Recently, character interactions at Disney FINALLY began returning to normal.
Since the parks reopened after the 2020 closures, the COVID-19 protocol has made getting close to ANY Disney characters all but impossible (unless you love Star Wars and have deep pockets!) Today we’ve been DELIGHTED to see the return of hugs, autographs, & personal connections with the characters. Now, we’re hitting another HUGE milestone on the road back to “normal,” because traditional character dining is BACK!
When Disney told us that character interactions would be returning to pre-closure conditions, the company also hinted that character dining would be changing as well, though precise details on exactly when or how weren’t actually given. Now that distancing requirements, hug bans, and the no-autograph rule have been lifted, we are SO EXCITED to see how those up-close-and-personal interactions will enhance our character dining experiences. So, of course, we headed over to Chef Mickey’s to rub elbows with the Fab 5!
While these characters have been present for modified character meals for a while now, they haven’t been able to come very close to guests. You could still interact with them and take distanced photos, but the characters didn’t stop at your table for hugs, photos, and autographs as they did pre-closure. The situation had been pretty similar at other character meals, like Tusker House and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Now that it has all changed, we’re here to check it out!
Chef Mickey’s is the quintessential Disney character meal, located at the Contemporary Resort, just a quick walk or monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom. The restaurant currently serves both breakfast and dinner family-style, with a crowd-pleasing (though not particularly inventive) American cuisine-focused menu.
Beyond the convenient location and palatable food, a dining reservation at Chef Mickey’s also gives you the sought-after opportunity to meet the Fab 5! Mickey… Minnie… Donald… Goofy… and Pluto!
So much cute! 🥺
Checking in on character dining 🍽👀 at Chef Mickey’s! pic.twitter.com/mP34v7DYYE
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 18, 2022
While dining there today for breakfast, we spotted the characters taking photos with guests, interacting up close, and just creating some magical memories in general. It’s a special day!
Now that hugs and one-on-one photos have returned, this hard-to-get reservation will likely be even more coveted.
We are SO glad to see these more intimate character experiences FINALLY make their return. We will be closely following this developing story as more meet-and-greets and character meals return to pre-COVID, pro-hug circumstances. Be sure to follow along with DFB for all the latest updates, announcements, and more!
See where Chef Mickey’s ranks among other Disney character meals here!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
Did you miss hugging the characters at Disney? Let us know in the comments.
TRENDING NOW

The copyright on Mickey Mouse expires in a few years. What does that mean for...

In this all new DFB video, we're talking about how you can help make your...

Magic Kingdom is unlike any other Disney World park for many reasons -- but this...

Even though the upcoming fireworks show at EPCOT is said to be one of biggest...

In this all new DFB Video, we're breaking down some Disney World SECRETS.

Disney World confirms that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will utilize the Individual Attraction...

MagicBand+ arrived early at Disney World!

We're sharing some of our favorite Disney World 50th Anniversary recipes...or are we?

We're breaking down exactly how to purchase Disney Genie+ in Disney World. Find out more...

Disney World just announced the full schedule for the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Garden...

Are you planning your very first trip to Disney World? We get it -- it's...

We've got the full list of rides and attractions that will be available for Disney...

We've got a complete list of ALL the rides in Disney World that will be...

From new restaurant hot spots to tried-and-true classics that only get better with age, consider...

ALL of the Minnie Ears released by Disney in 2021!

We're breaking down the secret drink menu at Disney California Adventure's Lamplight Lounge!

There's a Disney World resort hotel out there for everybody, but they may not always...

Prices have been revealed for the pay-per-ride system coming to Disney World.

Confused about the new paid FastPass+ system, Disney Genie+? We're breaking down how to use...

Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival is NOW OPEN and we're bringing you the BEST of...
Leave a Reply