Mickey Mouse will soon be able to hug again.
For nearly two years, costumed characters at U.S. Disney parks have kept their distance from visitors because of the pandemic. They haven’t been able to give hugs, sign autographs or interact up close with fans.
That will change in a few weeks when the parks reintroduce traditional character greetings. As soon as mid-April, personal interaction between visitors and costumed characters will be allowed again at Disneyland in California, at Walt Disney World in Florida and on Disney cruises, the company said late last week in a blog post.
The parks closed because of the coronavirus in spring 2020. After they reopened that summer, costumed characters could only wave from a distance in the parks or in parades. Last fall, the parks allowed the costumed characters to return to locations around the parks for individualized meet-ups with visitors, but they were only allowed to greet visitors and have their photos taken from a distance.
