In a move that has thrilled long-time Disney fans and character hunters alike, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has quietly introduced a lineup of rare and classic character meet and greets that many guests haven’t seen outside of ticketed events or parades in years. As of late September 2025, beloved favorites like Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket, Mary Poppins, and Bert have stepped back into the spotlight, offering regular appearances in one of the park’s busiest walkways.Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrAnd the timing couldn’t be better.With the closure of Animation Courtyard and ongoing transformation of the area into the all-new Walt Disney Studios Lot, these rare character meet and greets serve as both a nostalgic nod to Disney’s past and a crowd-pleasing bridge to the park’s future.A Character Comeback for the AgesCredit: DisneyThe meet and greets are taking place near the Chinese Theater, the iconic centerpiece of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, best known as the home of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The location allows for maximum visibility and makes it easier for guests to drop by during their day in the park.Here’s the current schedule, per WDW Magic. Pinocchio9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.1:50 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 3:30 p.m.Mary Poppins9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.1:50 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 3:50 p.m.Jiminy Cricket9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.2:20 p.m., 3:20 p.m.Bert9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.2:20 p.m., 3:20 p.m.For many guests, the opportunity to meet Jiminy Cricket or Pinocchio is a once-in-a-generation event. These characters are notoriously rare, typically only appearing at hard-ticket events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or during special anniversary celebrations. Mary Poppins and Bert, while slightly more common, are still far from regular fixtures in the parks and are often separated—making the ability to see both together a unique treat.Why Now?Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrDisney hasn’t formally announced these appearances as part of a specific promotion, but the reason behind the timing is clear: Animation Courtyard, a longtime hub for character experiences, has now closed as part of the transformation into the Walt Disney Studios Lot, set to debut in 2026.The permanent closure of Star Wars Launch Bay and the Disney Jr. Play and Dance show has left a gap in guest-facing entertainment—particularly for families and character-focused visitors. With construction walls now blocking off the area behind the iconic Disney-MGM Studios archway, Disney needed to relocate several experiences and rebalance guest traffic.Rather than simply relocate existing characters, the entertainment team went one step further and surprised guests with classic characters who haven’t had regular meet and greets in decades.And fans are loving it.From long lines forming early in the day to character fans posting excited reactions online, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. In a time where character meet and greets are often reserved for IP-driven experiences, this unexpected return to Disney tradition is a welcome surprise.What Else is Changing at Hollywood Studios?The addition of rare characters comes during a season of massive transition for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After years of speculation, Disney officially closed down Animation Courtyard on September 25, 2025, confirming plans to reimagine the area into the Walt Disney Studios Lot—a new space designed to reflect the real-life Disney campus in Burbank, California.At the heart of this overhaul is the all-new “The Magic of Disney Animation” attraction, which will occupy the former Launch Bay building. Described as a family-friendly, interactive experience, the new attraction is inspired by Disney’s rich animation history and includes nods to everything from “Once Upon a Studio” to vintage Mary Blair concept art. There will be interactive play areas, character sketch stations, and meet & greets, as well as a permanent “Drawn to Wonderland” playground for younger guests.Nearby, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure remains open for now, with access expected to reroute through Toy Story Land as construction progresses.Star Wars Character ShuffleCredit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the MagicAs part of the Animation Courtyard closure, Star Wars characters previously housed in Launch Bay have also found new homes—though some are more temporary than others.Darth Vader, once a staple of Launch Bay meet and greets, can now be found in the Star Tours overflow queue in the Endor village setting. Appearances run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on most days.Chewbacca continues to roam Galaxy’s Edge, near the Millennium Falcon, with his appearance schedule largely unchanged.Interestingly, Disney Visa Cardholder exclusive meet and greets, which were once a perk in Launch Bay, have not yet found a new home. Olaf is currently meeting nearby in Celebrity Spotlight, and there appears to be some form of priority access for Visa guests—but it’s unclear whether this is a placeholder or a long-term replacement.While these character meet and greets are a delightful surprise, it’s still unclear how long they’ll last. With the new Studios Lot scheduled to open in 2026, and with the return of Cool Kid Summer expected next year, this lineup could be a limited-time offering to bridge the entertainment gap during construction.Fans hoping to catch these rare characters should make plans to visit sooner rather than later, especially considering that some of these face characters (like Bert) and older animated icons (like Jiminy Cricket) may not stick around once the new experiences open.At a time when much of Walt Disney World is undergoing transition—from EPCOT’s World Celebration overhaul to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replacing Splash Mountain—it’s nice to see Disney leaning into its roots. These new meet and greets are more than just photo ops—they’re a reminder of Disney’s legacy and a celebration of the characters that helped build the magic in the first place.If you’re headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this fall, be sure to carve out time for these rare meet and greets. Whether you’re reliving memories from your childhood or introducing your kids to Disney classics, it’s a moment worth standing in line for.The post NEWS: Disney World Park Unleashes Ultra-Rare Character Experience appeared first on Inside the Magic.