Ariel, The Little Mermaid, at Magic Kingdom in Ariel's Grotto

The wait was a long one to meet Luke's other favorite redhead, Ariel. The best part was that there were sprinklers for the kids to run around in, while parents held autograph books and pins.

Suzy, Perla and The Fairy Godmother at Magic Kingdom (CRT, dinner)

Cinderella's Royal Table is the "hot ticket" in WDW, but we walked up on a hot day during a shift change and we were given a reservation without planning ahead. A major "what not to do," but is WAS St. Patrick's Day. The boys really liked the show provided by the Fairy Godmother, who promised she'd look out of everyone there, and the mice were friendly, without touching the food.

Rhino, without his rollerball, from Bolt, at Animation Courtyard, at Hollywood Studios.

"Let it begin," yells Rhino. Not here, but in general. Rhino was so excited to meet HIS #1 fan, he took back our autograph book and in a special message. Rhino also enjoyed playing his own app on the iPhone. Rumor has it that Mittens did not test well, and now that the movie has moved into DVD territory, they will all probably be harder to find. On our next trip, the Up characters were in this space.

The Incredibles at Animation Courtyard, Hollywood Studios

Mr. & Mrs. Incredible have been at Animation Courtyard on our last 2 visits. Sometimes, Frozone is with them. Sometimes he alternates. I feel bad when the line thins as he steps up, but if you linger towards the end of his set, The Incredibles are not more than 20-30 minutes away.

Seagulls from Finding Nemo @ Epcot

The seagulls are interactive, although I'm not sure what sets them off. Guess what they say? "Mine. Mine. Mine." They must be 3 as well.

Snow White in the Germany area at Epcot

Snow White is a favorite. The fair-skinned brunette who runs off from the castle and finds herself caring for a brood of small men with some pretty distinct quirky characteristics? Hmmm....When does the long nap part of my fairy tale start? She was in the Germany area, with a short line, and rumor has it sometimes Dopey joins her. Take THAT 180 day window to book the princess breakfast.

Jessie from Toy Story 2 at Magic Kingdom

Jessie went to dance with Liam at this mini-parade in Frontierland in March 2008. Liam had just come from his first haircut, and the ladies seemed to love his new look.

Bullseye from Toy Story 2 at Magic Kingdom

There was a parade in Frontierland in 2008 that may out commission now, but Bullseye went out of his way to give Liam a high hoof.

Dale (and Chip) at the start of Main Street at Magic Kindgom

Just before the parade kicked off on our last day, we saw Chip and Dale in the Town Square. Chip has a brown nose and Dale's is red. I think.

Army Guy at Hollywood Studios

This guy found us. How could you find someone in such a disguise? They had some great maneuvers and stood like statues at time. When Buzz was in the back of the Hollywood Studios area, near Pizza Planet, the Army Guys were with him and Woody. Now that they are closer to Toy Story Mania, I'm not sure where to find the soldiers. Then again, they blend right in. They could be anywhere.

Goliath from Jo Jo's Circus at Hollywood Studios

Goliath, who you want to call Go-lion, is Jo Jo's buddy. He dances with the crowd, and clearly, listens well for a carnivore. No wonder there is an entire song about brushing his teeth. He was at the Hollywood and Vine character meal 3 out of 3 times we went. Jo Jo signs the book for him, because he has paws. And, oh yeah, he's a lion.

Annie, Leo's sister, from Little Einsteins at Hollywood Studios.

June handles the brunch crowd while Annie meets and greets outside of the Playhouse Disney theater. She is the singer of the group, so I guess they needed June's mad ballet skillz for the show at Hollywood and Vine. She seems to be taking it OK, though. This is from February, 2009.

Leo from Little Einsteins at Hollywood Studios.

Leo shares a joke with Luke. Part of it is that they are dressed alike. Luke is 4 here.

June from Little Einsteins at Hollywood Studios.

The breakfast and lunch at Hollywood and Vine get you an close and personal encounter. We took the earliest reservation so it was empty, and we did not have to wait until the park opened to enter. Watch out for June. She LOVES to dance.

Dancing with Jo Jo.

Here is the moving picture version of Liam's dancing partner. Keep in mind, he was in ER the day before getting his first stitches (in the mouth).

Jo Jo from Jo Jo's Circus at Hollywood and Vine at Hollywood Studios

Liam and Jo Jo just fell in love. He'd gotten stitched the day before and she was very gentle in the way she approached him. Kicked off his 1st Disney trip very well. This was an early breakfast in 2008, but we've been 3 times. Worth downloading the shows or finding the DVDs.

Ron Stoppable at Hollywood Studios

Ron knew a lot about what Rufus was up to, fast food, and how bad it is to lose your pants in public. Wish we could see him again. This photo was from March, 2008.

Kim Possible at Hollywood Studios

We called ahead. We checked the schedule. We rushed through breakfast. We got in line. We were alone. Apparently, not every kid in America was buying sweatshirts on e-bay and making iron on shorts. Kim and Ron had plenty of time to discuss nachos, naked mole rats, and why Bonnie is just so mean sometimes. On our next visit, they were "on a mission" and not available.

Lilo at Ohana breakfast at Poly.

Lilo leads the parade around the dining room at Ohana's breakfast. She is sweet and friendly and made her way around to us 2 times. Very sweet.

Buzz Lightyear and Woody at Pixar Place at Hollywood Studios

Buzz and Woody sign autographs across from Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios. Buzz uses a stamper. He has some good WWF-type poses to share. Woody, less so. The line was looooonngggg when we went (February 2009) but there is a lot to see on the line. A good way to kill time waiting for your Fastpass time to come up.

Winnie The Pooh at Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom

Winnie the Pooh is the star of the breakfast and lunch buffet at Crystal Palace. Luke helps Pooh sign his autograph book. In this photo, Luke is 3. Pooh is about 50. We've also met Winnie at Epcot in the UK area, and at 1900 Park Faire breakfast at Grand Floridian, always with Tigger.

Stitch at Ohana Breakfast at Polynesian Resort

Aside from great coffee, this breakfast is a lot of fun. My nephew lent us this hat (permanently) and Stitch could not resist making me feel sillier. We've seen him start food fights and steal baby bottles. Better have that 2nd cup of coffee (and an ADR).

Stitch also was very sweet to Liam when he learned Liam got stitches right before we got on the plane.

Jasmine and Alladin near the Flying Carpet Ride at Magic Kingdom.

Alladin thought Luke was there to meet him, but he was really there to see Jasmine. Alladin pulled a carpet over so they could sit and pretend to fly for this photo. Jasmine warned the street rat not to move stuff around, as much was glued down.

Another place to meet this pair is at Epcot in the Morocco area.

Woody from Toy Story, at Frontierland in Magic Kingdom

Woody was having a parade in April 2008, and Liam (18 mos) was selected to participate. He is a tall kid, so they may have thought he'd make a good cowboy.

Bolt at Animation Area in Hollywood Studios

Rhino loved playing Rhino Rollerball on the iPhone with us. Bolt was a good dog! This was in February 2009, and there was not the same set up over the summer. We were lucky. Bolt liked it when you scratched him and said, "Who is a good boy?", like a non-actor.

Mickey Mouse at Animation Area (Hollywood Studios)

Mickey was very friendly and stayed late to say hello. He liked Up, obviously, and shared with the boys his Wilderness Explorer sign. For a second I thought he was representing The West Side of the Kingdom. He is there often.

Dug from Up, with Cast. Animation Area, Hollywood Studios.

Dug at WDW is not a talking dog, but if you yell "Squirrel" during a photo, he can't help but turn his head to look. Mr. F was in good spirits that day. Russell was more easily distracted than Dug. This was summer of 2009.

Russell from Up. Animation area at Hollywood Studios.

This was August 2009, but Liam and Russell explored the set together. Russell gestured how alike they were because Liam (3) wanted to explore every little thing as they went along.

Kevin from Up. She was in the Animation area of Hollywood Studios. Shhh....

She sticks her head in and out of the rocks. Be patient!

Frozone from The Incredibles at Hollywood Studios

The end of the Hall of Animation is a great, and cool, place to meet characters. If your party has 2 adults, one can escort kids around the lobby while the other waits in line. Frozone alternates with The Incredibles. He's pretty great and seems "animated", but you don't have to wait as long to see him. Little tip...come in through the gift shop (the back door) so you don't have to sit through the presentation if you've seen it already.

Handy Manny at Hollywood Studios

Still amazed there is no Dine With Handy Manny. He should build his own restaurante. Handy Manny was easy to find outside of the Playhouse Disney Theater from 10-6.

Mad Hatter at 1900 Park Faire breakfast (Grand Floridian)

Luke explained that when we got back, he'd be starting kindergarten. The Mad Hatter advised against it. He said going to school was nothing to celebrate, which was why he only went one day.

Alice in Wonderland at 1900 Park Faire (Grand Floridian)

Alice has some rules. No hats inside, and don't trade pins with her face on them! She was pretty insistent.

Quincy from Little Einsteins at Hollywood Studios

This is just outside of the Playhouse Disney Theater. Quincy is a little bit harder to find. This Quincy toys has been retrieved out of car windows, left at coffee houses, and brought on many long trips. He says, "That was awesome". Quincy didn't seem to have known this toy existed.

Tigger, albeit a tipped Tigger, at Epcot, in UK area.

Tigger gave Liam a thumbs up for his bouncing skills. Turn your screen sideways to determine if you found it to be Tigger-ific. Tigger bounces over to the 1900 Park Faire breakfast at Grand Floridian and the Crystal Palace breakfast or lunch at the Magic Kingdom. Good thing he has a lot of energy. TTFN.
Could not resist posting this less than perfect footage of Tigger and Liam having a bouncing contest.

Mary Poppins at 1900 Park Faire (Grand Floridian)

Mary Poppins was at brunch, and unamused by the fact we already new the one good joke in her film. Supernannies can be very serious. She was fair but firm.

Do you know it? it starts: I met a man with a wooden leg named Smith....

Eyeore at in the UK area of Epcot

To discover the friends from 100 Acre Wood in Ecpot, you have to find the toy store in the UK, and head to the back.

Mike W. from Monsters Inc., at Hollywood Studios.

We found Mike by the Streets of America, close to the PowerRangers, and not far from Muppets in 3D or Bug's Life playground. Sulley must have been collecting screams or giggles.