NEWS: New Program Offers Character Interaction At Walt Disney World Resorts

Several Disney Vacation Club resorts are among those testing interest in spontaneous character encounters with hotel guests.

Internet sources are reporting that a number of Walt Disney World Deluxe resorts are experimenting with informal encounters between Disney characters and resort guests. The characters appear on a random basis in resort public spaces to interact with guests, play games, pose for photos and more.

Among the locations and characters cited are:

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas: Daisy, Minnie, Donald and Goofy appearing around the Luna Park pool

Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Chip & Dale appearing on the resort lawn

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Pooh and Tigger roaming the sidewalks; Mary Poppins near the main pool topiaries; Alice and the Mad Hatter near the Mad Hatter Tea Party pool

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto outside the Great Ceremonial Hall

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Chip and Dale on the resort lawn

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts: Daisy, Minnie, Donald and Goofy appearing near the Stormalong Bay pool

Over the years, Disney has experimented with a variety of scheduled and unscheduled character encounters at its resort hotels. Internet readers have confirmed this particularly character program is operating now. No end date has been provided and the program may cease at any time. The interactions are meant to be informal so appearance schedules are not being publicly posted.

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story