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One of the most magical parts of visiting Disneyland is meeting a princess. I don't remember this, but my mom (Flora or Mommy Frog to all of you) says that I wore a Belle dress to my first visit to Disneyland. Since then, I've made it a point to always visit a princess. What's really great is that new princesses seem to appear every time we visit. If you—or your tadpole princess—enjoy these enchanting encounters, then it's helpful to know where particular princesses appear around Disneyland. I have hopped around with my parents and located all their favorite spots so that I can help you meet them too!

The princesses are out in the morning from park opening until about 5 or 6 p.m. You don’t usually see them after dark except to wave to them in a parade, in Fantasmic! or at special events such as Mickey’s Halloween Party when many princesses (even some rarer ones) come out to greet guests. Here are the best spots to meet your favorite princesses at Disneyland.

Locations for Meeting the Princesses at Disneyland

The Royal Hall and Fantasy Faire

Where do you expect to meet a princess? Near the castle, of course. In Fantasy Faire’s Royal Hall (to the left of the castle) you can usually find three different princesses inside and usually a princess and royal friend outside under an umbrella in Fantasy Faire. The lineup is always changing, but inside the Royal Hall you might meet Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Elena, Aurora, or Belle (although lately Belle has also been spotted out in Fantasy Faire). If one of them needs to go about her duties as a princess, sometimes a surprise Disney character or princess will step in to take her place.

In front of the Royal Hall, there is a purple umbrella where you can meet long-haired Rapunzel and Flynn Rider or Aladdin and Jasmine. They alternate throughout the day, and sometimes other princesses such as Belle or other friends take their place. Spunky Merida cannot stay still, so you can find her wandering about Fantasyland. Join her for a stroll.

The Wishing Well

The area of the Wishing Well (to the right of the castle) has been under construction. Aurora and Ariel used to meet guests there. Perhaps they will return or be replaced by different princesses at that location when it reopens, so be sure to hop on by once work is completed.

Adventureland

Ever the voyager, Moana can't stay in one place. When she is not in Montonui, you may find her strolling about Adventureland.

Sometimes Princess Jasmine with Aladdin (when they are not in Fantasy Faire) and even Genie or Jafar can be found in front of Aladdin’s Oasis in Adventureland, especially at Halloween Time.

New Orleans Square/Frontierland

Princess Tiana greets guests in front of the water or near the Petrified Tree by Rivers of America. You may also find her on the Mark Twain Riverboat (along with Dr. Facilier) while it remains docked. I think Tiana and I would make a great team—I could be her frog friend! Pocahontas has also been spied near Rivers of America when she is not out exploring the wilderness.

Pixie Hollow

I know Tinker Bell is not a princess, but she wears a tutu, and that’s good enough for me! You can find Tink and her fairy friends in Pixie Hollow.

Park Entrance

Is there a better surprise than meeting a princess when you enter Disneyland? Nope. Sometimes princesses greet guests near the entrance to the park. Be sure to keep an eye out for them when you enter and leave the park.

Princess Friends and Acquaintances

There are some characters who tend to be associated with the princesses. What does a princess aspire to be? A queen of course, but hopefully a nice queen. If you are brave and know how to properly bow you can meet the Evil Queen from Snow White. She is often somewhere on the path from Main Street USA to the Matterhorn. And every princess can use a fairy Godmother from time to time. You can find Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother in Fantasyland. Gaston wanders around Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland (always on the lookout for Belle). The Beast also stalks through Fantasyland from time to time. Rumor has it that the Beast and Gaston do not get along ;) Anyhoo, there are many other characters you might find at Disneyland if you keep your eyes open.

Locations for Meeting the Princesses at Disney California Adventure

While the Princesses generally stay in the Disneyland Park, you can still always meet Anna and Elsa (and their friends Olaf and Kristoff) in California Adventure in the Animation Academy of Hollywood Land. They are there from park opening to park closing.

Outside of the Animation Academy is where you can find Sofia the First. This little girl princess alternates with Doc McStuffins to meet guests. Doc McStuffins is not a princess, but if you are a toddler or preschooler you won’t mind.

Disney California Adventure does host special princesses during certain holidays. Mulan (with Mushu) comes out to greet guests in Paradise Garden during Lunar New Year. You might see Elena during Fiesta Navidad during the Festival of Holidays at Holiday Time.

Tips for Meeting Princesses at Disneyland

Visit them early in the day before lines get long. Grab a FastPass for your favorite attraction and then spend an hour hopping around to find the princesses. Now that you know where to find them, you can meet most of them pretty easily. Lines are shortest in the morning.

Look for royal attendants to ask about meeting princesses. They usually stand in place before a character arrives and near the Royal Hall in Fantasy Faire. You can ask them who is coming and be among the first in line to greet them. The lines form quickly once the character arrives and other guests run over. These cast members can also give you good insider tips about meeting other characters

There is something called a Toon Finder. Ask a cast member when and where to find your favorite character, and they can consult a Toon Finder to get you your answers.

Dress like a princess too! Guests under 14 can wear costumes to Disneyland (older guests can go DisneyBound and dress with colors or elements of a princess without wearing a costume). The park sells princess dresses and accessories if you do not bring your own, and guests 3 to 12 can get made up with a variety of packages at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (for an added cost and reservations are recommended). One benefit you can ask about is skipping the line to meet princesses in the Royal Hall after getting a princess makeover. If you are lucky, you just might find a fairy Godmother outside of the store. Every princess can use a fairy godmother from time to time, right? She’s great if you need a hug.

Have your autograph book and pen ready. Some kids like to collect autographs from characters. I prefer a good hug and to get to talk to the princesses, although there are some fun do-it-yourself crafts that you can have the princesses sign. The nice part about the princesses is that they actually can talk to you. Masked characters usually cannot talk.

It is important to realize that a princess needs to take a break too. If she is not at her regular spot, just be patient and check back later. Sometimes the princesses take turns in a location so you might see one princess there, and if you come back later you can meet the other one. Be a good sport if she needs to take a break before it is your turn. Remember to use your courtly manners.

Of course, you can always meet some princesses at certain character dining experiences, but now that you know where to meet them, you can visit them in the park on your own.

Who is your favorite Disney princess? Do you have any tips to share for meeting princesses at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below! Good luck trying to find those princesses!

Related: 33 Tips to Maximize Your Time at Disneyland

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