Disney has officially announced that this April the social distancing requirements will no longer be enforced for Character Meet and Greets! The projected requirements “relaxation date” may be as early as April 18, but is subject to change. What does this mean? You can once again hug Mickey, high five Tigger, and run to Elsa. This is huge news, and another piece of the pre pandemic world that we’ve been waiting to be restored. When Disney reopened after being closed in 2020 for roughly four months due to the high COVID-19 numbers, The Walt Disney World Company took extra precautions to keep their guests safe and healthy. Temperature check-ins, limited capacity, and social distancing are phrases we all became familiar with in the last two years. Disney is only interested in spreading Disney Magic, smiles, laughs, and memories, and in another effort to keep their guests safe, they enforced a six feet distance restriction between their guests and our favorite Disney characters. Upon park reopening, Meet and Greets were conducted behind a velvet rope that our favorite Characters would stand behind and guests were able to capture a selfie with Mickey and Minnie, or wave to Pooh. We were excited to be near the ones that help our imaginations soar, but it is safe to say that Disney World goers were definitely missing their Mickey hugs! Six feet never felt so far apart, and now little dreamers everywhere can truly “meet” the stars that bring their favorite stories to life.
While the restriction is set to drop at Disney World, Disneyland, The Disney Cruise, and Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa as early as April 18, Disney wants to make sure that all of their guests are comfortable and do what’s best for their family. Individuals and families may choose to keep the six feet distance for their Meet and Greets, if that is what is desired.
Disney is excited to help you and yours embrace these special moments again, and we are now firm believers in the quote, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.”
