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Disney has recently announced the return of several entertainment experiences that have been missing since the COVID pandemic closed the Parks in March 2020. Well over a year later, we are seeing the return of character meet and greets are coming SOON to the Walt Disney World Theme Park! While not all Disney character meet and greets are returning, Disney has announced a handful that will return without hugs or autographs for now. We are thankful to once again have a chance for one-on-one experiences with characters! Check out who you and meet and where to find them below.
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As announced by Disney Parks Blog: “Over the past year, beloved Disney Characters have been popping up in cavalcades, motorcades, flotillas, and surprise sightings, much to the delight of our Guests, and I’m pleased to tell you many of those experiences will be continuing. 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.”
While no hugs or autographs are available just yet… we’re thrilled to get back to meeting characters in a one-on-one experience. If you’re eager to see a Disney Princess, be on the lookout for Princess Fairytale Hall to reopen at Magic Kingdom Park. Located in Fantasyland behind the Cinderella Castle and near Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, this character meet and greet was an extremely popular spot pre-COVID but has sat empty since. Currently, the Walt Disney World website still shows meet and greets temporarily unavailable for Cinderella, Elena, Rapunzel, and Tiana – who were all available at Princess Fairytale Hall prior to COVID. We aren’t sure if Disney plans to bring back these same four Princesses or will select others.
If you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll soon find Minnie Mouse returning to Red Carpet Dreams. Disney has not mentioned however if/when Sorcerer Mickey will be available for a meet and greet. Before COVID, both Sorcer Mickey and Minnie Mouse were available for a meet and greet at Red Carpet Dreams on Commissary Lane near ABC Commissary. It sounds like for now, we’ll at least have Minnie to smile along with on the Red Carpet.
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Plus, Disney has announced the Stars of Disney Junior in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be returning. Pre-COVID the lineup of Disney Junior stars included Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Fancy Nancy. Disney has yet to share which characters will be available in the Animation Courtyard when it reopens.
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Last but not least! Guests will soon have a chance to visit Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom Park. Head to Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. to find Mickey sporting his all-new EARidescent look designed just for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration. Pre-COVID Town Square Theater also had a meet and greet for Tinker Bell. Disney has not said if/when this meet and greet will return.
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Keep in mind, if you want to avoid the meet and greet lines, there are also select character dining options currently available at locations like Chef Mickey’s, Topolino’s, and Garden Grill. Dining at these restaurants will give you an opportunity to enjoy a character meal right from your seat!
Are you ready to enjoy a one-on-one character interaction once again? While we won’t be able to hug them just yet, we are happy to have a moment face to face with characters instead of waving at them from a parade float. Each character meet and greet experience is planned to start welcoming Guests in November, but Disney has yet to release the exactly reopening date.
