A Disney character is now leaving Epcot forever

Characters come and go, and this one is leaving Epcot forever.

Epcot characters

It’s been about a year and a half since most character meet and greet locations have returned. Right now at Epcot many princesses meet around the World Showcase. You may spot Alice in the United Kingdom or Anna and Elsa in Norway.

Plus, there are more friends to meet up towards the front of the park. Friends like Winnie the Pooh, Joy, Mickey, and Vanellope can be found in the Imagination Pavilion. Don’t forget about the Visa Character Spot! Be sure to check Character Locator for accurate locations and schedules for all your favorite characters.

Epcot is about to undergo several changes, and one of those that we were not expecting was the closure of Vanellope’s meet and greet.

Vanellope

One of my (Monica) family’s favorite films is Wreck it Ralph. We adore meeting Vanellope in the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot. She is so spunky! Unfortunately her location is closing forever.

She first began meeting Guests with Ralph at Hollywood Studios all the way back in 2012. Then, they stopped meeting there in 2014. Not too long after, Guests could find them at their new spot in Epcot. After a brief disappearance in the post-shutdown era, Vanellope began meeting alone.

Unfortunately, this meet is now closed. Ralphs Breaks the Internet came out almost 5 years ago! It’s time to say goodbye to her, and we don’t have any time left.

Her meet and greet closed at the end of the day on August 19.

What will take its place?

The likely (but not Disney confirmed) replacement is Figment. Vanellope meets at the exit of Figment’s attraction, and this feels like the right spot for him to begin meeting. So far we do not have an opening date for him other than late summer.

Disney recently filed a permit for the “installation of scenic items” at 1990 Avenue of the Stars which is at EPCOT’s Imagination Pavilion. You can read about that HERE.

Share your favorite memories with Vanellope in the comments below, and be sure to pass this post along to a friend who needs to hear the news.