Where to Meet Dug and Russell from Up! at Disney World

Dug and Russell from Disney Pixar’s Up meet guests daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They meet intermittently throughout the day on the Discovery Island Trails underneath the base of the Tree of Life. The pair formerly met near the front of the tree at a location called the Wilderness Explorer’s Clubhouse. That location was reimagined and is now called the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot, where Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps from Zootopia meet with guests.

Below, we’ll discuss the specifics for meeting Dug and Russell at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is the only place to meet the pair at Disney World. We’ll also provide instructions on how to locate them on your visit and a few tips for meeting the duo.

First off, Dug and Russell typically meet together. Their times, however, are often listed separately in the My Disney Experience app. They are currently meeting at a location listed as Discovery Island Trail West.

A lot of guests don’t realize it, but when you first enter the park and come into the clearing where the Tree of Life comes into view, you cross a bridge. Once you cross the bridge, you’re on Discovery Island. The island wraps around the Tree of Life and extends on the left side all the way to the bridge to Africa. On the right side, it extends to the bridge to Asia. You’ll find the West trailhead immediately before the bridge to Africa. You can also take the trail next to the Cotton Top Tamarin exhibit. It joins the same trail. (For reference, this trail is near Terra Treats and diagonally across the walkway from Creature Comforts, aka Starbucks.)

This new location is completely outside and exposed to the elements. So in the event of inclement weather, even a mild rain shower, the pair will not come out to meet with guests. Thankfully, that shouldn’t be a major issue in the dryer months (November to April).

Given their popularity, you will likely encounter a decent line to meet them. Here are a few photos from our visit.

A PhotoPass photographer was available at this location on the day of our meet-and-greet. Dug and Russell also sign autographs.

It is important to note that Animal Kingdom is undergoing major construction for the next few years. We’ve seen many character locations shift and expect more in the coming months. While we try to keep our character guides as updated as possible, things could and will likely change. That’s why we put the following simple instructions on how to use the My Disney Experience app to locate characters on the day of your visit. Please read through them and see our tutorial below for even more tips.

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: Complete Screenshot Tutorial for Locating Characters at Disney World

You might also find Kevin roaming the park during your visit. Her times and location are usually listed in the My Disney Experience app. We have an article that shares a few tips for finding Kevin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Unfortunately, Mr. Frederickson does not meet regularly at Walt Disney World. He has made surprise appearances at special events from time to time. But he is one of those rare characters you likely won’t find on a regular park day. For more information about meeting characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you might enjoy:

• Meet Moana at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Meet Goofy at the Harambe Train Station
• Meet Pluto in the Oasis at Animal Kingdom
• Meet Mickey and Minnie at Adventurer’s Outpost

You might also enjoy previewing our entire list of character meet-and-greets at Walt Disney World.

Planning a Disney World vacation? Here are a few helpful guides to get you started:

• Our Disney World Resorts Guide offers an overview of where to stay, including hotel reviews, photos, and amenities.
• Use our Disney World Dining Guide to plan meals, snacks, and must-try restaurants.
• Explore the Disney World Parks Guide for an introduction to all four theme parks.
• For those interested in the various modes of transportation, start with our Disney Transportation Guide. It shares details for the monorail, skyliner, and more!

In the Comments

Are you excited to meet Russell and Dug at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below.