Disney Announces Major Change to Character Meet & Greets

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

One of the most unpopular lingering impacts of the pandemic on the guest experience at Disney World has been that guests have not been able to enjoy up-close character greetings. For over two years the iconic hug and an autograph from Mickey that for many guests is the quintessential Disney World experience has been strictly off-limits.

When Disney World reopened after the four-month closure at the start of the pandemic, character offerings began with character cavalcades only. Since then, while many characters have returned to their original greeting places, physical distancing measures have remained and there is a strict no contact rule for guests and characters. Obviously, this has meant no hugs, no autographs, and only selfies from a distance. As most things at Disney World have gradually moved back to normal (or some new version of it) the question on a lot of guests’ minds has been — when will “normal” character greetings return (and why has it taken so long)?

From a Disney Cast Member;

It’s been so great to see live entertainment returning to our theme parks, resorts, and cruise ships, and today, I’m thrilled to tell you about another quintessential Disney entertainment experience that’s on the way back. As early as April 18, we will start reintroducing traditional character greetings at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as aboard Disney Cruise Line and at Aulani Resort in Hawaii. That’s right! Very soon, you will once again be able to hug Mickey Mouse, get an autograph from Mulan, and share a laugh with Goofy. We know many of you have missed these special moments, and your Disney character friends have missed you, too!

During the past two years, we’ve taken a very gradual, intentional approach to health and safety protocols. Recent trends and guidance have provided opportunities for us to bring back some of our most beloved magic, like character greetings and dining experiences. While not all locations will be available immediately, we anticipate reopening in phases throughout the spring and early summer.

This exciting milestone continues the recent, powerful momentum of returning entertainment across the Disney parks and resorts. As part of the 50th Anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World, we’ve welcomed back shows such as “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” and “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular,” along with the Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade and new experiences like “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade.” This spring, Disneyland will see the return of several beloved nighttime spectaculars, including “World of Color,” “Disneyland Forever,” “Fantasmic!” and “Main Street Electrical Parade,” celebrating its own 50th anniversary. And aboard Disney Cruise Line, we’re once again delighting guests with fireworks at sea and magnificent, Broadway-style shows on every ship.

So, with character greetings coming back this spring, who’s at the top of your “must meet” list for your next Disney vacation?

This is a welcome change. Since character greetings returned last fall with “individual time” physical distancing measures such as a barrier (rope, fence, planters, etc) have been used to keep guests distanced from the characters. Also, no autographs have been allowed.

Guest interest in when the policy would be updated spiked recently when guests noticed that there are no physical distancing measures in place at the new Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel. Guests have seen videos of characters hugging and mixing with guests with no precautions, which begged the question if it’s okay in the trendy hotel where guests pay thousands for a two-day experience, why is it not okay in the parks?

Thankfully, the measures will be dropped and we’ll be able to hug Mickey and other characters again!

Disney CFO Gives Update on Face-to-Face Character Interactions

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Via DisDining.com

When Disney Parks first reopened after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a lot of things that were different. Many of the dining options were unavailable, Park capacities were significantly decreased, and characters were nowhere to be seen. All of these new changes were meant to keep both Guests and Cast Members safe. As COVID numbers have declined, more and more things have been brought back to Parks, to the delight of many Guests.

Characters have slowly made their way back to Disney Parks, but Guests have been unable to get up close and personal with them. At both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, all character meet and greets are still being done from a socially safe distance. While masks were required for months at those meet and greets, recently both Disneyland and Disney World dropped those facial covering mandates.

Now, Walt Disney Company CFO Christine McCarthy is giving fans another update on character interactions. During the Q&A portion of the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, she was asked about the return of face-to-face character interactions. McCarthy said that Disney has been monitoring the COVID situation at all of its Parks and said that the close interactions will return “soon.”

“With the trending of COVID, we’re definitely going to see some of those face-to-face interactions come back.”

Christine McCarthy

Both Disney World and Disneyland have seen a steep drop in COVID-19 cases in their areas. These decreases have allowed Disney to drop its mask mandates for vaccinated Guests, open more restaurants, bring back buffets, and bring back nighttime experiences like World of Color and Fantasmic!.

Right now, there is only one Disney Park that is allowing up close and personal interactions between Guests and characters. Disneyland Paris requires all Guests to provide proof of vaccination before entering the Parks — as is the law in France. Because Guests must prove that they are either vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID, Disneyland Paris is now allowing Guests to see the characters and even hug them.

Ariel meet and greet

McCarthy also stated that Disney is looking forward to bringing back these types of interactions because they help balance the crowds in the Parks. Neither Disneyland Resort in California nor Walt Disney World requires Guests to provide proof of vaccination. Disney is watching to see if the numbers keep going down before they allow close character interactions.

Characters at Disneyland Resort??

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Beloved Disney characters will be part of the magic as the Disneyland Resort theme parks reopen April 30, 2021.  Characters from dozens of favorite Disney stories may be spotted waving and playing across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. They may even pop up posing in the background of selfies. To help maintain physical distancing, certain experiences that draw large group gatherings – such as parades, stage shows and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date.

Guests are encouraged to check Disneyland.com for the latest updates to entertainment. Here’s what guests can expect when the theme parks reopen on April 30, 2021:

Disneyland Park 

  • Main Street, U.S.A. – Mickey Mouse and some of his pals may be seen waving from the steps of the Disneyland Railroad station.
  • Royal Theatre in Fantasyland – From Cinderella to Rapunzel, Snow White, Mulan, Elena of Avalor and many others, guests will be delighted as they are greeted by Disney Royalty. Princesses will pose and wave at a distance for photos with their royal guests.
  • Small World Terrace – Alice and other wonderful Disney friends frolic in the fun as they invite guests to see them at a distance at Small World Terrace.
  • New Orleans Square – The characters of New Orleans Square have returned to their old haunts, and some new ones: Tiana and the pirate known as Redd take up residence on some of the more elevated positions in the land, interacting with guests from afar on the balcony of the 21 Royal Residence, above Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • Mickey’s Toontown – Mickey Mouse and his friends have returned to their homes at Mickey’s Toontown where guests can wave to them and take photos from a distance outside their wacky abodes, and at the Toontown gazebo.
  • Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland – At Zocalo Park, guests may spot Miguel dressed in mariachi finery and waving to everyone from among the colorful marigolds and papel picado décor inspired by Disney and Pixar’s award-winning film, “Coco.”
  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – While living their own adventures in a galaxy far, far away, guests are likely to come across familiar faces as they explore the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. Heroes of the Resistance including Rey, Chewbacca and Vi Moradi may be spotted on the platforms above the speeder garage in Black Spire Station. A contingent of First Order Stormtroopers join Kylo Ren in patrolling the landing platform at Docking Bay 9 beneath their TIE Echelon vehicle.

Disney California Adventure Park

  • Carthay Fountain/Buena Vista Street – As guests reach the heart of Disney California Adventure, they will find themselves drawn to the fountain as the center of the action. Mickey Mouse and his friends have stepped out on the town in order to wave hello and welcome back all their friends.
  • Super Heroes – When Disneyland Resort reopens, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will make their way to the Hollywood Backlot Stage, where adoring fans can wave and cheer for Black Widow, Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Black Panther and the Dora Milaje, as they strike heroic poses throughout the day.
  • Cars Land – At Radiator Springs, guests can share a laugh and take memorable photos with some of their favorite characters such as Mater, Lightning McQueen and Red the fire truck along the land’s Route 66.
  • Pixar Pals – A variety of Pixar characters such as Woody, Jessie, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Edna Mode, Frozone, and Joy and Sadness will wave and pose from the Pixar Pier bandshell stage.
  • Disney Junior – Favorite Disney Junior stars, from Vampirina to Doc McStuffins, wave and interact with their friends from the stage of the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land.
  • Paradise Gardens Park – Guests may see Officer Judy Hopps and her friend Nick Wilde from Disney’s “Zootopia” on patrol.

These entertainment experiences will happen frequently throughout the day, bringing a dose of Disney surprise and magic to numerous areas across the parks.

Disney Releases New Jungle Cruise Character Descriptions Ahead of Refurbishment

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

The Jungle Cruise is receiving quite a facelift at both Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World and Disneyland in California. In an effort to promote inclusivity and Cultural sensitivity, several changes will be made to both the Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain. One of the biggest change is the fleshing out of the attractions backstory. Last month details were released on the backstory and new character, Alberta Falls.

Today Disney introduces us to the “Jungle Navigation Company”, featuring a cast of all new characters. Take a look at the post from the MyDisneyExperience and Disneyland Apps below.

As first reported in the Disney Parks Blog, one of the updated scenes coming soon to the Jungle Cruise includes a few new faces! Before you come across them on an expedition with the “Jungle Navigation Company” later this year, you can get to know them here: Introducing Alberta Falls – Proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company.

• Alberta was born in 1911. Her mother, Sneh, was a world-renowned artist from India and her British father, Albert Falls Jr., was an art scholar.

• Young Alberta was always considered a rambunctious “free spirit” who was most at home during the family’s summer visits to grandma and grandpa Falls in Adventureland. She climbed trees, swam in the river, and enjoyed a special bond with her explorer grandfather and her “adopted family” of skippers who enjoyed the fearless little girl’s adventurous nature.

• She began to accompany her grandfather on his trips around the world where she was introduced to renowned botanist Dr. Moss in Nova Scotia and then-budding artist Rosa Soto Dominguez in Mexico City. On one of their wild adventures to New Zealand, Alberta picked up a new travel companion, a kakapo flightless parrot.

• When Dr. Albert Falls vanished in 1930, Alberta took control of the company and vowed to preserve the reputation of the Jungle Navigation Company. Moreover, to ensure that her grandfather’s legacy would be remembered by people all over the world, she began to promote the guided tours that we know today as the Jungle Cruise.And now, the five unfortunate folks run up a familiar rhino pole…

Felix Pechman XIII.

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• Closest to the rhino is Felix Pechman XIII who recently left his home in Silver Springs, Florida, and landed a position as a skipper with the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. In an unexpected turn of events, Alberta had no choice but to ask him to lead his very first boat tour with her VIP guests. Unfortunately, Pechman’s trademark bad luck has followed him to the jungle.

Dr. Leonard Moss

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• Above Skipper Felix is Dr. Leonard Moss, an acclaimed Canadian botanist. Having successfully photographed and cataloged every plant in the frigid Nova Scotia peninsula, Dr. Moss decided that his next photo excursion should be to a warmer climate.

Rosa Soto Dominguez

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• Above him is the celebrated Mexican artist, Rosa Soto Dominguez. Known in the art world as La Rosa, she was on her way back to Mexico City from her latest gallery opening in Paris when she received a special invitation from her very close friend, Alberta.

• Rosa looked forward to their reunion in Adventureland when she would also get to paint some of the exotic wildlife, especially given her fascination with rhinos. As luck would have it, she ended up a little too close and personal with one.

Dr. Kon Chunosuke

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• Next is Japan’s preeminent entomologist and a member of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers, Dr. Kon Chunosuke. He traveled to the jungle on a mission to find new specimens for his world-class collection of insects.

• As an admirer of Dr. Falls’ legacy, Chunosuke was hopeful that this younger Falls would be able to lead the way to the legendary Myrmecoleon, also referred to as the “lion of ants.”. Unfortunately, he has only been able to find butterflies, mosquitos, and a rhino.

Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy

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• Up top is Siobhan “Puffin” Murphy, who traveled all the way from the small island of Dingle, Ireland, to pay a surprise visit to her distant cousin twice removed on her father’s side, Alberta.

• Siobahn was nicknamed “Puffin” because of her love for the puffin birds that nest in the rocks of her seaside hometown. Many believe that it was Puffin’s love of exotic birds that drove Skipper Felix to get a little too close to an oxpecker perched on a particularly grumpy hippo.

Be on the lookout for these all-new Adventureland characters when they debut in the Jungle Cruise—taking place later in 2021 at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland Park in California. For more information on changes coming to the attraction, be sure to check out the Disney Parks Blog!

These characters are to be completely separate from the storyline of the live action film originally scheduled for release last July, now being released this summer.

Sheriff Woody Gets a New Look at Hong Kong Disneyland

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Sheriff Woody from Disney / Pixar Toy Story films has taken on a new character look at Hong Kong Disneyland. It looks like maybe Woody took on a New Year’s resolution and slimmed down a little and is less shiny!

As we previously shared, Hong Kong Disneyland just reopened from their third closure due to COVID-19. After 25 years, Woody debuted his fantastic new look. While character meet and greets are still modified, you can see him in Hong Kong Disneyland’s Toy Story Land.