Would you be comfortable with character meets like this?

[CampbellzSoup]

It appears in Japan while there is no hugging and touching you can meet and get photos with your favorite characters again, a brief maskless photo, and move on. Does anyone else think this is how they can safetly bring back characters for us?

 

[DisneyMama811]

this seems reasonably safe to me, I'm not sure what ventilation is like in the characters head piece and I'm wondering if that counts as acceptable protection for them or if they're also required to wear a mask inside the costume? (man that would be HOT) I think this would represent a nice happy medium, not touching but close enough to share a special chat and get an actually nice photo

 

[Evita_W]

Knott's Berry Farm in California is doing similar as well, no idea why Disney isn't.

 

[2minny]

I'm sure there's a way they could create something inside the costume to protect the person. Not princesses, but those in full character could have some sort of protection inside, if Disney invested in that!

 

[scrappinginontario]

This just started today @CampbellzSoup! It's getting closer!!

Mickey and Minnie Physically Distanced Meet and Greet Debuts in Epcot Entrance Plaza

Goofy and Pluto are also greeting in the Epcot Entrance Plaza!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

First can't wait for the Super Nintendo World to come to Florida, looks sooooooooooo fun!! I would feel totally safe with this, especially the fact it is outside.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

This just started today @CampbellzSoup! It's getting closer!!

Mickey and Minnie Physically Distanced Meet and Greet Debuts in Epcot Entrance Plaza

Goofy and Pluto are also greeting in the Epcot Entrance Plaza!

it’s getting better but that’s still so far away

 

[TreeFalls]

This is what they were doing in Universal last week. Worked great for us, we usually kept masks on but many people took them off. There was plenty of space.

 

[scrappinginontario]

This is what they were doing in Universal last week. Worked great for us, we usually kept masks on but many people took them off. There was plenty of space.

I know you’re not saying this but just clarifying that masks will need to stay on at WDW.

 

[ChiGirlMom]

I like the way the Mickey and Minnie meets are working at Epcot. Keeps everyone safe without having to put masks on the poor actors. It’s already hot enough in there! They could easily incorporate face characters in this way too. I’m sure Disney would like to avoid Cinderella wearing a mask.

 

[TreeFalls]

I know you’re not saying this but just clarifying that masks will need to stay on at WDW.

I was definitely not suggesting people do this at Disney, just pointing out that a "brief maskless photo", as mentioned by the OP as being allowed in Japan, is currently allowed at universal.

 

[DisneyOma]

I like the way the Mickey and Minnie meets are working at Epcot. Keeps everyone safe without having to put masks on the poor actors. It’s already hot enough in there! They could easily incorporate face characters in this way too. I’m sure Disney would like to avoid Cinderella wearing a mask.

I don't think it would be safe for the face characters to be out and about in the parks without a mask though? And imagine the jerks who would get all upset because they had to wear a mask but a princess doesn't?

 

[Brett Wyman]

Keep in mind that Covid cases in Japan are basically non-existent when compared to the US. Some US counties have more total daily cases than the entire country of Japan.

 

[stsomewhere]

We were at Epcot a few weeks ago. We at at The Garden grill. Everyone was seated on the first level. The characters came up from the top level behind us and took pictures with us. I was able to get a distance photo with Goofy at POP.

 

[Wild4Walt]

So as someone without kids, I have to say I think Disney did a decent job of still having characters around and being able to do socially distanced selfies ( like at Topolino's and Garden Grill ). I can understand though that some would like to get closer for photos.

 

[Evita_W]

Here are some photos of what Knott's is doing out here in California.



As you can see, all are socially distanced, but close enough for interactions with the characters.

 

[JFox]

I although it was gross when I saw kids/babies kiss Mickeys' nose and then someone else would do it right after.

 

[Jess.stw]

I mean... the problem is generally people in Japan follow the rules and put the safety of others above their own desires. That just isn't the case in the US often.... as witnessed by the people literally spitting in the faces of Uber Drivers and other people trying to enforce rules they don't agree with. I think if Disney believed people would follow the guidelines/rules and do as they were asked, things like this might happen. But here it would have the danger of turning into a situation of "give them an inch they will take a mile" easier to just have stronger wider boundaries.

Also...about the mask-less photo spot idea... I mean if each person stands in a spot, removes their mask and is quickly replaced by someone else in the same spot taking off their mask... seems like you're breathing in the air of the last ten people standing mask-less in the same spot. I don't know if it's dangerous or not, but seems to be tempting fate in a country that has a much higher rate than Japan currently

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I mean... the problem is generally people in Japan follow the rules and put the safety of others above their own desires. That just isn't the case in the US often.... as witnessed by the people literally spitting in the faces of Uber Drivers and other people trying to enforce rules they don't agree with. I think if Disney believed people would follow the guidelines/rules and do as they were asked, things like this might happen. But here it would have the danger of turning into a situation of "give them an inch they will take a mile" easier to just have stronger wider boundaries.

Also...about the mask-less photo spot idea... I mean if each person stands in a spot, removes their mask and is quickly replaced by someone else in the same spot taking off their mask... seems like you're breathing in the air of the last ten people standing mask-less in the same spot. I don't know if it's dangerous or not, but seems to be tempting fate in a country that has a much higher rate than Japan currently

...your last paragraph is nonsense.

 

[ChiGirlMom]

I don't think it would be safe for the face characters to be out and about in the parks without a mask though? And imagine the jerks who would get all upset because they had to wear a mask but a princess doesn't?

It’s a Princess! She’s royalty she has privileges. But yes some self entitled boon would think they shouldn’t have to wear a mask.

I thought about them maskless in the parks too. They would have to choose a location where they could come from backstage and be socially distanced. The stage in front of the castle? Guests on a platform positioned to take selfies with them. It’a possible!