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:
- Cavalcades and Characters in Epcot
- Cavalcades and Characters in Magic Kingdom
- Cavalcades and Characters in Animal Kingdom
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.
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.
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.
Pixar Pals Motorcade (No Longer Running)
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 (No Longer Running)
Mickey And Friends Motorcade (No Longer Running)
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
Characters: Minnie (PhotoPass available)
Where: Commissary Lane across from Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Sorcerer Mickey Starring in Red Carpet Dreams
Characters: Mickey (PhotoPass available)
Where: Commissary Lane across from Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Disney Junior Pals In The Animation Courtyard
Characters: Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Fancy Nancy (PhotoPass available)
Where: In the Animation Courtyard
Disney Junior Come & Meet Pluto
Characters: Pluto (PhotoPass available)
Where: In the Animation Courtyard
Celebrity Spotlight (Available with Genie+)
Characters: Olaf (no autograph)
Where: In Echo Lake around the corner from Vacation Fun
Star Wars Launch Bay
Characters: BB-8, Chewbacca, Darth Vader (no autograph)
Where: Inside Star Wars Launch Bay in Animation Courtyard
Toy Story Characters
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)
Where: Toy Story Land
Green Army Drum Corps
Characters: Green Army Men
Where: Toy Story Land
Mr. & Mrs. Incredible (moving to Pixar Place on May 14, 2023)
Characters: Mr. & Mrs. Incredible (PhotoPass available)
Where: Echo Lake across from Hollywood & Vine
Vacation Goofy
Characters: Goofy wearing his vacation shirt (PhotoPass available)
Where: Grand Avenue (near entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
Powerline Max
Characters: Max Goof in his Powerline costume (PhotoPass available)
Where: Grand Avenue (near entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
Chip ‘n’ Dale
Characters: Chip and Dale wearing their Rescue Rangers outfits
Where: Echo Lake at the Adventure Outpost next to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
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.
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
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
Donald & Daisy
Characters: Donald & Daisy
Where: In the grassy area near Hollywood Brown Derby
The Edna Mode Experience
Character: Edna Mode
Where: Pixar Place
Pixar Place
Characters: Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, and Sulley
Where: Pixar Place
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.
Fantasmic!
Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Disney Princesses, Pinocchio, Pocahontas, and more (when the show returns there will be a new sequence featuring characters that haven’t been part of the show before)
Where: Fantasmic! theater at the end of Sunset Boulevard
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
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
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.
The seasonal theme meal 2023-2024 schedule for Minnie’s Seasonal Dine is as follows:
- Halloween Dine – spooktacular Halloween feast typically runs August through November
- Minnie’s Holiday Dine – dazzling holiday dinner party should begin in November through TBD (usually ends in early January)
- Silver Screen Dine – glitz and glamour of Hollywood usually start in January and running through February
- Springtime Dine – bright and beautiful delights of spring run from March 16, 2023 through May 24, 2023
- Summertime Dine – beach-inspired bash begins May 25, 2023 through TBD (usually sometime in August)
Seasonal Holiday Motorcades
During the holiday season, you can expect to see some Christmas spirit added to the existing character motorcades.
You’ll see a very special guest cruising around in his special themed motorcar… Santa Claus (usually through December 24).
- Disney World Removing 50th Decor, Mickey & Friends Get New Costumes, & More Updates
- Disney After Hours Returning to Disney World in 2023
- After Hours Coming to Epcot, H20 Glow Returning to Typhoon Lagoon
- Fantasmic Returns to Hollywood Studios in November 2022
- Park Hopping Changes & More Coming to Disney World & Disneyland