News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

[Huntsman1230]

I’m sitting on an October one as well I’d reconsider

January 2022 for me as well

 

[FantasiaMickey2000]

I’m sitting on an October one as well I’d reconsider

Same. I am sitting on September and October reservations. If they go back to masks outdoors while in line and you aren’t allowed to lower it to drink water, I will absolutely cancel. I’m not going to pay $600 a day to suffer and be miserable. Nope. I’m vaccinated, let me choose to mask or not.

 

[JohnD]

Agree. And I don't think that having vaccinated people wear masks is going to help.

Want to ensure fewer people get the vaccine? Require those who went to the trouble to get vaccinated to wear masks. No, the solution is to strongly encourage the unvaccinated to get the vaccine and stress the high hospitalization rate of the unvaccinated. I think people understand by now that the vaccine is similar to the flu shot -- it was primarily for the "alpha" variant, if that's what we want to call it now. And, like the flu shot, while you can still get the delta variant after getting the vaccine because the delta variant wasn't in the vaccine, symptoms will be largely reduced.

 

[disneygeek90]

Same. I am sitting on September and October reservations. If they go back to masks outdoors while in line and you aren’t allowed to lower it to drink water, I will absolutely cancel. I’m not going to pay $600 a day to suffer and be miserable. Nope. I’m vaccinated, let me choose to mask or not.

I don't see them requiring masks outdoors again.

Sitting directly next to a stranger on Star Tours? Yeah... probably not a bad idea.

 

[relic827]

But with Disney indoor doesn’t mean indoors. It includes queues and attractions many of which are outside. Do I mind wearing a mask inside muppet vision 3D? No. Do I mind wearing a mask for the current one hour 50 minute wait for slinky dog dash in 100 degree heat index? Yes I do, that’s pretty damn drastic.

Well I just meant actual indoor, not Disney indoor I guess. But that is a difficult line to draw I suppose.

 

[FantasiaMickey2000]

I don't see them requiring masks outdoors again.

Sitting directly next to a stranger on Star Tours? Yeah... probably not a bad idea.

That’s what I’m saying though. Their previous “indoor” mask mandate covered all queues and attractions regardless of whether or not it was actually indoors. They don’t trust the guests to put masks on when entering a building.

 

[Trauma]

Time to cancel.

Disney needs to feel the financial pain of not supporting the vaccinated.

 

[Heelz2315]

So I checked the CDC twitter page and I believe this is what prompted them to change their stance. Per their Twitter "Vaccinated individuals represent a very small amount of total transmission"

How low we talking about here? 1%, 5% - 25%? I mean come on....and how long does this new guidance last? Till Spring I guess?

Jeez.....dayum I have had it with these non vaxxed clowns!

 

[sup]

Why doesn't Chapek and all theme parks in Country file a motion to require proof of vaccination. Those of us who are responsible and are vaccinated don't mind showing our card. Its the non vaccinated that don't want this. The government and businesses need to start icing non vaccinated people out of the public. I too will cancel my Oct. trip if masks are back.

 

[disneygeek90]

That’s what I’m saying though. Their previous “indoor” mask mandate covered all queues and attractions regardless of whether or not it was actually indoors. They don’t trust the guests to put masks on when entering a building.

It was a little odd, but I think they could adjust. For instance, masks weren't required in the outdoor "overflow" area for MMRR in front of the theater, but they were required when entering the initial Pirates queue that is outdoor.

Like everything the past 18 months, it's obviously very fluid and I wouldn't jump to conclusions that any restrictions that have been in place previously would be the exact same again.

 

[dreday3]

October - still going!

 

[Disneydad1012]

But with Disney indoor doesn’t mean indoors. It includes queues and attractions many of which are outside. Do I mind wearing a mask inside muppet vision 3D? No. Do I mind wearing a mask for the current one hour 50 minute wait for slinky dog dash in 100 degree heat index? Yes I do, that’s pretty damn drastic.

This is exactly the issue. Inside a store or show makes no difference to me either. Waiting in the outside queue for slinky or splash is miserable. So I guess we shall see what Disney ends up doing.

 

[jimbojones]

You may not consider it a big deal, but the reality is that other people do. You mention being a tourist at a theme park. That's kinda actually why it's a big deal to me. Because I don't have to go to a theme park. I have to go get groceries. So if the grocery store requires a mask, I'm going to suck it up and put one on. But Disney? Nope. I won't go if there is any sort of mask rule in place. I'll just wait until it goes away.

Now, I'm not going to be a troublemaker and try to go to Disney and disobey the mask rule and cause a scene. I will just choose to not go. But I suspect other people won't be as nice about it. And let's be honest here. If enough guests make a stink about it, Disney isn't going to turn them all away and lose the money. Unless there is a government mandate, of course. Which in Florida has a zero percent chance of happening.

I'm on the flip side of this, I have an upcoming reservation. If they don't go back to indoor masks I'm rescheduling. I suspect just as many people feel the way I do as feel the way you do. I don't think it's reasonable to assume the presence r absence of a new mask mandate is going to kil attendance. I bet Disney marketing department has a good idea but ardent antivax anti mask people are assuming everyone agrees with them. This is one of the problems with modern media, all we listen to are people who agree with us.

 

[sup]

Time to cancel.

Disney needs to feel the financial pain of not supporting the vaccinated.

Yep. They need to file a loss of income status for 2020 motion and require proof of vaccination. Only vaccinated people in the parks means no masks, happy people spending their money. no worries of infecting each other, maybe parades and character meet and greets come back too.

 

[aliceismad]

Why doesn't Chapek and all theme parks in Country file a motion to require proof of vaccination. Those of us who are responsible and are vaccinated don't mind showing our card. Its the non vaccinated that don't want this. The government and businesses need to start icing non vaccinated people out of the public. I too will cancel my Oct. trip if masks are back.

Norwegian Cruise Line is currently fighting that fight against the state of Florida. We shall see what comes of it.

 

[JohnD]

Why doesn't Chapek and all theme parks in Country file a motion to require proof of vaccination. Those of us who are responsible and are vaccinated don't mind showing our card. Its the non vaccinated that don't want this. The government and businesses need to start icing non vaccinated people out of the public. I too will cancel my Oct. trip if masks are back.

Actually, I'm vaccinated and I do mind. It's the equivalent of "show us your papers." Then comes wrist bands or similar to visibly separate the vaccinated from the unvaccinated. You can see where this could go. No thanks. We need to get beyond the thinking that we're going to get to 0 cases with COVID. It's going to be like the flu and stay with us. It may require a yearly vaccine like the flu. Get the thing and move on with your life.

 

[JohnD]

October - still going!

I hope no masks but I'm going. There's only one 50th anniversary.

 

[CJR]

I agree with @wdwmagic in that it will be interesting to see what Disney does here.

I think they've (Disney) made it pretty clear this is not a move they wanted to make. Otherwise, they would have already done it when Demings asked them to. They certainly have had more than enough time to.

Keep in mind, they don't have to do anything at all without an official mandate, but if they make it "Optional, but Recommended", that is a mistake. I get they don't want to police people, but only a fraction of the people will probably mask up if it's not required. Moreover, the people who would mask up are more likely already going to be vaccinated or have been wearing masks already. Thus, no impact on the numbers.

The people who can be vaccinated and have not are the same people who refused to mask up last year.

 

[Huntsman1230]

I agree with @wdwmagic in that it will be interesting to see what Disney does here.

I think they've (Disney) made it pretty clear this is not a move they wanted to make. Otherwise, they would have already done it when Demings asked them to. They certainly have had more than enough time to.

Keep in mind, they don't have to do anything at all without an official mandate, but if they make it "Optional, but Recommended", that is a mistake. I get they don't want to police people, but only a fraction of the people will probably mask up if it's not required. Moreover, the people who would mask up are more likely already going to be vaccinated or have been wearing masks already. Thus, no impact on the numbers.

The people who can be vaccinated and have not are the same people who refused to mask up last year.

Really good points

 

[ElvisMickey]

They won’t see an increase in bookings if their policy goes backwards. They will definitely see a decrease

Right. And let’s not forget that August is the most brutal month out of the year temperature wise in Orlando. Regardless of whether masks are only required indoors or not, it’s still uncomfortable after you’ve been sweating to death walking around and it’s only 9AM.