When visiting Walt Disney World you are likely going to want to spend at least a few moments interacting with the characters around the resort. Maybe your kids are collecting autographs, maybe they like to interact and play with the characters, maybe you just want that iconic picture with Mickey. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of opportunities to see the characters, and plenty of other people who will waste your precious vacation time by having the nerve to get in line before you do. In this piece we will outline the best places to see some of the characters without standing in long lines.To meet some characters, one method is to eat at a restaurant with "Character Dining". This is probably the best way to meet available characters because they come to you while you eat; and you have to eat sometime, so these meals help you multitask. Downsides are they cost a fair amount (meeting them elsewhere is "free" once you have admission) and they do suck up about an hour (at least for us). That said, we'll present a dining option and a "free" (with park admission) option for each group of characters.Mickey & Friends (Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto)There are options for seeing these characters at all the parks, but our pick for the best spot is actually not a dining experience; it is the Epcot Character spot. Located just West of the Fountain of Nations, this place lets you see all of the 5 characters in a row after standing in line once. It is the best place to get that iconic Mickey picture, because Mickey is in his classic garb (not a safari, chef or other costume as in other areas), not to mention you get to see the others immediately following. The best way to avoid lines is to get to Epcot right away at opening, hit your favorite of the headliner attractions (Soarin or Test Track) and then go to the Character Spot (by this time they should have the line moving).At the other parks: Camp MinnieMickey at Animal Kingdom is also a good spot to see the characters in Safari garb. It is pretty easy to do right away in the morning but each character has a separate line. The Studios has Sorcerer Mickey at the Magic of Disney Animation pavilion. This is fairly easy to do but again it is one line for only one character. Avoid Mickey's Judge's Tent at the Magic Kingdom- it is one big line for just one picture. You can still tour Mickey's house and exit before going into the tent.For Dining options you can see different mixes of the characters in different places but the best (only) place to see all of the "fab 5" is at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. It is on the monorail loop, so it is easy to go there on a Magic Kingdom day. Pooh & Friends (Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet)The best spot to see the Pooh characters is far and away Crystal Palace, a character dining buffet (and in my opinion, the best food inside the Magic Kingdom park). They even open before the park does, so you can get in early, get a picture with the Castle with no one around, get breakfast with the characters, and be out at about in the park when the rides open.The best free spot is behind the toy shop at the United Kingdom in Epcot's World showcase. They usually have Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore all at once, and often have Mark Poppins and Alice at the same time. Animal Kingdom also has a character spot outside the entrance to Dinoland where you can see 3 or 4 of the characters by standing in one line. It tends to get a little longer than the Epcot line though. The PrincessesThe best spot for seeing the Princesses for us is the "Storybook Dining" at Akershus in Norway at Epcot. You get to see 5 of the Princesses, get a complementary photo, a pretty good meal, and darn good dessert all for one dining credit on the dining plan. Princesses vary but you can probably depend on Ariel (Scandinavian fairy tale I am told) and Belle.At Magic Kingdom, Cinderella's Royal Table gives you an equivalent experience for twice the price. It is in the castle, however, so it may be a big deal. Food is not quite as good. Dessert is nowhere close. Princesses vary but Cinderella will be there.The best free spot is a series of spots- Princesses can often be found in their proper country at World Showcase in Epcot. Aurora and Belle in France, Jasmine in Morocco, Snow White in Germany, Mulan in China. These spots are really pretty good and you often get to see others with them (Dopey, Mushu, Aladdin, etc.), the only drawback is you won't be seeing Ariel and Cinderella; who tend to be the favorites. The Magic Kingdom has a spot to see Ariel and a spot in Toontown to see 3 princesses. These lines may very well be the longest in all of Disney World at any given time so if you are going to spring for one character dinner make it the Princesses.Pixar CharactersThere is currently no character meal for the Pixar characters. Disney likes money, so I expect that to change at some point. Although you can often see Buzz and Woody at Magic Kingdom, the best (and maybe only other) place to see the popular Pixar characters is at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Toy Story - Buzz & Woody: Be at the Studios when it opens. Ride Toy Story Mania first, then hop across the street to see Buzz and Woody and take pictures on a bunch of Toy Story scenes.Monsters Inc. - Mike & Sulley: You can find the Monster's Inc photo opp at the exit of the Backlot Tour, but you don't need to take the Tour to get there.Cars - Lightning and Mater: Go out behind MuppetVision and Mama Melrose's. This line moves surprisingly slow for two stationary vehicles.The Incredibles: Find them at the Magic of Disney Animation pavillion (along with Sorcerer Mickey and whatever the newest Disney film is). One tip is you don't have to go through the tour and see the film, you can skip right to the fun stuff by entering the pavilion through the art store (the exit).If your kids are Bug's Life fans you can often see them in Animal Kingdom close to the Tree of Life.So in summary:BEST DINING OPTIONSMickey & Friends: Chef Mickey's at the ContemporaryPooh & Friends: Crystal Palace at Magic KingdomPrincess: Akershus at Epcot's NorwayBEST FREE OPTIONSMickey & Friends: Character Spot in EpcotPooh & Friends: United Kingdom in Epcot (back of Toy Shop)Princess: Around World Showcase in EpcotPixar: Around Hollywood StudiosAVOIDTrying to see characters in Toontown at the Magic KingdomMouseDaddy.com - MouseMommy.com