I really enjoyed talking about the princesses in Epcot last week so for the next couple posts I will share about the characters you can meet in the remaining parks!

Animal Kingdom has a ton of characters to meet! I will “walk” you around the park and tell you all about the characters you’ll run into along the way.

As you enter Discovery Island you will quickly spot Dug and Russel from the movie Up! These two are so much fun to meet! They are always interactive and try to make guests laugh. If you’re lucky you’ll even see Kevin roaming around this area!

Right around the corner is Adventure Outpost. Here you can meet Minnie and Mickey in their safari outfits! This is a fun way to get out of the sun. While you wait to meet the iconic duo you are inside out of the direct sun.

DinoLand U.S.A. is such a fun character spot! First off, you can meet Donald and Daisy Duck! They are also in their safari attire. Some of Donald’s family members are there too. Launchpad McQuack and Scrooge McDuck are also in DinoLand for you to meet. On top of these four characters, Chip, Dale, and Goofy are also in this area. Last, but not least, occasionally Pluto is in DinoLand to meet! (Pretty much, DinoLand U.S.A. is the place to be if you’re meeting characters.)

The last three characters also have their own meeting place but they are a little harder to find. Timon and Rafiki from Lion King have their own character landing spot. They are easier to spot because of the long line that usually accumulates by the meeting area. Our last character is hidden very well! Pocahontas is located on Discovery Island but tucked down a trail. Typically you will be able to see the photographer first before spotting Pocahontas so keep your eyes peeled!

Epcot has 11 countries located around the World Showcase lake. Many princesses are located in their home countries. Meeting the princesses in their home country is a different experience compared to meeting them in Magic Kingdom. They are often in more “casual” attire when found in Epcot. Magic Kingdom is where you’ll see the princesses in their ball gowns. Also, some princesses can only be found in Epcot and not at Magic Kingdom.

My personal preference is to walk the countries counter-clockwise starting with Canada. Now there are no princesses or even characters in Canada but once you hit the United Kingdom you can meet 3 characters. Although these are not technically princesses they are still exciting! Alice, Mary Poppins, and Winnie the Pooh are all located in the United Kingdom. I have some of the best memories meeting Alice here! Winnie the Pooh and Mary Poppins can be met in Magic Kingdom but this is the only place to see Alice.

Next stop is France. Here you can meet Aurora and Belle. Belle is often reading by the water waiting to meet guests. Aurora is located under a gazebo (this is a nice character to meet in the summer months because the line is normally under shade). These princesses can be met in Magic Kingdom occasionally, but not always.

The next country you visit is Morocco. Princess Jasmine is tucked away down the alley behind all of the shops. She is also a great princess to meet in the summer because of the shaded line area and you meet her inside! Jasmine can be found in Magic Kingdom with Aladdin.

Japan, America, and Italy do not have princesses or even characters but they do offer great food!

Germany is the home of Snow White. Known for their Oktoberfest, Germany offers great beer which you can see many parents enjoying while waiting to meet Snow White! She is in Magic Kingdom, but not every day.

After walking through the outpost that is jungle themed, you enter China, home of Mulan. If you’re lucky, she is a very fun princess to meet. She loves to see how tough the young children are and is very interactive with them! Mulan is not seen in Magic Kingdom.

Norway has had some new additions over the past 5 years. Since the release of Frozen, you can now find Elsa and Anna in their own little building right before leaving Norway. They also have their own boat ride in Norway that is very exciting! Elsa and Anna don’t make an appearance in Magic Kingdom .

Lastly Donald Duck is in Mexico! He is dressed in a fun colored poncho and sombrero. Although he can be met in almost all of the parks, this is the only spot where you will see Donald Duck wearing this outfit.

It is finally Mickey’s time to shine on a ride! On Wednesday, a brand new ride opened in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the first ride featuring Mickey Mouse! This is the perfect park for the ride for a few reasons. Hollywood Studios is home to the Chinese Theater. Back in the ’30’s and ’40’s, Mickey cartoons made their debut in this theater. The Chinese Theater is the first thing you see when you enter the park. What better character than Mickey himself?

The theme of this ride also makes it a great fit for Hollywood Studios. It feels like you are entering a Mickey and Minnie short film. You enter under a neon-lit marquee. This ride feels right at home at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. And like most “cheesy” rides at Disney, this one plays a song that’ll be stuck in your head for the rest of your stay! It fits right in to the old Hollywood style that is displayed around Hollywood Studios.

I cannot wait to actually go experience this ride for myself! Although Hollywood Studios is not my favorite park, I love the nostalgic feeling that it has all around. I think that this ride has found the right home and I am glad that the Imagineers have waited so long to include it.