When you go on a family trip to Disney World, meeting everyone’s favorite characters is usually a big item on the to-do list. With so many amazing characters around every corner, Disney World makes it quite easy to have those magical meet-and-greet moments.
However, meeting characters gets a little trickier when one of your family members has niche tastes. For example, Baymax is a beloved contemporary figure in the Disney canon, but finding him in the happiest place on Earth can pose a challenge. Read on to learn more about meeting Baymax at Disney World.
Who is Baymax?
If you haven’t been staying updated on animated Disney films from the last decade, you may be asking, who is Baymax?
Baymax is one of the main characters from the 2014 animated film Big Hero 6. He is a sweet, inflatable robot that works as a healthcare companion, a nurse practitioner of sorts. In the movie, the young protagonist, Hiro, is left with Baymax as a friend when his inventor brother (the creator of Baymax) perishes in a mysterious fire.
As Hiro realizes a more sinister plot is afoot, he transforms the squishy Baymax into an armored superhero who can help him and his friends save the day.
Baymax quickly gained popularity with fans following the release of Big Hero 6. His cuddly demeanor, blunt mannerisms, and caring nature make him an appealing character for children and adults alike.
Where to Find Baymax at Disney World
Unfortunately, Baymax is somewhat of a rare sighting in Disney World. EPCOT is the only park where you can meet Baymax.
EPCOT
Historically, folks have been able to meet Baymax at the EPCOT Character Spot. Located in the Future World section of the park, the EPCOT Character Spot hosted meet-and-greets with classic Disney characters (such as Mickey and Minnie) as well as characters that aligned with the futuristic EPCOT setting (such as Joy and Sadness from Inside Out).
Given that Baymax is a robot superhero, it makes perfect sense that his meet-and-greet location would be Future World in EPCOT. Sadly, the EPCOT Character Spot closed in January 2020, and Baymax has yet to return to the parks.
But there is some hope on the horizon: Disney announced that EPCOT will be getting a new character location, called Mickey and Friends. This character spot is part of an upcoming new attraction space called CommuniCore Hall, which will also house festivals and concert events.
Since Baymax is a relatively popular character—new Baymax content has been released on Disney Plus—the sensitive robot will likely be included in the lineup at Mickey and Friends.
What Other Characters Can You Meet at EPCOT?
Despite Baymax’s temporary absence, there are still plenty of fun characters that you can meet exclusively at EPCOT.
If anyone in your family has a love for Disney princesses, they’ll get a big kick out of the World Showcase in EPCOT. There, you can find popular princesses that are difficult to meet in other parks, including Mulan, Elsa, and Anna.
Fans of contemporary Disney characters will be excited to meet Joy from Inside Out and Ralph and Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph.
In addition to these unique characters, EPCOT features Mickey and all of his friends, as well as many other well-known Disney characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about meeting Baymax and other beloved characters at Disney World.
Can you still meet Baymax at EPCOT?
Baymax has not yet returned to doing meet and greets at EPCOT. However, the upcoming opening of Mickey and Friends indicates that there are high hopes for Baymax and other popular characters to make their return to EPCOT.
Is Baymax at Magic Kingdom?
No, Baymax does not make appearances at Magic Kingdom. Disney World tends to match characters with the parks that fit their storyline and context—Baymax is a robot and is thus best suited for the futuristic aesthetic of EPCOT.
Aside from EPCOT, you may also be able to catch a glimpse of Baymax at Hollywood Studios, where Disney World often promotes newer movies and TV shows, such as Baymax! on Disney Plus. For example, in the summer of 2022, Hollywood Studios displayed a massive inflatable statue of Baymax to promote the new show.
Does Disney still do meet and greets?
Yes, Disney still does character meet and greets. Disney had temporarily limited character meet and greets at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as of spring 2022, the parks are back to full character meet and greet experiences.
Barring any changes to Disney’s health and safety policies, you and your family should be able to hug characters, take photos, and get autographs during your visit to Disney World.
Are Disney meet and greets free?
Most Disney character meet-and-greet opportunities are free. The only time you would need to pay additional money to meet a character is if you are attending a character dining experience, in which case you will have to pay for your meals to spend time with the characters.
How do you meet rare characters at Disney World?
If you want to meet rare characters at Disney World, you will need to do research ahead of time. While you’re planning your Disney vacation, check which parks and attractions your favorite characters do meet and greets. For the most up-to-date information, ask a cast member for a meet-and-greet schedule when you arrive in the park.
Final Thoughts
As with all aspects of a Disney family vacation, finding specific characters at Disney World requires some careful planning. And, in the case of a character like Baymax, your plans may need to evolve as Disney regularly modifies its meet-and-greet opportunities.
Although meeting Baymax at Disney World is a challenge, getting a chance to hug the squishy robot is worth the effort. Luckily, Disney’s plans to add new spaces to EPCOT strongly indicate that there will be an increase in opportunities to see Baymax in person.