Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While making the characters routinely available has taken the guesswork out of
finding them, it has likewise robbed character encounters of much of their surprise
and spontaneity. Instead of chancing on a character as you turn a corner, it is much
more common now to wait in a queue to meet the character. Be aware that lines for
face characters move much more slowly than do lines for nonspeaking characters, as
you might surmise. Because face characters are allowed to talk, they do, often enga-
gingchildreninlengthyconversations,muchtotheconsternationofthefamiliesstuck
in the queue.
If you believe that Disneyland Park already has quite enough lines, and, further-
more, if you prefer to bump into your characters on the run, here's a quick rundown
of where the bears and chipmunks roam. There will almost always be a character in
Town Square on Main Street and often at the central hub. Snow White hangs out near
her wishing well in the courtyard of the castle; the aforementioned Br'ers cruise Crit-
ter Country; and Alice and her
Wonderland
friends wander around Fantasyland. Any
characters whomwehaven'tspecifically mentioned generally continue toturnupran-
domly throughout the park. Character selection can vary seasonally, with some (such
as Jack Skellington) appearing only around Halloween or Christmas.
Characters are also featured in the afternoon and evening parades, Frontierland
waterfront shows,
Fantasmic!,
and Disney Princess Fantasy Faire. Performance times
for all of the shows and parades are listed in the Disneyland Park's daily
Times Guide
entertainment listings. After the shows, characters will sometimes stick around to
greet the audience.
Mickey Mouse is available to meet guests and pose for photos all day long in his
dressing room at Mickey's Movie Barn in Mickey's Toontown. To reach the Movie
Barn, proceed through the front door of Mickey's House and follow the crowd. If the
line extends back to the entrance of Mickey's House, it will take you about 25-30
minutes to actually reach Mickey. When you finally get to his dressing room, one or
two families at a time are admitted for a short personal audience with Mickey.
Many children are so excited about meeting Mickey that they cannot relax to en-
joy the other attractions. If Mickey looms large in your child's day, board the Disney-
land Railroad at the Main Street Station as soon as you arrive at the park, and proceed
directly to Mickey's Toontown (half a circuit). If you visit Mickey before 10 a.m.,
your wait will be short.
Minnie receives guests at her house in Toontown most of the day as well, and
Donald and Pluto are frequently available for photographs and autographs in the
gazebo in front of the Toontown Town Hall. There is, of course, a separate line for
each character. Also, be aware that the characters bug out for parades and certain oth-
