News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

[SingleRider]

Depends

-What the CDC changes their guidance to
-If things get bad again (which I think will happen at some point) they will be brought back.

I just hope everything stays relatively quiet at least through the summer

Orange County FL is in the high category so Disney isn’t going by CDC guidance currently.

 

[Tom P.]

Depends

-What the CDC changes their guidance to
-If things get bad again (which I think will happen at some point) they will be brought back.

I just hope everything stays relatively quiet at least through the summer

I disagree. Disney made the change while the CDC was still recommending universal indoor masking. In fact, the CDC is still recommending that. Disney is not following the CDC guidance any longer. But, I also think that once the CDC does change their guidance, they are going to be loathe to ever change it back because of all the heat they took last year over changing guidance.

Regarding whether or not they would bring masks back if Covid gets bad again, that is more ambiguous. If things got *really* bad, perhaps. I mean, as @DisneyCane said above, if -- God forbid -- the country would get a new variant that is as contagious as Omicron but with as severe outcomes as Delta, and also one which was able to evade the vaccines and existing natural immunity, maybe. But I really think there has been a dramatic sea change in society versus where we were last year. The public is now willing to live with the risks of Covid and wants the restrictions gone. That's why big states and small states, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican, are all now dropping restrictions. Unless it gets *really* bad again -- which I don't see happening -- I can't imagine Disney reversing course.

 

[Incomudro]

I disagree. Disney made the change while the CDC was still recommending universal indoor masking. In fact, the CDC is still recommending that. Disney is not following the CDC guidance any longer. But, I also think that once the CDC does change their guidance, they are going to be loathe to ever change it back because of all the heat they took last year over changing guidance.

Regarding whether or not they would bring masks back if Covid gets bad again, that is more ambiguous. If things got *really* bad, perhaps. I mean, as @DisneyCane said above, if -- God forbid -- the country would get a new variant that is as contagious as Omicron but with as severe outcomes as Delta, and also one which was able to evade the vaccines and existing natural immunity, maybe. But I really think there has been a dramatic sea change in society versus where we were last year. The public is now willing to live with the risks of Covid and wants the restrictions gone. That's why big states and small states, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican, are all now dropping restrictions. Unless it gets *really* bad again -- which I don't see happening -- I can't imagine Disney reversing course.

If such a bad scenario were to happen, I'll be wearing an N95 mask voluntarily.
But yes, hoping such a thing doesn't happen - the country is largely done with this.
Just saw on New Jersey 12 that Governor Murphy will be hosting his final covid briefing.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Those flying to Disney by plane might want to hang on to their face coverings.

US Flight Attendants Expect Mask Mandates To Be Extended

Flight attendant union says removing mask mandates would endanger vulnerable passengers.

simpleflying.com

 

[DisneyCane]

Those flying to Disney by plane might want to hang on to their face coverings.

US Flight Attendants Expect Mask Mandates To Be Extended

Flight attendant union says removing mask mandates would endanger vulnerable passengers.

simpleflying.com

A flight attendants union isn't going to stop the momentum of dropping mask mandates. Previously I expected the transportation mandate to go through 2024. However, the speed at which the tide has turned has me to the point where I'd be somewhat surprised if it was extended past 3/18.

Airlines might keep the requirement but enforcement will be a nightmare once the federal mandate is dropped. They won't have the threat of "federal law" to back them up. The regulation that says passengers must obey crew member's instructions doesn't actually mean what people imply. If you read the regulation, there are very specific things that you have to obey.

A flight attendant can't have you arrested for refusing to wear a mask. They can kick you off the plane but if the refusal is in the middle of the flight they aren't going to divert or turn around. Maybe the offender will get banned from that airline for a period of time but that's really the only power they have.

Where people get themselves in big trouble is starting physical or verbal altercations over the rule. If you just sat there without a mask on and didn't respond to the flight attendant the consequences are pretty minimal.

Personally, I wear it most of the flight to avoid issues. However, I do eat and drink as slowly as humanly possible to take a mask break when it starts to get uncomfortable, especially on long flights.

 

[correcaminos]

Those flying to Disney by plane might want to hang on to their face coverings.

US Flight Attendants Expect Mask Mandates To Be Extended

Flight attendant union says removing mask mandates would endanger vulnerable passengers.

simpleflying.com

I'm really less pressed about what airlines continue to do. We are now coming up on 3 weeks for the mandate. I don't care if an airline requires masks. I just hope fed mandate us dropped. I respect their feelings though and will comply when asked.

 

[drnilescrane]

A flight attendants union isn't going to stop the momentum of dropping mask mandates.

Especially when it's not all unions. It's one union - the AFA-CWA (United + Regionals). APFA (American Airlines) and TWU (Southwest) don't support the extension and neither do the management of those airlines.

Sara Nelson (head of AFA-CWA) keeps trotting out the under 5 yo vaccine issue but she just wants her no-fly list and to organize non-union Delta. She's previously advocated for banning non-essential travel during the pandemic. Her option isn't the only relevant one here - she's just good at getting on camera.

 

[Lilofan]

A flight attendants union isn't going to stop the momentum of dropping mask mandates. Previously I expected the transportation mandate to go through 2024. However, the speed at which the tide has turned has me to the point where I'd be somewhat surprised if it was extended past 3/18.

Airlines might keep the requirement but enforcement will be a nightmare once the federal mandate is dropped. They won't have the threat of "federal law" to back them up. The regulation that says passengers must obey crew member's instructions doesn't actually mean what people imply. If you read the regulation, there are very specific things that you have to obey.

A flight attendant can't have you arrested for refusing to wear a mask. They can kick you off the plane but if the refusal is in the middle of the flight they aren't going to divert or turn around. Maybe the offender will get banned from that airline for a period of time but that's really the only power they have.

Where people get themselves in big trouble is starting physical or verbal altercations over the rule. If you just sat there without a mask on and didn't respond to the flight attendant the consequences are pretty minimal.

Personally, I wear it most of the flight to avoid issues. However, I do eat and drink as slowly as humanly possible to take a mask break when it starts to get uncomfortable, especially on long flights.

AA Flight 38 Miami to London turned around and landed back in Miami after a Karen onboard refused to keep their mask on. Passengers had to rebook another flight back to London. This happened a month ago.

 

[Tom P.]

AA Flight 38 Miami to London turned around and landed back in Miami after a Karen onboard refused to keep their mask on. Passengers had to rebook another flight back to London. This happened a month ago.

Yes, but that is under the federal mask mandate. If that goes away and it is just airline policy we are talking about, situations like that could possibly play out differently.

 

[Tom P.]

Bottom line, though... it seems clear nothing is changing with regards to airline mask policy between now and March 18th. But if you are planning to travel to Disney by air after March 18th, I think you have to be prepared for either scenario: mask mandate and no mask mandate. If *either* of those situations would make you uncomfortable, it might be a good idea to delay your Disney vacation until things become clearer and more definite.

 

[ABQ]

Especially when it's not all unions. It's one union - the AFA-CWA (United + Regionals). APFA (American Airlines) and TWU (Southwest) don't support the extension and neither do the management of those airlines.

Sara Nelson (head of AFA-CWA) keeps trotting out the under 5 yo vaccine issue but she just wants her no-fly list and to organize non-union Delta. She's previously advocated for banning non-essential travel during the pandemic. Her option isn't the only relevant one here - she's just good at getting on camera.

Apparently APFA did support the AFA-CWA statement.

“While more of the world now has access to life-saving vaccines, we still have a significant portion of the population that are vulnerable, including our youngest passengers,” said Paul Hartshorn, a spokesman for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents about 24,550 employees at Fort Worth-based American Airlines.​

 

[DisneyCane]

AA Flight 38 Miami to London turned around and landed back in Miami after a Karen onboard refused to keep their mask on. Passengers had to rebook another flight back to London. This happened a month ago.

If you read the article about the flight, it seems that turning around was likely due to the misbehavior of the passenger, not just because they refused to mask. Here is a quote from another passenger:

"She sat behind us in first class -- she was a first-class passenger and was extremely abusive to the stewards,"

The article confirms that the passenger didn't face any legal consequences and this is with the mandate in place:

Colome said police officers met the plane when it returned to the Miami International Airport. He said officers escorted the passenger off the plane, but she was not arrested or charged.

Colome said the woman, whose name was not released, was turned over to American Airlines officials to handle administratively.

That's because there is nothing in the federal transportation mask mandate that even attempts to legally require the passengers to wear a mask. What it does is require the carrier or operator to "use best efforts" to make sure that all passengers wear masks.

On transportation at Disney, since they appear to operate under federal jurisdiction due to the monorail incident a few years ago, Disney is required to have a policy that you have to wear a mask on their monorails and busses. However, nothing can be done to you legally if you refuse. Disney would force you to disembark and quite possibly ban you from the parks or property but they can't call the OC Sheriff and have you arrested.

Bottom line, though... it seems clear nothing is changing with regards to airline mask policy between now and March 18th. But if you are planning to travel to Disney by air after March 18th, I think you have to be prepared for either scenario: mask mandate and no mask mandate. If *either* of those situations would make you uncomfortable, it might be a good idea to delay your Disney vacation until things become clearer and more definite.

I expect that some airlines will drop the policy once the federal mandate expires and some will keep it. If you are flying on United I would definitely expect to be required to wear it because their CEO is very aggressive with respect to COVID. For the other airlines, they will decide what will bring them more revenue having a mask requirement or not.

 

[DisneyCane]

Apparently APFA did support the AFA-CWA statement.

“While more of the world now has access to life-saving vaccines, we still have a significant portion of the population that are vulnerable, including our youngest passengers,” said Paul Hartshorn, a spokesman for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents about 24,550 employees at Fort Worth-based American Airlines.​

The flight attendants unions and the airlines themselves were supportive of the mandate in the first place because, at the time, the airlines all had mask requirements as part of their COVID protocols and they wanted to be able to threaten the passengers with a "federal law" in order to make enforcement easier.

 

[Lilofan]

If you read the article about the flight, it seems that turning around was likely due to the misbehavior of the passenger, not just because they refused to mask. Here is a quote from another passenger:

The article confirms that the passenger didn't face any legal consequences and this is with the mandate in place:

That's because there is nothing in the federal transportation mask mandate that even attempts to legally require the passengers to wear a mask. What it does is require the carrier or operator to "use best efforts" to make sure that all passengers wear masks.

On transportation at Disney, since they appear to operate under federal jurisdiction due to the monorail incident a few years ago, Disney is required to have a policy that you have to wear a mask on their monorails and busses. However, nothing can be done to you legally if you refuse. Disney would force you to disembark and quite possibly ban you from the parks or property but they can't call the OC Sheriff and have you arrested.

I expect that some airlines will drop the policy once the federal mandate expires and some will keep it. If you are flying on United I would definitely expect to be required to wear it because their CEO is very aggressive with respect to COVID. For the other airlines, they will decide what will bring them more revenue having a mask requirement or not.

Yes , passenger on overseas flight in regards to overseas flight to UK acting like a Karen regarding wearing a mask, and pilot turned back to Miami.

 

[correcaminos]

The flight attendants unions and the airlines themselves were supportive of the mandate in the first place because, at the time, the airlines all had mask requirements as part of their COVID protocols and they wanted to be able to threaten the passengers with a "federal law" in order to make enforcement easier.

Or they think it is safer to wear masks. Not everyone who does feel safer is on a power trip.

 

[DisneyCane]

Or they think it is safer to wear masks. Not everyone who does feel safer is on a power trip.

As with CMs at WDW, you can tell by the tone of voice and attitude which flight attendants are enforcing based on a power trip. The ones that I have observed on a couple of flights were very obvious and all were double masking (and ironically always wearing the masks in the wrong order for "proper" double masking).

At WDW, when I visited during the times when masks were required, there were CMs who either just used hand gestures to remind people to get them over the nose or used a soft tone of voice to prod. Others were clearly on a power trip screaming at people from 20 feet away in a nasty authoritative tone like they were the parent of a young child.

Two days before the requirement was dropped there was a CM in front of TT that was practically yelling at everybody to put their face covering on because they would be going inside right away. This was 30 feet or so from the indoor entrance where they were required. If they weren't on a power trip and enjoyed the enforcement of the policy they could have used a different tone and phrased it as a reminder instead of an order.

 

[correcaminos]

As with CMs at WDW, you can tell by the tone of voice and attitude which flight attendants are enforcing based on a power trip. The ones that I have observed on a couple of flights were very obvious and all were double masking (and ironically always wearing the masks in the wrong order for "proper" double masking).

At WDW, when I visited during the times when masks were required, there were CMs who either just used hand gestures to remind people to get them over the nose or used a soft tone of voice to prod. Others were clearly on a power trip screaming at people from 20 feet away in a nasty authoritative tone like they were the parent of a young child.

Two days before the requirement was dropped there was a CM in front of TT that was practically yelling at everybody to put their face covering on because they would be going inside right away. This was 30 feet or so from the indoor entrance where they were required. If they weren't on a power trip and enjoyed the enforcement of the policy they could have used a different tone and phrased it as a reminder instead of an order.

Stress makes people be not as kind. Again not all who want to continue are on power trips. Their anxieties could be getting in the way.

Tomorrow marks 3 weeks until the end of the federal mandate. They would be foolish to wait any longer to extend. While my trip will require them, I do expect this one to expire.

 

[DisneyCane]

Stress makes people be not as kind. Again not all who want to continue are on power trips. Their anxieties could be getting in the way.

Tomorrow marks 3 weeks until the end of the federal mandate. They would be foolish to wait any longer to extend. While my trip will require them, I do expect this one to expire. Dealing with maskholes is tough work.

There's still time. When it was set to expire 9/13/21, they extended it on 8/18.

I think as long as the CDC changes the mask guidance to be based upon hospitalizations they will use that cover to let it expire since I don't think anywhere in the US is currently having high hospitalizations.

My next air travel is to head out to Vegas. The mandate will be in place for my outbound flight but it is very possible that it will be dropped before I return. I'm flying on American so I don't know if they will keep the policy after the federal mandate is dropped.

 

[CJR]

Bottom line, though... it seems clear nothing is changing with regards to airline mask policy between now and March 18th. But if you are planning to travel to Disney by air after March 18th, I think you have to be prepared for either scenario: mask mandate and no mask mandate. If *either* of those situations would make you uncomfortable, it might be a good idea to delay your Disney vacation until things become clearer and more definite.

Driving is also an option if you're close enough. I'd say, if you're less than a day away, driving is a great option right now. Especially when you factor in flight delays, which can add hours of waiting, even from places like Atlanta.

 

[Lilofan]

Driving is also an option if you're close enough. I'd say, if you're less than a day away, driving is a great option right now. Especially when you factor in flight delays, which can add hours of waiting, even from places like Atlanta.

Driving is what we did a few times. One item to contend is a number of dining options on I-95 were drive thru only, limited hours and menu and some even closed during the day.