No one can put a smile on our face quite like the Disney characters. Walking into Disney’s Animal Kingdom to be greeted by Kevin reminds us just how FUN it is to make new friends, and chatting with Princess Snow White in EPCOT always cheers us up. Whether it’s your first visit to the parks or your 100th trip to the Magic Kingdom, every character interaction is a little different, and that’s what makes it so much fun!
We’ve got some EXCITING news!
As the parks slowly start to bring back more dining, shows, and other experiences, some of Disney’s previous restrictions have been lifted. Today, we’re excited to welcome a beloved experience back to Disney World. Let’s take a look! (Warning: if you tend to cry at the beginning of Up or tear up during the fireworks, you might want to grab some tissues…this is about to get emotional)
For a while, guests were only able to wave hello to the characters from a distance. In some locations, you had to stand back and look up to see Mickey, while other locations used ropes and barriers to make sure everyone was a safe distance apart.
You could see Mickey and pals up at the Main Street Train Station!
Slowly, the meet and greet process went back to normal, with characters like Queen Anna and Elsa moving back to their indoor meet and greet location earlier in 2022.
Anna and Elsa must have told the guards to open up the gates!
Starting today, April 18th, traditional character meet and greets are BACK in Disney World!
Let’s go hug Mickey!
Now, guests can meet their favorite Disney friends without any social distancing barriers or restrictions! And to answer the million-dollar question, yes, you can now HUG Mickey Mouse.
🚨Hugs! Hugs! Hugs!🚨
Did we make it clear enough you can HUG characters again?? 🤗
This also means you can get autographs too! ✍️
Hopefully Mickey has been practicing 👀 pic.twitter.com/UGKJNR8b9U
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 18, 2022
Additionally, characters can sign autographs once again; bring your autograph book and your favorite novelty pen!
You can get autographs again!
It’s been a LONG time since we’ve experienced a true character meet and greet. We’re so happy they’re back!
We finally got to hug Mickey!
Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news and park updates!
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Is character dining back also? Or if not, any idea when it might be?
😭 thanks for the update. Great news. Along time coming. Can’t wait to hug all the characters. We will be there in September. Thanks dfb for sharing the good news.😄
So glad this is back! We are going in November after two cancelled trips due to COVID
Can you hug characters at dining too?
That woman hugging Mickey looked like she was having an incredible emotional moment.
Aww this brings tears of happiness to my eyes!!
What about dinning experiences inside Magic Kingdom? Are they back? Is the princesses back at The Royal Table? Crystal Palace? BOG?
Omg loved seeing your hug with Mickey, looks like he missed hugs as much as you
Hi Camila! At this time we can confirm that traditional character dining (autographs and hugs!) is back at Chef Mickey’s and Garden Grill. We are keeping an eye on the others.
Hi Rita, as of right now we can confirm that traditional character dining Meet and Greets are back in full swing at Chef Mickey’s and Garden Grill. We are keeping an eye on the others.