Disney’s Animal Kingdom Character Meet-and-Greets (2026)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an excellent place to meet characters during your Walt Disney World vacation. However, as you may know, the park will undergo many changes over the next few years. While we do regularly update this guide, sometimes a character might move locations from the time you read this to the time you actually visit. Therefore, our best advice is to use this guide as a reference and use the following two tips on the day of your visit:
- Always (always) check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for available characters, times, and locations. (Directions for this step are provided below.)
- If a character isn’t listed (who you are pretty sure meets there regularly), ask a cast member wearing a blue shirt if they can help you locate them. The cast members who work the character meet-and-greets wear blue shirts and khaki pants or shorts. The best place to find them is at another meet-and-greet.
Below, we’ll preview a list of characters who meet regularly in the park and where to find them.
Characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The following characters have traditional meet-and-greets at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- Chip and Dale
- Daisy Duck
- Donald Duck
- Divine
- Dug and Russell
- Goofy
- Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde
- Kevin
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse
- Moana
- Pluto
- Pocahontas
- Rafiki
- Timon
Surprise Characters: Other characters might make surprise appearances during your visit. For instance, we’ve occasionally seen Meeko with Pocahontas or Baloo at a pop-up dance party. So always be on the lookout for rare characters!
Fun Fact: Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the only traditional place to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse together at Walt Disney World!
Earth Day Characters: Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates its anniversary each year on Earth Day. Surprise characters usually meet near the Tree of Life during the week leading up to and on Earth Day. This is not necessarily guaranteed, but it’s happened several years in a row, so we consider it a likely occurrence.
Character Dining: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck meet at Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You will want a reservation, and this location requires the cost of a meal. We have a Disney World Character Dining Guide if you want to learn more.
Lightning Lanes: Character meet-and-greets do not have Lightning Lanes at this time.
PhotoPass Photographers: Under each character, we note whether a PhotoPass photographer is usually available at the meet-and-greet. However, they are not guaranteed.
Character Autographs: We also note whether or not a character signs autographs. If they do, you’ll want to have your autograph book out and open to the page you want them to sign before it’s your turn.
How to Locate Characters in the My Disney Experience App
- Open the My Disney Experience app and select the pin drop at the bottom of the home screen.
- Scroll (left to right) through the icons at the top of the screen and select “Characters.”
- After selecting characters, use the locations drop-down to select the park of your choice.
- Then, on the bottom right of the screen, select “Show List.”
- Scroll through the list of characters with their times and locations.
- As an alternative, you can use the map view to locate characters.
*As the day passes, you might notice that characters disappear from the app. When their last scheduled time passes, the meet-and-greet automatically disappears. A new schedule won’t be loaded until the following day. It is essential to check the app for meet-and-greets on the day of your visit.
Learn More: How to Use the My Disney Experience App to Locate Characters (Full Tutorial)
Chip and Dale
Chip and Dale meet in an area called the Palm Courtyard in The Oasis of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. This area is just beyond the park’s entrance after you pass through the turnstiles. They meet intermittently throughout the day.
- Location: Palm Courtyard
- Autographs: Yes, they both sign autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: A PhotoPass photographer might be available.
- Read More: Chip and Dale Greet Guests at the Palm Courtyard Near Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Entrance
Daisy Duck
Daisy Duck is currently meeting at a location near Garden Gate Gifts, which is toward the front of the park, near the entrance. She meets with Donald Duck at this location.
- Location: Near Garden Gate Gifts
- Autographs: Yes, she signs autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: A PhotoPass photographer might be available.
- Read More: Donald and Daisy Meet Guests Near Garden Gate Gifts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
She has been meeting with Donald in their safari suits, which they also wear at Tusker House.
Donald Duck
Daisy Duck is currently meeting at a location near Garden Gate Gifts, which is toward the front of the park, near the entrance. He meets with Daisy Duck at this location.
- Location: Near Garden Gate Gifts
- Autographs: Yes, he signs autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: A PhotoPass Photographer might be available.
As of this update, he has been meeting with Daisy Duck in their safari suits, which they also wear at Tusker House.
DiVine
DiVine is probably considered more a form of entertainment than an actual character meet. But since this might be the only time you’ve ever heard of her, I felt she was worth including. DiVine is a stilt-walking character who hangs out at The Oasis of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. She is typically available intermittently between the park’s opening and 1:00 p.m.
DiVine is rather challenging to see because she’s covered in vines. But if you find her, you can watch her pose. Often, a crowd forms around her when someone notices she’s there. Just remember to give her enough space. Even better, if you visit Animal Kingdom in the Spring months, you might encounter her in full bloom. Her times are usually listed in the “Entertainment” section of the My Disney Experience app.
Dug and Russell (or Mr. Fredricksen)
Dug and Russell from Pixar’s UP meet daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They formerly met at the Wilderness Explorer’s Clubhouse, but that location has been re-imagined as the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. As of late, Dug has been meeting on the Discovery Island Trails, and Russell has been roaming Discovery Island.
- Location: Discovery Island, Discovery Island Trail West
- Autographs: Yes, they both sign autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: Yes, a PhotoPass photographer is usually available.
- Read More: Meet the Talking Dug on the Discovery Island Trails
Update: Back in the spring, Mr. Fredricksen was meeting with Russell for a surprise and very rare appearance.
Goofy
Goofy has been meeting guests in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He meets with Pluto at this location.
- Location: Asia, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Autographs: Yes, he signs autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: Yes, a PhotoPass photographer is usually available.
- More: Meet Goofy with Pluto in the Asia Section of Animal Kingdom
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde meet guests daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. This location is on Discovery Island immediately before the entrance of Zootopia: Better Zoogether.
- Location: Discovery Island, Zoogether Day Gathering Spot
- Autographs: Yes, they both sign autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: Yes, a PhotoPass photographer is usually available.
- Read More: Meet Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Kevin
Kevin is one of the most popular characters at Walt Disney World. Where she goes, so does everyone else! She typically roams Discovery Island. Like DiVine, Kevin is a unique character who often prefers to keep moving over standing still, so you’ll want to allow plenty of space for her to roam freely.
From time to time, Kevin will pause to take a photo with guests. So, make sure to have your camera out and ask politely for a photo. But don’t take it personally if it doesn’t work out. Kevin and her Wilderness Explorer friends tend to retreat when crowds are too much! If seeing Kevin is essential, check for her times in the My Disney Experience app. Her bright coat of feathers makes her relatively easy to find.
Related: Meet Kevin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Mickey and Minnie Mouse
Mickey and Minnie Mouse meet daily in safari suits at Adventurer’s Outpost in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is the only traditional location where they meet as a couple in all four parks. This location is on the path to the right of the Tree of Life before you cross the bridge to Asia.
Adventurer’s Outpost is typically available from the park’s opening time until about an hour before it closes. However, we have found that if you wait until toward the end of the day, wait times for this meet-and-greet tend to drop.
- Location: Discovery Island
- Autographs: Yes, they both sign autographs.
- PhotoPass: Yes, see below for details.*
- Read More: Meet Mickey and Minnie at Adventurer’s Outpost
*Unfortunately, a PhotoPass photographer is no longer available at this location. The photographer was replaced with photo boxes that electronically take your photo. So, if you would like a decent photo, you might ask the cast member attending the meet if they would take one with your camera or phone.
Moana
Moana meets guests daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Her character meet-and-greet is located at Character Landing. This location is on the right after you pass Flame Tree Barbecue. Since it’s toward the front of the park, it’s pretty simple to find.
- Location: Discovery Island, Character Landing
- Autographs: Yes, Moana signs autographs.
- PhotoPass: Yes, see below for details.*
- Read More: Meet Moana at Character Landing at Animal Kingdom
Moana signs autographs, and a PhotoPass photographer will likely be available at this location. Additionally, she is a talking character, so you might think of a few things to ask her while waiting.
Pluto
Pluto has been meeting with Goofy in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We usually find them near the scenic photo spot facing Expedition Everest.
- Location: Asia
- Autographs: Yes, he signs autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: Yes, a PhotoPass photographer is usually available.
Pocahontas
Pocahontas meets toward the front of the Oasis at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After you enter the park, you’ll want to take the path to the right of the Oasis. She meets on the right in a small nook area near the Babirusa exhibit. Sometimes, you’ll run into Pocahontas wearing her winter look when it’s chilly outside.
- Location: The Oasis
- Autographs: Yes, she signs autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: Yes, a PhotoPass photographer is usually available.
- Read More: Where to Meet Pocahontas at Disney World
Rafiki
- Location: Near Garden Gate Gifts (Front Entrance)
- Autographs: He may sign autographs at this location.
- PhotoPass: He is a roaming character.
Timon
- Location: Near Garden Gate Gifts (Front Entrance)
- Autographs: He may sign autographs.
- PhotoPass: He is a roaming character.
- Read More: Timon Roams the Oasis at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a fun place to meet both classic and unique characters. For more popular meet-and-greets at the other parks, you might enjoy our guide to character meet-and-greets at Walt Disney World. Check back with Resorts Gal for the latest Disney updates and reviews.
In the Comments
Are you hoping to meet any of these characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below.
