Where to find Disney's 50th Anniversary Characters before they are gone

 

Maybe you've noticed over the last year or so that certain Disney Characters  have had a wardrobe upgrade  for the 50th Anniversary.  If you are going to be visiting any of the Disney parks ( or resorts) before the 50th anniversary ends ( March 31, 2023), than you'll want to get a photo of the characters in these fabulously shimmery outfits. 

So where can you find these characters?  In Magic Kingdom you will be able to spot them on top of the train station around park opening but it is highly unlikely that they will pose for a picture WITH you.  You will also spot them during the parades, but let's talk about where you can see them and have interactions!

The best place to see anniversary Mickey in Magic Kingdom is in the Town Square Theater on Main Street. Prepare for a long line here but be surprised if there isn't.  Mickey will be the only character in this spot. You and your family will be taken to "Mickey's dressing room" for some one on one time.  There will be a cast member assisting Mickey and photo pass will automatically take your photos but remember to use your own camera if you did not purchase photo pass. 

Now the VERY  BEST place to see the 50th anniversary characters for one on one interaction is in EPCOT at  the Visa Card Member Experience.  YES, you do have to have a Disney Visa to enter this experience.  If you don't have a Disney Visa, I encourage you to apply for one at least just for the perks you can get inside the parks. There is no annual fee for the basic card. 

The Disney Visa Card Experience is located in  World Celebration ( formerly Future World West)   across from the Imagination Pavilion.  Right now it is where the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival is.  The hours for the photo experience are not the same as the park hours. Usually it has been 1 pm - 6:30 pm, but double check the hours before your visit. You can just type in Disney Visa Character Experience in the Genie app and it will tell you.

Once you get inside, you will wait in line ( if there is one), in our experiences the line has never been very long and when it is your turn, only you and your family will go to the room for character pictures and interactions. 

There will be a photo pass photographer there, but feel free to take pictures with your own camera as well.   Once the Disney photo pass photos have been taken, they will upload to your My Disney Experience app and you will be able to see them without a watermark. You do not have to purchase the Photo Pass package to see your pictures. They are completely free for you to view and download! 

Just make sure you scan your magic band so the photos go on to your account.  If you don't have a magic band, a cast member can give you a card to scan. 

We have been doing the Visa Card character experience for many, many years, and in our experience there have always been 2 characters there.  One is usually either Mickey or Minnie and then a secondary Character.  I don't believe we've ever seen Mickey and Minnie together at this location, but that doesn't mean it never happens!

Even after the 50th Celebration ends, characters will continue to do meet and greets at the Disney Visa Experience, they just won't be in their fancy 50th outfits!

If you don't have a Disney Visa nor do you plan to get one, there is a good chance you can see the characters all dressed up and visiting the Deluxe resorts.

In past months we've seen Goofy, Pluto, and Donald all dressed up, greeting guests in resort lobbies.

 

I have had interactions with both Goofy and Donald in the lobby of the Polynesian.  I've also interacted with Goofy, Donald, and Pluto in the lobby of the Yacht and Beach Club resort. I've also seen Goofy and Pluto greeting guests at the monorail station at the Grand Floridian. 

 I've heard they have been at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resorts as well.  I assume there is a good chance they could show up at any of the Deluxe or DVC resorts wearing their anniversary outfits.

(NOTE) I have seen characters at moderate resorts during this anniversary period but they have never been dressed in their 50th outfits. 

Character sightings at resorts are never guaranteed nor do they have a schedule of when they will come. They are totally random and even a cast member will tell you as such.  When there is a character at the resort he or she will be accompanied by a cast member, but there will be no photo pass cast member there.  You will need to take your own photo, but the cast member accompanying the character should be happy to help you out. 

Have you been lucky enough to spot a character in their 50th anniversary outfits?  -M