Character Hugs Reportedly Return to Disney Park – Here’s the Catch

While Disney Parks and resorts, like Disneyland and Disney World, continue to hold socially distanced character interactions, that does not appear to be the case anymore at the Disneyland Paris Resort!

Shared by Disneyland Paris insider @DLPReport, photos show Guests enjoying a normal Character Meet’ n Greet. Finally, after two years, they can hug their beloved characters again.

Check it out:

📍Character hugs and closer contact are once again allowed at Disneyland Paris: pic.twitter.com/6I2nBpdTYv

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) March 3, 2022

Fans replied to this tweet elated, but what stands out most to this reporter are the comments from parents who can finally watch their young children have a complete experience with their favorite characters.

One mother said,

“I am so so pleased for my little girls. The hugs were the best part for their first two trips, they’ve been banned the last two and they’ve coped but missed it a lot. They are 6 now and I’m so happy they get the chance to hug again while they believe.”

I am so so pleased for my little girls
The hugs were the best part for their first two trips, they’ve been banned the last two and they’ve coped but missed it a lot. They are 6 now and I’m so happy they get the chance to hug again while they believe

— Sarah Giles (@sarah7memexxx) March 3, 2022

This news comes after Disney Fanatic reported an incident at the Disneyland Resort in California where a Cast Member rushed a little girl as she attempted to give Winnie the Pooh a hug. Click below to read our full coverage:

Read More: Cast Member Blocks Little Girl’s Hug for Winnie the Pooh, Gets Backlash

Disneyland Paris also recently ended all mask mandates for both Guests and Cast Members at both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

It seems as if a normal Disney Park experience is returning just in time for Disneyland Paris’ 30th Anniversary Celebration, right? Well, there is still a catch.

Vaccine Pass and/or Health Pass Required for Disneyland Paris

Depending upon the Guest’s age, a Vaccine Pass or Health Pass is required for entry to the Disneyland Paris Resort.

While Guests can technically visit France without being what is currently recognized as “fully vaccinated,” President Emmanuel Macron’s government has made Vaccine Passes–which confirms one’s “fully vaccinated” status–a requirement in order to be allowed to participate in leisure activities like visiting Disneyland Paris for those 16 and older. The requirement remains in effect despite substantial evidence proving “fully-vaccinated” people can still contract COVID-19.

Disneyland Paris has the following disclaimer on its website:

In line with French government guidance, face masks are no longer required but remain recommended at Disneyland Paris as of March 2 for experiences such as our parade and nighttime spectacular “Disney Illuminations”.

Guests aged 16 years old and above need to present a Vaccine Pass to enter Disneyland Paris. Find out more information about Vaccine Pass and what qualifies as being considered fully vaccinated here.

For Guests aged between 12 and 15 years old, a Health Pass remains required to enter Disneyland Paris. Find out more information about a Health Pass and vaccination or testing requirements for guests aged 12 to 15 here.

Disneyland Paris outlines a Vaccine Pass as the following:

Proof of full vaccination (as defined by the French regulations) OR
– a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 (the result of a positive RT-PCR or Antigen test dated at least 11 days and less than 4months); OR
– a certificate of vaccine contraindications (the result of severe allergic reaction or other medical justification for incomplete vaccination) OR
– a proof of commitment to a complete vaccination scheme, with 3 cumulative conditions of validity as follows: first dose received before February 15, 2022, second dose required at most 4 weeks later, and a negative PCR or antigen test less than 24 hours old to access Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris outlines a Health Pass as the following:

Proof of full vaccination (as defined by the French regulations) OR
– a negative PCR or Antigen test within the last 24 hours OR
– a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 (the result of a positive RT-PCR or Antigen test dated at least 11 days and less than 4 months).

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California–which hosts Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure–, and the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida–which hosts Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom–dropped mask mandates before Disneyland Paris for “fully vaccinated” Guests. However, no vaccination status checks have been implemented.

Still, seeing Disney Park Guests hugging characters again could be a signal of hope for things to come at the other Theme Parks and Resorts around the world.