News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

[doctornick]

The unions have said their piece and today it was announced some cast members didn't have to wear masks. Agreements have been made.

Right, but isn't that for CMs working outside? I'm thinking more about the indoors CM and not even what they have to do but what guests would have to do to protect the CMs.

 

[Tom P.]

I'd still be surprised if it is that rapid considering how cautious Disney has been on all of this. And part of it will likely be the agreements with the unions.

I mean if the CDCis still recommending that unvaccinated people wear masks indoors and a huge number of Disney guests are under 12 years old, it's a tough situation for them to thread the needle of what is appropriate no matter what the state or county is doing.

I respectfully disagree. I don't think Disney is going to want to have any restrictions in place once the mandate ends. You're right that they've been conservative and cautious up until now, but I think once the mandate isn't in place, Disney will remove all restrictions.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

Plexi removed on ToT

Tower of Terror Boosts Capacity; Loading Every Row, Removing Plexiglass at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

Saw that, awesome news. I think it’s actually more of an issue in the queue though, blocks a lot of the lobby if you’re in the right side line.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Right, but isn't that for CMs working outside? I'm thinking more about the indoors CM and not even what they have to do but what guests would have to do to protect the CMs.

Agreements have been made. They just haven't all been implemented yet.

 

[Dinardo]

Yes. I do.

Did you take extra precautions when out in public before the pandemic? (I’m genuinely curious)

 

[Touchdown]

As I’ve said from the beginning, mask mandates are inevitably tied to community transmission. The most direct measure of if they are needed is the case rate, and there is amazing news there:

We are about to crash below levels not seen since March 2020. Assuming no major uptick in the next 2 weeks, we could be looking at Covid being eradicated in parts of not all of the US later this summer.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

No...it’s not.

maybe “bobs fun park” in Topeka Kansas...but who are we talking about here?

wouldn’t have hurt to have the 5,000 O&T peeps “throw something together”

I'm surprised they don't ship the masks to the Asian parks where mask wearing has been in action to some degree even before the pandemic

 

[Polkadotdress]

Did you take extra precautions when out in public before the pandemic? (I’m genuinely curious)

Yes, I did.

The difference between "before" and now is that when one encounters someone who is potentially contagious with the flu, they are largely OBVIOUSLY symptomatic, and therefore avoidable. Now, when one encounters someone who is potentially contagious with Covid, they *can* be asymptomatic, and therefore invisible to me. Despite all of that, every year, I always get very sick with some sort of respiratory thing, which just-about-nearly lands me in the hospital. Except for this year. The mask was of great protection. But, I don't want to wear it for the rest of my life.

Despite being immunosuppressed, I do like to live my life normally.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes, I did.

The difference between "before" and now is that when one encounters someone who is potentially contagious with the flu, they are largely OBVIOUSLY symptomatic, and therefore avoidable. Now, when one encounters someone who is potentially contagious with Covid, they *can* be asymptomatic, and therefore invisible to me. Despite all of that, every year, I always get very sick with some sort of respiratory thing, which just-about-nearly lands me in the hospital. Except for this year. The mask was of great protection. But, I don't want to wear it for the rest of my life.

Despite being immunosuppressed, I do like to live my life normally.

...and there are zero valid reasons why about 90% of the population can’t be vaccinated. Collectively pull the rope

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As I’ve said from the beginning, mask mandates are inevitably tied to community transmission. The most direct measure of if they are needed is the case rate, and there is amazing news there:

View attachment 561621
We are about to crash below levels not seen since March 2020. Assuming no major uptick in the next 2 weeks, we could be looking at Covid being eradicated in parts of not all of the US later this summer.

but it all comes back to this: what are the reasons it’s collapsing?

one huge one, one big one, and one important but smaller one as far as I can tell.

 

[Jedijax719]

As I’ve said from the beginning, mask mandates are inevitably tied to community transmission. The most direct measure of if they are needed is the case rate, and there is amazing news there:

View attachment 561621
We are about to crash below levels not seen since March 2020. Assuming no major uptick in the next 2 weeks, we could be looking at Covid being eradicated in parts of not all of the US later this summer.

That's elimination not eradication (if you want to be technical). Eradication is the reduction to zero which prevents spread altogether everywhere. Elimination comes on the heels of strong management. Numbers look to be headed for strong management with elimination possible in some smaller areas. The more folks in those areas who are vaccinated, the smaller the chances of a random case (from within or without) affecting others.

 

[Polkadotdress]

...and there are zero valid reasons why about 90% of the population can’t be vaccinated. Collectively pull the rope

Pull that rope! Go TEAM Go!

Unfortunately, there are a few hooligans sitting on the sidelines snickering, as many of us pull that rope.

 

[doctornick]

the 90% is not even close to correct. Children, those with particular immune issues, and several others are still not able to be vaccinated.

Case in point, my wife is nursing. She has spoken to several doctors, and they all still say they can't recommend getting the vaccine. While there is PROBABLY a extremely small chance of any issues, they said nothing official has been declared for them yet as not enough study data has been issued for an official declaration for them yet. I do believe most doctors feel it would be safe for nursing mothers to get the vaccine, they officially can't tell my wife that yet. So she is still waiting for her chance.

All those cases will amount to more than 10% of the population.

Children under 12 are about 14.5% of the US population. So, yes, your point is correct.

Still, there should be a good bit over 80% of the population of the Us that is eligible to get the vaccine at this point in time. If we could only get all of those people to get it, it would be enough that even the risks of variants and surges would be (very likely) eliminated and we could truly return to normal without any fear of rebound.

 

[Ripken10]

Children under 12 are about 14.5% of the US population. So, yes, your point is correct.

Still, there should be a good bit over 80% of the population of the Us that is eligible to get the vaccine at this point in time. If we could only get all of those people to get it, it would be enough that even the risks of variants and surges would be (very likely) eliminated and we could truly return to normal without any fear of rebound.

I definitely agree. But the idea that 90% can get it is far off.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Children under 12 are about 14.5% of the US population. So, yes, your point is correct.

Still, there should be a good bit over 80% of the population of the Us that is eligible to get the vaccine at this point in time. If we could only get all of those people to get it, it would be enough that even the risks of variants and surges would be (very likely) eliminated and we could truly return to normal without any fear of rebound.

Incorrect...in roughly 3 months children 2 and up will be authorized to take the vaccines...which means the overall total thacan’t be vaxxed will be well below 10%. As our birthrate has fallen for decades that’s actually a declining population.

6/3/2021 at 9:05 EST...write me down for that prediction that is sure to become true.

 

[RoyWalley]

In the heat of the pandemic in January, it appears Disney was planning to eliminate outdoor masks by July 1, and all COVID protocols by October 1.

Bob Chapek comments on Walt Disney World's growing attendance and mask use but no opening dates for upcoming attractions

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Harmonious and Galactic Starcruiser were mentioned in today's earnings call.

www.wdwmagic.com

According to this article from Feb. 11 at the investors meeting with Bob Chapek, " mask wearing and social distancing is expected for the remainder of the year. Chapek expects masks and distancing at the parks to be gone in 2022."

 

[SoFloMagic]

Disney masks may be on the discount rack in the stores.

Already are. Currently BOGO at Disney stores in malls

 

[CosmicRays]

Bob Chapek comments on Walt Disney World's growing attendance and mask use but no opening dates for upcoming attractions

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Harmonious and Galactic Starcruiser were mentioned in today's earnings call.

www.wdwmagic.com

According to this article from Feb. 11 at the investors meeting with Bob Chapek, " mask wearing and social distancing is expected for the remainder of the year. Chapek expects masks and distancing at the parks to be gone in 2022."

I always assumed 2022 but you know what they say about assuming...

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

Bob Chapek comments on Walt Disney World's growing attendance and mask use but no opening dates for upcoming attractions

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Harmonious and Galactic Starcruiser were mentioned in today's earnings call.

www.wdwmagic.com

According to this article from Feb. 11 at the investors meeting with Bob Chapek, " mask wearing and social distancing is expected for the remainder of the year. Chapek expects masks and distancing at the parks to be gone in 2022."

I think that was much of Corporate America’s expectations, then with the ever changing guidance, it was “we’ll see how it goes and keep everything in place as a good measure”, then directly to “let’s reduce where we can and use as a tool to encourage vaccinations”, then to “this is unmanageable, cut to the minimum requirement for the local area and put people on the honor system”. Keep in mind some of these discussions were as quick as within a couple days. I expect TWDC is not far off from that path as well. IMO people are seriously not grasping how quickly these decisions are being made.

 

[correcaminos]

Bob Chapek comments on Walt Disney World's growing attendance and mask use but no opening dates for upcoming attractions

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Harmonious and Galactic Starcruiser were mentioned in today's earnings call.

www.wdwmagic.com

According to this article from Feb. 11 at the investors meeting with Bob Chapek, " mask wearing and social distancing is expected for the remainder of the year. Chapek expects masks and distancing at the parks to be gone in 2022."

I truly think this was a CYA pessimistic view. We can see they've walked back a lot lately!