Disney has released even more exciting news. New and returning characters are coming soon to Walt Disney World!
Many traditional character meet and greets returned to the Disney parks on April 18th, 2022, but a few fan favorites did not return. This was due to the fact that Disney was bringing back characters in a phased in approach. Disney has announced that the next round of characters will be coming out for hugs once again. Let’s take a look at who we can expect, and when.
Magic
Kingdom
New Character
Magic Kingdom will be adding a new addition, and unlike her Uncle Bruno, we definitely need to talk about her. Mirabel from Encanto will be making her debut in the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade on June 26th!
Returning Characters
Minnie Mouse will be joining Mickey Mouse in Town Square Theater on July 6th! She will be donning her EARidescent ensemble to match Mickey for some fabulous photos with guests.
Shortly after Minnie’s return, Fantasyland will have more characters as well. Peter Pan and Snow White will be greeting guests once again at Magic Kingdom on July 10th!
Disney also announced that more characters will be making their way back into Magic Kingdom in the next few months, although no official dates have been released at this time. The characters expected back are:
- Aladdin
- Jasmine
- Merida
- Pooh
- Tigger
Also the Storybook Circus pals will be making a return in Pete’s Silly Slideshow. These additional character meet and greets will add so many more options to the current character line up in Magic Kingdom.
Hollywood
Studios
Some of our favorite Star Wars characters will be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios very soon. Star Wars Launch Bay is officially returning on July 17th! At the Launch Bay guests will be able to once again get a hug from Chewbacca, meet Darth Vader face-to-face, or even have an encounter with BB-8.
Guests have been able to see various Star Wars characters in Galaxy’s Edge with socially distanced sightings, but this will be the first return of traditional meet and greets for Star Wars fans. Keep in mind that the Star Wars Launch Bay is located in Animation Courtyard, not in Galaxy’s Edge, so be sure to plan accordingly for these meet and greets.
Another favorite spot in Hollywood Studios for guests of all ages is Toy Story Land, and soon all our favorite toys will be back as well. Disney has yet to announce the return date for Toy Story character meet and greets, but promises they will be returning to Toy Story Land within the next few months. Maybe the return of characters will coincide with the opening of Toy Story Land’s new dining location Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Animal
Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also about to bring back more traditional character meet and greets. Currently guests are able to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse in the Adventurers Outpost in Discovery Island, as well as Kevin from “Up” who walks around through the crowd on Discovery Island bringing joy to everyone she meets.
Soon Donald Duck and friends will be back to greet guests at Donald’s Dino-Bash!” in DinoLand U.S.A. No date has been announced for this return, but we will let you know as soon as it is announced!
Walt Disney World
Resorts
Walt Disney World Resorts
One guest favorite character experience is returning to the Fort Wilderness Campground. Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long makes its return on July 6th!
Happy Hugging!
We are so excited about the return of more characters at Walt Disney World, and hopefully all the above characters will return before the start of the Holiday season! What character are you most excited to see return? Are you thrilled about the addition of Mirabel into the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned into the DVC Shop Blog for the official dates when they are announced.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
