ORLANDO, Fla. — For the first time in more than two years, Disney World visitors can hug characters again.
What You Need To Know
- Traditional character meet and greets have returned to Disney World
- Visitors can now get hugs, up-close selfies and autographs from some of their favorite characters
- Since summer 2020, character greetings have been physically-distanced because of the pandemic
The resort recently brought back traditional meet-and-greets, which were modified with physical distancing in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to hugs, visitors can get an up-close selfie, or even an autograph from some of their favorite characters at the parks and resorts.
The character meet-and-greets are returning in phases, so while all haven’t returned to the way they were before, many have.
Among the character greets that no longer have physical distancing are Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater and Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom, Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus, Minnie Mouse at the World Showcase Gazebo at Epcot, and Disney Junior Pals in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
To find which characters are available for meet-and-greets, visitors can check the My Disney Experience mobile app.
The return of traditional character meet-and-greets is just the latest step in Disney World’s efforts to bring back entertainment offerings that were impacted by the pandemic.
Last month, the Festival of Fantasy parade returned to Magic Kingdom alongside the new castle stage show, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire.
Other live entertainment is on the way. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond, a revamp of the stage musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is expected to debut this year. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! is also set to return, although a date has not yet been announced.
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