Tag: Masks

Walt Disney World Removes All Mask Requirements

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.

TSA Announces Mask Mandate on Planes Will Not Be Enforced Following Court Ruling

Yesterday a federal judge in Florida ruled the nationwide mask mandate for airports, planes and other public transportation is unlawful.

Shortly after Monday’s ruling was handed down, the Transportation Security Administration said it will no longer enforce the mandate.

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate covering air travel and other public transportation to May 3rd.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled Monday that the mandate exceeded the statutory authority of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which issued the order. Mizelle’s ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed in July by the nonprofit Health Freedom Defense Fund.

Even though the TSA has stated that they won’t be enforcing the mask mandate, it still is not known whether the Biden administration will appeal the ruling.

Ever since the parks have re-opened following their closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney has repeatedly followed the TSA guidelines with regard to its transportation operations. Walt Disney World no longer requires masks to be worn inside its buildings but still requires masks to be worn when aboard any enclosed transportation, including the monorail system and busses. Even the recently opened Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios requires masks to be worn when onboard.

While it remains to be seen what implication this latest ruling will have any action Disney will take in response, it is anticipated that Disney will probably be ending its mask mandate while guests are on Disney transportation. Disney has not hinted as to what they plan on doing at this time.

Disney Drops Mask Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort

Disney has dropped mask requirements on February 17th  at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort for all fully vaccinated guests.

Disney will no longer require masks to be worn at it’s domestic theme parks and hotels for fully vaccinated guests, except when on transportation systems.

Disney issued a statement addressing the change on both coasts –

Beginning February 17, 2022, Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.

Even though technically the change only affects guest who are fully vaccinated, Disney has made no mention of asking for verification of vaccination status.  From a practical and historical standpoint, it’s unlikely that Disney will do so.  Prior to the re-introduction of the mask requirement at Walt Disney World, Disney didn’t ask for or check vaccination status in order to enforce the previous no-mask requirement for fully vaccinated guests.  They will likely continue this policy and operate on the “honor system” with guests.

 

 

Walt Disney World Updates Mask Policy to Require Everyone to Wear Masks When Indoors

What is old is new again!

Disney has updated its mask policy following the latest CDC guidance which was published on July 27th.  The US theme parks have moved quickly to again require all guests and Cast Members to wear masks when indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

The new indoor mask requirement will go into effect on July 30th at both Walt Disney World in Florida, and Disneyland Resort in California.

This policy change is a return to an earlier policy that was in place prior to the Disney updated the policy on June 15th when they eliminated mask requirements for those who are fully vaccinated except when using enclosed transportation.

According to news reports, Orange County is seeing a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases. AdventHealth, the area’s primary healthcare provider, has said its ICUs are at capacity, and the system has moved to a red alert level.

Disney has updated the Health and Safety notice on its website to notify guests that policies may change at anytime.

As we have done since reopening, we’ve been very intentional and gradual in our approach to our COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Based on recent trends and regulatory guidance, Walt Disney World Resort will be making adjustments to these measures, which may continue to change at any time without notice.

We encourage people to get vaccinated.

Below is the latest Disney World mask policy in full:

Effective July 30

Beginning July 30, face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) while indoors and in Disney buses, monorail and Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status. This includes upon entering and throughout all attractions. Face coverings remain optional for all Guests in outdoor common areas.

Face Covering Requirements until July 30

While face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) while in Disney buses, monorail and Disney Skyliner, they are now optional in most areas for Guests who are fully vaccinated. While we do 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 except ferry boats.

Walt Disney World to Eliminate Mask Policy in Theme Parks 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.

 

Walt Disney World Updates Mask Policy

Walt Disney World has just announced that it will be modifying its mask policy to slightly loosen the requirements for when masks must be worn at the theme parks.

The latest update will begin on  April 8th.  The update will allow guests to remove masks when they are taking photos outdoors while physically distanced.

Specifically the new policy states –

Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may temporarily remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking an outdoor photo, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing during this time.

It is important to note that masks must be worn at all other times, in accordance with the original guidelines for the park’s reopening back in July of 2020.

Walt Disney World Updates Mask Policy for Table Service Dining

As of today, Walt Disney World has implemented a stricter new rule for table service restaurants. The language of the old rule on the webpage was that face masks “must be worn in all public areas of the restaurant—including while entering and exiting—and can be removed while eating or drinking.”

The new rule states:

“Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up, which must be worn in all public areas and can only be removed while actively eating or drinking. Face coverings must be worn while standing, waiting or sitting in dining locations.”

The previous rule was enforced so that guests could remove their face masks upon being seated, and leave them off for the duration of the meal, so long as they were at their table.

Even with this rule, some guests chose to leave their masks on while waiting or when interacting with Cast Members.

In my opinion the change is pretty minor. The new rule, would appear that with this clarification Disney will now require guests to stay masked except while actively eating their food or drinking, which is consistent with the regular in-park signs and announcement. I don’t think that the change will necessarily mean putting the mask back on in between bites, but it probably does mean being masked while ordering and waiting for drinks and appetizers or entrees to be delivered, and when waiting for the bill.