After Universal Studios dropped their mask mandate completely, it was only a matter of time before Walt Disney World would follow in step. As we wondered then, how much damage would it to do to Disney if their neighbor lets you have fun without a mask and Disney is forcing five-year olds to mask up indoors. You can imagine that Floridians would be making a choice that didn’t go in Disney’s favor. Remember, Florida and many nearby states have not treated the pandemic in the way that places like New York and California have. Whether you agree with that or not, once you’re outside of Disney World’s borders, there aren’t many masks in the Sunshine State. Having seen the Super Bowl, maybe that’s true everywhere else now too?
Beginning February 17, 2022, Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.
— The Walt Disney Company
But Disney’s announcement yesterday about dropping their mask mandate is more complicated than Universal Studios Orlando. For one, Disney is being more coy about the situation with unvaccinated guests. Whereas Universal Studios Orlando just comes out and says they “recommend”, Disney says they “expect”. Of course, Walt Disney World has no way of determining if someone has been vaccinated, so their expectations are unlikely to be met. Not only that, but unvaccinated guests may be reticent to wear a mask indoors for fear that they will be “outed” by the apparel.
Far more complicating for Disney is that they appear to be trying to follow the United States’ guidance on some types of transportation. As a result, Disney World is still going to mandate masks on transportation systems. Now where that gets really interesting is when we ask if some particular attractions are “transportation systems”. For example, what about the World Showcase Lagoon boat transportation when indoors? What about the ferries when indoors? What fully enclosed, moving systems like Mission Space? And if that’s not in place on an attraction like Mission Space, how could that be justified sitting next to a stranger in a tiny capsule unmasked versus having to mask on the Skyliner with a family member?
It all gets very weird.
Walt Disney World announced that it is dropping mask mandates for fully vaccinated guests beginning Thursday. Similar changes will be introduced at Disneyland also on Thursday. https://t.co/wvfIKbQfey
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 16, 2022
However, from a practical standpoint, it seems to me that Disney World is essentially mask-free. I don’t think anyone is going to check vaccination status, and I really don’t think many people care. Except when you’re on a transportation system, which magically changes the virus, it seems like anyone is free to drop their masks, even if Disney World has expectations they will not be checking whatsoever. And ultimately, the verbiage that Disney is using versus Universal Studios has more to do with Disney trying to please stakeholders in their global parks than trying to implement health solutions. That’s just my opinion, but I find it fun that everyone needed to mask up indoors everywhere regardless of vaccination… until a competitor dropped the requirement.
All I can say is, enjoy Universal Studios and enjoy Walt Disney World. This time showing your smiles.
Let me know what you think in the comments below, and keep checking out That Park Place for all the latest theme park news!
I’m of the opinion that masks are worthless. Politicians, business leaders and celebrities know this, which is why they’re constantly caught without masks.
Very thankful that this is happening just in time for Spring. We’re hitting both parks in April and excited that these mandates have finally been dropped. The last time we were at Disney was in 2019, so we’re lucky to be able to visit, again, during “normal-ish” times.
$$$ talks, though… which means the consumer has much more import and power than they might think. They’d do well to remember that, moving forward. Imagine how quickly the mandates would have been lifted, had consumers refused to head to the parks w/ muzzles on, during 2020/2021?