Disneyland mascots, most especially the main stars Mickey and Minnie Mouse, are as elusive as K-pop stars, so if there’s a meet-and-greet, better take advantage of it, a reliable source who requested to stay anonymous told DAILY TRIBUNE at the launch of Disney and Pixar’s Summer Fest in SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium early this week.

Only until 29 March, Mickey and Minnie in their summer outfits would greet their fans at specific times at the Main Atrium. These mascots, according to DAILY TRIBUNE source, have their own managers, handlers and bouncers, like any celebrity does. Also, all Disney and Pixar mascots can only be booked from The Walt Disney Company. Because the mascots are so elusive — even in Disneyland — even human celebrities and influencers line up to take pictures with them.

At the Summer Fest, among those who queued for the mascot meet-and-greet were actors JC de Vera and Nadine Samonte and their families.

De Vera, in a DAILY TRIBUNE exclusive, said that he only became a Disney fan when he had kids because his children are very much into Mickey Mouse, Stitch and Disney Princesses.

The Summer Fest gives a taste of summer in Disneyland — complete with limited-edition toys, Disney Princesses makeup collections, collectible trading cards and even costumes for pets all available for purchase, with bonus plays at arcade games like claw machine and art areas. No wonder many Disney fans come in costumes as they take turns posing with Minnie and Mickey.

The Summet Fest, according to SM, aims to bring Disney’s magic to life, and to transform the Main Atrium into a world of color, wonder and pure joy — a welcome deviation especially in these trying times.

The Summer Fest runs until 8 April, with an Easter event on 5 April.