The “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV is a particular character expertise that occurs a number of occasions every week at each Walt Disney World resort resort. Generally, it’s a shock; different occasions, it’s scheduled meet & greet units. This covers all the pieces it’s essential to know concerning the WDW Character Caravan and why it’s one of many many “little issues” we love about Walt Disney World.
As a programming be aware, it is a new twist on a unending new collection of posts, the Little Issues We Love About Walt Disney World. Readers cherished that (and Half 2), because it supplied a pleasant reminder about what makes Walt Disney World such a particular place. Many fellow followers shared their very own heartfelt sentiment and favourite little issues within the 60+ feedback to that.
Our objective with that was discussing the “little issues” that hold us coming again to Walt Disney World time and again. Issues that appear small, however might help outline a visit or are recollections of it each bit as a lot because the E-Ticket sights. Consider them because the ‘Morsels of the Magic,’ if you’ll. The widespread theme to entries on this checklist of the little issues we love is nostalgia and sentimentality.
With this I needed to strive a brand new method–giving these subjects their very own, bite-sized posts that might make for simpler group and future reference. That’s most likely the higher plan of action for a planning web site, as as a substitute of only a stroll down reminiscence lane, this could now be one thing actionable or doubtlessly helpful for planners. (I had the thought when making an attempt to determine whether or not we have now any posts recommending individuals take a look at Sonny Eclipse’s present in Magic Kingdom. The reply is sure, many–however none with concise and simple data.)
Anyway, that’s a little bit of the thought course of right here. We will see whether or not the person subjects works out to be a cleaner and simpler method. Let’s begin with an explainer on what’s labeled the “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV and extra routinely often called the Character Caravan at Walt Disney World…
Walt Disney World’s Character Caravan is a “shock & delight” meet & greet expertise that’s meant to be an on-site perk for visitors staying at Disney-owned resort motels. With this, a van brings a few Disney fur mates to the varied resorts to work together with visitors within the widespread areas–normally the foyer. There’s normally an hour-long window consisting of two units throughout which the characters seem.
The Character Caravan first debuted in October 2001, changing one thing referred to as Shock Mornings–an early theme park entry program–within the aftermath of the 9/11 tourism slowdown. The Character Caravan ended after just a little over a 12 months, with Further Magic Hours debuting in January 2005.
The Character Caravan returned in late 2020, virtually 20 years later, when a wide range of on-site perks had been minimize in the course of the phased reopening following the COVID closure and Disney wanted to get inventive with characters throughout bodily distancing. There are scattered experiences of the “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV being noticed within the years earlier than 2020, presumably as a check or providing that could possibly be deployed to boost the visitor expertise when wanted. However it wasn’t a daily providing outdoors of the post-9/11 stoop after which following the phased reopening post-COVID.
You already know what they are saying: historical past doesn’t repeat itself, but it surely usually rhymes. On this case, that’s true as a result of when Walt Disney World introduced on-site visitor perks for the fiftieth Anniversary in 2021, rolling out Early Entry and Prolonged Night, they didn’t minimize the Character Caravan.
Relatively, they formally acknowledged its existence in a guest-facing communication for the primary time, confirming that the “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV would proceed to roll round in the course of the World’s Most Magical Celebration, with characters dressed of their EARidescent greatest and dropping by to go to with visitors at Walt Disney World Resort motels.
To the very best of my data, Walt Disney World has not talked about the “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV in visitor communications for the reason that Disney100 celebration (when it acquired a brand new wrap and one other new set of character costumes). It’s highlighted, albeit not directly, as a part of “Cool Child Summer time” for 2025, however not talked about by title.
The entire level of the Character Caravan is “shock and delight.” Provide spontaneous and surprising character moments, from grabbing selfies whereas ready to check-in on the resort–or whereas ready for the Mears Join airport shuttle to goofing round within the garden with Goofy.
It’s very laid again and casual, just about what you’d count on of free roaming characters within the parks. There’s no queue and normally no PhotoPass, the characters stroll round on their very own (trailed by a few attendants who will take images) and are sometimes those initiating the interactions with visitors. For lack of a greater description, it’s very Disneyland.
We’ve seen the Character Caravan a few dozen occasions at this level, which can not look like a lot over the course of ~5 years given how usually we’re on the resorts, however I’d take into account that pretty fortunate. The “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV is just stopping at every resort 3 or 4 occasions per week, with the characters truly within the foyer for lower than an hour whole.
As for the characters you’re prone to meet, I’d say Goofy is the large one. At the least, based mostly on my purely anecdotal expertise. I’ve seen Goofy virtually each single time the “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV has appeared. Pluto, Daisy & Donald Duck, and Chip & Dale are the others we’ve noticed. (Possibly Minnie manner again in December 2020, however I can’t discover photographic proof to corroborate.)
The characters who seem are broadly recognizable ones, and those who’re most vulnerable to hilarity and hijinks. Since they’re free roaming, they’re being playful whereas additionally staying in character. For this reason Goofy is a staple, often showing alongside Pluto and/or Donald Duck. The chipmunks are additionally mainstays.
It was once the case that the schedule of the Character Caravan was unknown. There is a schedule, it’s simply not printed at most resorts. Based mostly on my anecdotal expertise, it’s most likely round 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; units beginning any earlier or ending later appears unlikely. The overwhelming majority of the time, I’m seeing them late morning or early afternoon (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. looks like the candy spot).
Earlier this 12 months, Walt Disney World examined posting Character Caravan schedules within the lobbies of Pop Century, Artwork of Animation, Caribbean Seaside, and Wilderness Lodge. That is how we all know that the RV makes hour-long stops 3 or 4 days per week–as a result of the signage confirmed as a lot.
This check should’ve gone nicely, as a result of Character Caravan is now one of many foundations of “Cool Child Summer time” at Walt Disney World. Throughout that occasion, visitors staying at those self same choose resorts will be capable to get pleasure from “much more Disney-themed actions designed for households with children. These actions will embody character visits with set look occasions that will help you plan your day and an expanded itinerary of issues to do with your loved ones all through your keep at these 4 resorts.”
Walt Disney World has been pretty imprecise about what this all means, however we now know that the opposite “Disney-themed actions” will probably be no matter that is (photograph courtesy of Disney–I haven’t seen this for myself):
What we love concerning the Character Caravan is the shock and delight component of it. That the characters simply seem and make a little bit of natural magic. We have now by no means deliberate on seeing the “Caravanning ‘Spherical The World” RV or staked out its places…it simply occurs. I might say that 90% of the time, we’ve seen it whereas trying out or on a journey to the airport.
One of many issues we cherished about Disney’s Magical Categorical–and point out to today–was the final impression it supplied, sending visitors dwelling on a excessive be aware, reflecting on their journey and already desirous about the following. It’s the very same thought with the Character Caravan. It’s just a little magical second that places a smile in your face one final time earlier than heading again dwelling.
I can’t let you know what number of occasions I’ve despatched selfies with Goofy to Sarah on the finish of a solo journey with some top-tier dad humor: “boss mentioned he’s sending me again to you” or one thing alongside these strains. Or what number of occasions these selfies have popped up within the ‘recollections’ on our telephones and put a smile on our faces. No matter the price of the Character Caravan, I’m constructive that it pays for itself many occasions over by way of goodwill and different intangibles.
However what I like most concerning the Character Caravan is the individuals watching. The one factor about devoted character meet & greet places is that there’s a self-selection component–it’s a must to line as much as do them. As somebody who does conventional meet & greets lots, I can let you know that there are a number of visitor profiles which might be usually at them, and little deviation from that. The overwhelming majority of Walt Disney World visitors should not experiencing meet & greets.
It’s a completely totally different dynamic with the Character Caravan. Since they’re free roaming, the interactions are extra natural and pleasant for onlookers. However that’s probably not something new–I see this on a regular basis at Disneyland (and have been advocating for extra of it at Walt Disney World for years). It’s additionally spontaneous, and is a largely random distribution of visitors. That’s the large difference-maker.
In the case of the Character Caravan, there are few higher interactions than Goofy and Pluto with reluctant dads and grandpas. The sort who need to take the image for his or her children or households, however not be in it themselves. These are severe fellas–veterans, engineers, pilots, truckers, manufacturing unit & building employees, and so forth–characters are a bit juvenile for them. They know the fact–it’s only a silly fur swimsuit.
9 occasions out of ten, the characters clock this and attempt to “break” them. As a substitute of father or grandpa being a passive viewer who fades into the background, they turn into the primary character. Goofy or Pluto will do one thing exceedingly foolish, and so they’ll let their guard down. For a short second, they’re children once more. You’ll be able to simply see it of their faces. I do know the look, as a result of I’ve caught it on my dad’s face. What else could be mentioned: dudes love canine (or no matter Goofy is).
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the Character Caravan? Have you ever ever caught this “shock and delight” character encounter? Do you want there was a broadcast schedule at each resort, or do you get pleasure from this as a spontaneous and natural expertise? Agree or disagree with our evaluation that this is among the “little issues” that may make Walt Disney World such a magical place? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas or questions under within the feedback!
