News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

[StarWarsGirl]

I wouldn’t look at any photos from mass maskless people hovering at rope drop this morning

Already seen them. Fortunately I don't enter at rope drop.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Yes, Universal re-opened before Disney. Initially they were doing an amazing job with social distancing, but they stopped doing anything but pay lipservice to their procedures as far back as, I want to say October or November 2020. Universal was a total show ever since Spring Break of this year in regards to how laughably relaxed or non existent their covid procedures were being enforced.

 

[Figgy1]

 

[StarWarsGirl]

If WDW (or UNI) was REALLY serious here, they’d require vaccinations. Masks make some difference, and wearing one inside is a good idea, but in the light of the vaccine’s availability it’s less than a half-measure. On the “vaccines exist” scale, Disney and Uni’s policies aren’t much different.

1. They can't under Florida law
2. Even if they could, there needs to be an exception for those who aren't vaccinated since those under 12 can't get vaccinated and some medically can't get vaccinated. In which case they would wear masks.
3. Point 2 is moot given FL law.

 

[donsullivan]

Maybe this will be enough to stop selfish whining about needing to wear a mask while visiting a theme park in the middle of a major health crisis In central Florida.

 

[Casper Gutman]

1. They can't under Florida law
2. Even if they could, there needs to be an exception for those who aren't vaccinated since those under 12 can't get vaccinated and some medically can't get vaccinated. In which case they would wear masks.
3. Point 2 is moot given FL law.

At the very least they can follow the example of the cruise lines and pile fees and exclusions on the invades to discourage them. And frankly, the cruise line/ WDW experiences aren’t a million miles apart, so this makes sense.

But the law WILL be challenged -in fact, at least one cruise line is already doing so.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Maybe we would rather wait until can have a full and complete experience without any restrictions?

Disney hasn’t been the full and complete experience since early 2020. Wearing a mask doesn’t change the experience for me at all. Reduced staffing, closed restaurants, closed shows, and laid off entertainers takes away from the experience for me.

Maybe this will be enough to stop selfish whining about needing to wear a mask while visiting a theme park in the middle of a major health crisis In central Florida.

You would think. But no.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yeah, I bet all the Katiebugs who haunt parenting boards and are planning the perfect WDW trip for their little princess don’t have any questionable ideas about masks and vax.

Fixed that for ya.

 

[CTC]

How are the cast/team members doing? They are inside with guests all day. Are we seeing many out due to illness from the Delta surge? How about waiters and waitresses? The employees are certainly the canary in the coal mine for those about to visit.

For an industry that is already short staffed, numerous employees out sick would not be good.

 

[Casper Gutman]

We already answered this. The parks decided to close within an hour of each other in March 2020. Universal opened first. Disney stuck to their covid procedures and policies pretty strongly the entire time, while Universal quickly ditched them and just paid lipservice to doing anything since October or November of 2020.

I mean, you answered the question, but only by not answering it - I’ll assume from the evasion and focus-shifting Uni responded first.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I mean, you answered the question, but only by not answering it - I’ll assume from the evasion and focus-shifting Uni responded first.

What are you referring to? Who decided to close first? It was Disney, followed 30 minutes later by Universal on that fateful March 2020 day.

 

[Casper Gutman]

What are you referring to? Who decided to close first? It was Disney, followed 30 minutes later by Universal on that fateful March 2020 day.

If that’s true, I apologize for my misreading.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Universal says they will ENCOURAGE but not require anyone to wear a mask inside or outside if they are fully vaccinated and will not require anyone to show proof of being vaccinated. This is likely a strategy to gain the upper hand from those who are against masks anyways.

Encouraging only means we would appreciate but you don't need to. And all those who are against masks will likely go to Universal anyways.

This is more or less how I read it. Universal is giving a giant wink to those who are against wearing masks. It's not too far off a snarky post on their Twitter feed about how they, unlike Disney, won't make you wear a mask and those who are meant to get the message will.

 

[Casper Gutman]

This is more or less how I read it. Universal is giving a giant wink to those who are against wearing masks. It's not too far off a snarky post on their Twitter feed about how they, unlike Disney, won't make you wear a mask.

I don’t think this is snarky. I think they’re banking on a quick fall in cases, as the UK seems to be experiencing.

On the whole, I’d rather have had Uni mandate masks, and if the situation hasn’t improved I’ll likely mask up there. I’ve masked obsessively since this started up to a few weeks ago, but honestly, in light of the very effective vaccine, the less effective masks seem somewhat underwhelming.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I know a few WDW and Universal fanatics. From my viewpoint nothing comes close to the passionate WDW fan to include their many items in their homes, cars, offices, clothing all about Disney. Not so for the UO fans that I know. I like Disney but not to that extreme.

*looks around room with Disney artwork, while wearing Minnie Pajamas*

Fanatic? What do you mean by that?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I don’t think this is snarky. I think they’re banking on a quick fall in cases, as the UK seems to be experiencing.

On the whole, I’d rather have had Uni mandate masks, and if the situation hasn’t improved I’ll likely mask up there. I’ve masked obsessively since this started up to a few weeks ago, but honestly, in light of the very effective vaccine, the less effective masks seem somewhat underwhelming.

I agree that this message in and of itself isn't snarky, but I definitely think this move is intended to be a very clear message that if you don't like wearing a mask come to Universal rather than Disney.

The reason I mentioned snarky Tweets is that they generally run their Twitter feed that way, directing barbs at Disney and playing the role of the upstart. I really think they're doing the same here in the very polarised atmosphere around mask wearing, signalling that they're not as up-tight or conformist as Disney and won't make you wear a mask.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I agree that this message in and of itself isn't snarky, but I definitely think this move is intended to be a very clear message that if you don't like wearing a mask come to Universal rather than Disney.

The reason I mentioned snarky Tweets is that they generally run their Twitter feed that way, directing barbs at Disney and playing the role of the upstart. I really think they're doing the same here in the very polarised atmosphere around mask wearing, signalling that they're not as up-tight or conformist as Disney and won't make you wear a mask.

I don’t think a snarky social media presence ( which some people here get quite touchy about) has anything to do with boardroom decisions. The folks who set this policy aren’t posting on Twitter.

Again, I think Uni is just making a different calculation about how this will play out. I’d mandate masks - well, no, I’d mandate vaccines, but I suspect that’s a fight Uni wants Disney to pick.

 

[Trauma]

Comcast releases Q2 2021 Earnings: Revenue: up 20.4% to $28.5 billion | Theme Parks revenue increased slightly, $958 million to $1.1 billion. Company points to recovery at Theme Parks, fueled particularly at #UniversalOrlando.
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I guess we can look at q3 earning when they are released and see if the lack of a mask mandate hurts them.

I know what I would bet on.

 

[correcaminos]

You are a hero for doing this. We all got to take a vaccine we could be sure was safe because you agreed to take it when you didn't know it was safe!

I won't lie, doing this was scary! I am needlephobic (thanks evil nurses holding me down weekly at age 5 for some weird shot dealing with a skin condition) and deal with severe anxiety. Walking in the first time I was a mess. Then a power outage took out the system and I had to come back 3 weeks later to try again . From phase 1 data I had vague ideas what to expect, but as a whole I just tried to have faith in science. I know how it feels to get a call about a loved in in a long term care facility saying to "just pray" knowing you cannot be with them if they die. As soon as I heard there were trials after that I signed up for two I found, as I felt helpless otherwise. I just knew I wanted as few to go through that as possible.

To me anyone would do the same in my shoes. I was lucky to have been called - and even more that it was Pfizer-BioNTech (AstraZeneca/Oxford did call but not until late fall). I do not see myself as a hero - I leave that to first responders and those who tirelessly worked on vaccines and treatments. I see myself as a compassionate person (mostly) who just offered to help.

Also why I get angry. If needlephobic me can get shots and blood draws while getting something rammed up my nose during these 2-4 hour long appointments, most everyone can get a jab and sit for 15 minutes after a time or two

 

[disneygeek90]

I don’t think this is snarky. I think they’re banking on a quick fall in cases, as the UK seems to be experiencing.

On the whole, I’d rather have had Uni mandate masks, and if the situation hasn’t improved I’ll likely mask up there. I’ve masked obsessively since this started up to a few weeks ago, but honestly, in light of the very effective vaccine, the less effective masks seem somewhat underwhelming.

Cases could fall quickly, but I’m not sure why they can’t bring back masks temporarily and if things turn in a better direction soon, they can go back to normal.

There’s no set time limit on any of this and I would rather the parks bend and adjust to the current environment than put blinders on and assume if they ignore it it’ll eventually go away.