Characters Meeting Outside of the Tent as Walls Are Up in Big Top Area of Magic Kingdom

Characters Meet Outside as Construction Walls Encircle Storybook Circus

If you’ve taken a stroll through Storybook Circus at Magic Kingdom recently, you may have noticed the area looks a bit different. The colorful Big Top that usually houses Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow is currently undergoing a massive structural refurbishment, leaving the iconic characters to find new temporary homes under the Florida sun.

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A “Topless” Tent and New Walls

The refurbishment, which began earlier this year, has reached a significant milestone. Recent sightings show that the fabric roof and sides of the Big Top Souvenirs tent have been completely removed, leaving only the skeletal steel framework visible.

Construction walls now extend around the entire perimeter of the building, and themed scrims have been added to help mask the heavy maintenance work. The project is so extensive that even the Smellephants on Parade interactive scavenger hunt has been modified, as several of the “Smellephant” statues are currently inaccessible behind the construction barriers.

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Meeting Minnie and Goofy

Despite the heavy construction, the “show must go on!” While their usual indoor meeting spot at Pete’s Silly Sideshow is behind walls, your favorite circus stars are still greeting guests nearby.

• Minnie Magnifique & The Great Goofini: These two have been spotted meeting fans right near the entrance of the Big Top area, just outside the construction walls.
• Donald & Daisy: If you’re looking for the Astounding Donaldo or Madame Daisy Fortuna, they have been relocated further back into Storybook Circus, typically near the Walt Disney World Railroad station or the nearby restrooms.

Planning Your Visit

Since these meet-and-greets have moved outdoors, there are a few things to keep in mind for your next trip:

1. Check the App: While wait times for Pete’s Silly Sideshow are currently listed as “temporarily unavailable” in the My Disney Experience app, you can still find the individual character appearance times listed.
2. Weather Permitting: Because these locations are now outdoors, the characters may need to take more frequent breaks or head inside during inclement weather.
3. Visible Cues: Look for taped-off queue lines on the ground near the Storybook Circus entrance to find exactly where Minnie and Goofy are stationed.

Disney has not yet announced a reopening date for the refurbished Big Top area, but for now, the chance to meet these characters in the open air offers a unique, rare photo op with the circus backdrop!

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