People have often said that EPCOT is an adult park in Walt Disney World, but that is not true!
Don’t be afraid to take your children on an EPCOT day, there is plenty to keep them entertained and happy. One of the most magical family-friendly attractions in EPCOT is meeting characters throughout the park, even rare Disney characters!
Classic Characters – At Fixed Locations
Mickey Mouse – See Mickey in his classic clothes at the exit of the Pixar Short Film Festival. This is the only place in Walt Disney World to meet Mickey in his classic outfit!
Minnie Mouse – Start your EPCOT day with the adorable Minnie Mouse with her meet and greet at the entrance of EPCOT and the Friendship Ambassador Gazebo.
Goofy – You can find Goofy throughout the day at the entrance of EPCOT.
Pluto – Like the goodest boy, Pluto tends to roam around where belly rubs are. He can be seen at the entrance to EPCOT, the World Showcase, and the Friendship Ambassador Gazebo.
Daisy Duck – You can find the fabulous Miss Daisy at the entrance of the World Showcase at the International Gateway.
Donald Duck – You can find Donald hanging around the Mariachis in the Mexico pavilion wearing his poncho and sombrero. Ole!
Imagination Pavilion
Joy – You can find Joy at the World Celebration neighborhood in ImageWorks.
Vanellope von Schweetz – The princess from the video game, Sugar Rush, has a permanent meet and greet area in Image Works in the Imagination Pavilion.
Winnie the Pooh – Pooh doesn’t actually do meet and greets in EPCOT, but he can be seen skipping through the imagination gardens with his butterfly net, and it’s just adorable.
World Showcase
Alice – You can find Alice wandering the gardens in the UK pavilion behind the tea shop. Be sure to ask her about her kitty, Dinah!
Anna and Elsa – The Queen of Arendelle and the Fifth Spirit are waiting to meet guests at their Sommerhaus in the Norway pavilion.
Anna is dressed for her coronation and Elsa is dressed as the Fifth Spirit from the second film.
Princess Aurora – Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty can sometimes be found in the Fragrance Gardens in the France pavilion.
Belle – If you’re lucky, you can see Belle in the France pavilion, and what’s more, she is in her village dress!
Princess Jasmine – There is no Agrabah in EPCOT, but Morocco is close enough! Princess Jasmine is a rare character in EPCOT, but when she is out she can be found roaming around the maze of the Morocco pavilion.
Mary Poppins – Practically perfect in every way, Mary Poppins is often found in the United Kingdom Courtyard.
Mulan – Occasionally, you will see Mulan wandering the gardens in her matchmaker dress. She is a rare character, and is not out often.
Snow White – Get ready to wish yourself a prince by singing in the wishing well with Snow White in the Germany pavilion.
Character Dining
If you want to ensure a meet and greet with some of your favorite characters, you should consider a character dining restaurant. There, each character will take time with you and your family at your table for questions, hugs, photos, and autographs. All character dining is at Table Service restaurants, which it’s important to note they will take about 2 hours from check in to walking out the door.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Located in the Norway pavilion is the Princess dining experience at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. The castle, which belongs to Anna and Elsa, is lent out to their friends for a royal party. Here you can meet Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Snow White, Belle, and Cinderella.
Garden Grill – Garden Grill is the slowly rotating restaurant in the Land pavilion above the Living with the Land attraction. Here you can enjoy the fruits of the Disney horticulturists labor and meet class Disney characters. All dressed for the farm, you can meet Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale!
Garden Grill has been touted as being the best character dining in Walt Disney World because it is a small restaurant and the characters spend a lot of time with each guest. They will even return to your table for more!
Have comments or questions, be sure to leave them in the Comment Section Below!
EPCOT Overview Pages:
See all our Theme Park Pages:
- Disney World Theme Park Overview
- Magic Kingdom
- EPCOT
- Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Disney's Animal Kingdom
This article was written by Erin Schreiver and reviewed by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Erin is a military spouse who enjoys visiting Walt Disney World with her family, pin trading, and collecting Minnie ears and Disney coffee mugs.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
Meet the Military Disney Tips Team | Read Steve’s Full Bio | Follow Military Disney Tips on Facebook
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