Walt Disney World has just announced that it has dropped all requirements for guests to wear masks when on its transportation systems. This effectively makes Walt Disney World mask-free for the first time since summer of 2020.
The new Walt Disney World mask-free policy goes into effect immediately. Even with this change in policy, Disney continues to recommend guests who are not fully vaccinated continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters and on enclosed transportation.
Masks have been a requirement at Walt Disney World in some form or another since the parks reopened from the COVID-19 shutdown in mid-July 2020. This change in policy is another move towards normality for Walt Disney World guests
The parks have gone through various stages of masks requirements, including at all locations, indoors only, to most recently only required on enclosed transportation.
I checked Disneyland Resort’s website prior to publishing this article and their website does not indicate any change in their masking policy as of this time.
In a post on the official Disney parks blog today, Disney announced that modified character meet and greets will be returning to Walt Disney World as soon as this November.
In the announcement Disney said –
Although the environment is not right just yet for hugs and autographs, you’ll soon be able to have individualized time with some of your favorite characters, getting to visit with them in a themed location and snap a photo or two.
Since re-opening from the COVID-19 shutdown last year, character appearances have been limited to distanced outdoor locations.
Some of Disney’s atmosphere entertainment resumed earlier this month on October 1 with the start of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration. Early birds at Magic Kingdom Park are now starting their day with “Let the Magic Begin” on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage. We have also seen the return of the ragtime piano player at Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A.
Over at EPCOT, World Showcase guests have welcomed back the Canadian rhythms of Alberta Bound, laughing at the antics of Sergio in Italy, and experiencing the majestic percussion of the Taiko drummers of Matsuriza in Japan.
Next week at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests visiting Asia can once again enjoy the music of Chakranadi, and Kora Tinga Tinga returns to the streets of Harambe in Africa. We can also look forward to the Tam Tam Drummers returning to Africa in early November.
Entertainment will also be returning for guests strolling along the waterfront at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.
The inimitable Yeehaw Bob will have his audience in stitches of fun starting October 14th in the River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
Over the past year since the parks re-opened, Disney Characters have been popping up in cavalcades, motorcades, flotillas, and surprise sighting. These will be continuing.
In the announcement Disney added –
Although the environment is not right just yet for hugs and autographs, you’ll soon be able to have individualized time with some of your favorite characters, getting to visit with them in a themed location and snap a photo or two.
The Disney Princesses will be returning to Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom Park. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will soon find Minnie Mouse at Red Carpet Dreams and the stars of Disney Junior in Animation Courtyard. When guests stop in to see Mickey Mouse backstage at Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A., he’ll be sporting his all-new EARidescent look designed just for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration! Each of these locations is planned to start welcoming guests in November.
November 7th will mark the return of “Disney Movie Magic,” the cinematic nighttime experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrating Disney’s live-action film legacy, and when this projection show resumes, it will feature a new sequence from Disney’s “Mulan.”
Finally, on December 19th, we will see the return of “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.”
It was previously announced that Walt Disney World will begin a new early theme park entry benefit for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels each day at each park beginning this fall on October 1st. Earlier today Disney announced the line-up of attractions that will be operating during the early entry.
Here is the complete list of what will be operating during Early Theme Park Entry for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests –
Magic Kingdom
“it’s a small world”
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Peter Pan’s Flight
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Space Mountain
The Barnstormer
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Epcot
Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along
Frozen Ever After
Mission: SPACE
Soarin’ Around the World
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Alien Swirling Saucers
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Avatar Flight of Passage
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Na’vi River Journey
TriceraTop Spin
Here is the complete list of participating hotels –
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor re-opened yesterday in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, a couple of days ahead of the previously announced August 8th return.
Operating hours are variable over the coming week. Most days it will be operating with a 12 PM to 8 PM schedule. However, on August 10th it has a 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM schedule, and on August 14th is scheduled for 10 A to 6 PM.
The show had been closed since the Walt Disney World theme parks closed in March 2020 and did not reopen with the park in July 2020.
According to Walt Disney World’s website the operating hours of the Magic Kingdom have just been extended for the month of July.
According to the website, beginning July 1st and lasting until July 10th, Magic Kingdom will now be open from 9 AM until 11 PM. This an increase from the originally scheduled 9 PM closing time. At this point for the remainder of the month, the park will remain open until 10 PM.
These updated hours are comparable to two years ago, when the Magic Kingdom was open from 9 AM until 10 PM.
This extension to the park hours come alongside today’s news that Walt Disney World will resume its nightly firework shows on July 1st.
In an unrelated note, it has been confirmed that Animal Kingdom Lodge will re-open on August 26.
Walt Disney World announced today that due to popular demand during the early-purchase period for guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Disney will be adding five new dates for the event:
Sunday, September 5 Sunday, September 12 Sunday, September 19 Sunday, October 10 Sunday, October 17
These dates will be available when tickets go on sale June 15th.
Beginning June 15th, Walt Disney World will no longer require masks to be worn at the its hotels and theme parks for guests who are fully vaccinated.
Face masks will still be required for all guests on Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner.
Also, Walt Disney World has stated that it will continue to reduce physical distancing in queues, shops, restaurants, attraction boarding areas, transportation and theaters.
It is important to note that the new policy does specify that guests who are fully vaccinated may go mask-free. This does mean that Disney will be relying on the honor system as there is no way for Disney to verify the vaccination status of its guests or employees.
Here is the Walt Disney World policy in full –
FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in most areas. Face coverings will still be required of all Guests on Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner. While we will not require proof of vaccination, we expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, and upon entering and throughout all attractions and transportation. Guests must observe current policies on face coverings until June 15.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
We will be relaxing physical distancing guidelines for Guests. This will be visible in places like queues, shops, restaurants, attraction boarding, transportation and our theaters. It’s important to remember that some experiences and entertainment may still be operating with limited capacity or may remain temporarily unavailable. We’re not quite ready to bring back everything yet, but we are optimistic and look forward to the day when Disney pals and princesses are able to hug once again.
Today Walt Disney World announced pricing, booking dates and more details about entertainment offerings for the upcoming ‘Disney After Hours Boo Bash’ ticketed event at the Magic Kingdom.
Tickets for this fun-filled three-hour event will go on sale June 15th and can be purchased online or by calling 407-939-4240. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be able to book their tickets as early as June 8th.
Tickets start at $129 – $139, plus tax for August/September nights and $159 – $169, plus tax for October nights, and $199, plus tax for Halloween. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of a $10 discount for event nights in August and September. A limited number of tickets will be available, so if you’re interested in attending any of the dates, you might want to book soon. I imagine dates near Halloween will be going fast.
Entertainment –
Special cavalcades will pop up throughout the night including “Mickey’s Happy Halloween Cavalcade,” with Mickey Mouse and friends dressed up for the occasion. In the “Disney Villains Halloween Cavalcade,” villains will take to the street and celebrate their favorite time of the year. “Jack’s Nightmare Cavalcade” will feature Jack Skellington, Sally and Oogie Boogie riding down the parade path to “This is Halloween,” and last, but definitely not least (we would never say that about her!), Maleficent will also make an appearance in the form of a fire-breathing dragon.
Some of your favorite friends will be lurking about – from the lovely Miss Carlotta at the Haunted Mansion to Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale in their Halloween best, with other surprise characters popping up across the park, too. You can even stop and listen to the Cadaver Dans during their special comeback (from the dead) performance.
Disney PhotoPass will also be available for magical and spooky shots throughout the night.
There will be complimentary snacks like ice cream novelties and popcorn, along with select beverages, are included in the cost of the event.
A variety of specialty food and drinks will be available for purchase including an Apple Ginger Dale frozen drink (frozen apple cider mixed with ginger ale and topped with whipped cream) and a Foolish Mortal Funnel Cake.). Note that this item will be on sale outside event hours October 1 to November 1.
The event will take place from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM on the following dates:
Tuesday, August 10 Tuesday, August 17 Friday, August 20 Tuesday, August 24 Friday, August 27 Tuesday, August 31 Friday, September 3
The event will take place from 9:00 PM to midnight on the following dates:
Tuesday, September 7 Friday, September 10 Tuesday, September 14 Friday, September 17 Tuesday, September 21 Friday, September 24 Tuesday, October 5 Friday, October 8 Tuesday, October 12 Friday, October 15 Tuesday, October 19 Friday, October 22 Sunday, October 24 Tuesday, October 26 Friday, October 29 Sunday, October 31
20 attractions will be available including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion attraction, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain and more.
Disney After Hours Boo Bash is a limited-capacity and separately ticketed event that does not require an additional day’s theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass reservation. Tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom as early as 7 PM before the event actually begins.
Disney News Today 