7. Buena Vista Pals

Location: Disney California Adventure
Characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald, Pluto, Chip and Dale

When Disney California Adventure opened its new Buena Vista Street entryway in 2012, fans were delighted. The 1920s-themed Los Angeles is a bright, bubbling, energetic land of optimism and excitement. Of course, who better to populate the land than Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto dressed to the nines? The trio is present on Buena Vista Street dressed in costumes you won’t find anywhere else. Particularly fun is Goofy dressed in a zoot suit!

8. Wilderness Explorer Camp

Image: Disney

Location: Disney California Adventure
Characters: Dug and Russell from Up

Located in Disney California Adventure’s Grizzly Peak area (themed to a 1950s High Sierras national park), Redwood Creek Challenge Trail sends guests scurrying, swinging, climbing, and investigating to earn Wilderness Explorer badges. Along the trails, you may find Dug and Russell from Up, who meet among the sky-high trees, caves, and fire towers of the forest. Complete the challenges and earn all your badges and you can join the pair at the Wilderness Explorer Camp Circle for a special fireside ceremony! 

9. Enchanted Tales with Belle

Location: Magic Kingdom
Characters: Belle from Beauty and the Beast

Perhaps the most elaborate meet-and-greet ever designed by Disney, it’s difficult to even put Enchanted Tales in one category! The attraction begins by taking winding trails to Maurice’s Cottage, home to Belle and her whacky inventor father. Once there, the queue winds through the quaint cottage interior where delightful details track Belle’s growth and where Maurice’s inventions litter the workshop.

When an incredible (and nearly unexplainable) magic mirror creates a portal into the castle, a super-impressive Audio Animatronic Madame Wardrobe assigns roles for a recreation of the tale as old as time to surprise Belle with. Guests then move into the castle’s library and surprise Belle with the re-telling, with the chance to greet her at the end. The unusual attraction is super elaborate from beginning to end, and the meet-and-greet itself is just a tiny part of the experience.

10. Route 66 Drive-By

Location: Disney California Adventure
Characters: Lightning McQueen, Red, and Tow Mater

Get your kicks on Route 66. The lively dessert town of Radiator Springs is recreated in meticulous detail at Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land, and that includes its star residents. Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater drive down the street a few times an hour and park it in front of the Cozy Cone Motel to pose for photos with fans. Red hangs out just outside of town near Luigi’s Casa Della Tires. You probably never thought you’d meet-and-greet with a car, but it’s in high demand in Radiator Springs!

Who's Missing?

As fans' hunger for meet-and-greets grows, so do the character experiences themselves. The twelve we've chosen here are just a glimpse of the many thoughtful, detailed, and well-done character experiences that Disney is building at its parks. Which that we've mentioned are the most impressive? Are there any characters you wish you could meet in the park, but can't? Tell us in the comments below!