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.
You may see fewer characters the next time you are at Disney World. They are reportedly cutting several meet and greet opportunities. Check out who is rumored to be cut.
A shortage of Cast Members
Due to the historic park closure in 2020, Disney World let go of a very large percentage of its Cast Members. No one knew how long the closure would last, and Disney did not want to keep all of its work force. As a result, when the parks were ready to reopen Disney had to go on a hiring spree to get new Cast Members.
Demand for Disney returned very quickly, but the company is still not able to meet that demand. Cast Member shortages have likely been the reason for why some restaurants, shops, and entertainment options remain closed.
Now, it may be the reason why you will not see as many characters during your next visit to Disney World.
Cutting Characters
Disney is rumored to do away with several character meet and greet opportunities in the coming days. Starting October 23, you may not be able to see Minnie Mouse at Town Square Theater or at the Epcot International Gateway. What’s Mickey without Minnie?! It was so cute meeting them together in their 50th anniversary outfits at Magic Kingdom. Now it will just be Mickey again.
Donald, Daisy, and Max at Hollywood Studios are also rumored to leave. Donald and Daisy typically greet guests from a balcony as you enter the park. Max usually hangs out at Tower of Terror as you enter the hotel. It makes sense to do away with these distanced opportunities.
With Fantasmic! and Akershus returning next month, more performers will be needed to fill those roles. It seems Disney is shuffling Cast Members around to meet demand in other areas. Fantasmic! requires dozens of performers, and Akershus is a princess meal. The shortage may also explain why Fantasmic! is potentially only going to be performed on weekends only.
There are also many anticipated meet and greets that may not return. Disney announced the return of Toy Story Land characters by October 2, but they are not back. Ariel has her own dedicated meeting space at Magic Kingdom, but it remains closed. Finally, Pete’s Silly Sideshow is completely empty with no character opportunities inside.
Treat this as a rumor until Disney confirms. Let us know if you are in the parks and notice any additional character meet changes.
What do you think of Disney reducing the number of character meets? Please let us know in the comments below and on social media.
H/T: wdwmagic
Share the love!
J Sutton
Saturday 22nd of October 2022
I won’t be paying a premium price for a watered down Disney experience. Much more bang for the buck going to resorts overseas. My family has loved Disney in the past to the tune of over $20,000 spent on park trips through the years. I don’t see us going back any time soon.
Elizabeth Weninger
Saturday 22nd of October 2022
Keep the characters. It is what makes the Parke different from other parks.
Michele
Wednesday 19th of October 2022
They need to pay their employees a competitive wage if they want to keep them or hire more. They can work at Amazon, fast food restaurants, almost anywhere for more than Disney pays.
Eloni
Wednesday 19th of October 2022
that's sad. You can bet the plan is to make more people go to vastly overpriced character dining with mediocre food if they want to see the characters.
Dorothy
Wednesday 19th of October 2022
They should keep Minnie at Town Square with Mickey. Especially for the 50th anniversary.