BIG news coming out of Walt Disney World Resort today, February 15, 2022. Disney has updated its website to announce face coverings will now be optional in almost all parts of the Disney Parks and Resorts.
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As COVID cases in Orange Country and Central Florida decline, Disney has reevaluated its face-covering policy. The news comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that Disney World’s neighboring theme park competitor, Universal Orlando Resort has dropped its face mask policy.
Now, it looks like Walt Disney World Resort is following suit! According to Walt Disney World: 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.
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Take close notice that if you plan to use Disney transportation, you will still need a mask on hand as Disney noted Disney buses, monorail, and the Disney Skyliner will still require Guests to wear masks.
Curious about the transportation requirement? Reporter @scottgustin took to Twitter to note, “If you’re curious about Disney transportation – keep in mind the TSA mask requirement was extended through March 18, 2022. I would not expect a change to Disney’s transportation policy before that date.” He included the following image of the National Press Release from August 2021:
Additionally, while the new policy states that face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests, Disney will not be checking vaccination records of Disney Guests.
Through Wednesday, February 16, 2022, Guests visiting the Disney property will still be required to use face coverings and follow along with the current policy which states, “Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) in all indoor locations, regardless of vaccination status. This includes upon entering and throughout all indoor attractions and indoor queues and in Disney buses, monorail, and Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.”
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Additionally, Disneyland Resort has just announced they too will be making face-covering policy changes with details available here.
The most interesting part of this face-covering adjustment is that while Walt Disney World is dropping its face mask requirement throughout most of its property, Hong Kong Disneyland Park still remains closed due to COVID through February 23.
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