While strolling through Magic Kingdom today, we heard an overhead announcement about the new safety policies like we’ve grown used to in the reopened parks…but this time it was a little different.
Main Street U.S.A.
Today, we heard a new voice with a British accent delivering the usual safety guidelines that have become customary in these announcements, but this time, there was yet ANOTHER update!
The last time the overhead announcements were updated, verbiage was added regarding the mask removal policy when it comes to eating and drinking. NOW, the announcement also reminds guests of Disney’s policy while taking photos.
Updated face mask policy at Disney World
Currently, the ONLY times when a guest may remove their mask is when they are located in a Relaxation Station, or when they are in a stationary location while eating or drinking. That means guests CANNOT remove their masks while taking photographs. Yes, your annual family photo in front of the castle this year will include the stylish face masks that you picked out for your vacation!
Magic Kingdom
The new overhead announcement we heard today reiterated the fact that guests must keep their face masks on while taking photos. We’ll continue to monitor the guidelines and associated announcements, and we’ll keep you in the loop about any further updates!
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Baloney, if there’s no one around me and I spent 7K on a vacation you better believe i am pulling the mask down for a quick selfie. I was there and did this. I followed the rules- NO ONE was near my family and it was pulled down for a smile for 2-3 seconds. Disney can kiss off with this one. Continue to loose money Disney with your Draconian rules! Disney the land of “Don’t”.
Good. I’m glad Disney is being consistent. They’re doing a great job at keeping guests and cast members safe. The added benefit is that the anti-science crowd and the delicate-snowflake crowd won’t be there, leaving the parks less crowded for those of us who actually want to be there.
If you’re practicing social distancing, I don’t see why you can’t lower the mask for a picture especially if you’ve spent the extra for the photo pass.
Personally not a selfie taker but when we head there in November I am sure my daughter will. If I do pose for a photo I actually think a mask is appropriate! It is our reality these days so why not wear it in a picture?
Part of Disney magic is that everything is equal – it’s NOT the usual “rules for thee but not for me” that the world has gone to. I’d much rather have to wear a mask in pictures than risk getting myself or other people sick, or risk another full-on shutdown.
Disney has gone from the “Happiest Place on Earth,” to the “Most Miserable Place If You Were in Hell.”
@Mike – it may be ok at the moment but there will come a point where they need those if us who don’t wish to wear a mask, there is no way the business can remain viable with low numbers – if they don’t get back to normal there wont be a Disney for anybody
Aaaand once again, another reason NOT to go to Disney. We canceled our very first trip to MK this year…we were supposed to go next week, but this mask crap is for the birds… no way!
Yeah… still not going until the mask mandate is lifted. See you then!
This make absolutely ZERO sense. If I can stop while walking around and remove a mask to drink water, or coffee or soda, then I can remove a mask for 30 seconds or less to take pictures. Anyone talking about “the science” please explain how there is anything scientific about that. COVID spreads when you remove a mask for 30 seconds to snap a picture, but doesn’t spread while you are eating a hotdog? That is laughable. I am going in a couple of weeks, but ONLY because I have use or lose DVC points and I unluckily activated an annual pass a couple of weeks prior to the shut down. So i might as well go to have something to do. But there is no fun or magic in ANY of this nonsense. FWIW – I am an RN with an MSN and training and experience in both Infectious Disease and Public Health courtesy of the United States Army. There is NO rational reason for anyone under 70 with no serious health issues to walk around in public wearing a mask and the DATA backs that up. The number of deaths for folks who fit into the above category is about 6,000. We would be FAR better off if healthy people were allowed to mingle and get COVID – then get over it and develop antibodies which current science indicates lasts at least 4 months. The more healthy people who are exposed, the better as that increases the number of people with antibodies and thus reduces the number of “safe harbors” for COVID. thus reducing spread in the long term. In the short term, those who are at risk of serious complications, should take measure of their own circumstances and decide what THEY feel is safe for THEM. Forcing all of society into lock downs, hiding and mask wearing is not only antithetical to freedom, but also, in this case, SCIENCE!
I was at MK all day yesterday (9/2) and I don’t recall anything about photos being part of the announcement, when was this?
I wonder why it’s ok to remove mask in relaxation zones and other times such as setting at a table or when near a pool but not ok when taking a picture. The rules are silly and not scientific at all. The mayor of Orlando says fly to Disney in a packed airplane with a stranger 6inches away in every direction but don’t remove a mask when outdoors with family. Total nonsense.
We are Passholders and have been back to Disney twice since this began. We made every effort to follow the rules and still got reprimanded repeatedly. My husband took a sip of coffee at one point with mask on chin and before he even lowered the cup from his lips, was scolded. We were stationary and at least 10 feet from any other families. When he calmly said, “sorry, I was taking a sip of coffee,” he was told, “you don’t need to have your mask off to swallow!” This “Zac” castmember then came back around to us several minutes later to berate us further, although my husband had his mask on and the coffee thermos was stowed away in his bag at this point. Zac gave us a lecture about how it is private property, yada yada. We were never argumentative. Zac: chill, friend. We all want to follow the rules and have fun together. No hard feelings, except my girls have asked us to cancel our September trip. They said the magic is gone. 😕
Disney doesn’t want anyone coming to their parks. I hope future attendance plummets and they learn from this insanity
That person that has the nasty attitude needs to stay home it’s not about u and when break the rules and teach your family that is what is wrong with this world we will do what is required of us we want to keep us safe and everyone else so. Then stay home if u can’t do the right thing
So the N95 respirator mask, which is the only mask to actually work, is now banned. Way to go, Disney!
Here’s a thought: any who do not want to follow the rules can simply stay home! Save your money!
Disney is held to such a high standard by the general public that they are doing everything in their power to keep people safe. Everyone needs to follow the rules. If that is not something that people feel they want to do then they should consider rebooking or canceling. People can’t just write their own rules. Do you run a red light if there are no cars or people around you??
For the most I have seen everyone with their masks on but we were at M.K. last week and first we see a security guard running after someone to put a mask on but then later we had a family of 10 behind us in a line and all but one had their mask off or just partly on! It really bothered me. I think it just depends on who is around. Some people are ok with inforceing policy and some are not because there was cast members around in the line.
Well said Mike. If you don’t want to follow the rules then don’t go or cancel your vacation. Disney is losing lots of money cause people like us from Canada or Britain can’t come because borders are closed. Reduce covid numbers, follow the rules and soon all of us csn enjoy Disney magic.
This is sooo ridiculous. We just moved to Orlando and were planning to be annual pass holders, but we will not be going until the mask nonsense is over.
I guess my rational rebuttal of this policy didn’t make it past the sensor!, so I’ll just try this: Not being able to remove a mask for a few seconds to take a picture while being able to remove a mask to eat a hotdog on main street makes no sense.
I really don’t like wearing them BUT it’s necessary. I am a lipstick fan and want everyone to see how happy I am in “The Most Magical Place On Earth!” BUT rules are rules and when I go into Orlando Airport’s Disney store, I’m getting some colorful cuteDisney mask to supplement my solid boring Hanes masks.
Wow, someone spent 7k on their vacation now?
I think it is ridiculous that people can’t take their stupid mask off for pictures. It cost a lot of money to go to Disney World and a family needs actual pictures of a face not a mask.
I agree with Timothy, the way some people eat ( like slopping the hogs) is spreading more germs than an simple smile for a picture does.
No one likes wearing a mask as far as I know and not going to disney because you don’t want to wear a mask is a choice. Not wearing a mask and going puts others in danger and that is where your rights stop. Stay home. Everyone going will be better off if you do.
I’m a big supporter of masks during this pandemic. I hope they become more socially acceptable even afterwards. I have breathing issues, and they have helped deal with allergies while outdoors.
I though, think this is a bit of a stretch. It would seem, there would be enough cast members around, if a quick drop of the mask is being abused.
I don’t understand the people complaining or saying they’re not going to follow the rules. Just DON”T GO. It’s that simple. If you do not care enough about anyone else to follow the rules don’t go. We went last week. It was hot, the mask was uncomfortable – so what?! I got to ride the rides and spend time with my family at our happy place. Rules are rules. Not when you feel like it, but all the time. They’re trying to keep you safe and you complain. If you got the virus at Disney it would be a whole other complaint about how they’re not doing enough.
most of these people who complain do not were a mask at all. they are the reason we are still in a Pandemic. Keep up the good work Disney see you soon
😡😡
I follow the mask rules but seriously, a few seconds for a picture… ridiculous. That’s why we canceled our Disney Trip and rented a beach house. Just a lot less hassle. (And money) for those that are still going and having fun, good for you. If this will be your first trip, you might want to put it off. If you are an annual pass holder, I’m sure it’s very cool to have less crowds.
Mid August spent 10 nights at GFV and Poly Villas with our group of 6 adults and 4 kids. Went to every park multiple times using our AP’s. Spent a lot of time at the onsite restaurants and pools also. We all knew the rules ahead of time and followed the rules. occasionally one of us forgot to put mask back on after dining etc.. Most cast members were super nice and kindly reminded us as we were walking out door.
That being said, there were times in the parks and at some resorts (Riveria) when we were absolutely abiding by the rules as set forth by Disney, (that masks can be removed/lowered while seated/standing stationary AND social distancing AND consuming beverages or food). During these occasions members of our group were verbally harassed by cast members who seemed to just want to “enforce their power”. When we pointed out that the reason mask was lowered was due to consuming a beverage, and that we were indeed stationary and were VERY social distanced, these cast members seemed to get even more angry that we pointed out the EXACT rules to them and the FACT that we were well within the rules. One occasion was so bad that my daughter got very upset. She was seated at least 30 feet away from everyone with her 6 month old baby, waiting for us. She was also drinking a bottle of water she had just purchased from a cart. Every time she set the bottle down for a few seconds to adjust the baby in her arms, the same cast member literally RAN over to berate her. My daughter explained she was having a water and was seated and was 30 feet socially distanced. He just would not leave her alone and actually got within 2 feet of her when she would not get up and move or put on her face mask. She finally got super mad and yelled at the man to back up and that he needed to call security so they could all discuss how she wasn’t following the EXACT rules as set forth by Disney. That was the last time he approached her because he knew she was actually following the exact rules. For some odd reason he just didn’t want her sitting over there with her baby alone having a water without her mask.
By the end of the trip we had enough of these type of power trip cast members and I finally “let it go” so to speak also. Again a similar circumstance. That time the cast member in the Riveria did apologize saying they did not realize we had beverages. But the beverages (glasses of wine just purchased at the lobby bar) were plainly visible on the table in front of us. That time we were all wearing masks except the 3 drinking wine and one child who had forgot to put hers back up after finishing her soda. Technically none of us were required to wear masks since we were all seated, social distanced from other groups and were having drinks.
Long story short, obey the rules, if a random tyrant power trip cast member approaches, while you are obeying the rules, then quickly and forcefully state your case and tell them to not harass you. There are always a few out there who want to exert their “power” over others. Disney is no exception.
If this behavior is too troubling it might be best to just avoid Disney completely until it is deemed safe again by whoever makes that decision. My personal belief is that masks outside while socially distanced are overkill and are probably unhealthy. Especially for children.
Can’t understand why all these people are complaining of masks at Disney and comparing it to trips in hell. Why are they even on this site. I’m sure they don’t write and complain to their local grocery store. Just don’t come to the parks, Disney Springs or resorts and share your misery with other non mask believers.
Sorry, I’m in the group of wear the mask follow the rules or stay home. Just because you CHOSE to spend 7k on a vacation does NOT give you the right to do as you please. Does the mask requirement at doctor office’s etc…offend too or just Disney? For some reason when people visit Disney they think they can do whatever they want all manners and considerations for anyone else go out the castle door.
The mask mandate is a waste of time and does nothing to actually protect anyone. This is true everywhere. Disney is making it worse by having these arbitrary rules that in one location taking off a mask is ok but another location it’s not ok. Disney makes money when people eat and drink but not when people take a picture. If Disney were getting $7.50 a photo I bet it would be ok for a quick picture without a mask.
I think the problem is loopholes. If Disney were to say it is OK to remove your mask for photos, some people would walk around with their camera in front of their face all day with no mask. I am sure removing your mask for one quick castle photo doesn’t really make any more difference than removing it for a quick drink of water, but they did have to close the eating and drinking while walking loophole because people just carried a drink and went around maskless all day. There are always people who want to push the limits, so Disney has tightened the limit.
If you don’t want to follow the rules, stay home. It’s that simple. Everyone else, thanks you for being reasonable and allowing the partial reopen as safely as we can.
Have a magical day!
omg. It just keeps getting more and more horrifying. My happy place has become a nightmare all because of a virus that is less deadly than the annual flu. It is beyond disturbing to me.
I appreciate this. We were in MK yesterday, and there were a lot of “suits” around stepping in because there were SOOO many people taking their masks off. They are being consistent and everyone must follow the rules. I commend every cast member who is enforcing this rule. I know it can’t be the easiest thing to do, but I thank them for implementing it and keeping an eye out for it, especially when there are people who absolutely refuse to follow directions and pretend that the mandate doesn’t apply to them. If not being able to take your mask off is a deal breaker for you, great – stay home. You can follow your own rules there! My family and I were glad that there was still magic, and we felt very safe. It was people who were not abiding by posted signs and overhead announcements who seemed to have the biggest issue (a guy who took his mask off and tied a scarf around his face on the magic carpets, who also started to argue with the cast member doing her job, delayed the ride). Rules are not meant to be broken, and I think anyone who doesn’t want to accept them as the current norm should do all of us a favor and stay home. If you don’t want to keep your mask on and want to argue, that takes away the magic from everyone else.
Seems Disney is doing their best to drive away fans. If you are concerned, do not go. Masks are too hot to wear all day, outside. Makes you way more tired after walking all day in it. Miserable. Be ready not to get your pics from rides because if anyone in the ride vehicle has their mask below the tip of their nose, they pic will not be posted to your memory maker.
The constant overhead announcements sound like a prison camp where you are reminded to “goose step” every 5 minutes.
Gerald is 💯 right. Disney is crushing the magic. #nofundisney #prollydonewithdisney