Disneyland won’t use Genie+ for character meet-and-greet photo ops

Disneyland visitors won’t need to purchase Genie+ to high-five Mickey Mouse, strike a royal pose with Cinderella or give Olaf a big hug when up-close character meet-and-greet photo opportunities return to the Anaheim theme park after a pandemic pause.

Disneyland does not plan to use the Genie+ or Lightning Lane services at this time for character interactions, according to Disneyland officials.

Up-close character interactions will begin on Monday, April 18 and continue returning in the days and weeks that follow as part of a phased reopening of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, according to Disneyland officials.

Walt Disney World theme parks in Florida added four character meet-and-greet opportunities to the $15 per person per day Genie+ service in January, according to Theme Park Insider. Character interactions with Mickey Mouse in Town Square Theater and Cinderella and Tiana in Princess Fairytale Hall at the Magic Kingdom were added to the Genie+ service along with Olaf in the Celebrity Spotlight venue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Stand-by queues remain available at each Disney World meet-and-greet location at no additional charge.

Disneyland has opted to go in a different direction than Disney World when it comes to using Genie+ and Lightning Lane services for interactions with Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters.

Disney’s personal assistant service within the Disneyland app is divided into three parts — the free Disney Genie itinerary planning feature; the $20 Disney Genie+ replacement for the former FastPass line-cutting perk; and the individual Lightning Lane option that charges $7 to $20 to jump to the front of the line on the most popular rides. Disneyland’s paid Genie+ service offers front-of-the-line access to nearly 20 attractions — but won’t include character meet-and-greets like Disney World.

It’s been nearly two years since Disneyland visitors have been allowed to get within 6 feet of walk-around characters due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols requiring safe physical distancing between fans and Disneyland’s best-known employees.

Disneyland, Disney World and other Disney theme parks around the world have used socially distanced selfie spots to keep characters and visitors at least 6 feet apart since reopening after extended coronavirus closures. Disney parks also used playful character sightings in out-of-the-way locations to keep even more distance between fans and characters.

Character interaction locations at Disneyland like the Fantasy Faire Royal Hall where visitors meet Disney princesses have remained closed during the physical distancing requirements.

Pixie Hollow reopened in mid-March after a nearly two year closure, but Tinker Bell has still maintained 6 feet of physical distance from visitors.

Fantasy Faire Royal Hall and Pixie Hollow will both bring back up-close character interactions with the COVID-19 health and safety policy change at Disneyland.

Mickey and Minnie’s houses will remain closed for character meet-and-greets while Toontown undergoes a major renovation through 2023.