Will Face Characters be wearing masks when Disneyland reopens?

[Sharon&Susan]

Universal Orlando's Citywalk reopened on May 14th. With it the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium (which will soon be making it to Universal Hollywood's Citywalk) has brought out it's face characters, but with a twist!

They're wearing face masks, how immersion breaking! What would Walt think?

Just kidding, but I don't think I've heard anything on if face characters are still a thing at Shanghai Disneyland. This is my first time hearing what face characters will be (hopefully) temporarily be like in a coronavirus infested world.

According to this article from Theme Park University, the same rules will be in place in the Universal Parks in Florida (characters wear a mask and are in a roped off area):

Will Universal Orlando "Face Characters" Wear Masks When They Reopen? - Theme Park University

When Orlando theme parks reopen (and they will), there will undoubtedly be some changes that will take the public by surprise. Sure, there will be things we expect like social distancing markers and tons of signage reminding everyone to wash their hands often. However, how will parks handle...

themeparkuniversity.com

Will Disney have the same guidelines in place when they reopen the American parks? Or will Chappie just cut all face characters and save some bucks? Would Snow White and Elsa look ridiculous in face masks?

And please no politics.

 

[TROR]

Controversial take, maybe, but I don't think they should even have any characters out during this time. As much as I love seeing Mickey Mouse and the classic Disney characters walking around, it seems like there's less of a purpose if kids can't even hug them. Just seeing them from a distance is kind of sad. I say cut the budget on costume characters for the time being.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

It looks okay in these examples, as they're not established characters with a distinctive look.

There's no reason to think Disney will have face characters out at all.

 

[AJFireman]

I saw pictures from Shangai reopening but nothing recent. The did not have face covering on but they were all in view. Per the information on their website they do not interact closely with guest or offer photo ops. They are not offering parades but they are doing a Mickey and Friends Procession several times a day.

 

[drizgirl]

Disney doesn't care about its characters or image so they'll gladly do this.

But Disney does care about the bottom line. And this is an easy slam dunk of a way to reduce labor costs for a while. No masks because face characters won't be out for a while.

 

[Katelynbird]

They may have them at a distance, but they are not going to have them for Meet & Greets masks or masks. I don't think Disney will risk it.

 

[Old Mouseketeer]

I think it may be a moving target--depending on what Shanghai's experience is and if WDW opens first (which I expect).

My best guess is there will be photo ops where the characters are separated from guests by a barrier, possibly with a wide range of visibility around where they are standing. Whether face characters will be wearing masks, I wouldn't try to predict at this point. Another variable is whether there will be differences between face and fuzzy.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Disney parks are not Disney parks without characters. I expect cavalcades, but no meet & greets for a while.

If they can get the Spidey/stunt side of Avengers Campus open, they can have the Marvel characters appear up in the stunt area.

(I'd expect the Star Wars characters to stay up on the second level of their areas, too - storm troopers, Kylo and even whatsherface the spy girl up in the stunt areas, while Chewie and Rey stay up by the ship Chewie 'fixes'.)

I'd take it. Anything to keep the characters around/visible.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Well judging off the fact that GE had these areas built in but never used (besides the occasional storm trooper standing there), and that Disney is in a deficit, I'd say they cancel entertainment.

They certainly could. But the fact that they haven't in Shanghai (the only park currently reopened) I take as a good sign that they hopefully won't cut all those cast members here.

 

[Supreme Leader]

I'd expect the Star Wars characters to stay up on the second level of their areas, too - storm troopers, Kylo and even whatsherface the spy girl up in the stunt areas, while Chewie and Rey stay up by the ship Chewie 'fixes'.)

I'd take it. Anything to keep the characters around/visible.

That'd be the most action that the "stunt" areas would've gotten since the land opened. ☠

 

[brb1006]

I had seen some videos of the characters being heavy guarded by cast members at Shanghai Disneyland.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

All face characters at Universal Orlando are wearing masks. Along with Shrek's Donkey.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

All face characters at Universal Orlando are wearing masks. Along with Shrek's Donkey.

At least they have the characters out!