If you've never been to a run event at Disneyland Paris you may not know but the character lists aren't announced and neither are the numbers or locations of them. There are a number of things we can work out from last years first 10k and the announced themes.
How Character Meets Work
This is not a normal meet experience. Don't expect autographs, no one signs, even if they usual do. All of them should have a photopass photographer but you need to have bought the run weekend photopass. A normal park one won't cover it. You can take a camera but you will most likely need to hand this to someone stood behind you or a friend. The rule is also one picture each. These are quick in and out photo opportunities. You'll be lucky to more than 10 seconds per person.
This is not a normal meet experience. Don't expect autographs, no one signs, even if they usual do. All of them should have a photopass photographer but you need to have bought the run weekend photopass. A normal park one won't cover it. You can take a camera but you will most likely need to hand this to someone stood behind you or a friend. The rule is also one picture each. These are quick in and out photo opportunities. You'll be lucky to more than 10 seconds per person.
Queues do get shut. This is often caused by people taking too long. It's more of an issue on the 10k and half marathon as they need to get you through the parks before they open. You also need to make sure your keeping within the allowed race pace. We saw a few queues getting shut during the 10k last year, specifically the Kronk/Yzma/Kuzko queue and Cheshire Cat/White Rabbit.
2016 vs 2017
In 2017 the 10k run was introduced at Disneyland Paris, so we only have last year's to go on. Going through two parks (like the 5k originally did in 2016) and being early in the day with better lighting seems to allow more time and space for character meets. Last year there were about 11 character spots including around 30 characters. The large number is partly due to groups of 3 being swapped with different groups.
In 2017 the 10k run was introduced at Disneyland Paris, so we only have last year's to go on. Going through two parks (like the 5k originally did in 2016) and being early in the day with better lighting seems to allow more time and space for character meets. Last year there were about 11 character spots including around 30 characters. The large number is partly due to groups of 3 being swapped with different groups.
Character swapping
One big thing to be aware of is that just because you join a queue for a character doesn't guarantee they will be there when you get to the front. There are time limits on how long someone can be out without a break, depending on the heat this can be reduced. Normally it is 30 minutes but can be reduced to 20 for some, especially short characters such as Boo and Sultan. Some of last years swaps were Genie and Prince Ali for Jasmine and Sultan as well as Kuzko, Kronk and Yzma swapping with Doug, Carl and Russell.
One big thing to be aware of is that just because you join a queue for a character doesn't guarantee they will be there when you get to the front. There are time limits on how long someone can be out without a break, depending on the heat this can be reduced. Normally it is 30 minutes but can be reduced to 20 for some, especially short characters such as Boo and Sultan. Some of last years swaps were Genie and Prince Ali for Jasmine and Sultan as well as Kuzko, Kronk and Yzma swapping with Doug, Carl and Russell.
2018 Theme
The theme for 2018's runs is villains, for the 10k this focusing on the side kicks of Villains with Pain and Panic from Hercules appearing on the medal. Looking at the 25th Anniversary parade Halloween Parades and FanDaze from June this year we can get a decent idea of what characters are available to be used.
It is possible we will see Non-Disney characters on the 10k as the announcement says "every day, the Villains of the Disney, Star Wars and Marvel Universes will come out on the race courses". I suspect if this is the case then Star Wars is most likely.
Characters Likely to be out
1 & 2. Pain & Panic - They're on the medal. They have also been regulars on the Halloween parades for years at Disneyland Paris.
3. Kronk - He seems to a popular to get out during international events as he appeared during last year's 10k and at FanDaze this year.
4. Smee - As a staple of the character meets at Disneyland Paris and normally out most days in the park this seems a safe bet.
5 & 6. Drizella & Anastasia - Cinderella's step sisters made appearances regularly in the parks and are also part of the Good to be Bad Halloween show.
7-9. Hyenas (Ed, Shenzi, Banzai) - She met people at the Marvel AP Soirée and had been meeting people at the Marvel buffet.
10. Sheriff of Nottingham - He appeared during the 2016 half marathon and was a regular meet in the early years of the park. He didn't appear in Heroes and Villains alley with Robin Hood as Prince John was paired with him.
11-12. Honest John & Gideon - It may be difficult how to classify these villains from Pinocchio but I think they gal closer to side kick. They've also been regulars over the years.
13. Cheshire Cat - Maybe not villain but regularly included in the Halloween lineup as a character meet and on the Halloween parades.
14. Maleficent Goon - Often seen holding the Dragons tail during the daily parade, he is the closet Sleeping Beauty has to offer to a villain side kick. The parade floats are also used for back drops for the run.
15 & 16. Jumba & Pleakly - They should be appearing with Stitch at the kid runs later in the day and the met some people at FanDaze. I would see these as side kicks to Captain Gantu and the closest thing to a definitive villain side kick in Lilo and Stitch
17 & 18. Phasma and Stormtroopers - Both are definitely side kicks and the Star Tours area is often used for character meets. The costume are available following their use during Season of the Force.
19. Brer Bear - Brer Fox would appear to be the main villain in the stories of Brer Rabbit with Brer Bear as his side kick. He appeared at FanDaze and the 25th Anniversary day parade. He was also a regular in the early years at the park.
20. Leroy - The red experiment created by Jumba from Leroy and Stitch. He is the side kick of Dr. Hämsterviel. He appeared in the 25th Anniversary day parade.
21. Reuben - This may be a character you've never heard of but he is Captain Gantu's side kick in Leroy and Stitch (the Lilo and Stitch spin off) and appeared as part of the 25th Anniversary day parade.
22. Nebula -Marvel may make an appearance in the 10k and Nebula is the one side kick available to them in Paris.
Dont expect to meet these
I haven't been able to find any kind of evidence that other side kicks have ever appeared in Disneyland Paris. If I haven't listed it then it is highly unlikely they will appear. It is possible they maybe creative with who they include as a villain side kick. King Louie could be seen as a villain for example.
I haven't been able to find any kind of evidence that other side kicks have ever appeared in Disneyland Paris. If I haven't listed it then it is highly unlikely they will appear. It is possible they maybe creative with who they include as a villain side kick. King Louie could be seen as a villain for example.
There are fairly standard meet locations on the run routes. This is partly due to spacing them out but also from a practical and safety stand point.
1. Outside Art of Animation
2. By the Pearl Harbour set
3. Aladdin meet in Adventureland
4. Carousel
5. Outside Annual Pass Office
6. Outside Cafe Hyperion
7. By its a small world
8. Outside the Labyrinth
9. Indiana Jones toilets
10. Between Big Thunder Mountain & Phantom Manor
11. Moteurs Action Stunt Show main stage
2. By the Pearl Harbour set
3. Aladdin meet in Adventureland
4. Carousel
5. Outside Annual Pass Office
6. Outside Cafe Hyperion
7. By its a small world
8. Outside the Labyrinth
9. Indiana Jones toilets
10. Between Big Thunder Mountain & Phantom Manor
11. Moteurs Action Stunt Show main stage
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