Universal Orlando doesn’t just have state-of-the-art attractions, it also has characters! Dozens of your favorite characters roam the parks. You can Meet & Greet them, see them dance in parades, and watch them perform in shows. This article covers all the places to find your favorite characters and who to expect!

Character Meeting Options at Universal Orlando

Parades

Universal Mega Movie Parade in Universal Studios Florida is a high-energy parade that features characters from Despicable Me, Shrek, SING, Trolls, and more.  The parade is performed daily in the afternoon or early evening, depending on operating hours. The parade starts next to the Horror Make-Up Show and loops through Hollywood, into New York, turns in front of Transformers, and back to Horror Make-Up. Note: the parade takes a hiatus during the Mardi Gras season.

During the winter holidays Universal also showcases the Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s nightly. As the name suggests the parade features balloons featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, winter-themed floats, Universal characters, and Santa Claus. Characters from Despicable Me, Shrek, and Madagascar are featured in the parade. The parade follows the same route as the Superstar Parade and performs once a night during the holidays.

Dance Parties

Small dance parties involving the Mega Movie characters occur outside of the Horror Make-Up Show throughout the day. Characters either come out on parade floats for photos or perform on an elevated stage with dancers. The shows run at set times; see the daily entertainment guide for times. The DreamWorks Imagination Celebration attraction, located in DreamWorks Land, is a kid-friendly, high-energy character show where guests can dance along with their favorite characters. Yes, fan-favorite King Julien does appear in the show. Performances run at set times throughout the day, see the Universal App for dates.

Character Meals

Dine with Spider-Man at the only Marvel character meal in Orlando in Marvel Super Hero Island at Cafe 4. The Marvel Character Dinner features Captain America, Wolverine, Storm, and Rogue with a buffet dinner option. Menu items include salad, pasta, pizza, chicken, shrimp, and assorted desserts. Prices start at $57 for adults and $32 for children, tax not included. Reservations can be made online.

During the holidays, Universal offers a Grinch character breakfast buffet at Circus McGurkis Cafe Stoopendous in Seuss Landing. Your standard breakfast buffet is offered plus green eggs (of course). Prices start at $59 for adults and $33 for children, tax not included.

Meet & Greets

The most popular and common way to meet the characters, Meet & Greets offers a chance for guests to grab photos, get an autograph, or get a quick hug. Sometimes, these meet and greets are in set locations, such as Bumblebee and Megatron between Transformers and Mel’s Dine-In. Other meet and greets are spontaneous, like Doc Brown and Marilyn Monroe in Hollywood. DreamWorks and Despicable Me characters also appear at the Universal Orlando hotels during busy periods, like weekends and holidays.

Which Characters Are at Universal Orlando?

Universal Orlando has a rich character lineup drawn from its intellectual properties (IP), including Universal Monsters, Nintendo, Harry Potter, DreamWorks, and more.

Universal Monsters

Darkmoor in Epic Universe is a realm where monsters are real, and you can meet them! Frankenstein and his bride are found in their own meet and greet area, while the Invisible Man can be found wandering the land. For more monsters, we suggest a visit to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida in the fall.

Harry Potter

Due to Warner’s control of the franchise, look-alike face characters to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Voldemort, or others are not in the park. The only place you can see these characters will be in their respective attractions. Two face characters meet and greet in the lands: in Hogsmeade, you can find the Hogwarts Express conductor next to the train while the Knight Bus attendant can be found outside Diagon Alley next to the bus.

Marvel

Marvel characters from Spider-man, The Avengers, and the Fantastic Four can be seen in their comics-appropriate garb at Marvel Super Hero Island in Islands of Adventure. Meet and greets occur throughout the land and a Captain America-themed character meal is offered on select nights.

Nintendo

Lets a go! Your favorite plumbers, Mario and Luigi, along with Peach and Toad, meet and greet guests at Super Nintendo World in Epic Universe. Mario and Luigi are found at the central warp pipe in the middle of the land, while Peach meets in her gazebo. Donkey Kong meets outside his house by a pile of bananas in the Donkey Kong Country section of Super Nintendo World.

Despicable Me & Minions

• Meet the Girls and Minions next to Bake My Day in Minion Land
• The Minions, Gru, the girls, and more are found in the Universal Mega Parade and Universal Holiday Parade.

The Simpsons

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Krusty, and Sideshow Bob are found in Springfield, USA at Universal Studios Florida and meet between The Simpsons Ride and the Kwik-E-Mart. If not in Springfield, you can find the Simpsons family in the Hollywood section of the park.

DreamWorks

• Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona appear in DreamWorks Land at Shrek’s House Swamp Meet.
• Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, the Three Blind Mice, and more appear in the Universal Holiday Parade.
• Characters from Trolls, KungFu Panda, Madagascar, and Shrek appear in the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration show.
• Characters from Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar appear at Islands of Adventure in Lost Continent across from Fire Eaters Grill and in Port of Entry
• Hiccup, Toothless, and other Berk residents are found at the Isle of Berk in Epic Universe.

Dr. Seuss

• Cat in the Hat, The Things, Grinch (fursuit version), and more Seuss characters are found in Seuss Landing
• The Grinch (face character, like from the Jim Carey movie) can be found only during the holidays at his character breakfast or in the Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular show

Other Characters

Universal Orlando draws from a large library of Universal, Warner Brothers, Paramount, and even Disney characters for dozens of fun character meet and greets:

• Doc Brown from Back to the Future by the DeLorean outside of Animal Actors or in Hollywood
• Scooby-Doo and & The Gang are found in Hollywood
• Blues Brothers are found mingling after their show in New York
• Marilyn Monroe, Lucy Ricardo, and other vintage celebrity face characters are in Hollywood
• Spongebob, Patrick, and Squidward can be found in their store in Central Park
• Popeye, Olive Oyl, Betty Boop, and other classic comic strip characters are found in Toon Lagoon
• Meet the velociraptors from the Jurassic World films at the Raptor Encounter in Jurassic Park

TouringPlans Touring Tips

• Characters are not in CityWalk or Volcano Bay.
• For specific character times and locations, contact guest relations.
• Many character encounters are spontaneous, so always have your camera and autograph book ready.
• Speaking of, autograph books are available for purchase in the major gift shops.

Do you have a favorite Universal character meet and greet? Leave it along with your questions in the comments below!