After visiting Walt Disney World too many times to count, it is always exciting to discover something new. I was pleasantly surprised on one of my visits to Hollywood Studios to stumble across something I had heard about but had never witnessed myself: a Character Palooza.
Of course most people are familiar with character meet and greets. Classically, guests check the times guide or the My Disney Experience app, to see when favorite characters will be out signing autographs and taking photos. Character Palooza however, was completely different. Imagine walking through Disney’s Hollywood Studios when what seems like out of no where, a character shows up, then another, then more, and more until you realize there are about about a dozen characters in front of you!
At a Character Palooza, you will not find the long lines traditionally associated with character meet and greets, simply because it’s not a “scheduled” Disney event. You will also not find a Disney photographer present. Some of the ones I saw were the Queen of Hearts, Green Army Man, Max (Goofy’s son), Mary Poppins, Belle in her reading dress, Jasmine in her street clothes, Mr. Smee and Stitch.
If you would love to see a Character Palooza during your next visit to Holly wood Studios at Walt Disney World, here are a few things to know:
- This is a surprise event, so you won’t find it on the daily parks schedule.
- It is held on days when Hollywood Studios is showing Fantasmic, generally between 4-7 p.m.
- It doesn’t last long so be ready with autograph books and cameras!
- It may show up in a variety of places at Hollywood Studios. A number of online reliable sources have suggested that you look near Tower of Terror or around Echo Lake. If you see a bunch of Cast Members just hanging out for a bit, maybe wait a few minutes to see what happens!
I feel fortunate to have stumbled across the characters the day I was there. I had heard of the Character Palooza but had never experienced it. Hopefully you are able to participate in this wonderful surprise event at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios.
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Denise has loved Disney as far back as she can remember. She has two teenage girls who were raised with Disney. Their rooms were decorated, and their closets were filled with Disney articles. Denise’s house now has Disney on every wall. Her wardrobe is made up mostly of Disney clothes. She feels that being surrounded by Disney keeps the memories and magic alive! Her friends affectionately call her “the crazy Disney lady”. Denise was born and raised in Oregon. Currently she lives in both Oregon and Florida splitting her time between both parts of the country. She lives with her youngest daughter (15) and her roommate. Her daughter goes to high school In Oregon. Denise and her roommate sneak away to Florida several times a year, as often as possible. Her daughter tags along when she can, without missing too much school. Her oldest daughter (20) doesn’t make it to Florida much anymore, but hopes to again very soon. Denise’s first trip to Walt Disney World was for her birthday in 2009. She fell more in love with the magic of Disney that day! Ever since then, Denise and her kids have been annual passholders. Last spring she upgraded to a premier pass to include Disneyland. Over spring break her youngest daughter had the pleasure of her first visit to Disneyland. With Denise helping them plan, her brother and his family enjoyed their first family trip to Disneyland at that same time.
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