What are the best and worst times/places to see the characters on the Magic?

[TigerLaw]

My family is going on a five night Bahamian cruise on the Magic late next January. What I would like to know is if there are better or worst times and/or places to see the characters on the magic? (Like for example, the shortest/longest lines are usually when and where)

I would assume that the 10:00 PM block of time would be a good time (as hopefully the kids would be in bed), but I just want to know if anyone else had any advice or suggestions regarding the best ways to approach pictures with the characters.

thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Rabb it]

There are always a ton of character greets on the Navigator, you can sign up for some meet n greet before hand so you don't have to wait long. But honestly, the waits are never longer than 15 minutes MAYBE for the walk ups, it's not like at the park where you are waiting for an hour or something ridiculous. That's the glory of the Disney cruise!

 

[bbel]

It will also depend who you want to see.
Some characters may only be out once in a cruise and if they're popular might have a longer line than others out at the same time.
I've seen some of the longer lines later at night for characters such as Jiminy, Cinderella and her mice or even Mickey and Minnie in certain outfits, purely because that's the one time you'll see them.

As for where, pretty much all the official non ticketed meet amd greets happen deck 3, 4, 5 mid ship, the atrium, with a few at the gazebo during the day.

 

[JenTen1585]

You get tickets for the princess, frozen, and marvel character meets, which is cool. Then we would take pictures with some characters every night before dinner. It was our 5:30-6pm ritual, and they always had different ones out each night around the atrium. They are out at the parties, etc. But the best character meets are totally random and unexpected. That's when the true magic comes out and you would never have moments like this in the parks, where the characters are escorted everywhere. We found Belle just wandering around the ship and looking out the portholes one morning. We saw her all alone and she was so sweet with my daughter. She said she was admiring the view, and asked her about what she was doing, etc. Then we were in the elevator all alone when Pinnochio got in, pressed several random buttons, giggled (not audibly, with his hand to his mouth), high fived my daughter, and ran out. It was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TigerLaw]

Is there any way to know beforehand which version of the character will be out, as it doesn't say in the navigators, or it just pot luck?

 

[bbel]

Is there any way to know beforehand which version of the character will be out, as it doesn't say in the navigators, or it just pot luck?

I think its usually pot luck, however I do recall seeing 'Captain Mickey' in the past.
Sometimes the boards in the atrium have more info than the navigators.
However, you can kind of guess: if its formal night, they'll be in their formal gear, on castaway they'll be in beach wear, often in Cozumel they'll be in 'Mexican gear', and a lot of the European post have 'regional' outfits too...

 

[PaoDCL]

Don't forget to ask for your tickets for Frozen and Princess Gathering

 

[cmwade77]

Don't forget to ask for your tickets for Frozen and Princess Gathering

You now book those ahead of time on the Disney website as part of your cruise activities.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Is there any way to know beforehand which version of the character will be out, as it doesn't say in the navigators, or it just pot luck?

On formal night, Mickey, Goofy, Chip and Dale will all be in a tux and Minnie in a fancy outfit. I can't remember what Donald or Daisy wear. On Pirate Night, they will all be in Pirate Gear, you'll see Mr Smee and Captain Hook as well as Captn Jack Sparrow. On CC day, I've seen Daisy, Donald, Chip & Dale, Lilo and Stitch all in beachwear or swim suits. On longer cruises, we've seen the Queen of Hearts, Alice, the White Rabbit, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio in addition to the regulars. Peter Pan seems to be everywhere.

 

[lizabu]

Is there any way to know beforehand which version of the character will be out, as it doesn't say in the navigators, or it just pot luck?

Like cackyschmakers said....if you think about when it is you can easily figure out what they will be wearing. On embarking day they wear their Captain/cruise outfits. Before golden Mickeys they wear formal outfits. If there's a formal night they will be dressed for it. Pirate night they're in the pirate outfits. On castaway cay they're in beach outfits. They love to dress for all occasions.