Summary
Seeing Disneyland characters is one of the most magical parts of visiting Disneyland Resort, especially when they pop up when you least expect it or go marching down the street. It really makes you feel like you've stepped into their world. Not all character sightings appear on the Disneyland entertainment calendar though. You don’t have to rely on the luck of being in the right place at the right time if you want to capture these moments for your family. What if we told you how to plan these seemingly spontaneous interactions into your day? Here are a few character viewings you don’t want to miss.
If you aren't sure what time something hoppens, ask the cast members in the area. They may know or consult a schedule not visible to guests. Also, keep an ear out for announcements. Sometimes the announcer will tell you what's coming so you know to hang around.
How to Spot Disneyland Characters in Action
The "Today's Showtimes" section of the Disneyland app is not always the best source of finding all the entertainment in the parks. There is so much more than is listed there, and the information for one performance may be there one day but not the next. You might see a big parade listed but not a smaller cavalcade.but you can type in "cavalcade" and it will give you the times. The Entertainment Schedule on the Disneyland site is a better source. But even that does not tell you everything you need to know about seeing characters in action. For example, it will tell you the Disneyland Band performance times, but not if characters are joining in. But we can tell you!
Disneyland Characters with the Disneyland Band
The Disneyland Band performs at different locations around the park. Sometimes you can catch them in Tomorrowland or in front of the Main Street Train Station. A few times a day, the band marches down Main Street, U.S.A. For some of those times, the Disneyland characters join in. Lately it's been noon but that can change. The times can vary, so you’ll want to double check with cast members in the park, who always have the most current information. More specifically, ask cast members along the parade route. They are always in the know!
Generally speaking, though, try to catch them at:
- Noon-ish/12:15 - When they are joined at the castle by Mickey, Minnie and pals such as Goofy, Donald, Pluto, Chip and Dale. You might see them head from the castle to the train station in the front of the park. Get in place about 11:45/12:00 (but check the band schedule first).
- Other times - When they are joined by Mickey Mouse.
Guests can hop in the street and follow the characters to the train station for a performance. We loved to surprise our friends and family with that surprising engagement by putting them in the procession behind the characters. 
You can also hang out at the back of the castle before the show to see the characters getting ready to dance through the castle for the Happiest March on Earth.
You might also catch Belle taking a spin with the Disneyland Band in the afternoon! (We caught her about an hour after the band's Happiest March on Earth with the Disney characters.)
Character Cavalcades
There are generally two character cavalcades a day at Disneyland. You don't need to save a spot. Just hop on a curb on the parade route a few minutes before it comes by. You can usually hear the music, and that's your cue to stop and pick a spot.
Mickey and Friends Cavalcade
This larger cavalcade is like a mini-parade that you do not have to invest any time in seeing. It's a big character bang for your buck. Look up "Mickey and Friends Cavalcade" in the app. Times can change seasonally or due to other park events, but generally, this takes place at:
- 1:45 p.m. - From "it's a small world" to Town Square
- 2:45 - From Town Square to "it's a small world"
You'll catch Mickey and pals, princesses and other characters from stories such as Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Aladdin and more. The song is catchy, and we've seen different versions for Halloween and Christmas.
Straw Hatters
Characters join the Straw Hatters in Town Square usually some time between 10 and 11 a.m. It's a fun, unscheduled character appearance you should try to catch. You might see Pluto, Donald, Mickey and Minnie perform with the band.
Other Cavalcades
Throughout the year, there are surprise cavalcades. We've seen rainy day cavalcades when a cavalcade replaces a major parade due to weather. Sometimes after the Super Bowl, there is a celebration cavalcade. We've caught the Super Bowl cavalcades! Disney characters in sports clothes joined in.
There is also Disneyland's birthday cavalcade each year on July 17. You'll see so many popular and rare characters joining in for that one. On Mickey and Minnie's birthday Nov. 18, you might get treated to a special cavalcade then too. Always keep an ear out for surprises in the park!
The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade
Speaking of Disneyland's birthday... there's a new cavalcade for the Disneyland 70th. It kicks off May 16, 2025. The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade celebrates seven decades of happiness. Mickey Mouse and some of his friends (all in their 70th outfits) as well as Duffy, ShellieMay, Max, Disney Princesses, Heroes and more will hit the streets in the afternoon each day.
Other Fun Character Sightings
Here are a few places you might catch some Disney entertainment that the characters can play off of or join in as they like.
Appearances with the Pearly Band
Oh, it's a jolly holiday indeed when we catch Mary Poppins with Bert in unexpected places. Sometimes they hop aboard King Arthur's Carrousel! They also sometimes perform in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle together.
Cruella on the Fire Engine
Sometimes, if you're lucky, you might catch Cruella in the morning. She has been known to circle Main Street, U.S.A. on the back of the fire engine early in the day. She loves to insult our fashion sense and make fun of Mommy Frog's ear headbands as she goes by. We frogs are evidently not runway ready. The villains at Disneyland are the best (at being the worst)!
Dance Parties
At various times, you can catch dance parties in Tomorrowland. Hop by Tomorrowland in the evening of select summer, Halloween Time and during Holiday Time nights (but not during fireworks). Dance along with the characters to music from a DJ. Your tadpoles will love it. Lily jumped around to the beat and followed character's dance moves all night long!
Mirabel from "Encanto"
We love to talk about meeting Mirabel. She greets guests in Frontierland near Rancho Del Zocalo and Big Thunder Mountain. She also is back in her casita in Disney California Adventure's Paradise Gardens Park. She is very popular, which means the cast members may close the line for her often. If possible, try to meet her in the morning before the line grows and confirm her meeting times with the cast members at the end of the line.
How to Spot Characters at Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure does not have as many of these experiences, but there are a few we'd like to point out.
Carthay Circle Fountain
You can usually see several characters around the Carthay Circle Fountain but they are often spread out in front of the shops and restaurants as well. But try to stop by for a performance by Five and Dime (about once an hour in the afternoons). Besides being treated to music, you'll likely catch the characters dancing around to the tunes.
Avengers Campus
The characters spring into action in small shows throughout the day. Hop over to our Avengers Campus characters guide to learn more about these scheduled shows. You can type the name of the performance into the app to see showtimes since they do not always appear in the list of shows in the Disneyland app. We can never get enough of watching Spider-Man leap from rooftop to rooftop. Here are shows to put on your must-see list:
- The Amazing Spider-Man!
- Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!
You can meet Spider-Man after his leap, but generally, there is no published schedule of character appearances. As for the other Avengers, you have to keep hopping by the campus to see if they are out.
I am often the planner for the family, so I keep track of all these character opportunities. I just make sure we are in the right place at the right time, and the family can "ooh" and "ahh" over the "seamless Disney magic" and "surprise" character sightings. Now you can plan this for your family, too!
Want to sweeten the surprise? Save money on your Disneyland visit with Disneyland Resort discount tickets.
Related: Disneyland Character Dining
Related: Tips for Meeting Your Favorite Disneyland Characters (And Where to Find Them!)
Keep hopping!
