Disneyland Paris Pop Up Surprise Guide
Updated 10th May 2025
DISNEYLAND PARIS POP UP SURPRISE
THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR DISNEYLAND PASS HOLDERS
Imagine stepping into a hidden corner of Disneyland Paris, where rare Disney characters await, ready for an exclusive meet-and-greet — no long queues, just pure magic. Welcome to the Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise, a must-know character meet and greet experience exclusively for Disneyland Pass holders!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this exciting, ever-changing event:
- What the Pop-Up Surprise is all about,
- Who can attend (hint: it’s for Disneyland Pass holders!),
- How to book your spot easily,
- Which characters have appeared in previous seasons,
- And when you can expect the next magical Pop-Up Surprise to take place.
Since its debut in 2023, the Pop-Up Surprise has been delighting Disney fans with rare character encounters (mostly!), and it’s not slowing down anytime soon as we’ve already seen two seasons in 2025. Whether you’re already a Disneyland Pass holder or you’re thinking of getting one, this guide will help you decide if these magical meet-and-greets are worth the trip.
(And of course, we’ll sprinkle in a few tips to make your experience even more magical!)
Quick Overview: What You Need to Know
The Next Disneyland Paris Pop Up Surprise
Season 6 of the pop up surprise will take place between April 25 – May 18, 2025 and be themed to Disney Cruise Line offers passholders a chance to meet Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse and Jack Sparrow.
Here’s a snapshot of the Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise, so you can get straight to the important details:
What is the Pop Up Surprise?
A magical, exclusive meet-and-greet event for Disneyland Pass holders, offering rare character encounters in a unique, private setting.
Who can attend?
Only Disneyland Pass holders can participate. You’ll need to book a time slot through the Annual Pass Portal, and up to three guests can join you (as long as they also have a valid Disneyland Pass and park reservation).
How do you book?
Head to the Annual Pass Portal, sign in, choose your date and time, and confirm your booking. Simple as that!
Where does it take place?
The Pop-Up Surprise is held in a special venue opposite the Royal Castle Stage, at the location of the former Annual Pass office between Discoveryland and Fantasyland.
What characters have appeared before?
Past seasons have featured fan favourites like Tinker Bell, Oswald, Ortensia, Queen Anna, Queen Elsa, Marie, Berlioz, Toulouse, Clarice, Max, Terk, Robin Hood, Prince John, Mirabel Madrigal, Miguel, Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse, and Captain Jack Sparrow.
When is the next Pop-Up Surprise?
Pop-Up Surprises happen regularly throughout the year. The current pop-up surprise ends on the 18th of May, 2025. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with the upcoming pop ups.
What is the Pop-Up Surprise?
The Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise is an exclusive, seasonal event for Disneyland Pass holders, offering rare character meet-and-greets in a private venue.
Ah, the Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise—one of the new benefits of the Disneyland Pass ( Disneyland Paris Annual Pass) that adds a little extra pixie dust to the Disneyland Pass experience!
First launched in 2023 alongside the new Disneyland Pass, the Pop-Up Surprise quickly became one of the most talked-about perks for Pass holders. The concept is simple, exclusive meet-and-greets with rare Disney characters that you won’t normally find wandering around the park.
These encounters happen in a secret, intimate venue, giving you a chance to meet some truly unique characters, in an exclusive setting.
Here’s how it works:
- Two sets per visit — each set includes one character, so you get to meet two characters in one magical session!
- Some seasons include multiple characters within one of the sets. In this instance the characters rotate will rotate, meaning you will only meet one of them! For example, the most recent pop up surprise included Captain Mickey Mouse or Captain Minnie Mouse within one of the sets, and guests only met one of the characters.
- It’s passholder exclusive character meet and greet! This experience is not available to all guests, making it a special treat for those who’ve invested in a Disneyland Pass.
Whether you’re a seasoned pass holder or considering joining the club, the Pop-Up Surprise adds an extra layer of fun to your Disneyland Paris visit.
Where does the Pop-Up Surprise take place?
The Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise takes place in a cosy, private venue located in the former Annual Pass office, just opposite the Royal Castle Stage in Disneyland Park.
This space offers an indoor setting, allowing you to enjoy your character meet-and-greet away from the hustle and bustle of the park. With its relaxed atmosphere and charming surroundings, it feels like stepping into a hidden corner of Disney magic—just for you!
The location of the Pop-Up Surprise also allows Disney to create two unique sets and backgrounds for each character, enhancing your experience and making your photos extra special. With each season, the sets are thoughtfully designed to match the theme of the characters you’re meeting, providing a vibrant and immersive backdrop that truly elevates your photos.
How to Book the Pop-Up Surprise
Booking your spot at the Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise is a breeze—just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be all set for a magical character meet-and-greet!
- Visit the Annual Pass Portal
Head to the official Annual Pass Portal to begin the booking process. - Sign into your account
Use your Disneyland Pass details to sign in. - Click on ‘Benefits’
Once logged in, navigate to the ‘Benefits’ section to find the Pop-Up Surprise. - Select a date
Pick the date you want to attend. - Choose a time slot
Select your preferred time slot. These can fill up fast, so be quick! - Confirm your booking
Double-check your details and confirm your booking.
Important Booking Notes:
Limited availability — these exclusive spots fill up quickly, so it’s best to book as early as possible.
You can bring up to three guests with you, but they must also have valid Disneyland Passes and park reservations to enter Disneyland Park and join you at the event.
Previous Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprises
Since their sparkling debut in 2023, Pop-Up Surprises have become a key highlight for Disneyland Pass holders. Each season brought something new—sometimes unforgettable, sometimes a bit surprising (pun intended!). Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane:
Season 6: April 25 – May 18, 2025
- Set 1: Captain Mickey Mouse or Captain Minnie Mouse
- Set 2: Captain Jack Sparrow
Ahoy, mateys! With the Disney Cruise Line theme, Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, and Captain Jack Sparrow made sure the Pop-Up Surprise sailed smoothly into new territory. These stylish outfits and the unique nautical vibe made it one of the most photogenic seasons yet. A fitting celebration for fans dreaming of Disney adventures both on land and sea.
Season 5: February 7 – March 2, 2025
- Set 1: Mirabel Madrigal (Encanto)
- Set 2: Miguel (Coco)
Talk about star power! Mirabel and Miguel brought so much colour, energy, and heart to the pop-up experience. Passholders were thrilled to finally meet two newer Disney icons in such a personal setting. This season was a real crowd-pleaser and showed Disneyland Paris was really listening to fan feedback after many guests complained they were unable to meet Miguel during the Halloween season.
Season 4: July 19 – August 11, 2024
- Set 1: Terk (Tarzan)
- Set 2: Robin Hood or Prince John (Sherwood Forest)
Now this was a comeback! Not only did we get to meet rarities like Terk and the mischievous Sherwood duo, but Disneyland Paris also lifted Bronze Pass blockout days—a small miracle that made it easier for more fans to join in the fun.
Season 3: April 26 – May 19, 2024
- Set 1: Clarice (Rainbow Pride outfit)
- Set 2: Max (Goofy’s son)
Here’s where things got a little… controversial. While Clarice looked fabulous in her vibrant Pride outfit and Max is always a bundle of energy, some passholders felt this season was missing the ‘rare character’ wow factor. Not every season can be a smash hit, but the vibes were still fun!
Season 2: January 12 – February 4, 2024
- Set 1: Queen Anna or Queen Elsa (Frozen 2 outfits)
- Set 2: Marie, Berlioz, or Toulouse (The Aristocats)
Winter magic was in full swing with this season! Frozen fans especially were living their best Arendelle dreams, meeting Anna and Elsa in their royal gowns from Frozen 2. Throw in the adorable kittens from The Aristocats, and you had an absolutely purr-fect line-up.
Season 1: September 1 – September 24, 2023
- Set 1: Tinker Bell
- Set 2: Oswald or Ortensia
The first-ever Pop-Up Surprise really hit the ground running. Meeting the iconic Tinker Bell or the rare duo Oswald and Ortensia had fans buzzing with excitement. It set high expectations for what was to come, and honestly, what a magical start it was!
Tips for Attending a Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise
Top Tip:
Special snacks often sell out, especially at Victoria’s, so if you’ve got your heart set on a particular treat, aim for an earlier visit rather than waiting until the evening.
Want to make the most out of your Pop-Up Surprise experience? Here are a few tried-and-tested tips from those of us who have been there, smiled awkwardly in excitement, and walked away with the best Disney memories!
1. Arrive Early
While you’ll have a booked time slot, it’s still a good idea to get there a few minutes early. It gives you time to find the venue (opposite the Royal Castle Stage) without rushing, and you’ll feel way more relaxed stepping into the magic.
2. Be Prepared for Surprise Characters
Remember, if a set has multiple characters listed, you’ll only meet one of them, chosen at random. No swapping, no choosing—just pure Disney luck! It adds to the excitement, but it’s good to set expectations ahead of time, especially if you have a favourite you’re hoping to meet.
3. Bring Your Own Camera or Phone
There are no Disney PhotoPass photographers inside the venue, so it’s up to you (or your guest) to snap those magical moments. Make sure your device is charged and ready. Trust me, you don’t want to be that person frantically deleting apps to make space!
4. Coordinate Your Outfit
This might sound extra—but trust me, a little outfit planning goes a long way! Wearing something themed (think nautical for Captain Mickey or floral for Mirabel) makes your photos pop and adds a bit of Disney flair to your memories. We know many of you love a Disney bound!
5. Have Your Documents Ready
You’ll need your Disneyland Pass and a valid park reservation for entry. If you’re bringing guests (up to three), they’ll need the same. Save yourself the panic at the door by double-checking everyone has their Annual Pass ready (either physical card or digital version on the DLP App).
6. Stay Flexible and Enjoy the Moment
Half the fun of a Pop-Up Surprise is not knowing exactly who you’ll meet. As many sets are the home to multiple characters, unfortunately, you need to remember you will only meet one. Even if you don’t get your top choice, every character encounter is special—and honestly, sometimes the unexpected ones make for the best experiences!
Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise: FAQ
What is the Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise?
The Disneyland Paris Pop-Up Surprise is an exclusive meet-and-greet experience for Disneyland Pass holders, offering the chance to meet rare Disney characters in a private venue.
Who can attend the Pop-Up Surprise?
Only Disneyland Paris Annual Pass holders (now called Disneyland Pass holders) with a valid park reservation can attend. You can also bring up to three guests, but they must each hold a Disneyland Pass and have a park reservation too.
Where does the Pop-Up Surprise take place?
The Pop-Up Surprise happens in the former Annual Pass office, located just opposite the Royal Castle Stage inside Disneyland Park.
How do I book a Pop-Up Surprise?
To book, log into the Annual Pass Portal, click on ‘Benefits’, choose a date and time, and confirm your booking. Be quick—slots fill up faster than you can say “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!”
How many characters do I meet during a Pop-Up Surprise?
You will meet two characters per visit, one from each set. If a set features multiple characters, you’ll meet just one, selected at random.
Are Disney PhotoPass photographers available during the Pop-Up Surprise?
No, Disney PhotoPass photographers are not present inside the venue. Make sure you have your own camera or phone ready to capture the magic.
Is the Pop-Up Surprise worth it?
If you love rare character interactions and magical, more personal Disney moments, absolutely! Especially as Disneyland Paris has listened to feedback and recent seasons have been even better than before.
When does the current Pop-Up Surprise end?
The current Pop-Up Surprise season runs until May 18, 2025.
Will there be more Pop-Up Surprises in the future?
Yes! Given how popular they have been (and how each season keeps getting better), it’s safe to say Pop-Up Surprises will continue to be a part of the Disneyland Pass experience!
Ready to Experience the Magic?
If reading about all these incredible character meet-and-greets has you picturing yourself high-fiving Terk or posing proudly with Captain Minnie, it might just be time to consider a Disneyland Pass!
Not sure if it’s right for you? No worries — we’ve put together a Disneyland Paris Annual Pass guide to help you decide if an Annual Pass is worth it for your Disney adventures.
Already a passholder or just love staying in the know? Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to get the latest updates on Pop-Up Surprises, special events, and all the Disneyland Paris magic — straight to your inbox.
Whether you’re planning your first Pop-Up or you’re a seasoned pro, we’re here to help you make every Disney moment unforgettable.
