The ABCs of Disney Character Hunting

The Examiner takes a look at finding your favorite characters at Walt Disney World A through Z.  How do you find your favorite characters, and do you have a tricks or tips?

"One of the most magical things to do at the Walt Disney World Resorts and Theme Parks is to go hunting for your favorite Disney character and get that autograph book filled.  Almost everyone who visit’s the Disney theme parks has a blast seeking out their favorite character.  Let’s be honest.  With a show of hands, how many of you have taken a selfie with Mickey Mouse or posed in a princess costume with Cinderella?  Yeah, I raised my hand too.

Some of the Disney characters only make rare appearances, coming out to visit with guests during peak seasons and special events.  Here is a list of Disney Characters in alphabetical order that can be found at the theme parks:
A

• Aladdin - Magic Kingdom: Magic Carpets of Aladdin; Epcot: Morocco
• Alice - Magic Kingdom: The Mad Tea Party; Epcot: United Kingdom; Epcot: The American Adventure
• Anastasia - Magic Kingdom: Behind Cinderella’s Castle
• Anna - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall
• Ariel - Magic Kingdom: Ariel’s Grotto; Epcot: Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)
• Aurora - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall; Epcot: France, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)

B

• Baloo - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Upcountry Landing
• Beast - Epcot: France
• Belle: Magic Kingdom - Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only), Enchanted Tales with Belle; Epcot: France, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)
• Buzz Lightyear: Magic Kingdom - Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin/Carousel of Progress; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Friends Building

C

• Chip ‘n’ Dale - Magic Kingdom: Golden Horseshoe; Epcot: Near the Land Pavilion, Garden Grill (character dining only); Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Outside Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Cinderella - Magic Kingdom: Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only), Princess Fairytale Hall
• Country Bears - Epcot: The American Adventure

D

• Daisy Duck - Magic Kingdom: Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: Legacy Fountain; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Discovery Island Character Landing, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Doc - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only)
• Donald Duck - Magic Kingdom: Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: The American Adventure, Mexico; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Cretaceous Trail, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Drizella - Magic Kingdom: Behind Cinderella’s Castle
• Dug - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Tough to be a Bug

E

• Eeyore - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only); Epcot: United Kingdom
• Elsa - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall

F

• Fairy Godmother - Magic Kingdom: Cinderella’s Fountain
• Ferb - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit to MuppetVision
• Frozone - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation

G

• Gaston - Magic Kingdom: Gaston’s Tavern
• Genie - Epcot: Morocco
• Goofy - Magic Kingdom: Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: The American Adventure, Legacy Fountain; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Chester and Hester’s Dinorama, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Green Army Men - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Friends Building

H

• Handy Manny - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only)

J

• Jasmine - Magic Kingdom: Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only), Princess Fairytale Hall, Magic Carpets of Aladdin; Epcot: Morocco, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)
• Jake - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only), Disney Junior LIVE
• Jessie - Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain

L

• Lady Tremaine - Magic Kingdom: Behind Cinderella’s Castle
• Lightning McQueen - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Luigi’s Garage
• Louis - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Upcountry Landing

M

• Mad Hatter - Epcot: The American Adventure
• Marie - Magic Kingdom: Area by City Hall
• Mary Poppins - Magic Kingdom: Near Le Chapeau; Epcot: United Kingdom
• Mater - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Luigi’s Garage
• Merida - Magic Kingdom: Fairytale Garden
• Mickey Mouse - Magic Kingdom: Town Square Theater; Epcot: The American Adventure, Garden Grill (character dining only), Future World Character Spot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Adventurer’s Outpost, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Mike - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit of Backlot Tour
• Minnie Mouse - Magic Kingdom: Area by City Hall, Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: The American Adventure, Future World Character Spot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat, Magic of Disney Animation; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Adventurer’s Outpost
• Mr. Incredible - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation
• Mulan - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall; Epcot: China, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)

P

• Peter Pan - Magic Kingdom: Peter Pan’s Flight
• Piglet - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only)
• Phineas - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit to MuppetVision
• Pluto - Magic Kingdom: Area by City Hall; Epcot: The American Adventure, Garden Grill (character dining only), Future World Character Spot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Chester and Hester’s Dinorama
• Pocahontas - Epcot: The American Adventure; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Discovery Island Trails

R

• Rafiki - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Inside Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Ralph - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation
• Rapunzel - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall
• Russel - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Tough to be a Bug

S

• Snow White - Magic Kingdom: Town Square Theater Porch, Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only); Epcot: Germany
• Sofia the First - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only); Disney Junior LIVE
• Stitch - Magic Kingdom: Throughout Tomorrowland; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat
• Sulley - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit of Backlot Tour

T

• Tiana - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall, The Glade
• Tigger - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Epcot: United Kingdom
• Tinker Bell - Magic Kingdom: Town Square Theater

V

• Venellope - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation

W

• White Rabbit - Magic Kingdom: The Mad Tea Party
• Winnie the Pooh - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Epcot: United Kingdom
• Woody - Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Friends Building

Hopefully this will help you find all of your favorite characters throughout the parks at Disney World.  Remember that character appearances are intermittent during the times listed on the park guide so check with guest relations at the park for more details about times and locations for character meet and greets.  Happy vacationing!"

DISNEY ON ICE: Let's Celebrate! A Review!

A few nights ago, our blogs had the opportunity to attend Disney On Ice:  Let's Celebrate at Philips Arena here in Atlanta.  I was lucky enough to have a Guest with me that (hopefully) will be joining our family of websites, as a future writer and contributor.

Please help me in welcoming, Lindsey, to our family of sites, as she presents her very first review for us!  Take it away Lindsey!

Disney On Ice: Let's Celebrate lives up to its title - in itself, the show is a reason to celebrate!  The show featured different segments on reasons to celebrate, including a Very Merry Unbirthday with Alice and the Mad Hatter; a Halloween Town celebration with Jack Skellington and the Disney Villains; Valentine's Day with the Princesses and their Princes; summer vacation in Hawaii with Nani, David, Lilo, and Stitch, which lead to Japan with Minnie, and China with Mickey, Mulan, and Li Shang; Mardi Gras with Tiana and Naveen; and finally, Christmas with Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and friends.  If you're feeling homesick for the happiest place on earth, I highly recommend Let's Celebrate!  Fun for the entire family, it is the perfect touch of the Disney Parks close to home.  If you're seated close to the ice, the characters may interact with you!  Even if you are seated far away from the arena, the characters on ice still make attempts to bring the audience into the show, such as saying the magic words with Fairy Godmother (Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!) or saying "Aloha!" along with Lilo and friends to kick off the Luau in Hawaii.

Some underappreciated characters made an appearance, including Pinocchio, Geppetto, and the Blue Fairy; Mowgli and Baloo; Jack Skellington; Alice and Mad Hatter; Cruella De Ville; and many others.   It was nostalgic to see the characters that aren't often included.  The Halloween Town party was haunting in the most theatrical and fun-filled way.  The Jack Skellington figure skater was phenomenal - the movements were whimsical, fun, and daring, much like Jack himself.  The Valentine's Day segment with the Princesses was gorgeous.  All of the Princesses were included, with the exception of Pocahontas, Aurora, Rapunzel, and Merida.  The princesses had an individual dance to a contemporary remix of their signature song with their prince.  The final dance with everyone was to Enchanted's "That's How You Know," which had everyone wanting to clap and sing along.  After a short intermission, the show returned with summer vacation in Hawaii.  The theatrics in this were amazing.  Be surprised for some daring stunts and pyrotechnics from David.  The best part of summer vacation was the very end - Louisiana with Tiana and Naveen had everyone clapping along and having a great time.  The bluesy melody of The Princess and the Frog soundtrack along with the fast paced skating and dancing was well received by all.  The final Christmas segment had kids of all ages in the audience enthusiastic - "The toys are back in town!" Toy Story is a timeless classic, and I loved seeing them out on the ice!  I was most impressed by the costumes for Hamm and Rex.  Their costumes were very cumbersome, but they still engaged with the audience (Hamm let the kids pet him!) 

Overall, Let's Celebrate is one of the most interesting Disney On Ice productions.  What appeals to the audience is that it's suitable for kids of all ages.  Parents and grandparents will enjoy it just as much as the little ones will.  The timing of the production is also convenient.  It's the perfect event to bring in the holiday season.  Regardless of holidays and celebration, it's the perfect event to get your fix of Disney (I know that I suffer from Disney withdrawls!) If it's coming to a city near you, don't miss out on the opportunity to see this production! Bring some good company, and Let's Celebrate!

 

*Disney On Ice:  Let's Celebrate will play Atlanta's Philips Arena through Sunday, October 13th.  There are still seats available, and all our readers can get a 20% discount by using the code GASSOUTH when checking out!  Visit the Ticketmaster website to purchase yours today.

Disney On Ice - Let's Celebrate Returns to Atlanta!

Well, it's time, and we've been waiting patiently since last Winter!

Disney on Ice is finally returning to the Atlanta area for another fantastic performance.  This time, we will see Disney on Ice's, "Let's Celebrate" production:

"It's one colossal party on ice, with all your favorite Disney friends!  Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they celebrate a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains; a Very Merry UNbirthday party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; Mardi Gras with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Royal Valentine's Day Ball with the Disney Princesses; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch; a winter wonderland with Woody, Jessie, and Buzz; and more in this magical medley of holidays, celebrations, and festivals from around the globe!"

Disney On Ice's, "Let's Celebrate" will play Philips Arena October 9 through the 13th.  Performance times will be as follows:

• Wed., Oct. 9 - 7:30PM
• Thursday, Oct. 10 - 7:30PM
• Friday, Oct. 11 - 10:30AM; 7:30PM
• Saturday, Oct. 12 - 11:00AM; 2:30PM; 6:30PM
• Sunday, Oct. 13 - 1:00PM; 5:00PM

Ticket prices range from $15 to $75.  However...you can receive a 20% discount as one of our readers!  Just use the code GASSOUTH when checking out!  (Visit the Ticketmaster website to purchase your tickets.)

You can also visit and "Like" Disney on Ice on facebook and twitter (#DOIAtlanta).  They have some fabulous information and pictures there.

I am so excited about this production!  I love the Disney villains and Alice in Wonderland.

Stay tuned for exciting contest information where you can win up to four (4) tickets to see this fabulous production.  You may also follow us and our coverage of this event through our other two accounts and websites:  The Coffee Blog and Day Late Dollar Short!

STITCH - His Level of Badness

*Courtesy Disney

From the Disney facebook page,

"This is your badness level. It’s unusually high for someone your size. We need to fix that.” - Lilo"