a collage with some of the characters who meet regularly at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Character Meet-and-Greets (2026)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an excellent place to meet characters during your Walt Disney World vacation. However, as you may know, the park will undergo many changes over the next few years. While we do regularly update this guide, sometimes a character might move locations from the time you read this to the time you actually visit. Therefore, our best advice is to use this guide as a reference and use the following two tips on the day of your visit:

  1. Always (always) check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for available characters, times, and locations. (Directions for this step are provided below.)
  2. If a character isn’t listed (who you are pretty sure meets there regularly), ask a cast member wearing a blue shirt if they can help you locate them. The cast members who work the character meet-and-greets wear blue shirts and khaki pants or shorts. The best place to find them is at another meet-and-greet.

Below, we’ll preview a list of characters who meet regularly in the park and where to find them.

Goofy points to a list of birds at a meet-and-greet.

Characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The following characters have traditional meet-and-greets at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

  • Chip and Dale
  • Daisy Duck
  • Donald Duck
  • Divine
  • Dug and Russell
  • Goofy
  • Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde
  • Kevin
  • Mickey and Minnie Mouse
  • Moana
  • Pluto
  • Pocahontas
  • Rafiki
  • Timon

Last Update: This guide has been updated as of February 12, 2026, to change locations for the former Dinoland, U.S.A. characters. Those changes are noted below.

Heads up: The Rafiki’s Planet Watch character meet-and-greets will temporarily change starting February 23rd. (Timon and Rafiki) This area of the park will temporarily close to prepare for the new Bluey and Bingo experience that will debut later in 2026.

Surprise Characters: Other characters might make surprise appearances during your visit. For instance, we’ve occasionally seen Meeko with Pocahontas or Baloo at a pop-up dance party. So always be on the lookout for rare characters!

Fun Fact: Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the only traditional place to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse together at Walt Disney World!

Earth Day Characters: Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates its anniversary each year on Earth Day. Surprise characters usually meet near the Tree of Life during the week leading up to and on Earth Day. This is not necessarily guaranteed, but it’s happened several years in a row, so we consider it a likely occurrence.

Character Dining: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck meet at Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You will want a reservation, and this location requires the cost of a meal. We have a Disney World Character Dining Guide if you want to learn more.

Lightning Lanes: Character meet-and-greets do not have Lightning Lanes at this time.

PhotoPass Photographers: Under each character, we note whether a PhotoPass photographer is usually available at the meet-and-greet. However, they are not guaranteed.

Character Autographs: We also note whether or not a character signs autographs. If they do, you’ll want to have your autograph book out and open to the page you want them to sign before it’s your turn.

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: How to Use the My Disney Experience App to Locate Characters (Full Tutorial)

Chip and Dale

Chip and Dale meet in an area called the Palm Courtyard in The Oasis of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. This area is just beyond the park’s entrance after you pass through the turnstiles. They meet intermittently throughout the day.

  • Location: Palm Courtyard
  • Autographs: Yes, they both sign autographs at this location.
  • PhotoPass: A PhotoPass photographer might be available.

The picture below is of their former location in Dinoland, U.S.A., which closed in February of 2026. The pair now meet in regular outfits.

Chip and Dale with arms folded as they pose for a picture.
Chip and Dale

Daisy Duck

Daisy Duck meets just inside the park’s main entrance in The Oasis near Garden Gate Gifts. This is around the same area where we usually see Di’vine. She usually meets with Donald Duck at this location.

  • Location: The Oasis, Near Garden Gate Gifts
  • Autographs: Yes, she signs autographs at this location.
  • PhotoPass: A PhotoPass photographer might be available.

The picture below is from Daisy’s former location in Dinoland, U.S.A., which closed in February of 2026. She has been meeting with Donald in their safari suits, which they also wear at Tusker House.

Daisy Duck with hands on cheeks as she poses for a picture.
Daisy Duck

Donald Duck

Donald Duck meets just inside the park’s main entrance in The Oasis near Garden Gate Gifts. This is around the same area where we usually see Di’vine. He has been meeting with Daisy Duck at this location.

  • Location: Near Garden Gate Gifts in The Oasis
  • Autographs: Yes, he signs autographs at this location.
  • PhotoPass: A PhotoPass Photographer might be available.

The picture below is from Donald Duck’s former location in Dinoland, U.S.A., which closed in February of 2026. As of this update, he has been meeting with Daisy Duck in their safari suits, which they also wear at Tusker House.

Donald Duck makes the #1 sign with his finger as he poses for a photo.
Donald Duck

DiVine

DiVine is probably considered more a form of entertainment than an actual character meet. But since this might be the only time you’ve ever heard of her, I felt she was worth including. DiVine is a stilt-walking character who hangs out at The Oasis of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. She is typically available intermittently between the park’s opening and 1:00 p.m.

DiVine is rather challenging to see because she’s covered in vines. But if you find her, you can watch her pose. Often, a crowd forms around her when someone notices she’s there. Just remember to give her enough space. Even better, if you visit Animal Kingdom in the Spring months, you might encounter her in full bloom. Her times are usually listed in the “Entertainment” section of the My Disney Experience app.

Divine in her greenery wrapped around a light pole at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
DiVine
Divine in Florals at Disney's Animal Kingdom
DiVine (Spring)

Dug and Russell

Dug and Russell from Pixar’s UP meet daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They formerly met at the Wilderness Explorer’s Clubhouse, but that location has been re-imagined as the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. As of late, they’ve been meeting on the Discovery Island Trails. See the article below for location specifics and photos.

Dug and Russell at their new Discovery Island Trail location
Dug and Russell

Goofy

Goofy meets guests at the Harambe Train Station toward the back of the Africa section of the park. He usually wears his bird-watching outfit at this location. The article below offers photos and details for his new location.

  • Location: Africa, Harambe Train Station
  • Autographs: Yes, he signs autographs at this location.
  • PhotoPass: Yes, a PhotoPass photographer is usually available.
  • More: Meet Goofy at the Harambe Train Station
Goofy at his new Harambe Train station location
Goofy

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde meet guests daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. This location is on Discovery Island immediately before the entrance of Zootopia: Better Zoogether.

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot

Kevin

Kevin is one of the most popular characters at Walt Disney World. Where she goes, so does everyone else! She typically roams Discovery Island. Like DiVine, Kevin is a unique character who often prefers to keep moving over standing still, so you’ll want to allow plenty of space for her to roam freely.

From time to time, Kevin will pause to take a photo with guests. So, make sure to have your camera out and ask politely for a photo. But don’t take it personally if it doesn’t work out. Kevin and her Wilderness Explorer friends tend to retreat when crowds are too much! If seeing Kevin is essential, check for her times in the My Disney Experience app. Her bright coat of feathers makes her relatively easy to find.

Related: Meet Kevin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kevin poses for a photo with her head turned to the side and three Wilderness Explorers surrounding her.
Kevin

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Mickey and Minnie Mouse meet daily in safari suits at Adventurer’s Outpost in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is the only traditional location where they meet as a couple in all four parks. This location is on the path to the right of the Tree of Life before you cross the bridge to Asia.

Adventurer’s Outpost is typically available from the park’s opening time until about an hour before it closes. However, we have found that if you wait until toward the end of the day, wait times for this meet-and-greet tend to drop.

*Unfortunately, a PhotoPass photographer is no longer available at this location. The photographer was replaced with photo boxes that electronically take your photo. So, if you would like a decent photo, you might ask the cast member attending the meet if they would take one with your camera or phone.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse pose together holding hands at Adventurer's Outpost.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Adventurer’s Outpost

Moana

Moana meets guests daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Her character meet-and-greet is located at Character Landing. This location is on the right after you pass Flame Tree Barbecue. Since it’s toward the front of the park, it’s pretty simple to find.

Moana signs autographs, and a PhotoPass photographer will likely be available at this location. Additionally, she is a talking character, so you might think of a few things to ask her while waiting.

Moana at her Character Landing meet-and-greet at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Moana at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Pluto

Pluto meets guests in The Oasis (West) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We usually find him near the swinging bridge that leads to Discovery Island.

Pluto at his new Oasis meet-and-greet location.
Pluto recently relocated to The Oasis at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas meets toward the front of the Oasis at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After you enter the park, you’ll want to take the path to the right of the Oasis. She meets on the right in a small nook area near the Babirusa exhibit. Sometimes, you’ll run into Pocahontas wearing her winter look when it’s chilly outside.

Pocahontas meet-and-greet at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Pocahontas

Rafiki

Rafiki at Disney's Animal Kingdom greeting guests at Rafiki's Planet Watch
Rafiki formerly met at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Timon

  • Location: Rafiki’s Planet Watch
  • Autographs: Yes, he signs autographs at this location.
  • PhotoPass: A PhotoPass photographer might be available, but not guaranteed.
  • Read More: Meet Timon at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Timon posing for a closeup at Rafiki's Planet Watch
Timon formerly met at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Final Thoughts

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a fun place to meet both classic and unique characters. For more popular meet-and-greets at the other parks, you might enjoy our guide to character meet-and-greets at Walt Disney World. Check back with Resorts Gal for the latest Disney updates and reviews.

In the Comments

Are you hoping to meet any of these characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below.

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