Is Disney Parks planning to replace characters with puppets for the parades and marionette style characters for meet and greets?

[DodgerGirl]

I heard that Disney Parks are going to make changes to the characters by replacing the characters that perform in the parades with puppets and I would like to know if it is true? I also heard that Disney Parks are developing a safer version of the character meet and greets by replacing the character actors with plush versions of Disney Characters that will be like marionettes and kids will be able to hug and get autographs from these characters in a safe manner and about the only characters that will remain are the face characters like the princesses. To me this seems like a smart idea that Disney will begin to do because a lot of kids like to meet the characters and since they cannot meet the actual characters at this time this idea would be a good alternative if it were to work
What's your view on this?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I heard that Disney Parks are going to make changes to the characters by replacing the characters that perform in the parades with puppets and I would like to know if it is true? I also heard that Disney Parks are developing a safer version of the character meet and greets by replacing the character actors with plush versions of Disney Characters that will be like marionettes and kids will be able to hug and get autographs from these characters in a safe manner and about the only characters that will remain are the face characters like the princesses. To me this seems like a smart idea that Disney will begin to do because a lot of kids like to meet the characters and since they cannot meet the actual characters at this time this idea would be a good alternative if it were to work
What's your view on this?

No.

 

[DisneyMama811]

where did you hear this idea? seems outrageously untrue

 

[cgattis]

I don’t see how a bunch of people touching a plush is any safer than a bunch of people touching a “fur” character who can be wearing a mask underneath. They still can’t clean it like they clean a ride vehicle. I’m hoping all live character interactions return as normal by sometime next year.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I don’t see how a bunch of people touching a plush is any safer than a bunch of people touching a “fur” character who can be wearing a mask underneath. They still can’t clean it like they clean a ride vehicle. I’m hoping all live character interactions return as normal by sometime next year.

Exactly.

And one of the biggest issues for fur characters is making sure the inside of the costume is sterile for each CM. Right now it’s pretty manageable with the limited character appearances but it’s an issue they’ll have to figure out before they ramp up the constant/permanent meet and greets again.

Still, I think this unfounded marionette rumor is wholly untrue.

 

[ford91exploder]

It sounds like something Disney would do as Disney will do anything these days to get magic out of the parks. That said i do hope this was a artifact of a fever dream rather than being steeped in reality

 

[gottalovepluto]

Whoever you heard this from got seriously trolled. Don’t listen to them in the future.

 

[JC1984]

As a former CM and part of the zoo crew (character department) at DLR the costumes do not need to be “sterile” you aren’t preforming surgery in the parks. I am sure are sanitizing the costumes to prevent the spread of any infectious disease just as they have done for MANY years to battle seasonal flu. Characters are not going anywhere.

 

[osufeth24]

It's true, you'll also have to present your chase card to go to it

 

[cgattis]

As a former CM and part of the zoo crew (character department) at DLR the costumes do not need to be “sterile” you aren’t preforming surgery in the parks. I am sure are sanitizing the costumes to prevent the spread of any infectious disease just as they have done for MANY years to battle seasonal flu. Characters are not going anywhere.

Yeah the words “sanitized” and “sterile” get used/exchanged as often and as inappropriately as “adjoining” and “connecting.”

 

[JC1984]

Yeah the words “sanitized” and “sterile” get used/exchanged as often and as inappropriately as “adjoining” and “connecting.”

Yeah Disney parks post Covid are far from being sterile environments.

 

[Devil13]

Yes. Finger puppets. You can meet 5 at once.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I mean, we’re all laughing, but anything is possible at this point.

 

[DodgerGirl]

where did you hear this idea? seems outrageously untrue

My mom was the one who told me about this and I think this idea seems kind of surprising for Disney Parks to do. But what I find odd is why the characters have to wave to the people and not give children hugs. You cannot catch an illness from hugging people but if Disney Parks would just let the face characters just simply talk to the kids it would make the kids feel special

 

[mom2rtk]

I mean, we’re all laughing, but anything is possible at this point.

Not really.

 

[Eric Smith]

My mom was the one who told me about this and I think this idea seems kind of surprising for Disney Parks to do. But what I find odd is why the characters have to wave to the people and not give children hugs. You cannot catch an illness from hugging people but if Disney Parks would just let the face characters just simply talk to the kids it would make the kids feel special

The kids will be fine. There’s still a pandemic going on. The distancing is in place in part to protect the person inside that suit.

 

[SirDuff]

My mom was the one who told me about this and I think this idea seems kind of surprising for Disney Parks to do. But what I find odd is why the characters have to wave to the people and not give children hugs. You cannot catch an illness from hugging people but if Disney Parks would just let the face characters just simply talk to the kids it would make the kids feel special

Yes you can.

 

[Meglen]

My mom was the one who told me about this and I think this idea seems kind of surprising for Disney Parks to do. But what I find odd is why the characters have to wave to the people and not give children hugs. You cannot catch an illness from hugging people but if Disney Parks would just let the face characters just simply talk to the kids it would make the kids feel special

Hugs.. can get you sick.. when you hug a character do they sanitize the spot your face touched? No. You just face touched a stranger pretty much.

 

[JC1984]

I think they are doing what they need to to keep CMs and guests safe at this points. Characters costumes are sanitized after each use and they do not share costumes throughout the day. The concern is not the CMs it is the guests. It may be the way it is for a while but again no puppets.

 

[osufeth24]

My mom was the one who told me about this and I think this idea seems kind of surprising for Disney Parks to do. But what I find odd is why the characters have to wave to the people and not give children hugs. You cannot catch an illness from hugging people but if Disney Parks would just let the face characters just simply talk to the kids it would make the kids feel special

Tell your mom to quit feeding you BS.