Character HUGS, Reedy Creek Dissolved, and More HUGE Disney News from the Week

A LOT has happened with the Walt Disney Company this week.

If you’ve been as inundated with Disney news as we have, you might have missed a few stories, but we’re breaking it all down to the biggest news stories of the week so that you stay informed — so let’s get on with the top five things that has been going on.

Traditional Character Meet and Greets Return

If you’ve missed hugging Mickey these past few years due to social distancing, we’ve got some good news — you can now hug Mickey and all the other characters again at both Disney World and Disneyland!

But that’s not all! Many traditional meet and greets with characters at character dining locations have also returned. You can also now buy autograph books at the parks to get characters to sign.

FULL LIST of Character Meet and Greets Currently Available in Disney World

Florida Governor Threatens To Remove Disney World’s Self-Governance

After Disney spoke out against the state of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis added the repeal of the Reedy Creek Improvement Act to a special session. This act essentially gives Disney World the ability to govern itself.

The Florida Senate then went on to vote for the repeal of the act, followed by a similar vote in the Florida House of Representatives. DeSantis will likely sign the bill, but the decision is far from over — even analysts believe that it’s unlikely that the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be dissolved.

NEWS: Florida House of Representatives Votes to Dissolve Reedy Creek in Disney World

Masks No Longer Required Anywhere at Disney World

Although Disney World’s mask policy changed recently allowing guests to remove their masks throughout Disney World, they were still required to wear masks on Disney World transportation, except on the Skyliner. Now, though, masks are optional for fully-vaccinated guests on Disney World transportation.

That means that if you’re fully vaccinated, you will no longer be required to wear a mask anywhere in Disney World (except at First Aid stations). However, Disney still recommends that guests who are not fully vaccinated wear face coverings in all indoor locations.

PHOTOS: What Disney World’s New Transportation Face Mask Policy Looked Like

Two Big Entertainment Options Return To Disneyland

Over at Disneyland, TWO big entertainment offerings have officially returned. Although The Main Street Electrical Parade wasn’t supposed to return until April 22nd, the parade returned early on April 21st! The new version of the parade features all-new Mary Blair-inspired floats to celebrate the parade’s 50th anniversary!

Disneyland’s nighttime fireworks show, Disneyland Forever, also returned early. It was also supposed to return on April 22nd, but ended up returning on April 21st.