Scheduled Character Meets
Character meets that are shown on the Disneyland Paris app under Characters - excluding Hero Training Centre
The disability access process for character meets can be one of the most confusing areas, and is the one where I have seen the most guests upset and distressed when trying to access meets as if you have never navigated it before it can be confusing and hard to access. There is no guarantee of being able to get return times for characters.
Scheduled meets as discussed in this section are those which are show on the app under character meets, on the map or on the list, see screenshots below.
The app will show a list of that days available character meets and the times for them, alongside the location.
The app is live so only shows that days meets and times, to get an idea of times and for planning purposes you would need to check the app first thing in the morning before the meets all start.
So how do return times for scheduled meets work?
The reasonable accommodation for disability access for scheduled meets is the use of return time slots. Essentially you speak to a cast member, show your priority pass, and if there are any remaining slots available, you are given a time to return to meet the character without waiting in the standard queue.
You are given the time to return, either verbally or on a small card, the cast member writes your name down on their list and then you can go away, find a bench, get a snack or do whatever you need to do until your time. You then return at the given time, go back to the cast member and they will then slot you in to meet the character.
In the example shown here there are a number of times shown throughout the day, in this case slots would likely be given out when the first meet starts in the morning and again when the character first comes out for the afternoon.
There is usually around one slot available for every 5-10 minutes that the character is out, so for ones that are not out for long there can be a very limited number of slots, but this is essential to allow other guests to be able to meet the characters in a reasonable time.
While the cast member will only come out and start giving out the return slots at the start of the meet, or a couple of minutes before, queues can form before they come out. For the most popular characters, including special seasonal characters, queues for return times can start to form an hour or more before the meet starts, but for other characters they may start only a few minutes before and for some there may still be some slots available for a while after the meet has started. It never hurst to politely ask if there are any slots available even if the character meet started a while ago.
When and where do I get a return time?
Return time slots are given out, in person, only on the day. You cannot pre-book return times or get a return time for another day. They are given out at the meet location shown on the app. Look for a flag with a wheelchair symbol and/or a cast member with a stand and a folder.
Slots are given out at the start of the first meet time in the morning and if there are afternoon slots further slots may be given out at the start of the first meet time in the afternoon. Often on the app the meet times are given as every half an hour, e.g. 11am. 11.30am, etc but the return slots will be given out at the first time listed, so this is why you need to check the app first thing in the morning. You can always ask the cast member if there will be any further slots released later in the day as some meets with afternoon slots will release a second lot in the afternoon. It is best to check with a cast member for the time, this would usually be the first time after a bigger gap in the list.
You must have the priority pass and the passholder present to collect a return time. They will ask how many will be meeting the character and will note this down. If you are able to secure a return time you cannot choose the time, they are given out in order of people asking for them.
What do I do once I have secured a return time?
If you have managed to secure a return time, congratulations, you can now use the time to take a rest, get some food or do whatever you would like to do in the parks until your time. But don't forget your time!
You must return to the meet on time and try to be as prompt as possible, The times are there to keep the queue moving so if you are late you may be turned away, especially if it is more than a minute or two.
When you return go to the same location where you were given the return time, usually where people are exiting after meeting the character. Show the cast member your return time card, or let them know you are back if you weren't given a card. They may ask you to wait until there is a suitable gap to slot you in.
Is this only for Priority Pass holders?
Return times are available for those with a Priority Pass, and are also available for those who are pregnant and have applied for a Bambi pregnancy band. The slots are shared between both, neither has priority for a return time.
They are not available for those with an Easy Access Pass, though that pass can be used for the character meets which are classed as attractions, so Meet Mickey Mouse, Starport and Princess Pavilion. Information about these meets can be found by following the links below.
Key Information Summary
- Return times are not guaranteed
- Return time slots are limited and can go very fast
- Return times are given out on the day, at the meet location
- The slots are given out at the start of the meets, so try to prioritise those which you want the most
- Very popular characters can have queues of up to an hour before the meet starts but others may still have some slots after the meet has started, it is always worth a polite ask if you are passing
- If you secure a return time it is important to be prompt when you return
No passes apply to accessing the Marvel meet at the Hero Training Centre in Avengers Campus, information about that meet can be found here.
There may be occasions when you witness a guest showing a pass and being allowed to meet a character without a return time, these are usually associated with things such as make a wish trips, so please show understanding.
This page has been last updated in October 2024
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