Since we have little guys, a long wait at a character spot can be both their biggest bucket list item and their worst nightmare. Depending on the season/time of day/mood, it can lead to total meltdown. Thankfully, this Disney Mom has a top secret place to meet two of the most popular characters that I’m going to let you in on!
Ok, ok. It’s not top secret. It’s for Disney Visa credit and debit card holders. If you have a bank account with Chase, you can get the debit card for your checking account at no extra cost (this is what we have). And opening up a Disney Visa card might be something to consider for future Disney trip credits.
Originally, the character spot was in Epcot in Innovations, which has since closed to make way for the epic renovations happening. They’ve moved the Epcot character spot to a building near Figment and the entrance to the right side of World Showcase (by Canada). It’s relatively hidden, so you have to walk up the walkway between Imageworks and Journey into Imagination to find it.
Meet the Main Guy/Gal!
In the number of years we’ve hit up this spot, the character selection has varied. The Walt Disney World website says you could meet two of the following: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy. We’ve never met Goofy in this spot, but that’s not say he hasn’t been there. Usually it’s Pluto and either Mickey or Minnie.
But one of the best (if not the best) things about this spot is this…
It is a totally private Meet and Greet!
There’s a curtain (or a partition…it’s varied) that separates anyone waiting in line from the room where the characters are. The kids come around the corner, not knowing who will be waiting on the other side. Their excitement is all caught on camera by the Photopass photographer waiting there! And, even if you don’t have Memory Maker, you receive a free download of one of the pictures taken.
**I highly suggest purchasing Memory Maker for your trip. Read 5 reasons why here.
If you’re traveling with friends/family, each person with a Disney Visa can take up to 5 people in with them. So for our upcoming trip, we will have 9 total people with us. My husband and I will both use our cards to get our family in a photo together.
We have also never felt rushed in this spot because usually, there’s no one in line behind us. The kids can take their time with the characters (which is especially useful if you have one that’s a little shy to warm up to them)!
Just make sure you visit between 1:00pm and 7:00pm because that’s the only time it’s available! I suggest timing it with a trip to visit Figment (and don’t forget to check out Wreck in Ralph and Vannellope in the Figment play area at the ride exit).
Surprise, There’s One More Spot!
There’s one more Disney Visa Character Spot in Walt Disney World! In Hollywood Studios, you can meet Darth Vader in a Cardmember Only spot, which can save you time from the “regular” Darth Vader meet and greet line (which can get kind of long). It’s located in the Launch Bay (by Disney Junior and Little Mermaid’s Voyage) and is open from 11am-4:00pm daily.
But don’t get your hopes up about spending time with him because you know, he’s Darth Vader. They don’t rush you, but he’s totally in character – not warm and fuzzy at all! This is a great option for Star Wars fans that want the option to take a ton of pictures though, so definitely check it out if you’re feeling the Force. And again, a free download is available in this area as well.
Let me know if you’ve visited either of these spots! We love anything that makes us feel like we’ve gotten Disney magic, so we always make sure to go into this area on our trips!
