Character meet and greets are coming back! But at a safe distance! And with other precautions in place! I’m not sure why I’m still using exclamation marks, but at this point I can’t stop!
One aspect of the Disney World experience that has been sorely missed has been the character meet and greet. For obvious reasons, Disney discontinued the practice of having thousands of people hug and pose for pictures in close proximity to their characters when they reopened the parks last year. Since that reopening, Disney World has been slowly creeping back to a sense of normalcy. Mask mandates have changed, plexiglass barriers have gone up and down, and about a million forehead thermometers are now sitting in a warehouse in Orlando.
One aspect of the pandemic Disney World experience that hasn’t changed yet is how characters are implemented. Disney characters haven’t been available for meet and greets, but they have been making appearances through cavalcades and surprise sightings to a lot of success. Whenever a character pops up throughout the parks, it’s downright delightful. Today, Disney World has announced that character meet and greets will be returning, albeit in a modified form. The biggest difference is that hugs and autographs won’t be allowed.
From Disney Parks Blog:
Although the environment is not right just yet for hugs and autographs, you’ll soon be able to have individualized time with some of your favorite characters, getting to visit with them in a themed location and snap a photo or two. Look for the Disney Princesses to return to Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom Park. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll soon find Minnie Mouse at Red Carpet Dreams and the stars of Disney Junior in Animation Courtyard. And when you stop in to see Mickey Mouse backstage at Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A., he’ll be sporting his all-new EARidescent look designed just for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration! Each of these locations is planned to start welcoming guests in November.
In summary, in November guests will be able to see the following characters in a modified meet and greet.
- Mickey Mouse – Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom
- Disney Princesses – Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom
- Minnie Mouse – Red Carpet Dreams at Hollywood Studios
- Disney Jr Stars – Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios
Are you excited for the return of character meet and greets? What do you think of their modified form? Let me know in the comments below!
Image copyright Disney
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