For many Disney fans, meeting beloved characters remains one of the most reliable traditions in the company’s theme parks and vacation experiences.
Whether you're at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim or Shanghai Disneyland in China, guests routinely queue for the chance to greet everyone from Mickey Mouse to Encanto‘s Mirabel.
That formula has defined Disney character meet-and-greets for decades. Occasionally, however, Disney experiments with the format.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, character interactions changed dramatically across the company’s theme parks. Close contact disappeared almost overnight, replaced by distant photo opportunities and spontaneous character appearances.
At EPCOT, Winnie the Pooh wandered grassy areas pretending to catch butterflies while guests snapped photos from afar.
Meanwhile, flotillas floated down Discovery River at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, carrying characters such as Pocahontas, Goofy, and Pluto — allowing guests to see them safely from the shoreline.
In the years that followed, most of those pandemic-era changes disappeared.
Traditional meet-and-greets returned across Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney destinations worldwide. Guests once again lined up for hugs, handshakes, and photos with characters.
But this week, Disney quietly revived a version of that distant-photo concept — and the response has been mixed.
Disney Ditches Traditional Meet-and-Greets for Selfies
Guests expecting the usual meet-and-greet experience recently discovered something different.
Instead of the traditional one-on-one interaction, some reservations now only allow visitors to take photos with characters from a distance.
The experience is officially called “Selfies at Sea.”
Princess selfies are also being held several times today ✨👑
This time with Jasmine, Rapunzel, and Snow WhiteApp listing: 【Selfies at Sea: Disney Royals】
Disney Adventure
プリンセスのセルフィーも今日は数回開催✨👑
この時はジャスミン、ラプンツェル、白雪姫アプリ表記は【Selfies at Sea: Disney
Royals】ディズニーアドベンチャー https://t.co/s9xYB8xntn pic.twitter.com/YnQYj8MLMw
— Hitomi (@Ratatouille30) March 14, 2026
Guests still book a dedicated time slot — typically lasting 15 or 30 minutes — but the format no longer includes a full meet-and-greet with individual conversations or posed portraits.
Instead, visitors take quick selfies from a short distance before moving on.
Several variations of the experience are available.
Some slots focus on specific characters, while others feature broader groups. The “Disney Royals” event gathers a rotating selection of princesses.
Another option, called “Disney Pals,” includes characters from the Fab Five — Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy.
The approach mirrors the distanced character interactions Disney introduced during the pandemic.
For guests accustomed to traditional meet-and-greets, however, the shift has come as a surprise.
Where the Change Is Happening
The update is currently taking place aboard Disney’s newest cruise ship.
The Disney Adventure departed Singapore earlier this week on its maiden voyage, marking the latest expansion of the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
Like many new Disney experiences, the ship has encountered a few early operational hiccups.
Guests have reported frustration securing timed shopping slots for onboard merchandise locations. Others have taken to social media to complain about the ship’s mattresses — or the perceived lack of them.
Character meet-and-greets quickly became another topic of discussion.
During the ship’s first sailing, guests could reserve advance time slots to meet characters including Duffy, Moana, and Captain Jack Sparrow.
Those reservations initially functioned like traditional Disney meet-and-greets. However, they also proved problematic, with many unable to secure a slot and instead locked out of meeting their favorite characters.
By the second sailing, however, the structure had changed to the new “Selfies at Sea” format.
The Disney Adventure itself is a unique addition to the fleet.
The vessel is the first Disney Cruise Line ship based in Singapore. It also has an unusual origin story, as Disney purchased the partially completed ship from Genting Hong Kong and redesigned it.
Aboard the ship, guests can explore seven themed areas: Disney Discovery Reef, Toy Story Place, Wayfinder Bay, Marvel Landing, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, and Disney Imagination Garden.
Marvel Landing includes Ironcycle Test Run, Disney’s first roller coaster at sea, alongside attractions such as Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin.
The ship also has a notable godparent.
Robert Downey Jr. — known for portraying Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — christened the Disney Adventure during a ceremony earlier this month.
For now, it remains unclear whether “Selfies at Sea” will become a permanent part of the experience.
If demand for character interactions shifts, Disney may eventually restore traditional meet-and-greets aboard the ship. Until then, guests hoping for a hug from Mickey Mouse may have to settle for a selfie instead.
