News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

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correcaminos

Well-Known Member
As the parks get busier through summer I’ve wondered when the casts members just say screw it and stop enforcing masks in general
Still waiting for our WDW trip, darn school, but I regularly go to our zoo - largest in the nation I read (size of AK as a reference) so not dinky. Mask enforcement there is non existent outdoors. We are supposed to mask at all times. For half the summer though we only did it indoors or going on rides.
 

pixie225

Well-Known Member
Still waiting for our WDW trip, darn school, but I regularly go to our zoo - largest in the nation I read (size of AK as a reference) so not dinky. Mask enforcement there is non existent outdoors. We are supposed to mask at all times. For half the summer though we only did it indoors or going on rides.
Our zoos/movie theaters here are going to 50% occupancy today - masks still required. Slow but steady....
 

Santa Raccoon 77

Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
I feel like inside outside has become as difficult to define as infrastructure on this thread. 😂 🤣
As difficult as not having to wear masks whilst eating. They had to change the rules over that because people are always looking to bend them to suit their wants. An overall mask policy is much easier than a Mish mash as the general public is stupid and lazy
 

correcaminos

Well-Known Member
Our zoos/movie theaters here are going to 50% occupancy today - masks still required. Slow but steady....
I admit I have no clue what my zoo's occupancy is. They have limited from the start, though members can enter after 2pm without reservations at least. No reservations required over the winter though. We are still masks outdoors but that was not how it was this past summer for the most part. This spring it seems outdoors is a free for all. Indoors and waiting in line for food or rides was also masked well.

Haven’t paid attention to movies as I rarely go covid or not.
 

mickeymiss

Well-Known Member
My issue is making sure we ease into any changes. Lots of people have become reliant on masks for a feeling of safety after having to do it for a year. Even those of us who were reluctant like me came to see a benefit to it in crowded places. CDC never said people had to wear masks in their car and look how many people do it (not judging - I understand anxiety). Medical experts are still trying to say vaccinated people might be able to transmit it and that variants might not be covered. I consider Disney World to be higher risk because it has a lot of people and it's the only place my husband has gotten sick over the last 5 years. We were germaphobes before covid so it's hard for us to get sick. Kids can't be vaccinated and I still want to protect mine, etc. Moreover, people who are outside the refund window shouldn't be blindsided with big policy changes. It makes more sense to lower restrictions slowly and give at least a 30 day notice. July is a far better benchmark, for example, in terms of measuring how much better off we actually are since the vaccine. I could probably accept getting rid of masks outside but I'd be very disappointed that it wasn't announced far enough ahead for people to change their minds. We likely couldn't refund now if I decided that we didn't want to go because of that. I don't wear a mask outside when I can be 6 feet apart here where I live but Disney is undeniably a very different environment.
 

disneygeek90

Well-Known Member
My issue is making sure we ease into any changes. Lots of people have become reliant on masks for a feeling of safety after having to do it for a year. Even those of us who were reluctant like me came to see a benefit to it in crowded places. CDC never said people had to wear masks in their car and look how many people do it (not judging - I understand anxiety). Medical experts are still trying to say vaccinated people might be able to transmit it and that variants might not be covered. I consider Disney World to be higher risk because it has a lot of people and it's the only place my husband has gotten sick over the last 5 years. We were germaphobes before covid so it's hard for us to get sick. Kids can't be vaccinated and I still want to protect mine, etc. Moreover, people who are outside the refund window shouldn't be blindsided with big policy changes. It makes more sense to lower restrictions slowly and give at least a 30 day notice. July is a far better benchmark, for example, in terms of measuring how much better off we actually are since the vaccine. I could probably accept getting rid of masks outside but I'd be very disappointed that it wasn't announced far enough ahead for people to change their minds. We likely couldn't refund now if I decided that we didn't want to go because of that. I don't wear a mask outside when I can be 6 feet apart here where I live but Disney is undeniably a very different environment.
I don't think you'll see any changes in the next 30 days. Remember, they will also likely want to wait until all CM's (that want to) are fully vaxxed before they change anything more sizeable than pics without masks. There's been no hint from Universal that there could be changes coming, and I don't see Disney balking before Universal does.
 

danlb_2000

Premium Member
What gray areas? In queue or on an attraction (inside or out) masks on. Indoors on. Really not rocket science. Maybe I just saw this in action last summer, but I'm still not understanding why this is hard. CMs are at the front of lines and can always remind. Better than half on and removing in line to have a drink/snack I've seen reported. Enforcement is inconsistent at best. I have to wonder, those fighting this saying it's too hard - do you really believe it is too hard or are you not ready to follow guidance like this?

What is your definition of "Indoors"?
 

mickeymiss

Well-Known Member
I don't really see the point since people get in lines and go inside constantly. It's all we ever do when we're there that it seems easier to me to just leave the dang mask on. We are almost always in a line or on our way to a line any given moment at Disney 🤣
 

disneygeek90

Well-Known Member
I don't really see the point since people get in lines and go inside constantly. It's all we ever do when we're there that it seems easier to me to just leave the dang mask on. We are almost always in a line or on our way to a line any given moment at Disney 🤣
I mean... I can see the intrigue. Especially as we are approaching the summer months. You also do a lot of walking to get to each attraction, especially if you're walking across parks. Going from Safari to Expedition Everest is a bit of a walk, it would be a nice mask break while walking from spot to spot.
 

danlb_2000

Premium Member
I think you'd just have to make a blanket rule for any time in an attraction queue masks should be on, regardless if outside or not. There's too many areas that are partially covered but I wouldn't really call that inside.

That works for rides/attractions, but what about shops? For example how would the outside rule work in the Morocco pavillion?
 

Chi84

Premium Member
I think you'd just have to make a blanket rule for any time in an attraction queue masks should be on, regardless if outside or not. There's too many areas that are partially covered but I wouldn't really call that inside.
I agree. I think we run the risk of overcomplicating things by suggesting that people won't be able to figure out whether they're inside or outside. Studies have shown that even an open window curbs virus transmission to some extent. If you have sufficient reason to think you're outside, it's probably good enough for mask compliance. If WDW has places that are truly ambiguous, they can put a sign on the wall (or post if there's no wall) saying that masks are required in the area. They're figuring it out in Tokyo, where people are allowed to take off masks outside during the summer. We can figure it out here, too.
 

G00fyDad

Well-Known Member
I agree. I think we run the risk of overcomplicating things by suggesting that people won't be able to figure out whether they're inside or outside. Studies have shown that even an open window curbs virus transmission to some extent. If you have sufficient reason to think you're outside, it's probably good enough for mask compliance. If WDW has places that are truly ambiguous, they can put a sign on the wall (or post if there's no wall) saying that masks are required in the area. They're figuring it out in Tokyo, where people are allowed to take off masks outside during the summer. We can figure it out here, too.

I think you are giving people too much credit. Too many entitled people that will argue semantics over anything. Especially whether and area is considered "outside" or not. "Well this building has an open door down that hallway to the right and then to the left about 200' away. That means I am basically outside!"

Too many Karens.
 

Chi84

Premium Member
I think you are giving people too much credit. Too many entitled people that will argue semantics over anything. Especially whether and area is considered "outside" or not. "Well this building has an open door down that hallway to the right and then to the left about 200' away. That means I am basically outside!"

Too many Karens.
I disagree. There are a whole lot of people who significantly altered their lives for more than a year to fight this virus. Now that the vaccines are available and people have the ability to protect themselves, the rules have to start changing to accommodate what we have learned. One of the things we've learned is that outside transmission is not nearly as prevalent as inside transmission, so the rules need to change. We can't be so cowed by the possibility of rule-breakers that we paralyze ourselves into inaction.
 

mickeymiss

Well-Known Member
I agree. I think we run the risk of overcomplicating things by suggesting that people won't be able to figure out whether they're inside or outside. Studies have shown that even an open window curbs virus transmission to some extent. If you have sufficient reason to think you're outside, it's probably good enough for mask compliance. If WDW has places that are truly ambiguous, they can put a sign on the wall (or post if there's no wall) saying that masks are required in the area. They're figuring it out in Tokyo, where people are allowed to take off masks outside during the summer. We can figure it out here, too.
I think the difference is that Disney is a massive theme park. It's not the same as walking around outside generally. I don't think we should have to wear masks outside in our communities. There are opportunities to get close to people at Disney that don't exist most other places. I noticed this even during our trip last summer at the lowest capacity. I don't think removing masks outside would be a dealbreaker for me but it seems so prone to confusion. Covid may not spread "easily" from surfaces but a lot of other germs do. I happen to want to stay healthy in general for my trip and obligating people to touch their masks over and over seems like more than it's worth. You may as well just remove the mask policy altogether at that point. I'm one of those pesky people that actually understands the logic to wearing masks after vaccination through the summer while we figure out how well the vaccine works. We are still being taunted with suggestions that the vaccine might not curb transmission and might not cover variants. There's no harm in waiting for that data before making big changes. I think July is a good goal post of when we see trends of kids being protected passively by adult herd immunity.
 

correcaminos

Well-Known Member
What is your definition of "Indoors"?
I thought I made this clear in previous posts, but I'll say it again. For Disney, if you are in line, or at/in an attraction (inside or outside) you are masked. Anything that is inside (like a building) you are masked. Riding transportation would be masked. Walking from attraction to attraction not inside a building? No.

I think you are giving people too much credit. Too many entitled people that will argue semantics over anything. Especially whether and area is considered "outside" or not. "Well this building has an open door down that hallway to the right and then to the left about 200' away. That means I am basically outside!"

Too many Karens.
I'm not giving people credit. I've seen it work. I think some people really are either overcomplicating this or really just arguing because they are too afraid to take this step.
 

Chi84

Premium Member
I think the difference is that Disney is a massive theme park. It's not the same as walking around outside generally. I don't think we should have to wear masks outside in our communities. There are opportunities to get close to people at Disney that don't exist most other places. I noticed this even during our trip last summer at the lowest capacity. I don't think removing masks outside would be a dealbreaker for me but it seems so prone to confusion. Covid may not spread "easily" from surfaces but a lot of other germs do. I happen to want to stay healthy in general for my trip and obligating people to touch their masks over and over seems like more than it's worth. You may as well just remove the mask policy altogether at that point. I'm one of those pesky people that actually understands the logic to wearing masks after vaccination through the summer while we figure out how well the vaccine works. We are still being taunted with suggestions that the vaccine might not curb transmission and might not cover variants. There's no harm in waiting for that data before making big changes. I think July is a good goal post of when we see trends of kids being protected passively by adult herd immunity.
What strikes me most on these threads is that people can disagree about so much, yet still come to the same conclusion. I could write a response disagreeing with some of what you said but in the end I agree that waiting until July is just fine.
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
My issue is making sure we ease into any changes. Lots of people have become reliant on masks for a feeling of safety after having to do it for a year. Even those of us who were reluctant like me came to see a benefit to it in crowded places. CDC never said people had to wear masks in their car and look how many people do it (not judging - I understand anxiety). Medical experts are still trying to say vaccinated people might be able to transmit it and that variants might not be covered. I consider Disney World to be higher risk because it has a lot of people and it's the only place my husband has gotten sick over the last 5 years. We were germaphobes before covid so it's hard for us to get sick. Kids can't be vaccinated and I still want to protect mine, etc. Moreover, people who are outside the refund window shouldn't be blindsided with big policy changes. It makes more sense to lower restrictions slowly and give at least a 30 day notice. July is a far better benchmark, for example, in terms of measuring how much better off we actually are since the vaccine. I could probably accept getting rid of masks outside but I'd be very disappointed that it wasn't announced far enough ahead for people to change their minds. We likely couldn't refund now if I decided that we didn't want to go because of that. I don't wear a mask outside when I can be 6 feet apart here where I live but Disney is undeniably a very different environment.
As I've said if I'm only going a block or 2 it takes too long to properly take it off and put it back on just get to the next place. Nothing to do with anxiety. Just judicious use of my time
 

correcaminos

Well-Known Member
I think the difference is that Disney is a massive theme park. It's not the same as walking around outside generally. I don't think we should have to wear masks outside in our communities. There are opportunities to get close to people at Disney that don't exist most other places. I noticed this even during our trip last summer at the lowest capacity. I don't think removing masks outside would be a dealbreaker for me but it seems so prone to confusion. Covid may not spread "easily" from surfaces but a lot of other germs do. I happen to want to stay healthy in general for my trip and obligating people to touch their masks over and over seems like more than it's worth. You may as well just remove the mask policy altogether at that point. I'm one of those pesky people that actually understands the logic to wearing masks after vaccination through the summer while we figure out how well the vaccine works. We are still being taunted with suggestions that the vaccine might not curb transmission and might not cover variants. There's no harm in waiting for that data before making big changes. I think July is a good goal post of when we see trends of kids being protected passively by adult herd immunity.
I'm a pesky person who actually understands the logic too. I also read that the variants are not evading the vaccines and that it does cut down transmission. I'll say it again, I take science seriously. I even did the trial for the sake of the world, I'm not okay with doing unnecessary things though. I'll follow rulesm, but outdoors I find this pointless now. From the beginning we had outdoor visits distanced without masks due to distance and we were told that's okay. Now we have science agreeing and people keep wanting to keep things in place when it isn't necessary. I stopped wiping my groceries and letting mail sit for 3 days months ago. I move with what science says is all. Contrary to your implications, I'm not dumb or ignoring science.
 
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