Pete’s Silly Sideshow Storybook Circus Fantasyland Magic Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

At this Storybook Circus attraction, you can greet Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie Mouse or Daisy Duck, each playing his or her own unique role at the circus and wearing a new costume. Characters are housed in Pete's Silly Sideshow across from the Dumbo attraction in the circus tent behind Big Top Souvenirs on the left.

Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show

ATTRACTION

Pete's Silly Sideshow offers guests the opportunity to meet the classic Disney characters in different and beautiful circus-themed costumes.

Despite the name, Pete is not among the characters at this meet-and-greet area. You can, however, meet The Astounding Donaldo, the most charming of snake charmers; The Great Goofini, circus stuntman extraordinaire; Minnie Magnifique, a Parisian poodle trainer; and Madame Daisy Fortuna, a mysterious gypsy fortuneteller.

There are two lines, so guests must choose an experience with the male or female characters, and then join the other queue to meet the opposite pair. Word-of-mouth feedback from guests indicates the line for Minnie and Daisy usually is the longer of the two.

Once inside, Pete's divided in half with Daisy and Minnie on the left (as you enter) and Donald and Goofy on the right.

Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show

TOURING TIPS

Professional photographers are stationed with each of the four characters at the meet-and-greet site. Be sure to ask for a PhotoPass card with your digital images. It costs nothing to look, and you may decide the photographer captured a must-have image that you missed with your own camera.

Queues to meet Disney characters typically are not interactive, so be sure to bring something for kids do while they wait. Young children may be fine with a coloring book, a snack or a new trinket. Older kids might opt for electronic video games.

If you are planning to visit Pete's Silly Sideshow, do so before your children discover the Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station — unless you don't mind character photos in which family members are dripping wet.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Mickey Mouse continues to greet guests in his location at Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. His dog, Pluto, can be found nearby, at the flagpole in Town Square.

One of the stars of Pete's Silly Sideshow, The Great Goofini, has his own ride nearby — The Barnstormer featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini. Designed for kids, this short roller coaster puts guests in the 1920s stunt plane Goofy flies and "crashes" through a billboard.

Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show
Pete's Silly Side Show

Magic Kingdom Characters at a Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!

DINING

Storybook Circus has three locations for food, two of which are located in or near the Big Top tents. Adjacent to the tent that houses the FastPass machines, guests will find hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels and beverages. In Big Top Souvenirs, visitors can watch baked goods and sweets being made before their eyes. Look for specialty cupcakes, including Dumbo, cotton candy and caramel corn varieties.

Finally, the Storybook Treats snack cart along the walkway to Mad Tea Party offers sundaes, ice cream, shakes, floats and beverages.

Magic Kingdom Restaurants at a Glance
Menus from around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets

SHOPPING

Big Top SouvenirsBig Top Souvenirs is the place to shop while you are visiting Storybook Circus. The store offers a wide selection of merchandise for kids and adults, much like the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. The front displays are reserved for Dumbo merchandise — various plush, mouse ears, T-shirts, plates, mugs and children's clothes. There is limited merchandise specific to the other attractions, including a Storybook Circus T-shirt.

Shopping in the Magic Kingdom

INTERESTING FACTS

Pete, a cat with a peg leg, is one of Disney's oldest characters who made his debut in the animated cartoon series Alice Comedies in the 1920s. He is a villain and often considered the archenemy of Mickey Mouse. (Pete also was an adversary to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity among Disney fans since the company re-acquired the rights to the character in 2006, and he has been featured in the Epic Mickey video games.)

Pete's Silly Sideshow was the last attraction in the Storybook Circus section of the Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland to be completed. It soft-opened on October 4, 2012, and officially opened on December 6, 2012.

The music heard from the old-fashioned calliope in the front of Pete’s Silly Sideshow was recorded from a set of antique circus crank organs owned by a collector in Southern California.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow resembles a type of sideshow called a Ten-in-One, which traditionally offered a series of acts performing various tricks and daredevil stunts.

Even at this new attraction, Donald Duck does not wear pants.

Storybook Circus makes several references to Carolwood Park. This name pays homage to Disney’s famed backyard railroad, Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Carolwood was the name of the street Disney grew up on as a child.