When Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida reopened in July 2020 following its four-month-long pandemic-related closure, many experiences were different. There were no fireworks, no parades down Main Street, U.S.A — or anywhere else — and no traditional character meet and greets.
Related: Disney World Has Changed the Name of Character Meet and Greets
Now, many experiences have returned — although Guests age 2 and over must still comply with CDC guidance in regard to face masks and character “sightings” remain socially distanced — and Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have recently noticed something exciting about certain Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge characters.
Related: Disney Is Officially Bringing Back Scrapped Galaxy’s Edge Plans
As Thrill Geek noted on Twitter, Vi Moradi — Princess Leia’s spy (and she’s very cool) for those unfamiliar with the character — and Rey from the Star Wars sequel trilogy have started once again appearing at their pre-pandemic spot by an X-wing fighter:
Rey and Vi Moradi meeting in Galaxy’s Edge
Rey and Vi Moradi meeting in Galaxy’s Edge. #DisneyWorld #StarWars pic.twitter.com/hYEOIxYBCA
— ThrillGeek (@thrillgeek) November 28, 2021
Related: Disney Paid Boeing to Develop X-Wings, Then Never Used Them Again
It is important to note that, while Vi and Rey are back in the same location they were at before Disney World’s COVID-19 closure, Guests must remain at a safe social distance, for now, to take photographs and interact with the Star Wars characters.
This rule remains in place at all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is not known how many characters throughout Disney World property have moved back to their pre-pandemic locations at the time of publication
Related: Droid Racing, Rise of the Resistance, and More Revealed For Galactic Starcruiser!
Beginning March 1, 2022, Guests who choose to stay onboard the Halcyon luxury starliner — AKA the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel — will have the chance to meet Rey, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, and more brand new Star Wars characters in close quarters.
Related: NEW ‘Star Wars’ Hotel Details Emerge, Journey Goes “Horribly, Horribly Wrong”
The first-of-its-kind Resort hotel will “transport” Guests to a galaxy far, far away, allowing them to become part of the Star Wars story with a fully immersive experience that includes a “port excursion” to Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost — and rides on both Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run and the incredible Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
More on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Related: Lucky Guests Experience RARE Finn Easter Egg on Rise of the Resistance
The official description of Rise of the Resistance reads:
Accept a Mission from the Resistance
The Resistance needs your help! Hidden in the forest outside Black Spire Outpost, the Resistance is gathering recruits for a secret mission.
With the First Order desperate to extinguish the spark of the Resistance, the mission is bound to have unexpected twists and turns. When your transport is captured by an imposing First Order Star Destroyer filled with legions of stormtroopers—and even Kylo Ren!—you’re going to need all the help you can get. Fortunately, a covert team of Resistance fighters—including Rey and BB-8—is at the ready to give you a fighting chance to escape… and a chance for the Resistance to rise.
Prepare for a thrilling, first-of-its-kind adventure!
Are you excited that Disney World characters are returning to their pre-pandemic meet and greet spots?
Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!