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 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.

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. 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

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 more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

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.

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

The post BREAKING: DATE Announced for When You Can HUG Disney Characters Again in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog.