Skip to Content

Disney Updates How Characters will Appear in the Parks

Disney Updates How Characters will Appear in the Parks


For a stress-free Disney or Universal Studios vacation, let the FREE expert planners at Royal Carriage Vacations take care of every detail including dining reservations, applying discounts, and onboard cruise credit.


Walt Disney World continues to share information regarding their phased reopening. Early on we reported that a phased reopening would not include character meet and greets, parades, and nighttime entertainment. Walt Disney World is now revealing small glimpses of how they may be sharing some of the magic of Disney while also maintaining social distancing protocols.

Limited Entertainment

The Walt Disney World website confirms that the following will not be available during the initial reopening:

  • Parades and nighttime spectaculars
  • Character Greetings
  • Playgrounds

The temporary suspension of these Guest’s favorites are still hard to hear, but we had reported that they would be canceled. Read all about this HERE.

Character Processionals

Although guests may not be able to enjoy the Character Meet and Greets and Disney entertainment, the favorite Disney characters will still be on the scene to sprinkle Disney magic to guests both young and young at heart.

The Disney World website shares:

“Our Characters will still be in the parks to entertain and delight our Guests. Additionally, you’ll be able to experience many favorite attractions and dozens of entertainment offerings.”

The special Character Processionals will include the following:

  • Special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom park parade route
  • Friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park
  • Processionals along World Showcase promenade at Epcot
  • Motorcades on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

“Each area will come to life throughout the day. You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!”

Silver Lining

I remember an interview with Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek, where he shared that although Walt Disney World would look a bit different there would be a “silver lining” with special Guest experiences.

This may be one of these silver linings. We are unsure of the frequency of these Character interactions and Walt Disney World shares, “some experiences may be modified, limited in capacity, and subject to availability or closure.”

Character Processionals at Shanghai

As Shanghai Disneyland was the first Disney Park to reopen, we saw many of the safety protocols that Walt Disney World is reporting during the phased reopening of Shanghai. One of these includes the use of Character Processionals in place of Character interactions, parades, and fireworks.

Although this is not the same as getting to hug Mickey Mouse, it is still nice that Guests will be able to see some of there favorite pals and maybe even some rare characters.

What do you think of the Character processionals? Do you think it may be a bit confusing for young Guests to keep a respectful distance from their favorite Characters? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook Page.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Ryan

Friday 19th of June 2020

As much I would applaud Disney for these safe alternatives, I hope by the time I’m now going next September(instead of May), I’m keeping my fingers crossed for regular character meets to resume at that time so guests like myself would have the chance to pose, high five, handshake, and hug some of our friends again(excuse me for my weird language, with the last part)

TAMMY HERNANDEZ

Friday 19th of June 2020

Disney has list their minds over a virus that has a 99.8% survival rate absolute morons. Nothing should change people should just be required to sign a wavier.

Heather

Friday 19th of June 2020

I would say probably not sense that would require you handing them something to sign and sign with. Maybe they could pre sign some cards to hand out as an alternative

Robert Martino

Friday 19th of June 2020

I think that would qualify as a meet and greet so I would think not unfortunately. It would compromise their goal of social distancing.

Matthew Montada

Friday 19th of June 2020

Will we still be able to get autographs from the characters or no?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.