Meet Daring Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete's Silly Sideshow

Overview

Meet Daring Disney Pals as Circus Stars is the Donald and Goofy side of Pete’s Silly Sideshow, a circus-tent meet-and-greet in Storybook Circus in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. Donald and Goofy appear in circus-performer costumes, with Goofy as The Great Goofini. It’s a quick stop for photos, hugs and autographs. Status: Disney closed this side for refurbishment starting January 4, 2026, one day earlier than first planned. No reopening date had been announced in our data, so check the current status before you plan around it.

Is it worth it?

If it’s open, it’s worth a stop for character fans. It isn’t worth rearranging your day for.

• Who it’s for: Families with young kids who love the Fab 5, autograph collectors, and anyone who wants Donald and Goofy in outfits you won’t see at most other meet-and-greets. The circus costumes are the reason to come here instead of catching them somewhere else.
• Who should skip: Groups without little ones, and anyone with a short Magic Kingdom day who’d rather spend the time on rides.
• The standout: Fantasyland can be hard on younger kids. Here they get a calm, guaranteed one-on-one moment with two big-name characters.
• The catch: This side has been closed for refurbishment since January 4, 2026, and our data doesn’t show a confirmed reopening date. Don’t build your morning around it until you’ve confirmed it’s open. Even when it’s running, Lightning Lane doesn’t cover it, so you’ll wait in the standby line.

Insider tips

• Check that it’s open first. It went down for refurbishment on January 4, 2026, with no reopening date announced at the time. Look it up before you walk to the back of Fantasyland.
• Have your extras ready before you reach the front. Autograph book and pen open, phone or camera ready. Character interactions are short, and being prepared gets you more actual time with Donald and Goofy.
• Ask about the costumes. Goofy plays The Great Goofini, so asking him about his act usually gets a bigger reaction than a plain photo request.
• Pair it with the rest of Storybook Circus. This corner of Fantasyland also has Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Barnstormer and Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station. If you do them together, you won’t have to walk back across Fantasyland later.
• Go early or late. Character lines usually build from late morning through mid-afternoon. A visit soon after you arrive or in the evening often means a shorter wait. Save your rope-drop time for headliner rides, though, not a meet-and-greet.
• No Lightning Lane. It isn’t part of Multi Pass or Single Pass, so plan on standby. If the line looks long, try again later. Character lines tend to change faster than ride lines.

Who can ride

There’s no height requirement. It’s a character meet-and-greet, not a ride, so anyone can visit. There’s no motion and nothing that should bother guests prone to motion sickness. Some toddlers get nervous around full-size costumed characters. If your child is unsure, let them watch a few other families go first, and don’t force a hug. A wave or high-five still makes a good photo.