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 the previous two half marathons and this year's theme.
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 but didn't run the half marathon.
2016 vs 2017
The two half marathons have both seen about 24 characters being out to meet though they did increase the number of locations from 10 to 13. This is mainly due to reducing the size of character groups.
The two half marathons have both seen about 24 characters being out to meet though they did increase the number of locations from 10 to 13. This is mainly due to reducing the size of character 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.
2018 Theme
The theme for 2018's runs is villains, for the half marathon they have said this will focus on the greatest villains of the Disney world. 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.
The theme for 2018's runs is villains, for the half marathon they have said this will focus on the greatest villains of the Disney world. 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.
Non-Disney Characters
It is possible we will see Non-Disney characters on the half marathon 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 Star Wars and Marvel will be covered.
It is possible we will see Non-Disney characters on the half marathon 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 Star Wars and Marvel will be covered.
Characters Likely to be out
1. Maleficent - She is on the 31k medal and 36k challenge medal in dragon form. She has to be a guaranteed meet.
1. Maleficent - She is on the 31k medal and 36k challenge medal in dragon form. She has to be a guaranteed meet.
2. Jafar - Though his side kick Iago does not appear, Jafar is regularly out in the parks and features in the Good to be Bad Halloween show.
3. Hades - He was part of Heroes and Villains alley as well as part of the Halloween parades and shows. He is also part of the advertising with his side kicks, Pain and Panic, appearing on the 10k medal.
4. Hook - As a staple of the character meets at Disneyland Paris and normally out most days in the park this seems a safe bet.
5. Dr Facillier - He often takes center stage as part of the Good to be Bad Halloween show. He is also normally out during the Halloween season.
6. Cruella De Vil - Another classic villain who is a Disneyland Paris regular.
7-8. The Queen / Old Witch - Both versions Snow Whites villain appears in the Good to be Bad show and at the Halloween Soirée.
9. Gaston - As with many already listed, he appears during most Halloween events.
10. Loki - Though most likely appearing during the 5k, previous years have seen some repetition between the runs so may appear here as well.
11. Frollo - Being in Paris, Frollo appears more than you'd expect, featuring as one of the main Halloween villains.
12. Lady Tramane - She is the last of the regular Good to be Bad regulars yet to appear on the list.
13. Maleficent Donald - He was new to Halloween in 2017 but has been added to the cast of Good to be Bad for 2018. With Maleficent on the medals this wouldn't be a shock.
14. Governor Radcliffe - He was part of Heroes and Villains alley at FanDaze and a Halloween parade regular.
15. Darth Vader - Star Wars has had little opportunity to feature so surely Vader is seen as one of the greatest Villains of all time. Star Wars will appear at some point. He's also available as a daily meet.
16. Yzma - She featured last year and Emperors New Groove gets a lot of love in Paris. She was a big part of the FanDaze Max Live show.
17 & 18. Kylo Ren & Darth Maul - Both are certainly villains that could be used, the costumes are available following their use during Season of the Force. They also be a little less predictable than Vader and not regular meets.
19. Shan Yu - A Halloween Parade regular, he also appear opposite Li Shang in Heroes and Villains alley.
20. Queen of hearts - Part of the Halloween meet and greets and most Paris Halloween events.
21. Bowler Hat Guy - The Meet the Robinson's villain has been turning regularly at events in the last few years, including FanDaze and the 25th Anniversary Parade.
22. Yokai - Big Hero 6's villain and an easy way to get a dash of Marvel in the half marathon. He was part of Heroes and Villains alley.
23. Prince John - He was a regular in the early years in Paris and was part of Heroes and Villains alley.
24. The Phantom - He has appeared in the past but this would be a big shock if he did.
Don't Expect To Meet These
Lotso - Though a Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party regular, he doesn't appear to have ever been seen in Paris.
Lotso - Though a Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party regular, he doesn't appear to have ever been seen in Paris.
Edgar - He is coming to Paris but it was announced he'll make his first appearance at the Jazz night the weekend after the run weekend.
Oogie Boogie - Appearing in the Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party show means a costume exists but not in Paris.
Big Bad Wolf - Despite the three little pigs being on the 10k last year, the Big Bad Wolf has been not been seen in Paris, you'll have a better chance in Tokyo.
Pete - Another character not seen in Paris, and Mickeys original villain, it seems he would be a good choice if available.
Mother Gothel - She has been seen in some parks but very rarely. She hasn't appeared in Paris and being a face character makes her more unlikely for a one off event.
There are many others Ratican or Scar that haven't appeared in costume form anywhere which would make it a huge surprise if they appeared.
Locations
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. This location is based on the 10k but likely to be the same. Characters don't appear outside of the park grounds.
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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