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Complete guide to cavalcades and characters at Hollywood Studios

Complete guide to cavalcades and characters at Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios hasn’t had a regular parade in many years. But, we are happy to say a mini-version of parades (in the style of cavalcades) are now a thing at Disney World!

These dashes of character magic are fantastic and a great way for guests to see their favorites.

Plus, there are character meet and greets and the chance to wave to your favorite Disney pals from a distance.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Looking for info on the other parks?

Check out our other posts for character information across Walt Disney World:

What is a Cavalcade?

Cavalcades are basically like a parade, but a much smaller and shorter version. You can find them along Hollywood Boulevard at Hollywood Studios.

While we love parades, we also enjoy cavalcades — a lot!

Not only do they allow you to see characters quickly and multiple times a day, but you also don’t have to camp out for hours for a good seat (or in that hot Orlando summer sun), unlike a parade.

Cavalcades really are a lot of fun and provide opportunities to wave to characters without feeling tied down to a parade schedule.

You can even easily catch one as you’re on your way to hop in line for an attraction or grab a bite to eat.

jessie in pixar cavalcade hollywood studios

Cavalcades Are Magical

Cavalcades really do feel more magical. Why? Allow us to explain.

  • Cavalcades are smaller, providing a more intimate experience. You won’t be stuck in the 2nd or 3 row of a crowd – you’ll be front row with lots of opportunities to wave – and for the characters to wave back.
  • They are quick – no standing in the hot sun for an hour. You get a dash of magic and then you move along to your next adventure of the day.
  • Cavalcades bring these magical character sightings into parts of parks we haven’t seen before like seeing Buzz Lightyear sitting in a car waving to guests.

How Do You Know One Is Coming?

Just like with a parade, music is your cue (at least for most of the cavalcades).

Before you’ll be able to see a cavalcade you’ll likely be able to hear it.

You can also check the My Disney Experience app for cavalcade schedules. They usually run about every 15 minutes or so.

hollywood studios pixar motorcade schedule

Cavalcades & Other Character Interactions

Hollywood Studios Cavalcades

Hollywood Studios used to have a total of 3 motorcades (like a mini-parade), but those have since ended.

Reminiscent of the old “Stars and Motor Cars” parade, Hollywood Studios used adorable automobiles for their caval, err, we mean, motorcades. 

This motorcade happened throughout the day, but start and end times varied. You were able to check the My Disney Experience app for the latest schedule.

Here are the former motorocades that were once available at Hollywood Studios.

Hollywood Studios Motorcades No Longer Running

Pixar Pals Motorcade
Pixar Pals motorcade

Characters: Green Army Men (drum corps) walking, Woody & Jessie walking, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible walking, Sulley walking, Buzz in a themed car, Edna Mode in a themed car
Where: From the front of the park down Hollywood Boulevard

Disney Junior Motorcade
Mickey And Friends Motorcade
Minnie in motorcade car

Characters: Mickey and Minnie in separate cars, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale walking, and sometimes Goofy
Where: From the front of the park down Hollywood Boulevard

Traditional Meet & Greets

You can hug the following characters, take photos, and have them sign autographs (unless otherwise noted).

Minnie Starring In Red Carpet Dreams

minnie meet and greet at hollywood studios

Characters: Minnie (PhotoPass available)
Where: Commissary Lane across from Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Sorcerer Mickey Starring in Red Carpet Dreams

sorcerer meet and greet at hollywood studios

Characters: Mickey (PhotoPass available)
Where: Commissary Lane across from Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Disney Junior Pals In The Animation Courtyard

disney junior character meet and greet at hollywood studios - vampirina

Characters: Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Fancy Nancy (PhotoPass available)
Where: In the Animation Courtyard

Disney Junior Come & Meet Pluto

pluto meet and greet - hollywood studios

Characters: Pluto (PhotoPass available)
Where: In the Animation Courtyard

Celebrity Spotlight (Available with Genie+)

olaf hollywood studios meet and greet

Characters: Olaf (no autograph; automated PhotoPass available)
Where: In Echo Lake around the corner from Vacation Fun

Star Wars Launch Bay

star wars launch bay chewbacca

Characters: BB-8, Chewbacca, Darth Vader (no autograph; automated PhotoPass for Chewbacca and Darth Vader)
Where: Inside Star Wars Launch Bay in Animation Courtyard

Disney Visa Cardmember Character Photo Opportunity

disney visa cardmember photo opportunity with darth vader

Characters: Darth Vader (PhotoPass available)
Where: Star Wars Launch Bay in Animation Courtyard

Toy Story Characters

Woody and Jessie

Characters: Woody and Jessie meet next to Toy Story Mania and Buzz can either be found near Slinky Dog Dash or the Toy Story Land entrance sign (PhotoPass available for all; Buzz “signs” autographs with a stamp)
Where: Toy Story Land

Vacation Goofy

vacation goofy meeting at hollywood studios

Characters: Goofy wearing his vacation shirt (PhotoPass available)
Where: Grand Avenue (near entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or at the Grand Lofts underneath an awning)

Max

max goof meeting in echo lake at hollywood studios

Characters: Max Goof (PhotoPass available)
Where: In Echo Lake (across from Hollywood & Vine and near Dockside Diner)

Chip ‘n’ Dale

chip and dale at hollywood studios near hollywood brown derby

Characters: Chip and Dale
Where: In grassy area next to The Hollywood Brown Derby

Donald

donald duck meeting near indiana jones in echo lake at hollywood studios

Characters: Donald (PhotoPass available)
Where: In Echo Lake (near Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!)

The Edna Mode Experience

edna mode at the edna mode experience in pixar place

Character: Edna Mode (PhotoPass available)
Where: Pixar Place

Pixar Place

mr and mrs incredible meet and greet in pixar place

Characters: Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, and Sulley (PhotoPass available; Sulley doesn’t sign autographs)
Where: Pixar Place

Other Character Opportunities & “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 typically means no hugging or autographs.

rey galaxy's edge appearance my disney experience app

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.

Star Wars Favorites

Star Wars characters

Characters: Mandalorian and Grogu, Chewbacca, Rey, Stormtroopers, Kylo Ren, Vi Moradi
Where: elevated stages near ships, in other secured/fenced/blocked off areas around Batuu, and walking around the land

Daisy

daisy duck sighting at hollywood studios

Characters: Daisy
Where: In the grassy area near Hollywood Brown Derby or along Hollywood Boulevard

Live Entertainment

There are several opportunities to see characters and enjoy a show all at the time time. You can always check the My Disney Experience app for the daily live entertainment schedule.

Green Army Drum Corps

green army men - toy story land - hollywood studios

Characters: Green Army Men drum and interact with guests during short performances throughout the day
Where: Toy Story Land (between Alien Swirling Saucers and the restrooms)

Fantasmic!

fantasmic at hollywood studios

Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Disney Princesses, Pinocchio, Pocahontas, and more
Where: Fantasmic! theater at the end of Sunset Boulevard

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

frozen sing-along hollywood studios

Characters: Anna, Elsa, Kristoff (Olaf will make a limited-time appearance during the holidays)
Where: Hyperion Theater in Echo Lake

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

beauty and the beast live on stage - hollywood studios

Characters: Belle, Beast, Gaston, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere, Cogsworth
Where: Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard

Hollywood Studios Character Dining

Hollywood Studios is currently home to a couple of the character meals you can find on property right now – Disney Junior Play n’ Dine and Minnie’s Seasonal Dine, both at Hollywood and Vine.

These popular meals are offered with buffet service. Disney Junior Play n’ Dine is available for breakfast only, while Minnie’s Seasonal Dine is offered at both lunch and dinner.

This character dining experience also offers traditional character meet and greets.

pluto - hollywood and vine minnie's seasonal dine - hollywood studios

The seasonal theme meal schedule for Minnie’s Seasonal Dine is usually as follows:

  • Halloween Dine: the characters dress in Halloween costumes (part of August through part of November)
  • Minnie’s Holiday Dine: the characters don their holiday best (part of November through part of January)
  • Silver Screen Dine: the characters embrace the glitz and glamour of Hollywood (part of January through February)
  • Springtime Dine: the characters channel their best spring looks (March through part of May)
  • Summertime Dine: the characters throw a beach party celebrating summer (part of May through part of August)

Seasonal Holiday Motorcades

During the holiday season, you can expect to see some Christmas spirit added to the existing character motorcades.

santa claus motorcade hollywood studios

You’ll see a very special guest cruising around in his special themed motorcar… Santa Claus (usually through December 24).

Hollywood Studios Character Checklist

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hollywood studios character checklist

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