The Riverside Press-Enterprise
At some parks, you can hug Mickey again
Not Disneyland, though, where pandemic rules continue to keep characters and guests apart
It’s been two years since Disneyland visitors have been able to hug Winnie the Pooh, high-five Chip and Dale or strike a royal pose with Cinderella, as Disney characters continue to maintain a safe physical distance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But that could change at the Anaheim theme park, as Disneyland Paris and the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel at Walt Disney World have begun allowing up-close interactions between characters and visitors.
Disneyland, Disney World and other Disney theme parks around the world have used socially distanced selfie spots to keep characters and visitors at least 6 feet apart since reopening after extended coronavirus closures. Disney parks also used playful character sightings in out-of-the-way locations to keep even more distance between fans and characters.
COVID-19 health and safety protocols no longer require Disneyland Paris visitors to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from Disney characters, according to DLP Report.
Social media posts show Disneyland Paris visitors once again hugging Goofy, Donald Duck and Winnie the Pooh.
The official Disneyland Paris website still says close character interactions — including hugs — remain temporarily suspended, and traditional character meetand-greet photo ops remain temporarily unavailable.
Face mask requirements were lifted at Disneyland Paris last week, according to WDW News Today. Disneyland Paris visitors still need to present proof of full vaccination status to enter its parks.
The new Galactic Starcruiser hotel next to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened March 1 with upclose character interactions.
Passengers aboard the Halcyon — the space cruise ship at the heart of the three-day, twonight immersive storytelling experience — have been interacting with 15 “Star Wars” characters without maintaining 6 feet of physical distance, according to WDW News Today.
Visitors to Disney World’s four theme parks are still not allowed to get within 6 feet of Disney, Pixar and “Star Wars” characters for photographs, autographs, high-fives or hugs.
When will up-close character meet-and-greet photo ops return to Disneyland?
Physically distanced character interactions are not changing right now at the Disneyland Resort and are unlikely to happen anytime soon. Each Disney theme park location around the world has its own set of COVID-19 health and safety protocols based on local government mandates.
Character meet-and-greets at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure continue to remain temporarily unavailable, according to the Disneyland website.
Character interaction locations like the Fantasy Faire Royal Hall (Disney princesses) and Pixie Hollow
(Tinker Bell) remain closed. Mickey and Minnie’s houses have been closed for character meetand-greets and are expected to remain shuttered until 2023 as Mickey’s Toontown undergoes a major renovation. Mickey’s House has been used as a $350 private party location during the past few months.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure lifted face mask requirements in mid-february. Disneyland encourages visitors to get vaccinated but does not require proof of full vaccination status to enter its Anaheim theme parks.
Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said during a recent interview that bringing back traditional character interactions remains a major milestone.
“We’re optimistic that the character experience is going to get back to a new normal,” Potrock said in late February. “Many of the things that we did with the characters standing behind you and social distancing — a lot of that worked. But that’s not the only way we want to have people interact with characters. That will be a big milestone change as we go forward.”
Disney CFO Christine Mccarthy said character meet-andgreets at Disney theme parks will be returning “soon” during the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference earlier this week.