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No matter how old you are, spotting Goofy or Donald Duck at Walt Disney World makes 100 years of Disney magic feel real. Seeing a child light up when they lock eyes with Mickey or Minnie Mouse makes any amount of money and planning worth it.
Guests had to adjust to a Disney Park experience without this magical touch with COVID-era changes, and the beloved character meets have only been back in effect for a little over a year. While most Disney Guests are happy to have the character interactions back at all, the hiatus from them makes fans wonder—who’s missing?
Changes are part of the culture at Disney, and characters rotate in and out of the Parks regularly. But which characters will you never see signing an autograph near Cinderella Castle? Let’s dive into the six Disney characters you’ll never see in the Parks.
Dumbo
Credit: Disney
The silent yet adorable elephant with oversized ears became a certified Disney classic in 1941, but you’ll never see him gracing the Parks. Although Dumbo the Flying Elephant has been a staple attraction in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, allowing the tiniest Disney Guests to board an attraction, Dumbo’s costume would be difficult to pull off with four legs and giant ears.
Quasimodo
Credit: Disney
Although 1996’s Hunchback of Notre Dame didn’t reach the box office success of iconic hits like The Lion King (1994) and Aladdin (1992), Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Frollo have a cult following. While the cast appeared in the Parks in the 90s, their popularity with younger generations has dwindled, although Frollo appears at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and other villainous events.
Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather
Credit: Philip Kippel, Flickr
Move over, evil step sisters! The fairy godmothers from the iconic 1959 film Sleeping Beauty used to make Park appearances in parades and character meets. However, with new princesses on the block like Rapunzel from Tangled (2011) and Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog (2009), Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather have dwindled in popularity.
The Muppets
The Muppets Christmas Carol is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Credit: D23
If you Kermit to the idea that you’ll meet The Muppets at Disney, you might be disappointed. While Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzaRizzo are booming at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s rare to spot Kermit or Miss Piggy among the Guests. However, Disney’s hard-ticket Jollywood Nights event teased a cameo from the famous Muppets this holiday season.
Merlin
Credit: Disney
A film 90s kids likely remember, The Sword and the Stone (1963), featured the charismatic magic, Merlin. Although Magic Kingdom features the King Arthur Carousel, Merlin is nowhere to be found in the Parks. Disney Guests were able to try their hand at extracting Excalibur from its perch during a mini-performance that ran through 2006, but characters from the film have been absent since.
Kenai and Koda
Credit: Disney
Although Disney fans associate the smash hit Finding Nemo with the 2003 box office year, another Disney classic captured the hearts of many. Brother Bear and its two heroes, Kenai and Koda, had the recipe to be long-term fixtures at Animal Kingdom. They used to appear in Animal Kingdom and at the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT, but with Nemo, Dory, and Marlin’s popularity, they’ve been since removed.
While many Guests miss these Disney World character cameos, Disney is a “never say never” company. Especially during its centenary year when characters like Chicken Little resurface in the Disney short Once Upon a Studio, it’s possible Disney won’t shut the door completely on these characters.
