Don’t expect a hug from Mickey, Goofy and other costumed characters when Disneyland reopens
Disneyland will change the familiar meet-andgreet photo opportunities with princesses, superheroes and villains to socially distanced wave-and-play impromptu moments when the Anaheim theme parks return after a yearlong coronavirus closure.
New physical distancing rules will mean theme park visitors won’t be able to hug Mickey Mouse, high-five Goofy or dance with Cinderella when Disneyland and Disney California Adventure return April 30.
California Adventure previewed the wave-and-play moments during food festival A Touch of Disney, with Goofy fishing from a balcony behind the Pacific Wharf food court and Mickey and Minnie waving at passing visitors from the Silly Symphony Swings ride platform. The goal: Keep visitors and characters safely separated in the age of coronavirus while allowing for “surprise and delight” photo moments.
Not all characters will be in the parks every day, and the wave-and-play moments could change over time. Here’s what to expect from character interactions when the parks return.
Disneyland
MAIN STREET, U.S.A. » Mickey Mouse and other classic Disney characters will wave from the steps of the Disneyland Railroad station.
ROYAL THEATRE » Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, Mulan and other princesses will strike poses and wave from the stage of the Fantasyland outdoor theater.
SMALL WORLD TERRACE » Alice in Wonderland and other characters interact with visitors from the parade viewing areas near It’s a Small World.
NEW ORLEANS SQUARE » Tiana and Redd the pirate will interact with visitors from the 21 Royal balcony and above Pirates of the Caribbean. Watch for Captain Jack Sparrow up on the balconies of New Orleans Square.
MICKEY’S TOONTOWN » Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Chip ’n Dale will wave from a safe distance in front of their Disneyland homes and the Toontown gazebo. ZOCALO PARK » Miguel from “Coco” will be dressed in mariachi finery near the Rancho del Zocalo restaurant in Frontierland.
STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE » Rey, Chewbacca and Vi Moradi will appear on the platforms above the Black Spire Outpost speeder garage. Kylo Ren and First Order Stormtroopers will patrol the TIE Echelon landing platform.
Disney California Adventure
BUENA VISTA STREET » Mickey Mouse and others will wave hello and welcome back visitors near the Carthay Fountain. HOLLYWOOD BACKLOT STAGE » Marvel superheroes Black Widow, Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man and Black Panther and the Dora Milaje will strike heroic poses in Hollywood Land.
CARS LAND » Mater, Lightning McQueen and Red the fire truck will appear along Route 66 in Radiator Springs.
PIXAR PIER » Woody, Jessie, Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy, Sadness and other Pixar characters will wave and pose from the bandshell stage.
DISNEY JUNIOR THEATER » Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and other Disney Junior characters will interact with visitors from the indoor stage in Hollywood Land.
PARADISE GARDENS PARK » Police officer bunny Judy Hopps and con artist fox Nick Wilde from “Zootopia” will patrol the food court area.