Donald Duck has taken a temporary detour from his usual home between the Mexico and Norway Pavilions in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Known for his vibrant appearance in a sombrero and poncho inspired by The Three Caballeros (1944), Donald has quietly stepped away from the area as new construction takes shape within the Mexico Pavilion.
Recently, guests noticed that his meet-and-greet experience had vanished from the My Disney Experience app. The area, once bustling with fans eager for a photo with the feathered friend, is now wrapped in construction walls and tarps. While Disney has not officially announced the reason behind the changes, guests have spotted signs of pavement scoring—indicating that concrete work may be underway.
The Mexico Pavilion is known for its towering pyramid and rich marketplace atmosphere. His interactions with guests have been a beloved part of the park’s cultural mosaic. But now, that experience is paused—and it’s not the only shift taking place.
As part of EPCOT’s sweeping transformation, Disney has been adjusting character appearances across the park. While some fans were initially worried that Donald might be gone entirely, he was recently spotted in the Imagination! Pavilion’s Magic Eye Theater. There, he greeted guests in his classic sailor outfit—though the pop-up appearance wasn’t listed in the app, suggesting it could be temporary.
According to Kenny the Pirate, Donald is now meeting visitors in the lobby of the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, once again sporting his original sailor look. “Walt Disney World has now relocated Donald Duck to greet guests at the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival Lobby,” the outlet reported. “He is dressed in his classic sailor outfit, rather than his sombrero, with this location change.”
Currently, the My Disney Experience app lists Donald as appearing in the World Celebration area, with showtimes on June 13, 2025, running from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and again from 1:15 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. It’s unclear how long this location will serve as his new home.
Disney often relocates characters during updates or attraction refurbishments. Similar moves were seen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as construction ramps up in DinoLand, U.S.A., affecting where the Fab Five appear.
Character meet-and-greets remain a defining part of the EPCOT experience. Guests can still find familiar faces across the park, including Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy, and Phineas and Ferb at the front entrance.
Whether Donald’s Mexico Pavilion look will return remains a mystery. But for fans who’ve treasured the original encounter, there’s hope that it may reemerge once the refurbishment concludes.
What are your thoughts on Donald’s shift from Mexico to World Celebration? Share your memories and thoughts with us in the comments below.
