Disney officially announces the return of pre-pandemic huggable character meet and greets for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond

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Town Square Theater character meet and greets

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Posted: Thursday March 31, 2022 1:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today confirmed that character meet and greets will return to pre-pandemic conditions from April 18 2022.

Mickey Mouse currently meets guests from behind a rope at Imagination in EPCOT

The removal of physical distancing at character meet and greets will come to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise line, and Aulani. Not all locations will be available immediately, Disney anticipates reopening in phases throughout the spring and early summer.

Minnie Mouse meeting guests in March at EPCOT from behind a fence

Although most of Walt Disney World's character meet and greet locations have returned, physical distancing currently remains in effect with characters located behind a barrier and guests unable to make any direct contact.

Princess Aurora at the France Pavilion - August 23 2021

Character meet and greets have been physically distanced at Walt Disney World ever since the parks reopened from the COVID-19 closure in mid-2020.

Mary Poppins at the UK pavilion

The return of pre-COVID meet and greets marks another significant milestone for Disney's domestic U.S. theme parks as they continue their return to normal.

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DCBakerMar 04, 2024

Donald and Daisy, along with Chip 'n' Dale, have reportedly begun meeting guests around Echo Lake at Disney's Hollywood Studios (via DFB). Here's what My Disney Experience shows today. 771453

UniversalIsMid98Mar 02, 2024

Dug and Russell have returned to the Wilderness Explorers Clubhouse near the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom, A park that is struggling the most with long term entertainment and this is another step in the right direction

WorldExplorerNov 15, 2023

For the record, last I was there (Monday) Goofy and Pocahontas aren't on land anymore. Maybe I just got a particularly good day, but Goofy seemed to have a perpetual line when I went (a couple weeks before) for my pictures (not a Pocahantas person, didn't track her down at the time) and I even spotted him signing while walking away to apparently go on the boat later (I was impressed). It was sad, because at the same time I saw kids that were clearly excited and wanted to meet him but he had to stick to the limited hours. Hoping that was a test and they come back. The place felt so much more lively with him there.

cjkeatingOct 18, 2023

They are the Pandora drummers.

mastromjmOct 18, 2023

Would be so nice if they said goodbye to the flotillas altogether and replaced them with standard meets. (And give the drummers a real show, they're fantastic!)

mattpetoOct 18, 2023

If you look at the Cape May Cafe vs Trattoria Al Forno breakfast availability, you’ll see that CMC is a much more challenging ADR to grab. It’s the characters, gotta think Bon Voyage will return.

mattpetoOct 17, 2023

Bon Voyage still deader than dead?

rodnyhOct 17, 2023

Hello! I read somewhere that Pocahontas, Meeko, and Goofy are back at Animal Kingdom. Pocahontas and Meeko by Oasis. Goofy at DinoLand. Hope we get more characters soon!

Thumper 32Oct 02, 2023

It appears Buzz is no longer appearing at MK, he hasn’t been there in a few weeks and Chip and Dale are now in that location instead.

MisterPenguinOct 01, 2023

Yes! My plan is working. Our destiny approaches.

ToTBellHopOct 01, 2023

Who will control the bee population? It’s all laughs until someone is stung. smh

DCBakerOct 01, 2023

According to My Disney Experience, Winnie the Pooh has returned to meeting guests at Christopher Robin's Room in the UK Pavilion.

UnbansheeJun 14, 2023

Looks like blog mickey has some photos https://blogmickey.com/2023/06/disney-cardmember-exclusive-meet-greet-with-darth-vader-returns-to-hollywood-studios/

DCBakerJun 14, 2023

I believe the Disney Visa Cardholder-Exclusive meet and greet with Darth Vader reopened within the last couple of weeks, but don't see it posted here. Disney Rewards sent out this e-mail today.