Storms Could Put Damper on Character Meet and Greets’ Big Return

On April 18, The Walt Disney World Resort will reinstate its normal, hug-friendly character meet and greets. After almost two full years, the social distance will finally be removed, and Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be filled with more pre-pandemic magic.

In anticipation, Disney Fanatics appear to have marked off the day, claiming almost every single Theme Park Reservation for Theme Park Ticket holders, Select Resort Hotel Guests, and Annual Passholders.

Read More: Character Hugs Return! Disney Shares Info on Normal Meet and Greets

However, all Guests looking to visit their favorite Disney character on Easter Monday should be aware that rain is also expected to visit The Most Magical Place On Earth that day and could inhibit the Meet and Greets’ full return.

According to Weather.com, there is a 70% chance of rain with “scattered thunderstorms in the morning” and more likely in the afternoon.

Read More: Disney World Weather Update: Rainy Easter Weekend Ahead

While the exact details of how Disney plans on reviving the traditional character meet and greets are still vague, many fans would remember Magic Kingdom mornings filled with meet and greet opportunities in Main Street, U.S.A.’s Town Square, and Fantasyland–before the crowds get too dense and the Central Florida air got too hot. Other Parks like EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom also offer several Meet and Greet opportunities in the open air around World Showcase and the Tree of Life with only a limited amount of indoor opportunities.

But while Marie and Pluto might not be able to return to Town Square, and Alice and the Mad Hatter might not be able to attend their Mad Tea Party, Mickey Mouse will still be in the Town Square Theater, and the Disney Princesses will still be ready to greet Guests at the Princess Fairytale Hall.

If the rains do come to Disney World, they will most likely delay or even cancel all outdoor meet and greet opportunities that Cast Members cannot move indoors. We at Disney Fanatic want to advise all of our readers planning to be one of the first to hug their favorite Disney character to be aware of this possibility and have a backup plan.

We will keep an eye on the weather and official Disney World updates, and we will notify our readers of any developments regarding the character meet and greets as any come to light.