Where in the World is Donald Duck? Disney World, That Is

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Headed to Disney World? Want to see your favorite duck? If you’re looking for places to find Donald Duck at Walt Disney World, here’s your list!

Donald Duck, that quick-tempered, yet lovable creature, is one of Disney’s Fab Five. Donald and his girlfriend Daisy are friends with Mickey, Minnie, and the gang.  “Born” in 1934,  Donald marks his 85th birthday on June 9 this year. Fans of Donald can find him throughout the parks, dressed in his iconic blue sailor suit with canary yellow trim and a bright red bow or in various other outfits. Donald is popular with fans of all ages, and even today’s little ones are familiar with Donald through his appearances on The Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse program.

Whether you’d like to view Donald from afar or come close and give him a hug, the perfect places to find everyone’s favorite duck are listed below. So, without further ado, where can you find Donald Duck at Walt Disney World?

In the parks

Magic Kingdom

Donald appears in several places throughout the day at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  You can see him in parades and shows, view him in films, or have your photo taken with him in Fantasyland.

FantasyLand

If you want to interact with Donald, head  to the back of the Magic Kingdom to Storybook Circus. There, you’ll find Donald in Pete’s Silly Sideshow. He won’t be dressed in his usual blue outfit. Here, Donald is dressed as mysterious snake charmer. You’ll get a chance to meet Goofy right before Donald–the queue is the same for both of them. Keep in mind that PhotoPass photographers are available to snap your photo with both characters, either with your own camera or with theirs.

Parades
Festival of Fantasy Parade

If you are only interested in admiring Donald from afar, don’t miss the daily Festival of Fantasy parade. Donald shares a float with his long-time girlfriend, Daisy. The parade is fun for all ages, full of music, dancing, and familiar characters. If you don’t want to wait for a great spot to watch, try booking the Festival of Fantasy Parade Dining Package at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.

Shows
Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party

This short, fun parade is presented several times each day. Donald rides high on a float with dancers and singers (some on stilts) alongside. The parade starts by the Harmony Barber Shop and travels up to Cinderella Castle and back. The whole procession takes about 35 minutes. Check your Times Guide for more information.

Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire

This stage show takes place in front of Cinderella Castle. Mickey and friends (some royal, some not) perform  at various times during the day. Donald and Daisy will be on stage in their jewel-toned royal garb. Be prepared for music, dancing, and a small burst of fireworks.

Happily Ever After Fireworks

Watch for Donald’s image on the castle projections on this musical extravaganza complete with dazzling displays of fireworks. Don’t want to save a seat for the perfect castle view? Consider booking the Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrance Restaurant.

Attractions
Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Located in Fantasyland, this 3-D adventure stars everyone’s favorite Donald Duck.  The show lasts twelve minutes, and fastpasses are rarely necessary for this attraction, as large groups are admitted at a time.

Epcot

Mexico Meet & Greet

Donald Duck greets guests outside the Mexico Pavilion in the World Showcase wearing a colorful sombrero and poncho.  PhotoPass photographers are normally nearby to capture those special moments.

Attractions
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Inside the Mexico Pavilion, guests can board this slow-moving boat ride. Donald Duck has disappeared somewhere south of the border, and it’s up to his friends Jose and Ponchito to find him. I guarantee this story has a happy ending along with beautiful Mexican scenery.

Other

Make sure to look for the Donald Duck topiary during Epcot’s Flower and Garden show each spring!

Hollywood Studios

Front Entrance

Donald Duck regularly appears near the front entrance of Hollywood Studios on Sid’s Porch at the beginning of Hollywood Boulevard. If you want a photo with Donald in his traditional blue clothing, this is where to get one. Check your Times Guide for more information, and be prepared for a line.

Hollywood & Vine

Minnie’s Seasonal Dining at Hollywood & Vine is where we found Donald dressed as astronaut this past fall. You never know which characters will be present, but there’s a good chance Donald will be one of them. Our little Ady had a great time dancing with Donald at this restaurant.  You can make reservations for Hollywood & Vine 180 days in advance here or by calling 1-407-WDW-DINE.

Please excuse the blurriness. Ady and Donald were dancing!
Fantasmic!

Another place to view Donald from afar is the nightly Fantasmic! show. Good battles evil in this night-time show filled with music, lasers, dancing water, and fireworks.  If you’re visiting at busy time of year, consider a dining package that includes tickets to the show. If you decide that’s not for you, plan on showing up early to secure a seat.

Animal Kingdom

Donald’s Dino-Bash

New meet and greets abound at DinoLand USA in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.  Here, you can meet Donald, Daisy, Uncle Scrooge, and more in dinosaur-inspired costumes. For more information, click here.  We met a few of Donald’s relatives here, but decided not to visit with Donald himself since we knew we’d be seeing him at dinner that evening.

 

Tusker House

Located in the Harambe Village in the Africa section of the park, check out Tusker House restaurant. Here you can visit with Donald, Daisy, and a few other characters during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The buffet features breakfast favorites in the morning, and African-inspired dishes and hand-carved meats along with typical American fare in the afternoon and evenings. Here, Donald played peek-a-boo with baby Josh.  If you want to meet Donald dressed in his safari garb, Tusker House is the place to be.

Josh enjoyed his visit with Safari Donald.

At the resorts

Contemporary

Chef Mickey’s on the main concourse of the Contemporary Resort is the place to dine with the Fab Five. Here you’ll find Donald dressed in his chef’s hat and jacket, wearing a red and white checkered apron.  He’s usually joined by his pals Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto.

Beach Club Resort

Want to interact with Donald when he’s in his beach clothes? Cape May Cafe’s breakfast is for you! Donald usually appears here each morning with his friends Minnie, Daisy, and Goofy. However, keep in mind that the characters only appear at breakfast–they are long gone by noon.  Reservations are necessary.

Saratoga Springs Resort

It’s not a walking, talking Donald, but there is a Donald Duck statue at the Saratoga Springs Resort’s splash pad. If you are staying there, be sure to check it out.

All-Star Movies Resort

Check out the Fantasia 2000 section of the All-Star Movies Resort for statues of Donald and Daisy that are perfect for family photos.

Not heading to the World anytime soon? Check out these fun Donald Duck items from Amazon!

Disclaimer: These links are presented for your entertainment. If you decide to purchase something, we will receive a small compensation. There is no cost or obligation to you.  For more information, click on the individual photo.


Conclusion

If you’re a Donald fan, you should be able to easily catch a glimpse of him at any of the four theme parks. Meeting him in person will take a little more time and effort, but is well worth it. Most importantly, if you do get to speak to him, remember to ask him where Mickey is and what happened to his pants. His reaction will be priceless.  Happy hunting!

To read our other Disney World posts, click here.

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34 Replies to “Where in the World is Donald Duck? Disney World, That Is”

  1. Great tips! I remember when I was young, you’d just have to be lucky enough to run into characters. It’s great that now there are so many ways to plan and make sure you see everyone you want!

  2. Saving this for the future! All of these social distancing walks to the duck pond have my son obsessed with Donald! So nice to know what outfits he might be wearing and where! ❤️

  3. Disney world is favorites place for families with children and adults too. I had been to Magic Kingdom and we met Donald duck. We did saw the Parade but we were like going crazy. There was so much to do and just can’t think of how much we missed not doing some of that. Saving this for planning my next trip to Disney.

  4. Oh I LOVE Disney World! I’m taking my nephew next summer. This is great information. Great post!

  5. This is so much fun! I love knowing that you can find him at any of the parks, and in character to the area he is found! My kids are begging to go to Disney…we are hoping we will have been by next November:)

  6. Never been to a Disney Park! I loved this idea of finding your favourite characters in Disney Park ! Loved all the pictures . Very nice post

    1. There’s a few I haven’t been to yet. Chef Mickey’s and Cape May Buffet are on my list of places to eat next fall.

  7. Love Donald Duck! I’m such a nerd in that I love pics with characters like this, so this article is perfect for me. Thank you so much for posting!

  8. Donald Duck was always my favourite. Didn’t like Mickey at all, even as a kid – he seemed so supercilious. Now, Donald… ever since, I’ve had a soft spot for underdogs. Or should that be underducks?

  9. Thanks for this list! Finding characters throughout the park definitely takes a plan to make sure you find them all!

  10. Donald has always seemed to be one of the more elusive characters to meet. I remember the old meet and greet character spots in Epcot (I think they used to be near Innovations) and I do remember seeing him recently in Mexico. Thanks for all the tips. I’ll be sure to hunt him down next time. 🙂

  11. Big fan of Donald Duck! Him and Scrouge McDuck as well, actually! I would’ve definitely needed to have my picture with Donald as well! That topiary is pretty awesome looking too!

  12. it has been a long while since i’ve visited any disney park but now i’m itching for a trip there! can’t help but remember my good ol’ childhood days with my family 🙂

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