(CNN) – Of the many safety measures Disney Parks have had to take to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most difficult has to have been to require guests to keep a six-foot distance from the costumed characters. At least emotionally.
For kids (or kids at heart), running into the waiting arms of Mickey Mouse and other beloved characters had been such an impulsive and fundamental part of the experience. Hanging back can be tough.
But finally, hugs at US Disney properties are on the horizon again.
As early as April 18, Disney will “begin the reintroduction of traditional character salutes at Disneyland (in California) and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as aboard Disney Cruise Line and at Aulani Resort in Hawaii,” according to a new post Thursday on the Official Disney Parks Blog.
At close range
Are you ready to get up close and personal with a Stormtrooper from the Star Wars universe? That time is coming soon for US Disney properties.
Patrick T. Fallon/BloombergGetty Images/
Getting autographs, taking up-close photos, and just laughing face-to-face with characters like Mulan and Goofy will all come back on the table.
Disney has a new YouTube video celebrating the upcoming change, with lots of hugs and high-fives being shared.
It’s all part of lifting the coronavirus restrictions – both at Disney parks and across the United States as a whole.
“Over the past two years, we’ve taken a very incremental, deliberate approach to health and safety protocols,” Shawn Slater, senior communications manager at Disney Live Entertainment, wrote on the blog.
“Recent trends and guides have given us an opportunity to bring back some of our most popular spells like character greetings and dining experiences. While not all locations will be available immediately, we anticipate a phased reopening in spring and early summer.”
What else is coming back
It’s not just character interactions that will return later this spring.
At Disneyland, California, guests can look forward to the return of several nighttime extravaganzas, including:
• “Disneyland Forever”
• “Fantastic!”
• Main Street Electrical Parade, celebrating its 50th anniversary
• “World of Colors”
Fireworks at sea and Broadway-style shows return on Disney Cruise Line ships.
At Walt Disney World in Florida, shows like Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire have already returned.
Hotels on site
All on-site resorts are open at Walt Disney World, including PopCentury.
Disney
Local accommodation is also recovering.
For the first time since March 2020, “all Disney Resort Hotels that are part of the Disney Resorts Collection at Walt Disney World” are open in Florida, according to another Disney Parks blog post Thursday.
Remaining Security Measures
Disney is still not 100% back to pre-pandemic operations. Take face masks for example.
They are optional for fully vaccinated outdoor and indoor guests. Disney is asking that visitors who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear face masks in all indoor spaces.
And on Disney buses and monorails, face coverings are still required for all visitors ages 2 and older. You can click here to view the latest security updates.
Shanghai Disneyland closed
As things continue to open up in the United States, Disney has theme parks around the world. And everyone has to react to local conditions.
China, a region of the world that has had few spikes during the pandemic, has seen a sharp rise in cases as the BA.2 variant swept through the country.
It’s a reminder that parkgoers must be prepared to adapt to changing conditions, even two years into the pandemic.
Pictured above: Mickey Mouse poses with visitors at Disneyland in Anaheim, California before the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jae C Hong)