No, Disney Cruise Line does not charge for character meet and greets. Meeting Disney characters is included in your cruise fare, making it one of the most popular complimentary activities onboard. Throughout your sailing, you’ll find opportunities to meet classic characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, along with princesses and other Disney favorites.
Character appearances are scheduled throughout the cruise and can be found in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. The app lists the time and location for each meet and greet, so it’s a good idea to check it regularly since some characters only appear once or twice during a sailing. Popular characters can attract long lines, so arriving a little early is often worthwhile. You simply need to line up during the character meet and greet time, then no matter how long the line, you will meet the character.
While the meet and greet itself is free, Disney’s onboard photographers will be there taking professional photos. These photos are available for purchase, either individually or as part of a photo package. Individual photos typically cost around $25 each, so buying several can add up quickly.
If you’re interested in professional photos, it’s worth looking into the photo packages before your cruise. Disney often offers discounts for guests who purchase a package in advance, which can make it much more economical than buying photos one at a time during the sailing.
You are not required to purchase any photos to meet the characters. During the meet and greet, a Cast Member can usually take pictures with your own phone or camera. Many families choose this option and come away with great photos at no additional cost.
So while Disney does charge for its professional photography service, the character meet and greet experience itself is completely free. Simply show up during the scheduled time, enjoy the interaction, and decide afterward whether you’d like to purchase the professional photos or stick with the ones you took yourself.
