There seems to be a common thread in the reopening of entertainment venues across the world — mandatory face masks.
©ShanghaiDisneylandResort on Instagram
We’ve already seen mandatory face masks for employees AND guests become the norm for Shanghai Disneyland, Universal Orlando CityWalk, and Disney Springs. Especially for Americans, wearing face masks is a pretty new concept. And our readers are asking plenty of questions about what this will be like. So we’re taking a look at when you WILL need to wear a mask at Disney, and when you won’t.
Shanghai Disneyland’s Policy
Let’s start by taking a look at Disneyland Shanghai’s policy since it is the closest measure we have for what to anticipate in Disney World and Disneyland. According to the health protocols and safety measures for the park, masks are to be worn during guests’ entire visit to the resort except when dining.
Shanghai Disneyland
We’ve seen this practice go into effect in the opening days of the park. So far, it appears that masks are mandatory in photos as well, so we’ll be saying “Cheese!” from behind that protective filter.
©ShanghaiDisneylandResort on Instagram
The park has even instituted bins to dispose of old masks safely. This mandatory policy is in place for the safety of guests and those around them as the CDC and other health organizations recommend masks as a precaution against the spread of illness.
Click here to see what the opening day looked like in Shanghai Disneyland!
Masks in the Domestic Disney Parks
Still, things are pretty different in Shanghai than they are here. Asian cultures are often a lot more comfortable wearing masks and many even did so prior to the world health crisis. So, is the expectation the same for Americans? The answer, it seems, is yes.
Walt Disney World
As we mentioned, Disney Springs is already requiring masks for Cast Members and guests. As the first officially reopened portion of Disney World, this could be an indication that masks will be expected in the parks. And Florida, in general, has the recommendation of face masks for all residents in public spaces!
The most telling factor indicating that the domestic parks will require guests to wear masks comes from the CEO of the Walt Disney Company. Bob Chapek recently mentioned that it is likely that masks will be required for all guests and Cast Members in the parks. He acknowledged how this will be a cultural challenge, but that it will be important for the safety and health of everyone.
©CNBC
Some Disney fans are unhappy with this prospect, especially considering the heat in Florida. Still, it seems like a likelihood as Disney deems masks an important piece of opening the parks responsibly.
Click here to read more of Bob Chapek’s comments on face masks and more!
You’ll probably only take those masks off when you’re eating or leaving.
So, yes, we can presume you probably will have to wear a mask in the domestic Disney parks. If they follow a similar model to Shanghai, it’ll only be okay to take them off when dining.
Grand Floridian Cafe Dining Room
There’s a good reason for you to be able to take your mask off for your meal! According to NPR, it is more dangerous to take your mask on and off between bites than it is to not wear it. All that touching your face is a no-go!
Crystal Palace
It can be kind of weird to imagine everyone wearing a mask in Disney parks, but Disney has prepared for this. Check out these cute branded face masks you can snag on shopDisney! Just remember, masks are for your safety and for the safety of others, including Cast Members. Disney takes this responsibility very seriously, so if masks will keep their people safe, then masks will be a part of the plan.
Need to stock up on face masks for your fam? Click here!
More Disney Park Closure Details and Info
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How do you feel about wearing masks in the Disney parks? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Disney can easily have guest signs waiver that they know the risks of the virus and that’s it. This virus is declining in numbers drastically, has a very low fatality rate and nothing for the average person to worry about. No different than going to Disney during flu season. Yet millions are willing to take that risk! So sign waiver, and let people enjoy their vacations! We’ve already had to reschedule and now risk that one being canceled still and required to wear a mask in July?! That’s crazy, especially for the healthy! You will honestly create more illnesses forcing those to wear them. As others have said, they are to be worn a maximum of 30 mins before needing to be changed, the amount of times they would be touched to take a drink or eat a snack would be pointless all together. They’re petri-dishes on your face! Wake up, as I’m sure the majority of the US has already had this virus or been exposed already. It’s been here in the US since Dec-Jan. If you are afraid or at risk, then stay home and stop forcing unnecessary false sense of protection.
With a broken heart I will cancel my Nov trip if this policy is enforced. It is a 4000 plus dollar trip that would be ruined by wearing a mask in sweltering heat, be unable to take photos, swim etc. Too expensive of a trip to waste it on this.
How is a lost child going to be able to identify their parents if they are separated? Security is going to be harder to enforce if everyone is masked. Not trying to be negative, but this opens the door for unfavorable behaviors in the parks.
Will never wear a mask in the swamp that is central Florida. As FL residents and pass holders, we typically go once a month, and it’s not unusual for us to log 7-8 miles a day as we enjoy the healthy exercise in addition to the Disney experience. We’ll be cancelling our annual passes if this is the policy. Wearing a mask outside, in the heat and sunlight, is not only unnecessary, but ineffective, as guests will be CONSTANTLY touching their faces to put them on and off to drink and snack. Bye, Disney. It was nice knowing you….
We are annual passholders who live in Florida. I can’i imagine how this is going to work in the middle of summer when everyone needs to hydrate. You are touching your face to take your mask off to drink. Not to mention how safe is it going to be when people start to pass out from being too hot. So I am guessing everyone will have to take a box of masks with them when they are in the parks to change out constantly from being wet and useless. To restate what others are saying Disney World is in a swap where the heat index alone with the humidity can make it feel like over 100 degrees. How are folks supposed to stay hydrated. This will be quite a fiasco.
I live in Florida No way can you wear a mask in the 100 plus degree weather. There is a reason the cast members are switch out every 30 minutes or less when in costume ! Wait til someone passes out and sues Disney if they make this mandatory .
No way I’m taking a PHOTO with a mask ON. That’s insane. Good thing my pass expired before all of this madness. And I’m thankful this mess will be long gone by the time I renew it in a few years. :/
I seriously think after reading all these complaints that Disney shouldn’t open until no masks are needed. I mean it seems it’s more important for people to get nice pictures than it is to worry about the health of their family.
I am a local and annual pass holder, if they require masks, I hope they will allow pass holders to suspend their passes until the mask requirement goes away. I don’t want to lose my renewal discount but I also will not be going in a mask. Disney is expensive and I won’t spend that money to be uncomfortable in a sweaty, nasty mask, especially with having asthma. For the people claiming doctors wear them all day, well doctors typically do not work outside and also doctors use medical grade masks that they know how to properly wear. People in their bling bling masks touching them, pulling them up on top of their heads (dirty hair) and sweating all in them does not make me feel safer in any way.
I’m just going to jump in to clarify a few things, and then jump right on back out.
1) The purpose of the mask is not to protect you from other people; the purpose is to protect other people from YOU. Until or unless there is a vaccine or you have tested positive for antibodies, your temperature and perceived health can be misleading – asymptomatic cases make up the majority, and you could be spreading the virus anywhere you go. So, while I, too, hate the aesthetic of everyone in masks, I will do my part to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
2) For the concerned parents wondering about their young children, masks are not mandatory for guests below the age of 3. That said, children are not universally immune to this virus – so be careful.
3) I watched the livestream of the Shanghai Disneyland reopening in real-time at 9:30pm EST, 9:30am in Shanghai. Although the official word is that the masks were to be worn at all times, I personally spotted a number of people pulling off their masks for a quick selfie with the castle and then putting them right back on. If Chinese authorities aren’t going to jump on that, it seems to me that there is little chance the US authorities will. Just be mindful of the purpose behind the masks (see point #1) and don’t bend the rules so often as to defeat that purpose.
4) It should really go without saying, but masks do not need to be worn while eating or drinking; if you need to take a swig from your water bottle or chow down on a churro, pull your mask down, eat, pull your mask back up, spritz your hands with sanitizer and get back to your day. This has been the ruling at Shanghai Disneyland, at Universal’s Citywalk opening, and will undoubtedly be the ruling at Disney Springs this Wednesday as well.
5) I could be wrong, of course, but I don’t foresee public pools opening on anywhere near the same schedule as the more expansive venues. The virus – so far as we know – cannot spread through water, but when dealing with a ‘watering hole’ of sorts, there is virtually no way to prevent clusters of 10+ people who are trying to utilize the same community resource. So, for those asking about how masking will work with water parks – the better question might be, ‘will water parks even be an option?’
6) The mask policies are meant to increase basic safety – and more importantly, the public perception of safety – during an intensely unsafe period in world history. Yes, they are inconvenient; yes, they are cumbersome; yes, we are all looking forward to the day when we can roll around without them. But until the virus dies out or a vaccine is made widely available, understand that these measures are necessary in order for the parks to reopen. If you can’t deal with it, stay home.
7) Those in the comments shaking your fistfuls of money that ‘Iger and Chapek will never get from you’ – Disney doesn’t need your money, but we do appreciate you so graciously dropping out of the running for what is assured to be limited capacity through 2020. It’s kind of you to allow those of us who actually appreciate the parks and the cast members to take your seats on Flight of Passage.
We have reservations for late July. If the mouse house allows us to keep them, we will do so – masks or no masks. Everyone has different opinions on what health measures are necessary, but these are the choices that Disney has made in order to keep their guests a little safer – so if you choose to come out, you are choosing to abide by their rules. Stay safe, stay healthy, and try to be understanding of the situation that we are all in together.
Sadly, we will be canceling our vacation at Disney until the masks are gone. I’m not spending all this money to sweat with a mask.
Everyone has made very good points. I personally am opposed to healthy people being required to wear masks. There are no clinical studies showing how effective or ineffective they are against Covid-19. This is just something that makes people “feel safer”. Think about the three points of entry of the virus talked about most often. Mouth, nose and eyes. These cloth masks don’t catch everything. So your eyes are still exposed to all the exhaled air that makes it through and around the masks. My point is that the masks are not preventing transmission. They are only making some people think or feel that they’re safer. A false sense of security in my opinion. I would rather have the option to wear or not to wear a mask. I would rather take what I think is a very small risk than wear a mask. I’m scheduled for WDW 6/27. I’m kind of hoping they cancel my reservation so I don’t have to make the choice. Just my opinion. I’m very sad.
Excellent – masks should definitely be required and worn. We’ll deal with the warm weather. Those not agreeing with this can stay home. More fun for the rest of us.
Since risks are down when outside, especially in the sun and heat, why not let people go without masks while outside ( keep social distancing or virtual queues for rides if they can) but once people get inside the attractions or stores the masks go back on? Seems like a decent compromise.
A DFB question, will all the usual snacks, refreshments, coffee, etc. stands be open? If so, it will be pretty easy to avoid the mask requirement by simply walking around with a soda, popcorn, coffee, etc. Limiting guests to dining only in designated sections will kill a key revenue source and many guests’ love of Disney snacks (a reason many follow DFB). Telling snacking guests to all congregate in an area like the old smokers’ section would be counterproductive in terms of potential germ transmission. Again, I don’t see this working and I foresee lots of people on social media trying to shame guests who aren’t wearing face masks.
It is what it is, Welcome to the new World right now, We go in October(if all goes well). I will wear the medical face mask, they are not as heavy as the cloth ones selling on all the sites( plus people don;t wash the everynight I have noticed here where I live) People will not be thinking though, once you touch something and touch your mask, thats it, mask is useless, germs on it already, So when you go to eat or drink something, pull it off and pull it back up, you have compomised it, No matter how much you wash your hands, sanitize them . If you want to go, follow the rules, have a good time, If you feel you need to put off your vacation as you feel is right for you and your family, then do it,. No one can tell you what to do, only you can decide that. But since Disney is a company, I will have to respect their rules…. I hope you all have a great day, and stay well.
I’m wondering how long we will have to wear masks in Disney. At what point do things return to normal.
Thank you Dennis!
Nancy, Healthcare workers are in buildings not high heat and humidity. Be realistic about summer time at disney. Epcot? Food and beverages in hand the whole time! Everyone has an opinion however you cannot compare a hospital setting to a theme park setting.
If WDW enforces the “mask at all times, except for eating” rule, my family and I will not be returning anytime soon. I’m an Annual Pass holder as well as a DVC member. My wife and I have seriously considered giving up our DVC membership because of this “mask rule.” As it is, all of us were scheduled to go to WDW in November 2020 for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, along with the Disney races that will be run at the same time. If this “mask” policy is still in effect, that trip is off. I don’t believe wearing a mask is doing anything but make people uncomfortable. I’m not doing it.
Dennis,
I’m pretty sure Disney does need our money.
Hopefully, they just mean for now. If not, I’m selling my Disney stocks and my DVC membership. I’m not doing it, and most Americans aren’t going to accept such a new cultural normalcy. They will never get the attendance at the parks to remain profitable.
These are hardly temper tantrums. They are valid concerns. I don’t plan on getting close enough to anyone to require a mask. If you want to wear one go ahead. Leave the people who don’t want to alone. Masks are very unhealthy to the individual wearing them. If you are that concerned about non mask wearing people maybe you are the one that should stay home! And if we are made to cancel our trip in July because they “make” us wear them, you better believe I’m going to fight for an annual pass extension. We purchased those before all of this mask nonsense. I really hope Disney reconsiders this!
I can’t say it any better than Dennis did, so I won’t. The best way we can get back to normal is stop giving this very contagious virus a place to live. A virus only cares about one thing…finding a host to live in, a human body that it can attempt to terminate. If wearing a mask and sanitizing our hands repeatedly means we can eradicate this disease and have a semblance of normalcy, than I am OK with that and will do my part to protect my fellow Disney fans.
You can remove your mask to drink and eat; just re-sanitize your hands and you will be fine. And if you are worried about pictures, then by all means save your money until the virus is eradicated and we have an effective vaccine – hopefully in 2021. There are plenty of places to vacation where you won’t be around thousands of people from all over the world. Those of us that will go, will wear our mask, have fun and see you when the virus is gone.
By the way – it was 88 degrees in Shanghai today and they seemed to fare OK…
My husband had plans to go to Disney for our 52 anniversary unfortunately we are thinking of cancelling we each have underling illnesses and he cannot wear a mask all the time in the parks I am afraid he will pass out and that will ruin our anniversary and I would like to keep him around a lot longer . I know the masks are for our protection but we would like to have a good time before we go to meet Walt Disney in that great big playground in the sky.
Have they said anything about people with disabilities? My son has cognitive disability and it is a challenge for him to wear a mask.
Masks themselves will be breeding grounds for viruses
Ito grow. Heat strikes and heart problems will be exacerbated
By less oxygen flowing for the wearers. Open air places are not where Covid spreads.
I live out of state and am an annual pass holder and a senior citizen. Frankly, speaking if the covid 19 virus is so contagious and/or deadly that it requires us to wear face masks while at an amusement park to protect us from each other, perhaps the parks should not be opening at all. Or if the objective is purely financially motivated and companies are appeasing government agencies with their face mask policies, either way i will regretfully ask for a refund on my annual pass and and find other ways to spend my money and time. After 30 years a Disney park and cruise fan I will say a very sad farewell to Mickey and Minnie.
Nope, not doing the masks. Cancelled my trip. Possibly when Disney feels the sting of this, they’ll lift it. Already they are posting signs that say that guests take full responsibility for the risks so I’m not sure if those same people that are willing to take the risk of going to Disney, that they are also the same people willing to take the risk by not wearing a mask. It should be a choice. I’m completely healthy. There is absolutely ZERO reason for me to wear a mask. I understand that they want to “protect” us but I’ll make that decision for myself. I’m an adult.
Dennis, thank you for your sane and civil response to all the negative comments. I agree with everything you said; especially number 7. Anyone who does not care to abide by the rules, please stay home and do the rest of us that do want to stay healthy a huge favor. I am sure all the employees will not miss hearing all your rants, and we will not miss having you near us without a mask.
I am all for the mandatory masks and am very glad that Disney is taking this stance. I trust Disney to have the health of it’s guests first and foremost. I understand that they are hot and uncomfortable, but I am willing to do this in order to try and keep everyone healthy. Thank you, Disney from a Florida Resident, Annual Passholder and DVC member!
For all those who say “Not me, I’m not wearing a mask”, Well STAY home! Dennis, I totally agree with what you said and it has to be this way, otherwise WDW and Universal will be the places to spread it all over again to the country and the world. Nuf said. I don’t like the idea of masks either, but peoples health and our economy is more important than not wearing a mask.
If we are unable to pull the masks down for a quick photo, then Disney won’t be getting any of my money from Photo Pass purchases, let alone Memory Maker. I refuse to look back on my pictures years from now and see myself and my loved ones in masks instead of smiles.
Kris, Disney Springs’ reopening protocols specify Table Service diners do not need to wear masks. We will be checking on and reporting regarding your other questions when Disney Springs reopens (partially) on Wednesday.
If Disney said people need to wear gas masks, people would be defending Disney, LOL. Masks are not possible in a theme park, in Florida, in the summer, where you eat snacks and treats and meals all day. Not to mention where you capture memories of your children smiling when they see the castle and characters for the first time. I will wear a mask to get through security and then it will find the garbage can.
Again, if you are that worried about your own health stay home! Healthy people have no reason to wear masks! As a matter of fact, if we do wear the masks all day we will end up sick! Heat kills the virus, we’ll be in Florida in the Summer time. The health risks we would face wearing the masks would be much greater than getting the virus, which by the way has a very high recovery rate! Do the right thing Disney and make it a choice! DVC member, annual passholder, and multiple year guest by the way.
No one should be critizing anyone about their choice of going on vacation and wearing a mask. It bothers some. To some it doesn’t. It’s ok that people choose not to go if disney is requiring masks. It’s ok if people don’t care about wearing one. To each their own. Stop attacking everyone. EVERYONE HAS VALID CONCERNS. Have a good day!
DFB Sarah, thank you so much for the quick response. That is consistent with what Universal is doing at CityWalk and makes sense in terms of practicality and comfort (taking off a mask before every bite or sip and then putting it back on afterwards would be counterproductive from a health standpoint and terribly annoying).
I saw videos of people walking around CityWalk with donuts and drinks and other stuff with no mask on so the solution for those of us who don’t want to wear masks the whole day at WDW should be to just buy a soda or churro or whatever and take our time with them and walk around/sit around while waiting in virtual queues, etc.
I also don’t foresee guests being thrown out of the park just for removing a mask for a photograph. There will be people who need to take off masks to let their skin “breathe” and I don’t see WDW punishing guests for that. Leaving a mask on, even a cloth bandana, for long periods of time on your face, even indoors with AC, can seriously harm your skin (has happened to many coworkers of mine who need to work onsite now), and G-d only knows what that will be like outdoors with humidity, heat, etc. What will be interesting is what they do on rides, especially water rides (assuming those open while social distancing is in effect). I don’t think anyone (even the seriously pro-mask people) will leave on a soaking wet mask. Will they let guests take off masks for the duration of a ride? It will be interesting…
I will not be returning if they have this policy I am an AP also. It is good for 10yrs I have not activated it yet. I may not be going on my cruise in November also. They are just killing there park attendance plus loosing visitors! Good luck paying for all the cost you have put into the 5oth so far? I can not wear one of those things makes me feel like I cant breath! NO THANKS if you change your mind I might come back! I am even a DVC member!
I’m a local, and AP holder and DVC member. I’m undecided if I’ll go or not until the mask requirement is lifted. I don’t personally even own any and I’ve been going wherever I want to go without one. If I decide to go, I’ll buy drinks/snacks and nibble while I walk so I can keep it off. If masks work, why are places closed, and if they don’t, why are places opening? (Not my quote, but think about it for a minute)
I guess you chose to delete my post – NICE! It wasn’t negative but merely stated my opinion and used common sense which is sorely lacking in this world and your new worls as well. Bye-bye
Why not wait until we aren’t having to wear masks? That’s a really bad idea in the heat walking around in face masks.
Even if a vaccine is available, you can’t assume everyone will get it. Look how many people don’t get the flu shot each year or vaccines for their children…I don’t foresee that the American government will mandate getting the vaccine.
And to the person who said this is all about PUBLIC PERCEPTION of safety, you are absolutely right. That’s all it is about, and legitimate safety, regardless if it’s at Disney or elsewhere.
Dennis thank you so much for your comments. It was refreshing to read a sane comment. The whining & crying about the masks is ridiculous. Since those complaining obvious don’t care about others in the park, thank God Disney does! All of you complainers please do stay away. Try fighting the virus and not the mask!
My adult brother is disabled and every year our family takes him to Disney World because it’s his favorite place in the world to go. He looks forward to going with such great anticipation and talks about it all year long until we are finally there! We usually go in May with an electric wheelchair for him so that he can go to all the parks. He can’t ride on all of the rides because of his disability, but he doesn’t mind, even If it’s hot or rainy he still loves Disney World so much that he feels blessed just to be there. We get so much joy just seeing him so happy. He tells us that Disney World is the “happiest place on earth” for him! This year of course we were not able to go in May since the parks were closed, but with hope in our hearts we switched our vacation to this November. I’m still not certain if we will be able to go because for his sake and ours we really need to have a vaccine first to be sure that none of us will contract the coronavirus when we travel ( we have to fly in). But if there is a vaccine available, and we are able to get vaccinated before our November trip we will definitely be there! We will all wear face mask if required , and my brother will feel so happy and blessed just to be there; rain or shine, sun or heat, he won’t care about a wearing a face mask either. He just wants to be in his “Happiest place on earth” and forget all of the hardships of his disability for that one week that he is there. We don’t mind wearing a face mask either – it will help protect us and it will protect others. But even more so, whatever it takes to get our brother there safely and see the joy in his heart makes it all worth it to us. I think that’s what Disney World is really all about.
I won’t be going back until masks are no longer needed, because of this policy. I will spend my vacation time and money, elsewhere.
I wonder…
How both Cast Members and guests will deal with the intense heat and humidity during a Florida summer
How many new care centers will need to made to accommodate social distancing coupled with the rising number guests who have heat related issues
How many masks I would need to bring for my trip and how many I need to bring into the parks everyday
How safe masks will be after they are soaked from sweat, rain or a water ride
How a mask that has been touched all day and is filled with germs has any value
How to assure that people keep their masks on the rest room
How safe it is to have a mask on for some of the rides..roller coasters for example
How much liability Disney will need absorb for health related issues that come from mandatory wearing of masks
How much revenue is at stake if Disney mandates the wearing of masks
Most people commenting that say they don’t mind live in Florida and have annual passes. We are coming from upstate New York in August/September I will be waiting a little bit longer to see how things go. If they don’t progress quickly we will be forced into canceling. The people that have passes aren’t spending $10,000+ to go so they can spend a little bit of time and go back again when the heat gets to them. People that are spending that kind of money, and traveling a great way need to make the most of it. We spent about $11,000 2 years ago on our trip. If people think the mask protects them then they shouldn’t be afraid of the people not wearing them?? If that’s there purpose. I haven’t done a ton of research on them. I just know the heat already gets to us without them.
I have been to DisneyWorld 15 plus times and spent as we all know A LOT of money on those vacations. I already had to reschedule my vacation for this year because of the closure and I will definitely cancel if they will force myself and my 6 and 4 year old to wear a face covering over the mouth and nose in the 90 plus degree Florida July weather. Makes me very sad as a huge Disney fan and it will be hard to explain to the kids but unfortunately wearing a mask is just not reasonable in that situation all day. For 5000 plus dollars the effect it will have on our experience is just not worth it. Very sad.