You can meet the characters in many places in both theme parks. Some of them, such as the Little Mermaid or Winnie the Pooh, show up in special settings designed just for them, while others appear in other spots around the park. The popular character breakfasts offer an opportunity to see and meet the characters, too.

When children meet the Disney characters, they love collecting their autographs. Many of the Disney Resort gift shops sell Disneythemed character autograph books for the kids to ask their cartoon heroes to sign, and these books are one of the park's all-time bestselling souvenirs.

Looking for Mickey?

If you want to meet Mickey Mouse during your Disneyland visit, head directly to Mickey's House in Toontown. Kids (and their parents) are Mickey Mouse's personal guests as they explore his house and stop in to say hello to him.

It's a perfect opportunity to snap a photo of Mickey with your kids, but because you're guaranteed to meet Mickey here, this attraction tends to have a long line during peak times of the day. Be patient. For kids, meeting Mickey is a highlight of their trip to Disneyland, and the picture you take of them (or yourself) with Mickey will be worth the wait.

Mickey often comes out of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot gate in California Adventure just as the park opens, wearing his California tourist outfit, stopping briefly for photos and autographs.

Both Mickey and Minnie appear in parades and live shows, and they show up around the park all day long, meeting guests.

Where the Characters Hang Out in Disneyland

Because Disneyland is so large, you'll find more characters there, and you could spend so much time greeting them all that you wouldn't get anything else done. Discuss this with your kids before you go and try to set some priorities. These are some of the places you may find the characters:

• Ariel and other Little Mermaid characters have a special grotto, located near the Triton Garden, off the path toward “it's a small world” just next to Tomorrowland.

• Pooh, Tigger, and Piglet greet guests near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride in Critter Country.

• Goofy, Pluto, and pals appear in Toontown, along with Mickey and Minnie.

• The stars of Toy Story 2 greet their fans in a place cowboy Woody likes: Frontierland.

• Disney princesses Snow White, Cinderella, Belle (from Beauty and the Beast), and others can sometimes be found in or around Once Upon a Time … The Disney Princess Shoppe in Fantasyland.

Another fun way to meet and interact with the characters is to take the Discover the Magic Tour, a family-oriented activity where you all work with the characters to find hidden treasure and foil the villains. It's recommended for kids between five and nine years old, and anyone under eighteen years old has to bring an adult along with them. There's an extra fee for this tour, which includes lunch and a souvenir. Call (714) 781-4400 up to thirty days in advance to reserve your spot.

Where the Characters Hang Out in California Adventure

California Adventure is where you'll find more of the newer Disney characters, from films made in the past few years.

• Flik and Atta hang out near the entrance to “a bug's land.”

• You'll find a variety of characters on the main street in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, including Stitch and the dragon Mushu from Mulan.

• Chip 'n Dale often show up on the boardwalk going toward Paradise Pier, just after you pass Ariel's Grotto. They make especially cute pictures with the kids.

At Christmas time, a popular character — but not one that Disney invented — can be found near the California Adventure entrance. Santa takes a break from the North Pole here, all dressed up in surfer shirt and shorts.