Character Meets

[Reimondo]

How would they handle that now, since that’s one of the biggest things at the parks? It’s gonna feel weird not being able to hug Chip and Dale anymore for the time being.

[Eagleman]

How would they handle that now, since that’s one of the biggest things at the parks? It’s gonna feel weird not being able to hug Chip and Dale anymore for the time being.

Good point.....and SAD.......
specially for the little ones
back in 1959 my first time at Disneyland
I was able see MICKEY MOUSE in person , that that was my big highlight !

[Spongeocto4]

Meet & Greets could still be possible, as a percentage of the characters are "masked". Whether they can do that with PPE standards, is another question.

'Face' Characters are not going be part of future meet & greets, though. It's possible that they could appear in a non-stop cavalcade, similar to the rainy day version. Or if parades do get greenlit(with social distancing strongly enforced) could we see a possible return of the 'snow globe bubbles' on the parade floats?

[Spongeocto4]

Update: Hong Kong has resumed characters meals at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. Guests can not touch or hug the characters.

Which characters are appearing is not mention. My guess is the 'masked' ones.

Post EDIT: It appears it just Mickey & Friends(Minnie, Pluto and Goofy, who still has a job, jcruise86).

[Spongeocto4]

Another source report, with photos that show Mickey & Minnie clearly ignoring the 'no hugs' policy and social distancing rules.

[Reimondo]

Good point.....and SAD.......
specially for the little ones
back in 1959 my first time at Disneyland
I was able see MICKEY MOUSE in person , that that was my big highlight !

Gonna feel bad for the children, but for me? I’ve never shook hands or hugged any of the characters.

[Eagleman]

Gonna feel bad for the children, but for me? I’ve never shook hands or hugged any of the characters.

I have to say ,
A special time ,even in my old age
It always nice to get a hugged from a Disney character !
it makes the day..........

I feel sad for today Kids of all ages !

[Stormy]

M&G have never been my 'thing', but I know others (of all ages) love them.

They're going to have to change how they do them but I have no idea of what would work. I guess they'd could turn into 'no touch' photo-ops. Stand next to but not touching, snap goes PhotoPass, then move along.

I think the princesses already wear gloves and I suppose they could wear fancy masks. But the costumes (face and fur) would (IMO) be real 'carriers' of contagion and it would be impossible to 'spray them down' with disinfectant between guests.

[merlinjones]

Princesses should not wear face masks -- breaks the illusion - better they stay quarantined in their castles in the clouds.

[Stormy]

Princesses should not wear face masks -- breaks the illusion - better they stay quarantined in their castles in the clouds.

I see where you're coming from. But what a good way to get children to be compliant in wearing them. After all, if a Disney Princess, Peter Pan, Gaston, or the rest wear a mask then lots of little people may just follow!

Sometimes there are good reason for breaking the illusions. And sometimes the reality will become the illusion given enough time and encouragement.

[Mr Wiggins]

[sorry, wrong thread]

[merlinjones]

Maybe I should just get a fresh copy of "Disneyland Showtime" and stick with what I know...

Oh, yeah, they won't release or restore those shows. Checkmate!

[Spongeocto4]

More details of how Disney plans to bring the characters back in Shanghai Disneyland. Note: These plans may or may not be implemented stateside:

Per WDW News Today

With meet-and-greets temporarily suspended due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, characters will be seen in a special procession called Mickey and Friends Express, which will take place several times daily.

To preserve the story of the park, face characters, such as Disney Princesses, will not wear masks, so they must be kept at a safe distance from guests.

Elsewhere in the park, characters will make appearances in groups throughout the park’s lands to welcome guests back to Shanghai Disneyland.

I would not surprised if TDA brought the character calvacade back, with show stops removed. Though, I don't think we will see face characters in DLR for a long time.

[tarheelalum]

I think the character meets are done and probably characters in general will be on the chopping block. Plus characters are an added expense to park operations and Disney management is always looking to save a buck and what better excuse to get rid of that expense than a virus.

[sailor310]

Princesses should not wear face masks -- breaks the illusion - better they stay quarantined in their castles in the clouds.

Princess Jasmine could wear a mask. Just call it a veil.

[bayouguy]

Disney could bring back the opening day character costumes...no one would want to get close to them...

[JerrodDRagon]

They will be back but for the next year-year and a half doesn't make sense to have them

[Belushi87]

i know that meeting the characters is a highlight for most people while in the park especially its if its your first time, but if you go there on a regular basis like once a year or every couple of years, meeting them becomes old. i think people who've already met the characters in the past are probably thinking about not wanting to meet them again on their next trip due to not wanting to get close to them and/or because they've already met them before.

[MrGoat]

Disney could bring back the opening day character costumes...no one would want to get close to them...

LOL so true...

I don't line up for M&Gs, but I do love it when I meet them strolling around. I'll miss that!