PHOTOS: NEW Roaming Characters Debut Outside The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios
The Magic of Disney Animation will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 14 as the marquee offering of the reimagined Walt Disney Studios Lot, which itself opened this past May.
One of the experiences that has made the new area of the park so memorable thus far is the roaming characters and the unique interactions they provide.
Over the summer, we saw Pluto, Donald Duck, Goofy, Stitch, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Mulan, and Rapunzel walking around the courtyard, with their encounters being much more organic and interactive than your standard Disney Parks meet-and-greet.
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The bulk of those characters are having their meet-and-greets relocated inside The Magic of Disney Animation, but that doesn’t mean the roaming characters are going away entirely.
We spotted two new characters walking around the courtyard on Friday morning as The Magic of Disney Animation soft-opened to all guests. More may appear throughout the area as time goes on, but for now, we’re happy with these two new options.
New Roaming Characters Outside The Magic of Disney Animation
Jiminy crickets, it’s Jiminy Cricket!
Pinocchio’s conscience himself was roaming the courtyard on Friday morning. Jiminy became a quasi-mascot for Walt Disney Animation Studios after appearing in 1940’s Pinocchio and 1947’s Fun and Fancy Free, so his presence in this land celebrating the studio’s legacy is quite apt.
He’s not necessarily a new addition to the park, as he had a meet-and-greet at Hollywood Studios in 2025. He’s also made sporadic appearances this year.
However, this is the first time we’ve seen him in the Walt Disney Studios Lot courtyard.
And speaking of time, the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland was roaming the courtyard on Friday!
He and Jiminy were rotating in 30-minute intervals.
Pluto is the lone character we spotted over the summer who did not have his encounter moved inside The Magic of Disney Animation building.
He’s still roaming the aptly named Pluto’s Corner.
More Meet-and-Greets
There are six character meet-and-greets inside The Magic of Disney Animation. They’re all located within the attraction’s “Off the Page!” section.
Off the Page! is divided into six areas that highlight different parts of the animation process: Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting, and Effects.
Each subsection hosts its own meet-and-greet. They’re as follows:
- Mulan is in the Story section
- Rapunzel is in the Layout section
- Chip ‘n’ Dale are in the Hand-Drawn Animation section
- Donald and Daisy Duck are in the Computer Animation section
- Goofy is in the Lighting Section
- Stitch is in the Effects section
There was also a special encounter on Friday, as Alice was meeting guests in the attraction’s Drawn to Wonderland play area.
Cast members told us that Alice will continue to appear inside Drawn to Wonderland through the attraction’s opening.
As always, be sure to keep an eye on MickeyBlog for the latest on all things Disney.
