Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE LARGE, FRIENDLY COSTUMED VERSIONS of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and
others—known as Disney characters—provide a link between Disney animated films
and the theme parks. To people emotionally invested, the characters in Disney films
are as real as next-door neighbors, never mind that they're just drawings on plastic.
In recent years, theme park personifications of the characters also have become real
to us. It's not just a person in a mouse costume we see; it is Mickey himself. Simil-
arly, meeting Goofy or Snow White in Fantasyland is an encounter with a celebrity, a
memory to be treasured.
While Disney animated-film characters number in the hundreds, only about 250
have been brought to life in costume. Of these, fewer than a fifth mix with guests;
the others perform in shows or parades. Characters are found in all major theme parks
and at Disney Deluxe resorts that host character meals.
See for tips on preparing your young children to meet the Disney characters for
the first time.
CHARACTER WATCHING
CHARACTER WATCHING HAS BECOME A PASTIME . Families once were content to meet
a character occasionally. They now pursue them relentlessly, armed with autograph
books and cameras. Some characters are only rarely seen, so character watching has
become character collecting. (To cash in on character collecting, Disney sells auto-
graph books throughout the World.) Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy seem to be every-
where. But some characters, such as the Queen of Hearts and Friar Tuck, seldom
come out, and quite a few appear only in parades or stage shows. Other characters
appear only in a location consistent with their starring role. The Fairy Godmother is
often near Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland, while Buzz Lightyear appears close to
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