Summary

• Some of the rarest Disney characters at Disney Parks only make special appearances at events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
• The Seven Dwarfs can be found at holiday events and character meet-and-greets in Magic Kingdom.
• Several rare and lesser-known Disney characters like Robin Hood and Cruella de Vil can be spotted at special events and parades at Disney World.

One of the most magical things guests can do in all the Disney parks is meet their favorite characters (this is especially the case for those who hate rides and want other things to do at Disney instead). There's nothing quite like seeing a beloved animation come to life, and because of this, Imagineers have packed the parks with meet-and-greet opportunities.

Being that Disney has so many films though, not every character gets the same level of attention. While Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, Elsa from Frozen, and Mickey Mouse himself are easy to find, select characters make only special appearances and take more effort to track down.

This list takes a look at a bunch of rare Disney characters one might not have realized could be met at the parks. While it might take a little work (or a lot of luck), getting rare Disney character autographs will be worth it in the end.

UPDATE: 2024/01/22 22:21 EST BY REENA JAIN

12 Rare Disney Characters & Mascots You Could Meet At Disney Parks

There are many Disney characters that are rarer than the popular faces! Getting rare Disney character signatures is always a thrill, especially when they only occasionally appear in select locations or at special after-hours events! This list has been updated with the two more rare Disney characters, as well as the latest information about all those already listed in the article, including where and when to find them and images.

12 Jafar

Meet Jafar at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and other events

Though not a regular character at Disney World's meet-and-greets, Jafar, the villain from Disney's Aladdin, whose fictional home is actually one of the real-life Disney movie destinations to visit, sometimes makes brief appearances during events, festivals, or themed parties.

One can find him at select events, especially during Halloween events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Halloween parade at Disneyland Paris, or other villain-themed gatherings.

• Where to meet: Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Disneyland Paris
• When to meet: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), Halloween Parade

11 Genie

Find the Genie at Special events and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Although visitors may believe they can encounter the charming character Genie from Disney's Aladdin at many points throughout Disney World, this isn't the case. He's another rare character at Disney Parks that's not seen very often!

Genie sometimes makes an appearance in parades, at some after-hours holiday events, and beside The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Magic Kingdom, giving guests the opportunity to mingle, snap pictures, and experience fantastical moments.

• Where to meet: Magic Kingdom, Disney World
• When to meet: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, special events, meet and greets

10 The Seven Dwarfs

Meet these beloved characters at holiday events, parades, and character meet-and-greets

One can’t get autographs from all seven dwarfs (that’s a lot of writing), but one may get pictures with them. All seven dwarfs from Snow White are known to meet and greet during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

The group is commonly stationed outside the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster at Fantasy Land in the Magic Kingdom.

• Where to meet: Magic Kingdom, Disney World
• When to meet: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP)

9 Jane

Meet Tarzan's Jane at holiday events, parades, and character meet-and-greets

While Tarzan isn’t known for frequenting Disneyland in California, he is a staple at Animal Kingdom in Florida. On the other hand, his love interest, Jane Porter, is not so easy to track down. That being said, finding her is not impossible.

Jane is known to show up for special events and holidays. She’s been spotted meeting people with Tarzan during Valentine’s Day and has also appeared at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Tarzan's monkey pal, Terk, has also swung her way into select meet-and-greets!

• Where to meet: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, Disney World
• When to meet: Valentine’s Day, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP)

8 Jiminy Cricket

Encounter the world's favorite cricket during Earth Day celebrations at Animal Kingdom

Finding Pinocchio’s wise cricket is no easy task. In fact, he is one of the rarest characters to track down in all of Disney World. While there is no schedule of when the classic cricket will be making his rounds, he is known to appear around Earth Day.

Usually, he is stationed at Animal Kingdom for a week leading up to the holiday. If you miss him, you might be waiting an entire year before you can wish upon a star with him again.

• Where to meet: Animal Kingdom, Disney World
• When to meet: Earth Day

7 Robin Hood

Track down Robin Hood at Character Palooza and Fantasyland

Hollywood Studios is home to many wonderful attractions and one of them is Fantasmic! — a thrilling firework stage show spectacular that occurs on most nights. The end of the performance has multiple Disney characters dancing on boats together, and sometimes they can be met prior to the show at a secret event known as Character Palooza.

Robin Hood is one of these special characters who sometimes appears at the event, which takes place outside the gates of Hollywood Studios for a brief time. Robin Hood and friends have also been spotted at the archways in the new Fantasyland, where characters from Cinderella have been known to greet guests.

• Where to meet: Fantasyland
• When to meet: Character Palooza, Fantasmic!

6 Cruella de Vil

Find this villainess at Disney World's meet-and-greets and special events

The evil villainess of One Hundred and One Dalmatians has been known to show up during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. She has also been spotted outside the World Traveler shop at the International Gateway between the France and UK pavilions at Epcot, though her appearances are completely random.

If you’re instead across the country at Disneyland in California, it might be easier to track her down. She has been spotted on Main Street, U.S.A. for meet-and-greets on multiple occasions.

• Where to meet: Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Theme Park, Disney World; Disneyland Park, California
• When to meet: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP)

5 Hercules And Meg

Search for this couple at holiday events, parades, or character meet-and-greets

Like Cruella, Hercules and Megs have been spotted between the France and UK pavilions in Epcot, although this is incredibly rare and hasn’t been reported for some time.

While taking a photo with Meg is difficult, she has appeared on stage during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and during the Fantasmic! finale. Hercules appears in the occasional parade himself, but tracking him down is not an easy feat. If you run into these two, either separately or together, it’ll be by pure chance and a great opportunity for rare Disney signatures.

• Where to meet: Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Theme Park, Disney World
• When to meet: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), Fantasmic! finale

4 Wendy Darling

Look out for Peter Pan's Wendy at the International Gateway in Epcot and parades

Peter Pan is stationed outside his ride in the Magic Kingdom nearly every single day. While he usually greets guests alone, Wendy has been known to show up there before.

Like some of the aforementioned characters, she was spotted at the International Gateway in Epcot, and, as always, don’t forget to check out the character lineups prior to attending the holiday parties. During select years, she has appeared at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party as well as Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade.

• Where to meet: EPCOT Theme Park
• When to meet: Disney Magic on Parade, Holiday events

3 Clarabelle Cow

Look for this character at holiday events, parades, and character meet-and-greets

Clarabelle doesn’t have a permanent meeting place, but she has been spotted at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party parades. She has also participated in meet-and-greets during special holiday events at Disney World and Disneyland.

Additionally, the Frontierland Hoedown in the Magic Kingdom, featuring some swell square and line dancing skills by The Country Bears, Disney World's most wandering characters, has also been known to feature Clarabelle on several occasions.

• Where to meet: Magic Kingdom, Disney World
• When to meet: Frontierland Hoedown, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), Holiday events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP)

2 Mushu

Try to find Mushu at Disney World's China Pavilion at Epcot

Mushu used to make regular appearances at the parks, but unless you travel to Disneyland Paris, he’ll be hard to find. That being said, chance could be on your side. Mulan still meets in China at Epcot, and just because her dragon friend doesn’t tag along these days doesn’t mean things won’t change in the future.

Though Mushu is not part of the live-action Mulan film, we wouldn’t be surprised if Disney took it as an opportunity for him to show up in the parks more often. He also meets visitors at select special events, like The Lunar New Year (Year of the Dog) celebration at Disney California Adventure. Keep your eyes peeled.

• Where to meet: Disneyland California, Disneyland Paris, Disney World
• When to meet: The Lunar New Year, China at Epcot

1 Emperor Kuzco

Kuzco is truly a rare Disney World encounter!

Finishing off the list is one of Disney’s sassiest characters who are — we hate to say it — impossible to meet right now. By that, we mean that someday he could make a reappearance after the 20th anniversary of The Emperor’s New Groove, which was marked back in 2020, but there is nothing confirmed for the near future.

He’s previously been featured in both his human form and llama form alongside Yzma and Kronk in Disneyland Paris. It’s hard to describe just how much we’d love to see him again.

• Where to meet: Might be at Disneyland Paris
• When to meet: Not certain