Tips for Seeing Tinkerbell at Walt Disney World

Can you meet Tinkerbell in person? Yes - you can meet Tinkerbell and her fairy friend at Pixie Hollow in the Mickey's Toontown Fair area of Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park. Here's what you need to know before you go:

For many, many years Disney said that there would never be a Tinkerbell "Meet & Greet" area for photos and autographs because...well...Tinkerbell is very tiny and people are much larger. This creates some special difficulties that have only been overcome recently. Disney solved the problem by creating a special area where Magic Kingdom theme park guests are shrunk down to fairy size, making it so much easier for fairies and humans to interact. Some say this happens by magic and others attribute it to modern technological advances. On the other hand, some skeptics suggest guests don't really shrink and that the whole thing is it is a trick of the eye brought about by making everything in the room look bigger. I'm not an expert on shrinking technology or pixies so I'll limit my comments to an area where I am an expert: experiencing Disney attractions without waiting in long lines!

Long lines are a huge issue at Pixie Hollow because the fairies want to make each person feel special and this takes time. Lines to meet the fairies build quickly but move slowly.

1. If you want to see Tinkerbell, you need to line up at the entrance of the "Mickey's Toontown Fair / Fairy Tale Pavilion" area of the Magic Kingdom before it opens - when the park opens at 9:00AM, "Mickey's Toontown Fair" typically opens at 9:45 or 10:00AM. This is subject to change so check your theme park times guide as soon as you arrive. Plan to line up at the entrance by 9:35AM, at the latest.

2. You cannot take strollers through the line to see the fairies so park your stroller in the appropriate area near the "Mad Tea Party" ride. Parking your stroller before "Mickey's Toontown Fair / Fairy Tale Pavilion" opens will save valuable time when you get to Pixie Hollow.

3. Go to the left side of the crowd gathering at the entrance. You'll be turning to the left to go into Pixie Hollow at "Mickey's Toontown Fair / Fairy Tale Pavilion" so starting out on this side of the crowd puts you at a slight advantage.

4. When Mickey's Toontown Fair opens, a cast member (Disney employee) will direct everyone to walk at a reasonable pace (no running allowed) toward the Toontown Hall of Fame. Politely pass slow movers & be careful not to get stuck behind strollers but don't be aggressive; there no reason to cause an injury.

5. When you arrive at the Fairy Tale Pavilion / Toontown Hall of Fame , follow signs to Pixie Hollow and line up immediately; you can take photos outside this area when you exit. This area has two entrances - the one on the left is for the Disney Princesses and the one on the right is for the fairies. The two lines are separate so be sure you're in line for the fairies. You can get in the princess line when you're done with the fairies; Tinkerbell is the biggest draw right now so you definitely want to do this first thing.

6 As you near the front of the line, you'll be asked for the number of people in your party. You'll also receive a special "Pixie PhotoPass" wristband - just in case you want to purchase the pictures taken by the Disney photographers. Then you'll be ushered through some closed doors to the areas where you'll be "reduced in size" for your meeting with the fairies. This process is completely painless and they promise to return you to your regular size when you leave Pixie Hollow.

7. As a courtesy to those waiting behind you, have your camera and autograph books ready. It is perfectly acceptable to ask the Disney photographer to use your personal camera to take a picture of the family or kids with the Fairies.

8. Tinker Bell is almost always available for photos and autographs and some of Tinker Bell's fairie friends (like Iridessa and Rosetta) will also be there. On rare occasions, Tinker Bell may not be available - probably because Peter Pan needs her help for a few minutes.

9. After meeting the fairies, you'll exit Pixie Hollow. If the Disney princesses are a priority, get in line to see them right away. You can also see Mickey Mouse nearby.

Lining up at Pixie Hollow as soon as Mickey's Toontown Fair opens will mean waiting in line for 10 - 20 minutes. Check the "Waiting Time" sign when you leave - it is not uncommon to see 60 - 90 minute wait times within 15 minutes of this attraction opening and waits of up to 3 hours later in the day. Tinker Bell's popularity also increases the waiting time at the other character Meet & Greet areas in Mickey's Toontown Fair.

This photo, showing a 90 minute wait, was taken at 10:10am in early May, before summer crowds. Toontown opened at 9:45am, even though the times guide listed a 10:00am opening.

Pixie Hollow is the only place to meet Tinkerbell for photographs and autographs but there are other places to see her in the Magic Kingdom.

1. Tinker Bell's Fairy Treasures is a gift shop in Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom. The shop is located at the side of Mickey's Philharmagic. This souvenir shop is sure to be popular with little girls which could be hard on your budget. You'll find princess and fairy costumes for children, along with fairly themed toys and souvenirs. Important Tip: Older websites might still tell you that it is possible to "wake up Tinkerbell" at this shop but that isn't possible any more, now that she has to be at Pixie Hollow bright and early each day.

2. Peter Pan's Flight - Fantasyland - this gentle ride is a Magic Kingdom classic and features scenes from Disney's Peter Pan movie. You'll find Tinker Bell included / pictured in several scenes. TIP: This ride is popular and lines grow quickly so ride this shortly after the Magic Kingdom opens - after riding Dumbo.

3. Mickey's Philharmagic 3-D - Fantasyland - Tinkerbell flies across the screen immediately following the section with Simba from Lion King.

4. Tinkerbell often flies from the castle towards the Plaza restaurant at the beginning of the Wishes Fireworks. There may be times when weather or other factors prevent this from happening. TIP: Try to find a spot by the rose gardens near the Plaza Restaurant to watch Wishes and Tinkerbell will fly right over your head. This isn't necessarily a good location if you're also planning to see the SpectroMagic parade on the same evening because this is a little ways from the parade route.

5. Disney Dreams Come True Parade - this afternoon parade typically occurs at 3:00PM but may also be offered at noon during Christmas week. You may hear Peter Pan ask, "Hey, Tinkerbell, do you have a dream?...I thought so" as part of the soundtrack. He'll be holding a lantern in hand that sort of symbolizes Tinkerbell's presence - supposedly she is in the lantern. This isn't a particularly amazing effect but may be enough to keep a devoted Tinkerbell fan happy.

6. SpectroMagic Parade - Tinkerbell is included, in a small way, on the float with Captain Hook. You'll probably see Peter Pan walking ahead of the float. An animated Tinkerbell flies along the side of the buildings featured at the front of this float.

There isn't a Tinkerbell "Meet & Greet" area at Epcot but you do see Tinkerbell when you ride Soarin' (Land pavilion). She appears towards the end of the ride as you're gliding towards Snow White's castle and the Disneyland fireworks. You must be at least 40-inches (102cm) to ride this attraction.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (Spring). In the past, there has been a Tinkerbell topiary in the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden. Tink and her friends did greet children here. We hope Epcot will continue to offer this kid-friendly exhibit at the festival.

Disney's Hollywood Studios - The classic animated scene featuring Tinkerbell sprinkling pixie dust from "The Wonderful World of Disney" television program is included in the movie portion of the "Walt Disney - One Man's Dream" attraction. This is a wonderful and inspirational movie where you hear Walt Disney share the histories of Walt Disney Studios and the beginnings of the theme parks in his own words. It is a wonderful tribute piece but it may not hold the attention of young children.

Unfortunately, you won't see Tinkerbell at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.

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