News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

[Gomer]

Overall, through the entire course of the pandemic, Florida faired better than almost every northeastern state despite having no mask mandates. People wore masks in Florida. Some stores required them. They just weren't required to by law.

And that is great news for the people of Florida. But it doesn't provide a basis to say that other states would have done better with no mask mandate, nor that Florida might have had an even better record if they had had strict mandates in place.

It is a single variable among many. It's just the most highly visible and politicized, so people tend to look at it and draw a conclusion on its impact based on results. But there is no definitive causality there. Only correlation.

 

[Parker in NYC]

This is a weird take.

Have you read these boards before? No one is forced to do anything. It’s just that this is the first time I’ve laid it out from another perspective. Sadly, in the COVID era, the “you don’t like it don’t go” argument applies to the cast members, too.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

And that is great news for the people of Florida. But it doesn't provide a basis to say that other states would have done better with no mask mandate, nor that Florida might have had an even better record if they had had strict mandates in place.

It is a single variable among many. It's just the most highly visible and politicized, so people tend to look at it and draw a conclusion on its impact based on results. But there is no definitive causality there. Only correlation.

You're asking people to prove the unprovable and basing the need for a mandate on it. The fact is you can compare data between states, countries, even schools with/without mandates and statistically the outcomes are basically the same.

 

[Parker in NYC]

So you're suggesting the CDC is going to recommend vaccinated people wear masks in indoor settings?

Absolutely. Would you like an annotated copy of my curriculum vitae?

 

[Disney Glimpses]

Have you read these boards before? No one is forced to do anything. It’s just that this is the first time I’ve laid it out from another perspective. Sadly, in the COVID era, the “you don’t like it don’t go” argument applies to the cast members, too.

Okay, so if you don't like that Disney doesn't require masks, don't go.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

Absolutely. Would you like an annotated copy of my curriculum vitae?

Never going to happen; would effectively end the vaccine campaign overnight as it would basically 'admit' they are not effective enough to stop COVID-19.

I don't care what your CV says; it is truly meaningless in this conversation.

 

[Parker in NYC]

Okay, so if you don't like that Disney doesn't require masks, don't go.

That’s precisely what I’m saying.

 

[Parker in NYC]

But also, Disney still requires masks in transportation TODAY regardless of what anyone else says.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The Disney Parks Blog has been silent since the Hall of Presidents post on Monday. That's somewhat abnormal and could be a sign of them modifying policies.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

Well, it’s true. Glad to provide a diversion.

But also, Disney still requires masks in transportation TODAY regardless of what anyone else says.

Disney doesn't require them. DOT does.

And I'm not sure what "track record" you are talking about; everything that Disney has done thus far has been completely predictably by even the most novice park goer.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

The Disney Parks Blog has been silent since the Hall of Presidents post on Monday. That's somewhat abnormal and could be a sign of them modifying policies.

Why would they stop posting Disney Parks news to modify a mask policy lol what am I reading here today, jeez

 

[Gomer]

You're asking people to prove the unprovable and basing the need for a mandate on it. The fact is you can compare data between states, countries, even schools with/without mandates and statistically the outcomes are basically the same.

I'm not asking anyone to prove anything. As a matter of fact, I said the opposite. That we won't ever have definitive proof.

Best states can do is weigh what we do know (all things being equal, proper mask usage reduces spread) and weigh that as a risk/reward calculation as to whether mask mandates are appropriate for their particular environment.

In general I am in favor of mask mandates as wearing a mask doesn't bother me and I believe that any mitigation measures that have minimal impact on people's day to day lives are worth using. But if there was a case to be made for places where it may not be worth it, it would be in states with year round warm weather and decent vaccination rates like Florida. Wouldn't be my choice personally, but I don't live in Florida so it's not my place to have any opinion in their decision.

 

[Parker in NYC]

The point is, they’ll bring back masks inside if they have to.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

The point is, they’ll bring back masks inside if they have to.

I agree with you there completely. The second the CDC says indoor masks for all need to come back, they will be back at WDW probably overnight. I just don't see it happening; particularly with the influence the Biden administration has on policy and the goals to continue to boost vaccination.

 

[DisneyFan32]

I agree with you there completely. The second the CDC says indoor masks for all need to come back, they will be back at WDW probably overnight. I just don't see it happening; particularly with the influence the Biden administration has on policy and the goals to continue to boost vaccination.

Indoor masks return won't be very long before end of the year, we need to boost vaccinations now! As current variants and future variants will be smaller to nothing to left.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

Indoor masks return won't be very long before end of the year, we need to boost vaccinations now! As current variants and future variants will be smaller to nothing to left.

The reality is masks were the only thing we had last year. We have vaccination now. And the fact is the last 30-40% of the country we need to get vaccinated is going to be a very tough, uphill climb. Bringing back masks will make that effort even harder and will be unlikely to meaningfully slow down the trajectory of Delta. The viral load in those infected with Delta is over 1000x greater than Alpha which means masks will be even less effective than they were in the past.

People need to get vaccinated; not put a mask on.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

The Disney Parks Blog has been silent since the Hall of Presidents post on Monday. That's somewhat abnormal and could be a sign of them modifying policies.

They just posted. Ironically, this post would go against the notion that masks are returning.

More Entertainment Returning Across Walt Disney World Resort This Summer

It’s been really great this summer to once again gather in the Harambe Theatre at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for “A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King” and to feel our hearts soar with the sight of fireworks in the skies over

disneyparks.disney.go.com

 

[Otterhead]

I agree with you there completely. The second the CDC says indoor masks for all need to come back, they will be back at WDW probably overnight. I just don't see it happening; particularly with the influence the Biden administration has on policy and the goals to continue to boost vaccination.

I think it's all about messaging. I think the mistake was making "taking off masks" as the ultimate end-goal that a lot of people fixated on, since they're so weirdly toxic and politicized for some, and the country learned that trusting people with an honor system doesn't work in America. So maybe if the message is "the virus has changed, so we need to be smart about being safe and wear them indoors to protect kids and the unvaccinated", it'd soften the disappointment for some people. I absolutely do not believe, for one moment, that having to wear masks under specific circumstances will make people forego the vaccine... unless they're extremely foolish about what masks do.

People need to get vaccinated; not put a mask on

Why not both?

 

[Figgy1]

The reality is masks were the only thing we had last year. We have vaccination now. And the fact is the last 30-40% of the country we need to get vaccinated is going to be a very tough, uphill climb. Bringing back masks will make that effort even harder and will be unlikely to meaningfully slow down the trajectory of Delta. The viral load in those infected with Delta is over 1000x greater than Alpha which means masks will be even less effective than they were in the past.

People need to get vaccinated; not put a mask on.

IMHO we still need to be masking short of a vaccine passport. The honor system has failed because way too many are not honorable

 

[DisneyFan32]

Is there's still ways to stop massive surge of Delta variants as possible?