Character Changes in Animal Kingdom

Apparently, it's time to do the "Character Shuffle" at Animal Kingdom. Thumper, Miss Bunny, Daisy, Meeko, and Timon are all leaving for now. (Good-bye, friends!) King Louie and Baloo can now be found at Camp Mickey Minnie, in the area previously occupied by Goofy. Goofy now greets guests in Dinoland.

Having trouble finding your favorite character? Some are listed on the Times Guide, but you can also ask any Cast Member. Even if they don't know off the top of their head, most can radio and find that information for you. You can almost always find Mickey and his closest friends somewhere nearby, but be aware that by no stretch of the imagination are ALL Disney characters in the Parks. They are rotated in and out frequently, and some of the more obscure characters can only be found at special events. So don't miss an opportunity to have your pic taken with, say, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, 'cause you don't know when you might see them again!

Rapunzel Moving Again

So, I told you in this post about Rapunzel being booted from her Fairytale Garden area to her new home in Adventureland. The only bonus of that move, in my opinion, was that Flynn Rider would now be re-joining her. Well, yet another change in the plan has taken place, as Rapunzel will now be found in the Town Square Courtyard--alone. (Boo.) Flynn will be joining Rapunzel daily for the afternoon Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, but if you're hoping for a close-up photo-op or autograph, you're out of luck. (Again, I say, boo.)

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny

Now through April 8, guests can meet Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom. The famous Easter couple will be available in the Tour Guide Garden there from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

More AK Character and Entertainment Changes

Last week we learned that Animal Kingdom would be losing its meet-n-greet opportunities with Jiminy Cricket and Pocahontas at Rafiki's Planet Watch. In addition, we've learned that Turk (from Tarzan) and Lilo & Stitch will also be leaving AK.



On a positive note, the characters from UP will be heading to AK for meet-n-greets. No specifics on which characters or where exactly in the Park they'll be, but it's good to hear there will be new characters to fill the void left by so many departing characters.

Finally, on the entertainment front, AK will be scrapping the morning "The Adventure Begins" welcome show as well as the closing "Adventurers Celebration Gathering" show. One can only speculate that these many changes are in some way related to the upcoming Avatar Land planned for Animal Kingdom.

Tink & Fairy Friends Get Permanent Home

Since Toontown closed, our poor Fairy friends have been shuffled around a bit. But it seems that has come to an end as "Tinker Bell's Magical Nook" opened in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. The decor and experience is nearly identical to what guests might remember from  Tink's Toontown hangout, except that the area only accommodates two fairies at a time, rather than three. Most recently, Tink has been hanging out with Vidia, but I believe we'll see all our Fairy friends in the Nook from time to time.

The entrance to this somewhat hidden character meet-n-greet is between the Adventureland bridge and Aloha Isle (home of the ever-popular Dole Whip). While I'm still lamenting the loss of what would have been an elaborate Pixie Hollow section of the new Fantasyland expansion, I must admit that the Magical Nook is a decent alternative. I love seeing Disney spread their characters out a bit more--eventually having Princesses in Fantasyland and Fairies in Adventureland will help with crowding and wait times. And maybe Adventureland is where Tink belongs, considering her true origins (and, no, I don't mean her origins in the Fairy movies...I'm talking Peter Pan).

When Characters Meet Technology

This viral video (with more than a quarter of a million views!) shows the grace and poise that Disney characters display when presented with modern technology. Watch as Rapunzel and Flynn are introduced to the wonder that is the iPad.

I think we'll start to see more scenarios like this as iPads become commonplace in the Parks, both for signing purposes and, of course, for all the great Disney apps that are available. At some point, characters will probably just go about their signing without comment, as they do now with traditional autograph books ('cause aren't those a little foreign to the settings of most fairytales too?). Still, it's fun to see their reaction to this new technology.

Update: Character Meet-N-Greet Changes

As I mentioned in this post, several character meet-n-greets in Disney's Hollywood Studios have been delayed. However, I'm happy to report that the Winnie the Pooh meet-n-greet in the Art of Animation building is now open! We're also hearing that the Phineas & Ferb meet-n-greet will open by May 29, and the Cars 2 meet-n-greet will open on June 5. (In addition, Lightening McQueen will be replacing Herbie the Love Bug in the Lights, Motor, Action! stunt show at DHS beginning June 5!)

Character Changes Delayed

There were several character meet-n-greets scheduled to reopen this week at Disney's Hollywood Studios that have been delayed. No new date has been given for the opening of the new Phineas & Ferb meet-n-greet or the re-opening of the Art of Animation meet-n-greet that is replacing Lotso Huggin' Bear with Winnie the Pooh.

I'll update when I have confirmation that these have indeed opened.