Universal Orlando Resort is a place where you can dive headfirst into the world of beloved movies, TV shows, books and comics. From chatting with cherished cartoons you or your tadpoles grew up watching on Saturday mornings to coming face-to-face with the action heroes that star in Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, there are a plethora of places to meet and take photos with your favorite characters at Universal Orlando. Character encounters take place throughout the day in both Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. The best part? You can just hop right in line! No reservation or My Universal Photo pass is required. Ready to make some epic memories? Perfect! Read on to find out where you can capture those coveted Kodak moments.
Characters at Universal Islands of Adventure
Are we seeing red ... or is it just Spider-Man, Betty Boop and Thing One and Thing Two ... ? Come to think of it, we're also seeing Green (goblins and grinches) and Blue, too ...
Spider-Man Appearing at the Marvel Alterniverse Store in Marvel Super Hero Island
Head to the side of the Marvel Alternivese Store and get in line to meet the friendly neighborhood superhero himself. Make sure you've practiced your web-slinging! Not only do you get to snap a photo with Spidey, but you also get your photo turned into the cover of a Marvel Comic. How cool is that?!
Meet the Marvel Super Heroes in Marvel Super Hero Island
Keep an ear out while you're in Marvel Super Hero Island! Every so often over the speakers, you'll hear the arrival of your favorite Marvel heroes or villains being announced. Strike a powerful pose with Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm and Rogue or beg for mercy at the hands of Doctor Doom and the Green Goblin. Characters appear in varying areas around the island. (You can also meet the Marvel Super Heroes when you book a reservation for the Marvel Character Dinner at Cafe 4!)
Classic Comic Book Characters in Toon Lagoon
Step into the pages of the Sunday morning funnies and laugh alongside some of the most timeless comic characters around. Dance along with Betty Boop who's usually found near Toon Extra or get into some silly antics with Popeye the Sailor Man and his number one gal, Olive Oyl. (Watch out! You never know where Bluto might be lurking.)
Raptor Encounter in Jurassic Park
Are you brave enough to come face-to-fangs with a vicious velociraptor? Meet Blue, the famous clever carnivore from Jurassic World, or her cousin, Bravo, at this exciting encounter where a professional raptor trainer will guide you through your interaction. If you're lucky, you might also get to meet one of the newest additions to the pack, baby Sierra or baby Tango!
Seuss Character Zone in Seuss Landing
There are many beloved characters to meet just up ahead on Mulberry Street! Get your camera ready because The Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, Thing One, Thing Two, the Grinch and the Lorax meet with families several times a day in between Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous and All The Books You Can Read.
Other Character Encounters in Islands of Adventure
- Want to know the best spots to shop, eat and drink in Hogsmeade? Strike up a conversation with the knowledgeable Hogwarts Express conductor in front of the famous train!
Character Encounters at Universal Studios Florida
Pandas and Minions and Trolls ... oh my! You never know who you'll meet on the star-studded streets of Universal Studios Florida.
Meet The TRANSFORMERS in New York
Get ready to meet the fearless Optimus Prime, jam along with the adorable Bumblebee or kneel before the mighty Megatron. The valiant Autobots and the dastardly Decepticon switch off meeting times at the N.E.S.T. garage located directly across from TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D. These Cybertronians are, without a doubt, one of the coolest meet-and-greets in the entire park!
The Simpsons Character Zone in Springfield, U.S.A.
Meet the wacky residents of Springfield at various locations around the Home of The Simpsons — right outside the Kwik-E-Mart or at the exit of The Simpsons Ride. Hang out with Homer and Bart, mingle with Marge and Lisa or crank up the kooky with Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob!
Meet Spongebob Squarepants in Woody Woodpecker's KidZone
You don't have to travel all the way under the sea to meet the porous, pink and peeved citizens of Bikini Bottom. You can interact with Spongebob, Patrick and Squidward both inside and outside of Spongebob Storepants. Let the nautical nonsense commence!
Hollywood Character Zone in Hollywood
You'll find several familiar faces wandering around the streets of Hollywood at many points throughout the day such as the sassy Betty Boop, the glamorous Marilyn Monroe, the eccentric Doc Brown, the bedeviling Beetlejuice, the adorable Hello Kitty, the hilarious Mystery Inc. (i.e. Scooby and the gang) and even the lovable Simpson family!
Illumination Theater in Illumination's Minion Land
Grab your (banana) popcorn and (PX-41 Punch) soda and hop on over to the Illumination Theater! A revolving door of Illumination film characters appear to pose for photos throughout times a day, such as the Minions, Gru, Edith, Agnes and characters from the film "Sing."
Shrek's Swamp Meet in DreamWorks Land
Fiona and Donkey have done the impossible and turned Shrek into a softy ... because he's finally letting visitors into his swamp! Meet the Prince and Princess of Far Far Away and their fast-talking noble steed in their mud-laden, moss-covered, murky-watered humble abode. Meet times are posted daily on the Universal Orlando app.
DreamWorks Character Zone
Keep your eyes peeled in DreamWorks Land because you never which characters you'll run into. We've spotted Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond from the "Trolls" films, King Julien from the "Madagascar" films, Gabby from "Gabby's Dollhouse" and Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws from the "Puss in Boots" films, just to name a few!
Po Live! in DreamWorks Land
While not a traditional character meet and greet, Po Live! is an awesome interactive experience located in Po's Kung Fu Training Camp. Every half an hour, Po will appear digitally to teach you the ways of the Dragon Warrior ... all while cooking some delicious stir-fry and attempting to babysit his cousin, Ling Ling. (Yes, he can really see you!)
Other Character Encounters
- Strike up a conversation with the Knight Bus conductor and the wise-cracking Dre Head in front of the Knight Bus in London. We don't know who loves a good pun more: him or us!
- Hashtag the Panda can be found right outside Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, in the ride's queue or looking out from the windows of the ride building!
- Don't be afraid. The towering pharaohs hanging out in front of Revenge of the Mummy look more menacing than they are. Smile and say "coffee"!
- While Doc Brown can sometimes be found in Hollywood, you'll most often see him conducting experiments nearby his prized DeLorean Time Machine and Jules Verne Train.
- Upon exiting Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, you'll enter the ultimate dance party where you can normally find a minion or two hanging out ... and potentially even Gru and his daughters.
Characters at Universal Orlando During Halloween
Outside of the scare zones of Halloween Horror Nights where scare actors tend to be game for a freaky photo, Death Eaters emerged from the shadows in Diagon Alley for the first time ever in 2023. Voldemort's followers made their grand entrance in a screen of sinister green fog and proceeded to set the cobblestoned streets ablaze with an array of fiendish spells. Our favorite part? Watching brave tadpoles duel with the dark wizards and witches. And yes, if you asked nicely, they would entertain muggles for a selfie.
Characters at Universal Orlando During the Holidays
This is what you all clicked on this blog for, isn't it? Yes, the viral and magnificently mean Grinch meets his loyal fans every Grinchmas at Honk Honkers and during The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast! (Onion not required!) Elsewhere in Seuss Landing, you'll find the holly, jolly citizens of Whoville, who are here to spread holiday cheer.
Over in Universal Studios, a wide variety of holiday characters, such as talking toys and stunning snowflakes, are normally out in the streets for photos. The nutty icon himself, Earl the Squirrel, even has his very own meet-and-greet. We can't get enough of this mischievous little rodent!
Characters at Universal Orlando During Mardi Gras
Starting at 3 p.m., the streets of Universal Studios Florida erupt with a party atmosphere you'd be hard-pressed to find outside the Crescent City. It's then that you can grab photos with Mardi Gras royalty and other creatures, critters and characters featured in the Universal Mardi Gras parade! Additionally, throughout the day, you'll spot classic Universal characters roaming around the park in their Big Easy best, such as Mystery, Inc., the undisputed King of Mardi Gras (and Madagascar), King Julien and even the Ghost with the Most, Beetlejuice.
Who are your favorite characters at Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Our Ultimate Guide to My Universal Photos at Universal Orlando
Hoppy planning!
