🚨 Get ready! The way you meet your favorite Disney characters in the parks is CHANGING…again!

Prior to the pandemic, meeting Mickey, the Disney princesses, and other iconic characters was full of hugs, autographs, and regular face-to-face contact. Of course, the situation with COVID-19 changed all of that. After the parks reopened, fans got the chance to see Mickey and friends…but only from a distance. Then, more traditional meet-and-greets returned, but they were still riddled with changes including (importantly) distancing requirements, no hugs, and no autographs. We later heard that the face-to-face meet-and-greets we’re all used to would soon be returning to Disney World (and got a hint about it yesterday) and now we’ve got BIG news!

Disney recently announced that traditional face-to-face character meet-and-greets will be returning to Disney World (as well as Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani) soon!

The traditional meet-and-greets will come back in phases throughout spring and early summer, so not all locations will be available immediately. But, the phased return of traditional meet-and-greets at some spots will start as soon as April 18th.

Here’s what you need to know about the meet-and-greets themselves. Guests will be able to go up to the characters and give them hugs, and characters will be able to sign autographs!

Basically, it will largely be a return to “normal” in terms of what many guests were used to prior to the pandemic.

In their announcement, Disney shared that guests will soon be able to “hug Mickey Mouse, get an autograph from Mulan, and share a laugh with Goofy.”

Considering the fact that traditional face-to-face up-close encounters were allowed on the Star Wars Hotel, the comments from the Disney executive that these traditional meet-and-greets would return to the parks soon, other changes we’ve seen at the parks taking things back to “normal,” and the teaser video Disney recently shared, this announcement comes as no big surprise, but it’ll still likely be an exciting change for many fans who have been waiting for this moment.

What about character dining? Well, Disney has been a bit more vague about this, but has hinted at the return of “traditional” character dining experiences.

In their announcement, Disney does note “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.”

Click here to learn more about Disney’s hints that “traditional” character dining will be returning to Disney World and Disneyland

Check out Disney’s announcement video below.

Of course, keep in mind that rules and regulations are subject to change at any time, particularly as the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change and develop.

Want to learn more about COVID-19 and changes that have been made in the parks or could be made in the future? Check out our links below:

• Learn about the Omicron variant and Disney World
• See travel restrictions related to Omicron
• Learn about the BA.2 Omicron subvariant
• See the latest on Disney World’s face mask policy

We’ll be in the parks to provide you with all the updates you need to know, so be sure to check back with us for more news!

Click here to see about another COVID-19 change that is quietly going back to “normal” in Disney World

Are you excited for traditional face-to-face meet-and-greets to return! Tell us in the comments!