News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

[SingleRider]

Even some flight attendants don’t like the rule.

Flight attendants sue over mask mandate on airplanes, transportation

Nine flight attendants from six states said Monday they are suing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the federal mask mandate on public transportation, arguing the COVID-19 rule obstructs their normal breathing over many hours and threatens aviation security because passengers...

m.washingtontimes.com

 

[LuvtheGoof]

You don't have to answer if you don't want to. But why did you do this? Genuinely curious.

We went to visit a relative in northern Florida after our trip who is immunocompromised, so we felt it a bit safer to stay away from them. We kinda figured that if they were that willing to just flout a simple rule, that they were probably not immunized either. It was the only monorail trip that had people refusing to wear masks, and staying at the Poly, we rode it pretty much every day. We also did not stay for the packed fireworks crowds and social distanced as much as possible. We talked with her yesterday, and we didn't pass anything along to her.

 

[correcaminos]

We were there at the same time as you, and noticed this behavior as well. We got on at the Poly, and at the GF a family of 4 got on without one wearing or even carrying a mask. We always follow the rules, even if we don't always agree with them. We immediately exited that car, let a CM know, and sat in a different car. I know the CM mentioned to them to put them on, but I doubt they complied.

For us the resort line was pretty good. Epcot/TTC line varied with who was in charge. Some were more strict than others. Polynesian one time and VGF once (separate rides) CMs were holding the box out for others who walked by with out a mask. It was interesting how it varied.

I realize I have an irk reflex for those who do not follow rules. Like go all the way to the end of the row request and then people stop, it internally irks me. I was irked when I saw no masks on the monorail (never saw it on the bus even with sleeping kids) but wouldn't say anything. I never felt unsafe in lines or the like so it wasn’t about my safety. I didn’t feel unsafe on the monorail either, it just set off my irk reflex so to speak. So I kept my mouth shut. I don't want to make it harder on CMs tbh.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

For us the resort line was pretty good. Epcot/TTC line varied with who was in charge. Some were more strict than others. Polynesian one time and VGF once (separate rides) CMs were holding the box out for others who walked by with out a mask. It was interesting how it varied.

I realize I have an irk reflex for those who do not follow rules. Like go all the way to the end of the row request and then people stop, it internally irks me. I was irked when I saw no masks on the monorail (never saw it on the bus even with sleeping kids) but wouldn't say anything. I never felt unsafe in lines or the like so it wasn’t about my safety. I didn’t feel unsafe on the monorail either, it just set off my irk reflex so to speak. So I kept my mouth shut. I don't want to make it harder on CMs tbh.

We have that same reflex with people that don't follow the rules. We just don't understand that mentality. We were brought up with integrity as a core value.

 

[matt9112]

That's a cop out. There are policies in some places where unvaccinated should wear a mask but " to do what you feel is best " doesn't cut it and is reckless and irresponsible. It is purely an assumption that others are the enemy.

Stranger danger in full effect.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Did you read what you sent me? Or were you too busy being rude for no reason?

Those are NCPCs. Aka “proposed fines”

They are "proposed fines" because the passengers have 30 days to respond (it's right there at the end of the article). The FAA doesn't need anyone's approval once they determine that they are going to issue the fine. The "proposed" part only means that they give the person a chance to respond before making a final ruling.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

Asking because I don't know. Was this poster joking or are they in the know?

As a man of my word, in my direct message to the user, that I would share this publicly, here it is.

I am hearing this from front line staff at multiple parks. They are just right now the low low level rumbles in the grapevine , but I have heard it from some of my very trust worthy sources. That being said, I haven't heard it from anyone who is a supervisor and up. It all has been lower than than, but still privy enough to be in the loop. I was not given anything definitive nor was I given any form of time frame to be able to share.

As for the immediate nature to the possibility, I am currently unaware of the current criteria that they are watching, as some of the calls have been coming from Burbank and New York respectively. When I stated in my posting that it is "possible return come next month. Thank rising cases." That's as far as the extent of my knowledge is on the matter. I wanted to share it so those coming are aware for the possibility. A lot of the concern is mainly around the fact that you are seeing areas such as Shanghai Disney shutting down again. We are also seeing cases people who are tested multiple times in a week getting it, for instance in the United States Federal Government, The Second Gentleman, The Press Secretary and now the Deputy Press Secretary (who had just tested positive just off the heels from coming back from Warsaw and Brussels).

Given how the Omicron variant has exploded and the purported variant going around is a mutation of Delta and Omicron, we can't be too careful. With precautions non-existent, this changes the calculus to a degree, so parts of it are reading the proverbial tea leaves. That all being said, given the overall situation, and the fact we are at spring break, its too early to tell what will happen for the Easter break. It is just that the masks coming back are as the very very low rumbles in the grape vine are just indicating that the chance of them coming back aren't off the table. It's also a rumbling that isn't that strong, but it is there.

As I always do, I will share more when and if I get it.

 

[DisneyCane]

They are "proposed fines" because the passengers have 30 days to respond (it's right there at the end of the article). The FAA doesn't need anyone's approval once they determine that they are going to issue the fine. The "proposed" part only means that they give the person a chance to respond before making a final ruling.

There's a thing in this country called due process. They can issue whatever fines they want but you can go to court to fight it.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

There's a thing in this country called due process. They can issue whatever fines they want but you can go to court to fight it.

Right. Which is why they propose the fine and give the person a chance to respond and try to defend themselves. But for anyone to question whether the mandate has actually been enforced with penalties, the answer is a clear "Yes." To suggest otherwise is like saying that parking violations aren't enforced because you've never personally witnessed someone get a ticket and even if someone was issued a ticket they have the right to dispute it. This is the same thing. It's a civil penalty, not a criminal one (unless they go beyond simply refusing to wear their mask and get physical or commit some other crime in the process). The FAA proposes the fine and the person can try to argue their case. Nobody realistically thinks that the FAA has reversed 100% of the fines they've issued, do they?

 

[Tom P.]

There is literally zero chance that Disney brings back masks next month. Zero. It would take a *massive* uptick in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths -- not just one of those -- to cause them to bring masks back. They are basically done with them at this point. And if there were going to be such a massive uptick that affected April, we'd be seeing it now. Those things don't happen overnight. As I've said before, I just don't believe masks are ever coming back at Disney unless there is a brand new variant that evades vaccines and begins killing people in significantly large numbers. Absent that, it's not happening.

 

[Tom P.]

Better chance of MSEP returning than masks.

It’s not happening unless we get a new strain that starts killing everyone.

#CONFIRMED: MSEP returning to Magic Kingdom!

 

[ToTBellHop]

There is literally zero chance that Disney brings back masks next month. Zero. It would take a *massive* uptick in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths -- not just one of those -- to cause them to bring masks back. They are basically done with them at this point. And if there were going to be such a massive uptick that affected April, we'd be seeing it now. Those things don't happen overnight. As I've said before, I just don't believe masks are ever coming back at Disney unless there is a brand new variant that evades vaccines and begins killing people in significantly large numbers. Absent that, it's not happening.

I keep looking for that Ba.2 spike and keep not seeing it. It’s the dominant strain in the northeast and yet…barely an impact.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I keep looking for that Ba.2 spike and keep not seeing it. It’s the dominant strain in the northeast and yet…barely an impact.

NJ has started trending upward again (albeit slightly and the transmission rate is still just barely below 1, so I'm not sure what to make of the increase in the 7-day average the past 2-3 days). Hopefully, it's just a blip and not a gradual build to another wave.

 

[ToTBellHop]

NJ has started trending upward again (albeit slightly and the transmission rate is still just barely below 1, so I'm not sure what to make of the increase in the 7-day average the past 2-3 days). Hopefully, it's just a blip and not a gradual build to another wave.

Nothing to worry about yet:

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Nothing to worry about yet:
View attachment 629113

Agreed. So far, it seems more like a matter of cases leveling off, which is to be expected at some point when the transmission rate drops low enough. It's odd to me that cases are up 22% over a week ago but the transmission rate is said to still be just below 1 (I believe 0.98 is the latest), since I would expect numbers to fall slightly or remain flat instead of going back up. Then again, I'm not an infectious disease expert. I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night - just my own uncomfortable bed that's due to be replaced sooner than later.

 

[mattpeto]

Agreed. So far, it seems more like a matter of cases leveling off, which is to be expected at some point when the transmission rate drops low enough. It's odd to me that cases are up 22% over a week ago but the transmission rate is said to still be just below 1 (I believe 0.98 is the latest), since I would expect numbers to fall slightly or remain flat instead of going back up. Then again, I'm not an infectious disease expert. I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night - just my own uncomfortable bed that's due to be replaced sooner than later.

There a couple of Erics on Twitter that thinks we're going to get hit again and hit hard. I sort of feel like one of them is actively rooting for it (might be unfair). Really hope they are wrong.

Like I predicted TRON will open in 2023, but I really hope I'm wrong. I'd like to get on it when I'm there in December.

 

[Incomudro]

Just came back from a week long stay at WDW.
No masks were required on the Friendship boats, the crew weren't wearing them either.
They were required on Disney park buses.
Mears Connect drivers wore them but they didn't really care if passengers did or did not, and that was the same situation for the Swan/Dolphin inter park buses.
We didn't ride the monorail.
I think we put masks on in the Skyliner - only rode that once, and I honestly don't remember.
Virtually no one in the parks, or on the hotel grounds of Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, Yacht or Beach Club were wearing masks.

 

[Tom P.]

Just came back from a week long stay at WDW.
No masks were required on the Friendship boats, the crew weren't wearing them either.
They were required on Disney park buses.
Mears Connect drivers wore them but they didn't really care if passengers did or did not, and that was the same situation for the Swan/Dolphin inter park buses.
We didn't ride the monorail.
I think we put masks on in the Skyliner - only rode that once, and I honestly don't remember.
Virtually no one in the parks, or on the hotel grounds of Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, Yacht or Beach Club were wearing masks.

Did you see any conflict at all relating to the masks, or lack thereof, or were people getting along with one another?

 

[Incomudro]

Did you see any conflict at all relating to the masks, or lack thereof, or were people getting along with one another?

None at all.
I was on buses where some people had masks on, and others didn't - and no one gave anyone else any grief.
Matter of fact, on my bus rides I/we boarded wearing masks, but took them off after a while of looking around the bus and seeing others not wearing them.
I'm happy to say that despite some very heavy crowds, and some waits for rides up to 90 minutes - I didn't see any guest conflicts at all, nor anyone giving cast members a hard time.
Oh, and our stay was seven days long.

 

[Tom P.]

None at all.
I was on buses where some people had masks on, and others didn't - and no one gave anyone else any grief.
Matter of fact, on my bus rides I/we boarded wearing masks, but took them off after a while of looking around the bus and seeing others not wearing them.
I'm happy to say that despite some very heavy crowds, and some waits for rides up to 90 minutes - I didn't see any guest conflicts at all, nor anyone giving cast members a hard time.
Oh, and our stay was seven days long.

Glad to hear that. Sometimes, reading things here, or on Twitter, or what have you, you'd get the impression that places are just constant arguments and fistfights over masks. Glad to hear that in the real world, people are actually getting along, minding their own business, and having a good time.