Epcot has long been the place to mix a little world exploration with fun (and well-themed) character meets.
The park has all kinds of character interactions, including most everyone’s favorite — traditional meet and greets with hugs and autographs!
Here’s everything you need to know about the characters and cavalcades in Epcot.
Looking for info on the other parks?
Check out our other posts for character information across Walt Disney World:
- Cavalcades and Characters in Magic Kingdom
- Cavalcades and Characters in Hollywood Studios
- Cavalcades and Characters in Animal Kingdom
Cavalcades & Other Character Interactions
Epcot Cavalcades (No Longer Running)
Cavalcades are no longer running at Epcot, but there are other character opportunities at the park.
Traditional Character Meet & Greets
You can hug the following characters, take photos, and have them sign autographs (unless otherwise noted).
Mickey and friends (later in 2023)
Characters: Mickey and friends
Location: Communicore Hall in World Celebration
Mickey At Disney And Pixar Short Film Festival
Characters: Mickey Mouse (PhotoPass available)
Where: At the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival next to the Imagination! Pavilion
Joy at ImageWorks
Characters: Joy from Inside Out (PhotoPass available)
Location: ImageWorks in the Imagination! Pavilion
Vanellope at ImageWorks
Characters: Vanellope from Wreck-It-Ralph (PhotoPass available)
Location: ImageWorks in the Imagination! Pavilion
Figment (beginning late summer 2023)
Characters: Figment
Location: Imagination! Pavilion
Disney Visa Cardmember Character Photo Opportunity
Characters: Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Pluto (characters subject to change; PhotoPass available)
Location: Building near ImageWorks in the Imagination! Pavilion
Anna and Elsa at Royal Summerhus
Characters: Anna and Elsa from Frozen (automated PhotoPass available)
Location: Royal Summerhus in the Norway Pavilion
Minnie Mouse
Note: Sometimes Minnie will appear here instead of Pluto and he’ll take over her spot in World Showcase Plaza. Check the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member for confirmation.
Characters: Minnie Mouse (PhotoPass available)
Location: In the gazebo in World Showcase Plaza near the Mexico pavilion
Goofy and Pluto
Note: Sometimes Minnie will appear here instead of Pluto and he’ll take over her spot in World Showcase Plaza. Check the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member for confirmation.
Characters: Goofy and Pluto
Location: Epcot entrance plaza
Donald Duck
Characters: Donald (PhotoPass available)
Location: Mexico pavilion (outdoor location to the right of the pyramid)
Mary Poppins
Characters: Mary Poppins
Location: while she used to meet in the gazebo, you can now find Mary in the garden outside The Tea Caddy shop in the United Kingdom pavilion
Alice In Wonderland
Characters: Alice
Location: In the garden outside The Tea Caddy shop in the United Kingdom pavilion
Aurora
Characters: Aurora
Location: In the France pavilion gazebo
Belle
Characters: Belle
Location: Along the water adjacent to Chefs de France in the France pavilion (alternates with Aurora)
Jasmine
Characters: Jasmine
Location: In “Lamps of Wonder” inside the Morocco pavilion
Snow White
Characters: Snow White
Location: By the wishing well in the Germany pavilion
Mulan
Characters: Mulan
Location: On the bridge in the China Pavilion
Daisy
Characters: Daisy
Location: at International Gateway
Other Character Opportunities And “Sightings”
Even with character meet and greets back to normal, there are still some character “sightings” for guests to enjoy.
You can actually have 1-on-1 time with select characters — but at a distance. This means no hugging or autographs.
Most of these experiences don’t have PhotoPass photographers, so you’ll need to take photos/selfies with your own camera and/or mobile device.
You can check appearance times for in the My Disney Experience app.
Winnie The Pooh
Characters: Winnie the Pooh
Location: Imagination! Lawn
Epcot Character Dining
Epcot is currently home to two character meals – Garden Grill in the Land Pavilion and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion.
Garden Grill
We visited Garden Grill right after it opened, and we are happy to report that our longtime favorite is still a great option.
You can hug characters here and have them sign autographs. Characters here include Farmer Mickey, Chip, Dale, and Pluto.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Guests dining at Akershus will have the opportunity to take photos and interact with a mix of Disney princesses that could include Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Tiana, and Ariel.
Dinner features Princess Storybook Dining and traditional Norwegian food that is served family-style.
Seasonal Character Experiences
In 2022, you were able to say hello to Santa Claus as a storyteller during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. He usually is present through December 24. We’ll let you know if, when, or where he’ll meet in 2023.
Winnie the Pooh is usually also be seen around the Imagination! Lawn sporting a Santa Hat and ringing jingle bells.
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