To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.
Since the start of the global health crisis in 2020, Disney World has seen its share of changes to its health and safety guidelines. This has resulted in attraction closures, limited capacity at the parks, and mask policies that change as Disney continues to adapt to new guidelines.
EPCOT
Now as the more infectious Omicron variant has started to account for the majority of cases in the U.S., which recently hit 1 million daily reported cases, the state of Florida has continued to break its own daily records for COVID-19 cases.
According to The Orlando Sentinel, Florida has once more broken its record for daily COVID-19 cases. On Friday, 76,887 new COVID infections were recorded by health officials, the highest daily number the state has seen since the beginning of the pandemic. The previous record was set on December 30th at 75,732 cases.
Disney World’s current mask policy
The Florida Department of Health reported a total of 397,114 COVID cases for the week among Florida residents — the cumulative total is now 4,562,954. The weekly total has increased by almost 100,000 from the previous week’s total at 298,455. According to the math, one out of all three new COVID-19 tests is positive.
Indoor mask signage at EPCOT
Positivity rates in Orange County, the county in which Disney World resides, also continue to climb and are now at 40.4% according to the CDC, which is the highest for the state. Recently, Orange County was listed as a COVID-19 “hotspot,“ indicating that the county has “reached a threshold of disease activity considered as being of high burden.”
Mask options at Disney World
Florida also recently changed its testing guidelines to emphasize prioritizing testing for individuals who are symptomatic, especially those who are both symptomatic and at high risk. This was done to make good use of the limited number of tests that are currently available.
Mask Signage
As this situation continues, we will continue to monitor the news to keep you informed and updated on the latest changes that could impact your visit to Disney World.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Yes be afraid! Please stay home! The parks are overcrowded! We locals are having a tough time in the parks what with all of the out-of-state people visiting. Please stay home!
Fortunately these case numbers are low severity and hospitalizations. Most people with it don’t even know they have it.