Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Which characters would you like to meet during your next Disney vacation? Disney Parks and Resorts are home to meet and greets, dining experiences, and sightings with some of the most iconic characters in the company’s history, but there are still some notable names fans would love to see more of (or see at all!)
At Walt Disney World, new and upcoming character experiences include a meet and greet with Mirabel Madrigal from Encanto (2021) in the Magic Kingdom. The lead from the hit Disney animated film is currently featured in the Disney Adventure Friends Calvacade, but the latest update to the Park’s character lineup will feature her first-ever meet and greet on the East Coast. And in EPCOT, Figment will once again greet Guests beginning later this year.
Credit: Disney
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At the Disneyland Resort, one of the most beloved theme park lands just underwent a major reimagining. Toontown at Disneyland Park has received several updates, giving the land a newfound focus on accessibility (through enhancements like the removal of curbs and wider walkways).
Along with these updates came an updated look, new areas for the whole family to spend time breaking from the Park’s popular attractions, and Disneyland’s own version of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which had already proven to be incredibly popular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The new look Mickey is sporting above is not the only character development Disneyland’s reimagined Toontown, however. Theme park reporter Scott Gustin recently confirmed that Pete will make his first ever appearance at a Disney Park beginning March 19, 2023:
NEW: When Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland officially reopens on Sunday, March 19, Pete will greet guests for the first time in any Disney park. pic.twitter.com/JuJcIe7aTZ
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) March 17, 2023
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You may not realize it, but Pete is actually a rather big deal in terms of the history of Disney characters. He is the oldest character who remains to be seen in Disney projects today, yes, even predating both Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Pete first debuted in Walt Disney’s Alice Comedies in 1925, and he continued to make appearances in Oswald cartoons before Mickey arrived on the scene with Steamboat Willie (1928).
Given his persona as one of Mickey’s enemies, Pete also holds the distinction of being the first-ever Disney villain. (Now that there is a theme park version of the character, perhaps we will end up seeing him at villain-centric events like Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom?)
Credit: Disney
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Gustin also notes that while Mickey will be sporting a new look while greeting Guests outside in Toontown, his interior character meet and greet location will show him in his classic outfit, with his red pants and black jacket. Pictured above, Clarabelle Cow will also greet Guests in Toontown in the location where Chip ‘n Dale’s Treehouse once stood.
As for Pete, we are curious to see if he will become a staple in other Disney Parks or if he will remain a Toontown original for Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort. Powerline Max from A Goofy Movie (1995) just made his debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier this year, so it seems there could be some potential to see Pete as he is portrayed in one of his later roles.
Of course, this is just speculation until Disney confirms new character experiences. And we will be sure to keep you updated on all of the latest developments related to characters at Disney Parks here on Disney Tips.
