Zoogether Day Gathering Spot (Meet Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde meet guests daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They meet intermittently throughout the day on Discovery Island at a location called the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. This meet-and-greet is immediately next to the entrance of Zootopia: Better Zoogether. It was formerly the Wilderness Explorer’s Clubhouse, where Dug and Russell from Up met. They have since moved to a meet-and-greet location on Discovery Island Trail West.

Below, we’ll discuss the specifics for meeting Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde 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.

You’ll find the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot on the immediate right of the Tree of Life when you first enter the park. On the day of our visit, Disney was testing a virtual queue for the meet-and-greet to help keep the line shorter for guests. We entered the queue at 10:22 a.m. and were called back to join the line at close to 1:00 p.m.

The meet-and-greet is so popular that Disney had already ended the virtual queue signup for the day when we arrived to join the queue. They were turning other guests away. We waited approximately 45 minutes to meet Judy and Nick after we joined the line. While that might sound like a long time, you may recall that we waited for over 1.5 hours to meet Moana at Character Landing when she debuted a few years ago. So I was happy to take advantage of the virtual queue and knew the wait was shorter than what it would be if guests had just been allowed to line up regularly.

Since the virtual queue was just a test, you may or may not experience the same process. When we joined the line, we were at the very end of the queue. So if you see the queue is full to the point it’s almost spilling outside of it, you can expect a 45-minute to 1-hour wait. For reference, here is a photo of what the line looked like right before I joined.

Given my experience with covering character meet-and-greets over the past (nearly 7) years, I would expect this pair to have exceptionally long lines for at least the next 6 months, even during slower periods. They are a new meet-and-greet with a new attraction and a new movie.

It’s also important to note that while the meet-and-greet is under a partially covered area, it is outside and exposed to the elements. So in the event of inclement weather, the pair will not come out to meet with guests. This is important to consider if you’re about to join a long line with possible bad weather on the way.

Disney did a fun job with the new meet-and-greet area. The actual backdrop is a mural with the Tree of Life that says Zoogether Day. You’ll see a few props with silly references. A tapestry hangs on the right side, offering some shade.

The pair took two breaks while we waited. A cast member will make an announcement before this happens so that guests are aware. Our best advice is to remain in your place. They were back within less than five minutes while we waited. I saw a couple of people who were frustrated and just gave up and left the line when they saw the pair leave. This happens at every meet-and-greet, and it’s best to be aware of it beforehand. Characters need breaks, and they really do an incredible job at engaging with guests. Here they are now!

A PhotoPass photographer was available at this location on the day of our meet-and-greet. Both Judy and Nick sign autographs. You’ll want to have your autograph books out and ready for them to sign. Here is a look at their updated outfits for Zootopia 2.

Since this is a dedicated meet-and-greet called the Zootopia Day Gathering Spot, we don’t expect any locations in the near future. That said, you might still like to check the My Disney Experience app for their times on the day of your visit.

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

For more information about meeting characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you might enjoy:

• Meet Pocahontas 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 Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde? What do you think of the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot? Let us know in the comments.