News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

[DisneyCane]

Demings re-iterated that "large groups" should continue to wear masks. Masks aren't going anywhere in the parks for a while, folks.

It depends how you define a "large group." In the context of WDW, something like the mass of people watching fireworks certainly would be but are people walking around a theme park really a "large group" in the same way?

This would really be best case scenario. The airline industry could literally change the entire course of Covid in America if they instate vaccine passports. It would break the plateau, and so many people would finally suck it up and get vaccinated. If the airlines could unite in this, they would be right up there with Health Care Workers and Essential Workers as the true heroes of the Pandemic.

I don't think it would have quite that impact. All it will likely accomplish is getting some percentage of people to drive instead of fly. I don't know the exact number but in a normal year the percentage of people who take at least one flight isn't that high (it's probably above 50% but nowhere near the vast majority).

 

[correcaminos]

It depends how you define a "large group." In the context of WDW, something like the mass of people watching fireworks certainly would be but are people walking around a theme park really a "large group" in the same way?

I don't think it would have quite that impact. All it will likely accomplish is getting some percentage of people to drive instead of fly. I don't know the exact number but in a normal year the percentage of people who take at least one flight isn't that high (it's probably above 50% but nowhere near the vast majority).

I see walking the parks pretty much same as walking my parks and zoo and whatever. I don't consider those large groups the way I do a stationary place like a stadium. Rarely ever do people come too close to me outside for more than a second or so.

 

[nickys]

I think the airline industry has a vaccine passport in the works?

They do for international travel.

I have no idea if any airlines will require it for domestic travel.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Temp checks keep sick people out, not all sick people obviously. Less spread of any disease if obvious sick people not exposed to the general public.. That is common sense. I should have clarified that I meant eventually getting rid of masks, but keep temp checks forever.

they determined there was asymptomatic transmission about a year ago

I do think the masks will go ASAP...so will the temp checks

I wonder if temp checks would have prevented the measles outbreak at DL not so very long ago.

If the anti-vaxx crowd (not just anti-COVID-vax) keeps growing, that may need to become need a regular part of life at some point.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It depends how you define a "large group." In the context of WDW, something like the mass of people watching fireworks certainly would be but are people walking around a theme park really a "large group" in the same way?

I don't think it would have quite that impact. All it will likely accomplish is getting some percentage of people to drive instead of fly. I don't know the exact number but in a normal year the percentage of people who take at least one flight isn't that high (it's probably above 50% but nowhere near the vast majority).

I’ll help with this one:

reedy creek is the single largest, solely owned vacation destination on the planet that has one of the widest range of travelers coming 365 days a year...

“large” may get thrown around in all scenarios...just a hunch

 

[91JLovesDisney]

not just anti-COVID-vax

Hate to start this, but why do you say that? Before Covid, sickness was still a part of life; just something we have to live with. If folks are afraid of getting Covid I won't argue with temp checks or masks, but having temp checks before Covid would have been super weird, why should after-Covid be any different?

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Hate to start this, but why do you say that? Before Covid, sickness was still a part of life; just something we have to live with. If folks are afraid of getting Covid I won't argue with temp checks or masks, but having temp checks before Covid would have been super weird, why should after-Covid be any different?

Because more and more people choosing not to get their children the suggested (and required in many places) vaccinations allows for diseases that had been previously eliminated in the US to come back, usually by being brought in by someone from overseas. Which is exactly what happened with the measles outbreak at Disneyland, if memory serves. Someone from overseas brought it with them, and there were children who weren't vaccinated who were infected. It was a very small outbreak, but still very concerning when those choosing not to vaccinate their children are a group that continues to grow.

ETA: I'm not saying temp checks need to stick around...what I'm saying is that if we're not careful and fully educate people about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in general, and if the anti-vaxxer movement grows enough, we could need to bring temperature checks back in the future in order to prevent the spread of multiple diseases.

 

[91JLovesDisney]

Because more and more people choosing not to get their children the suggested (and required in many places) vaccinations allows for diseases that had been previously eliminated in the US to come back, usually by being brought in by someone from overseas. Which is exactly what happened with the measles outbreak at Disneyland, if memory serves. Someone from overseas brought it with them, and there were children who weren't vaccinated who were infected. It was a very small outbreak, but still very concerning when those choosing not to vaccinate their children are a group that continues to grow.

ETA: I'm not saying temp checks need to stick around...what I'm saying is that if we're not careful and fully educate people about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in general, and if the anti-vaxxer movement grows enough, we could need to bring temperature checks back in the future in order to prevent the spread of multiple diseases.

That's a reasonable argument.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

That's a reasonable argument.

I try to be a reasonable person.

 

[orky8]

"and/or"? If that's true, then this can potentially be met quickly, as "and/or" means either or both conditions are met, so if they have 14-day rolling positivity rate 5% or below, is he really going to lift all mandates? I guess we'll see... Orange County currently at 7.43%, but that number could start falling rapidly. As a random example, I looked up LA Country statistics, and that county last saw 7% positivity in early February and is currently at 0.8%.

 

[sullyinMT]

I’ll help with this one:

reedy creek is the single largest, solely owned vacation destination on the planet that has one of the widest range of travelers coming 365 days a year...

“large” may get thrown around in all scenarios...just a hunch

Yup. Passing in the walkways, “large gatherings” are t likely happening. Problem with any theme park is people are going to bottleneck multiple times a day. Parades/cavalcades, watch the Dapper Dans perform, or hopefully outdoor theater reopen (but that’s a gathering of people sitting stationary, hence masks are necessary).

All the reasons there isn’t nuance in the rules at WDW now are reasons I don’t see nuance in the immediate future with this change by OC or the CDC. They’d rather increase capacity via less social distancing, and aren’t going to fiddle with what constitutes a gathering and create mask confusion.

-Though, as I type, maybe the next “nuance” after allowing maskless photos recently will be allowing guests to stroll and eat/sip, so long as they aren’t in an attraction queue and therefore near the same neighboring party for an extended period.

 

[correcaminos]

Yup. Passing in the walkways, “large gatherings” are t likely happening. Problem with any theme park is people are going to bottleneck multiple times a day. Parades/cavalcades, watch the Dapper Dans perform, or hopefully outdoor theater reopen (but that’s a gathering of people sitting stationary, hence masks are necessary).

All the reasons there isn’t nuance in the rules at WDW now are reasons I don’t see nuance in the immediate future with this change by OC or the CDC. They’d rather increase capacity via less social distancing, and aren’t going to fiddle with what constitutes a gathering and create mask confusion.

-Though, as I type, maybe the next “nuance” after allowing maskless photos recently will be allowing guests to stroll and eat/sip, so long as they aren’t in an attraction queue and therefore near the same neighboring party for an extended period.

This is my guess for next step... but we will see. I don't think it will be no masks all at once or even no outdoors at all, all at once.

 

[sullyinMT]

View attachment 552676

"and/or"? If that's true, then this can potentially be met quickly, as "and/or" means either or both conditions are met, so if they have 14-day rolling positivity rate 5% or below, is he really going to lift all mandates? I guess we'll see... Orange County currently at 7.43%, but that number could start falling rapidly. As a random example, I looked up LA Country statistics, and that county last saw 7% positivity in early February and is currently at 0.8%.

He did seem to hint at that in the Q&A of the presser, but not before they hit phase 2 first (so the MINIMUM threshold to even consider positivity only is 50% eligible vaccinated).

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Because more and more people choosing not to get their children the suggested (and required in many places) vaccinations allows for diseases that had been previously eliminated in the US to come back, usually by being brought in by someone from overseas. Which is exactly what happened with the measles outbreak at Disneyland, if memory serves. Someone from overseas brought it with them, and there were children who weren't vaccinated who were infected. It was a very small outbreak, but still very concerning when those choosing not to vaccinate their children are a group that continues to grow.

ETA: I'm not saying temp checks need to stick around...what I'm saying is that if we're not careful and fully educate people about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in general, and if the anti-vaxxer movement grows enough, we could need to bring temperature checks back in the future in order to prevent the spread of multiple diseases.

Do you think maybe people are untrustworthy because of the H.R.5546 - National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986? I would certainly be untrustworthy of, say, new vehicles if the US Gov. suddenly passed a new act making auto manufacturers immune from civil action.

"Provides that no vaccine manufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death"

Instead of hating the other side for not thinking the same way that you do (speaking generally) it often helps to try to understand why they think/feel the way they do. That is how we get past issues and come to a place of unity.

 

[danlb_2000]

View attachment 552676

"and/or"? If that's true, then this can potentially be met quickly, as "and/or" means either or both conditions are met, so if they have 14-day rolling positivity rate 5% or below, is he really going to lift all mandates? I guess we'll see... Orange County currently at 7.43%, but that number could start falling rapidly. As a random example, I looked up LA Country statistics, and that county last saw 7% positivity in early February and is currently at 0.8%.

Hopefully it is "or" because OC is likely to never reach 70% vaccinated.

 

[Ripken10]

Orange County to reduce physical distancing requirements and plans to eliminate mask mandate​

Orange County to reduce physical distancing requirements and plans to eliminate mask mandate - a significant development for Disney World

Mayor Jerry Demings has a three phase plan to eliminate mask mandates.

www.wdwmagic.com

Observation on this. Stage 2 from article says "50% of population 16+"... I was surprised by 16+ and not 18+. Every reporting data I have seen shows statistics for 18+ and not 16+.

But obviously this is more restrictive then 18+ (they will reach 50% for 18+ before 16+). Florida last I checked was at 34.4% for 18+. I would imagine that the difference is only approx 3/4 of a percent, so they would currently be at around 33.7% for 16+

All relative, since even if they reach 50% for 18+ before 16+, it would likely only be 2-3 days later that they would reach it for 16+. Just found it interesting them using 16+ is all.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Do you think maybe people are untrustworthy because of the H.R.5546 - National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986? I would certainly be untrustworthy of, say, new vehicles if the US Gov. suddenly passed a new act making auto manufacturers immune from civil action.

"Provides that no vaccine manufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death"

Instead of hating the other side for not thinking the same way that you do (speaking generally) it often helps to try to understand why they think/feel the way they do. That is how we get past issues and come to a place of unity.

I know why anti-vaxxers they think and feel the way they do...I almost became one of them. Then I did further research and learned that everything they're basing their choices on is lies. Even the doctor who did the original studies they constantly reference admitted that he made the whole thing up.

Also, you can request for your pediatrician to stagger them so the children don't get so many at once, but still wind up with the same protections.

 

[marni1971]

It depends how you define a "large group." In the context of WDW, something like the mass of people watching fireworks certainly would be but are people walking around a theme park really a "large group" in the same way?

Err...

 

[Tom P.]

Hope they stay forever. Lose the masks but keep temp checks. I hope that people continue to not go out when the are sick. I personally wear a mask inside public places, but never outside unless required. In the past year I have still traveled, socialized responsibly, etc. I have not been sick even a sniffle since early 2020. Then best thing we can do now and forever is if your sick stay home.

Temperature checks are practically useless, not just for Covid but for any other illnesses. First, there are many people who get Covid and other illnesses who never run a fever. I never had a fever when I had Covid. Second, there are reasons besides a contagious disease that you can run a fever. And, third, most fevers are very easy to control with simple over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol or Motrin. So you're not really accomplishing anything by doing temperature checks at the front gate. Even Dr. Fauci has said they are unreliable and that government facilities haven't used them for quite some time.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

but are people walking around a theme park really a "large group" in the same way?