepetto, and Foulfellow often roam the Italy pavilion at Epcot.
China
Mulan, the heroine of a Chinese folklore, meets guests in the Lotus Blossom Café courtyard.
Morocco
Jasmine and Aladdin can be found roaming around the Morocco pavilion at Epcot.
United Kingdom
Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, and The Toy Soldier are some of the Epcot characters that interact with guests at the UK pavilion.
France
Characters from Beauty and the Beast (Belle and the Beast) can often be found roaming around the France pavilion.
Canada
Brother Bear characters like Koda and Kenai hang out at the Canada pavilion near the entrance of Le Cellier.
American Adventure
The Country Bears, Suzy and Perla (the mice in Cinderella), Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale can all be found at different times at the American Adventure.
Disney Visa Photo Spot
Holders of the Disney Visa card can meet and greet characters at this special photo spot in Epcot. The characters that meet guests here change daily, but often include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto. There can one character at a time or two or three.
Alphabetical list of characters at Epcot
Alice in Wonderland
Where: United Kingdom pavilion
When: 11:30 am to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Near the Mad Tea Party in Magic Kingdom and character meals at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Anna and Elsa
Where: Norway pavilion in the Royal Sommerhus
When: 9 am to 9 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: None.
Ariel
Where: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion
When: All day
Other Accompanying Characters: Other Disney princesses
FastPass+: Yes
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Ariel’s Grotto in Magic Kingdom (mermaid form), Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom (human form), for a character meal breakfast at Trattoria al Forno in Disney’s Boardwalk.
Aladdin
Where: Morocco pavilion near the Restaurant Marrakesh
When: 11:30 am to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: Princess Jasmine
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot, Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom.
Aurora from Sleeping Beauty
Where: France pavilion
When: 12 pm to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot, Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom.
Belle
Where: France pavilion
When: 11 am to 5 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion at Epcot, Enchanted Tales with Belle at Magic Kingdom (limited interaction at the end of the show).
Cinderella
Where: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion
When: All day
Other Accompanying Characters: Other princesses are present at this character meal
FastPass+: Yes
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom, and character meals (dinner) at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Chip ‘n’ Dale
Where: Garden Grill Restaurant
When: Mealtimes
Other Accompanying Characters: Mickey Mouse and Pluto
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Grand Avenue area at Hollywood Studios, Campfire sing-along at Fort Wilderness Resort, Dinoland U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom.
Donald Duck
Where: Mexico pavilion (sporting a sombrero!)
When: Noon to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: All the Disney parks
Daisy Duck
Where: Mouse Innoventions in Future World
When: Park opening to 5 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: All the Disney parks
Goofy
Where: Innoventions and Spaceship Earth
When: All day
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: All the Disney parks
Jasmine
Where: Morocco pavilion near the Restaurant Marrakesh
When: 11:30 am to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: Aladdin
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot, near the Magic Carpet ride in Magic Kingdom.
Joy
Where: Imagination! pavilion
When: All day
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: None
Mary Poppins
Where: United Kingdom pavilion
When: 11 am to 5 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion, The Gazebo in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom, character meals at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian.
Mickey Mouse
Where: Imagination! (in the queue area for the Pixar short film festival)
When: All day
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: All the Disney parks, specifically at Town Square Theater on Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom and Garden Grill at Epcot.
Minnie Mouse
Where: Showcase Plaza in World Showcase
When: All day
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: All the Disney parks, including the Big Top at Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Fantasyland Magic Kingdom.
Mulan
Where: China pavilion
When: 11 am to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion at Epcot (she’s on rotation with other princesses for the character meals).
Pluto
Where: Legacy Plaza West near Spaceship Earth in Future World
When: 9 am to 4 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: All the Disney parks including near Pete’s Silly Sideshow and Storybook Circus in Fantasyland Magic Kingdom, Garden Grill in Epcot.
Rapunzel
Where: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (character meals)
When: During dining hours
Other Accompanying Characters: Other Disney princesses
FastPass+: Yes
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s Boardwalk for a breakfast character meal, Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom.
Snow White
Where: Germany pavilion
When: 3 pm to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot, Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, Town Square in Magic Kingdom.
Winnie the Pooh
Where: United Kingdom pavilion (go to the back of the Toy Soldier store at the back)
When: Noon to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: Character meals at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa (1900 Park Fare), Crystal Palace character meals, Magic Kingdom meet-and-greet with Tigger.
Wreck-It-Ralph and Vanellope
Where: ImageWorks in the Imagination! building
When: 9 am to 6 pm
Other Accompanying Characters: None
FastPass+: No
Other Opportunities to Meet This Character: None.
Character dining at Epcot
One of the ways your family can enjoy interacting with characters at Epcot is by paying for a character meal. There are two venues for character meals at Epcot – Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion and Garden Grill in Future World.
Princess Storybook Dining at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a great place to meet Disney princesses. You can never be sure which specific princesses will be present on any given day because they rotate, but they usually include at least a few from the most popular ones like Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, and Mulan. It’s worth noting that since the venue is located in the Norway pavilion, the fare can be a tad bit on the exotic side. If you’ve got a picky eater in the family, your best bet is getting breakfast here, which has regular American offerings.
The Garden Grill is a family-style American eatery that offers an all-you-can-eat meal, so it’s a good place for hungry families. You can meet Mickey Mouse here (one of the few places to catch him in Epcot) as well as Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale.
Other attractions featuring favorite Disney characters at Epcot
Frozen Ever After in World Showcase at Epcot: Board an ancient Nordic vessel and journey into the world of Anna and Elsa on a musical tour of their wintery world. This is a slow ride and dark ride with small drops.
Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros: Enjoy the antics of the 3 amigos as you take in the sights and sounds of Mexico on this gentle boat ride in the Mexico pavilion.
Impressions de France: Watch a short film that showcases the romance and charm of one of Europe’s most enchanting countries, a land of princesses and castles, horsemen and hunting dogs.
Journey into Imagination with Figment: Join the playful dragon Figment on a delightful slow ride through the sensory labs of the Imagination Institute.
The American Adventure: Re-introduce yourself to American history with this 72-foot screen projection with stirring imagery and patriotic songs, encountering stalwarts like Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends: Head over to Future World at Epcot for a journey under the sea without ever getting wet. This gentle ride features favorite characters from the Disney Pixar film Finding Nemo.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along: Watch a 15-minute film featuring classic songs and watch the timeless tale of Beauty and Beast unfold before your eyes.
Wrapping up Epcot characters
Most character interactions at Epcot are free, but if you want to enjoy a meal while you meet the characters, there’s an extra charge, of course. We would suggest enjoying all the fantastic attractions in Epcot and keeping character meets low on your priority list. If your family is big on characters, then it’s a good idea to first tick the Epcot exclusives off your list.
Remember, characters vary seasonally and times can change, so be sure to look at the official Times Guide or My Disney Experience app. And don’t be surprised if you unexpectedly run into a character where you least expect it.
If your kids are character obsessed, a fun thing to do is collect autographs. Disney sells autograph books and you can hand them over to the character handler when you’re waiting in the queue.