Hi Jennifer and welcome to planDisney!
We are thrilled to hEAR you have an upcoming Walt Disney World vacation. Getting all the details finalized is a bit like conducting an orchestra...only instead of instruments, you are conducting reservations for parks, dining, and hotel instead. So let me roll up my sleeves and put on Mickey's Sorcerer's hat to answer your question.
So I’ll share with you what I know and you can decide if this is enough to convince you to keep your reservations intact. Per the Disney Parks Blog,
character experiences will be returning...in a modified way of course. They are being described as “Sightings” but Guests can expect individualized time with some of their favorite characters and the chance for some photo opportunities. We are not yet to the point of doing autographs or giving hugs to characters just yet, but it’s definitely forward progress.
At the Magic Kingdom, the Disney Princesses will be holding court in
Princess Fairytale Hall. Meanwhile, the Big Cheese himself will be interacting with Guests at
Town Square Theater. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios,
Animation Courtyard will be the venue for Disney Junior characters, and
Red Carpet Dreams will host Minnie Mouse interactions.
I’m hEARing that sometime in November is when these locations will be welcoming Guests, well in advance of your January vacation. Check the
My Disney Experience app for updated information on these character sighting opportunities.
I do hope you will keep your Walt Disney World vacation plans because it is encouraging to hear more character opportunities are coming soon. Come back to planDisney if you have more questions or need more planning tips.
Sherry