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.
We have seen many changes made to Disney World’s health and safety guidelines over the past several months.
Mask Sign at Magic Kingdom
Travel restrictions continue to be updated, mask policies continue to change, and we’ve seen airlines cancel flights due to employee COVID-19 cases. The most recent changes to Disney World’s face mask policy were made back in 2021, when Disney World reinstated its mask policy for all indoor locations and on most Disney World transportation, and then updated some rules regarding outdoor rides. Now, that policy is about to change again.
Disney World recently announced that soon it will no longer require face masks in most places for fully vaccinated guests. This new policy will go into effect on February 17th, 2022.
Beginning on February 17th, masks will be optional for fully vaccinated guests indoors and outdoors. Disney’s policy does say that they “expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations.”
Disney Mask
Disney’s policy also notes that “Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.”
©Disney
Through February 16th, 2022, Disney World’s current face mask policy will continue to be in effect. Under that policy, masks are required for ALL guests (regardless of vaccination status) in all indoor locations and in most Disney transportation.
©Disney
This change from Disney comes just days after Universal Orlando also modified their mask rules to no longer require masks for fully vaccinated guests. Universal still encourages non-vaccinated guests to continue wearing masks indoors.
©Universal Orlando
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that “Fully vaccinated means a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.” You can see the specific time periods identified in the chart below from the CDC. For example, you’ll note that for Moderna, “fully vaccinated” is defined as 2 weeks after the final dose in the primary series.
©CDC
The COVID-19 situation in Florida and around the world is constantly changing. Though Florida had recently fallen as low as 37th on the list of states in the U.S. where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest, that has since changed. On February 14th, 2022, the Palm Beach Post reported that Florida was ranked 8th among the states in the U.S. where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest, based on data from Johns Hopkins University.
Mask Sign
Keep in mind that both Orange County and Osceola County, Florida (the counties where Disney World is located) are in the “high” category when it comes to community transmission of COVID-19, according to the CDC.
The CDC’s recommends that everyone in these counties (because they fall under the “high” category) wear a mask in public, indoor settings.
©CDC
For the CDC’s full recommendations for wearing a mask you can click here and see some of the information below. The CDC recommends that even those who are “up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccines (meaning those who have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including booster doses, when eligible) wear a mask indoors in public places when in an area of high or substantial transmission “to maximize protection.”
Additionally, the CDC recommends that those who are 2 years old or older and are not “up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccines wear a mask indoors in public.
©CDC
Looking for some COVID-19-related updates ahead of your next Disney World trip? Check out our links below for more information:
- Cases of the stealth Omicron COVID-19 subvariant have been reported in Florida
- Click here to see updates about travel and COVID-19 when it comes to Disney World and Disneyland
- A second COVID-19 testing site has opened at the Orlando International Airport
- Free COVID-19 at-home tests are now available
- See where and how to get free N95 face masks in the U.S.
- Could Disney World close again due to COVID-19? Click here to see our thoughts
We’ll continue to look for more updates regarding Disney’s health and safety rules. Keep checking back with us often for more Disney World updates.
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I only hope unvaccinated guests will comply and continue masking up in indoor areas.
The honor system…..thats a good one!
Good news, thanks dfb for keeping us updated.
Yea!!!! thank you for keeping up on this !!! and for everything else you post! cant wait till my vaca!!!
Hallelujah!
Will this be the honor system or do we have to show our vaccine card when we go unmasked inside?
I knew Disney would follow shortly after Universal !!! We’re at MK now and I wish it started today ! This is such awesome news !!! Enough is enough for all of us !!!
Great news !!!! It’s about time.
We were there last year when they lifted the indoor mandate and it was apparent that 99% of all visitors were fully vaccinated and opting to not wear a mask. #sarcasm
Obviously, most people will not wear masks, vaccinated or not. If they cared about the health of their guests, they would invest some of those profits into more effective air filtration systems.
Finally. Hope they get rid of the mask on busses soon to.
Finally. Great news.
It’s a shame Disney won’t require a vaccination card because Most people will just use this as an excuse to not wear a mask whether they’re vaccinated or not
You know if they did like Aulani does where you have to provide proof of vaccinations at the start and get an arm band to go through, that might help. The different on site resorts could do it when the customer checks in. Just sayin’
The only problem here is the 3 + 4 year olds who aren’t vaccinated but still need to be masked, according to how these rules are laid out.
I expect that the mask requirement will remain in place for all transportation until the FAA and DOT lifts its requirement .
So they won’t be checking? I think we will all be surprised to see how many people are “vaccinated” in order to go without masks at this Disney…
Just get rid of it completely. Stupid to keep it on the transportation if you are getting rid of it elsewhere.
My friend just went to Disney got Covid and is absolutely laid out from it. Still wearing a mask when I go. People I love are immunocompromised so not taking the risk here!
I’m fully vaccinated but I will continue to wear my mask. I teach elementary students and believe me- you don’t want me to pass you what I get from them! LOL! But also, I just really enjoy not being sick. Ever since we started mask wearing back in 2020, I have not been ill once. I usually get terribly sick (from the kids) each October and February. I plant to wear my mask when I go in July. I’m sure it will be *packed* then and a little extra protection doesn’t hurt!
This is amazing news! Definitely done with masks! Thanks for the update. We love your YouTube channel. 😀
disney doesnt care,
How about, if you want or need to wear a mask then wear one…
Our 9 year old and 14 year old got their first vaccination on January 15 but then tested positive for COVID on January 28. According to NYS, they should not get their second vaccination until 14 to 42 days after testing positive. In NYS they will not even require quarantine if they test positive for 90 days. We have them scheduled for their second vaccination February 19 and leave for Disney February 21. Will they require masks in Disney?
I don’t understand the logic and of only requiring masks while on transportation but not indoor venues. Also telling a family they need to mask on Skyliner when they’re the only ones in the gondola seems silly. Just drop the mask requirement entirely and let everyone get on with it by making their own personal decisions.
I am so HAPPY!!!! I can finally add back the Memory Maker!
This is fabulous news! Enough is enough. People who want to get vaccinated are vaccinated. They were always the answer and the route out of this. Now let’s move on with life please
For those who are still in fear of unvaccinated people , you should listen to what the FDA Executive has to say about the vaccine shot.
We have patiently waited over two years to travel. In fact, we had to cancel our spring break 2020 vacation because there was an outbreak of covid in vicinity of the family member we were to visit. This was before lockdowns began.
But with vaccines and masking, we were finally at a point when it was within risk tolerance to make our way to Disney World. With only two and a half weeks to go, Disney just shattered our trust and made our trip impossible. I’m not looking forward to the conversation I’m about to have with the kids . . .
Hi Terry! Disney released the following statement regarding face masks: “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.”
Disney has no control over masks on transportation. The current government administration has had “control” over that until March 18 (or they could/probably will extend it). Read about proper wear, how to put them on and take then off and how long they really last before replacement is needed. Read some information from the CDC about what type of masks work/don’t work also what they are starting to say about protection with proper mask (i.e N95 or similar). I hope everyone follows those “rules” else wearing mask is close to useless unless done proper Don’t just rely on one source check out multiple sources and then go to the horse’s mouth, the CDC and WHO. If you are still concern don’t go until infections are zero (never will happen – read up on the Spanish flu of 1918). Believe me, with the prices they are charging they won’t miss your money at all.
Maybe add that a business in the state Florida can’t ask about anyone’s vaxx status or the business will be fined. That would clear up a lot of your comments. Looking forward to a time when we can all live freely not be judgmental of people’s personal decisions. Enough is enough.
It’s truly mind-boggling how supposedly grown up, educated people are still held in thrall by the manipulation and fear mongering over all this. It’s mass hysteria.
Let’s review some facts, supported by data, which can be found in numerous places, but rarely reported on by media:
The vast majority of Covid deaths (>85%) are in those over age 75
For those under age 60, the risk of death from Covid is same or less than that of dying in a car crash
The vast majority of deaths in those under 75 are in people who are obese, have Vitamin D deficiency, and/or have two or more chronic illnesses
Healthy, normal weight children are at almost zero risk from Covid
The vaccines confer protection from severe illness and death for a limited time in people who are already at low risk
The vaccines do not prevent infection or spread of coronavirus
Most masks provide limited personal protection, almost no protection to others
So-called N95 masks (genuine N95s are hard to get, most are knock offs) provide a *slightly* higher level of protection
If a mask is easy to breathe in, it is not blocking any viruses or bacteria; if a mask can block viruses and bacteria, it won’t be easy to breathe in. If you can detect odors, it’s not protecting you. If your glasses are fogging, it’s not protecting you.
N95s are not made for children – anything marketed as such is a fake, and is no better than a dust mask
The only mask that is effective in blocking viruses and bacteria are N99 or P99, or TB masks, and they must be fitted, worn properly, and discarded after 2 hours of wear. They’re also very expensive.
If there will be no requirement to prove vaccination, then many unvaccinated will not wear a mask, of this I am sure. We have a family trip to Disney in March, and we’re all vaxed except a 2 year old. Are we to assume that the 2 year old needs to wear a mask when the rest of the family is doesn’t? It’s been impossible to get him to keep a mask on at all, so we’re concerned how this will play out. Would have been nice if they provided more specifics.
Here we go again. The battle of believers vs. non-believers. Vaccinated vs. unvaccinated. How about we just allow each individual decide where their comfort level is. It’s their health at risk…or not. If you’ve had COVID or known someone who has and it was a severe case, and I did, it is not something you want to give anyone else. If someone opts to wear a mask, you do not know their personal circumstances or beliefs that led them to that decision. Respect it and go on with your magical day! We are all still figuring this out in our own way and simply have to manage our own space privately and in public venues. We’re all tired of it but we all still have the right to choose our own course of behavior within the guidelines. It’s really not that hard.
Everyone should choose to do what they feel comfortable with & we should all respect each individual’s own personal health choices. If one is uncomfortable being around unvaxxed or unmasked people, it’s probably better for them to stay home. If one feels better wearing a mask, they should feel free to. You go on vacation to have fun. If you can’t because you are uncomfortable wearing masks or uncomfortable being around unmasked ppl, you won’t be able to enjoy your vacation.
When you enter the park you must go through security and I agree with it. Why not require a proof of vaccination to enter the park or a temperature check. I DO NOT TRUST THE HONOR SYSTEM.
Disney requires a wrist band to prove that you have paid to attend an after hour event, why can’t a person wear a wrist band to prove they are vaccinated?
So much misinformation during this pandemic. I unplugged my tv and did my own data searching. The media did not emphasize that your natural infection of Covid counts and gives you better immunity than a booster. But the tv sure pushes that booster. My family of five are vaxxed and had a natural infection of omicron. The data shows we are more protected than a vaxxed and boosted individual. We have little worry when we get to WDW next month. Did you know that non vaxxed people who had the original Covid are more immune than us. The data is amazing and unreported. The booster is a hard pass for us. Feel sorry for the college kids forced to have the booster. I pray our country’s media becomes more honest.
Changing the subject…the DVC moonlight magic is back!! The first Epcot date coincides with our trip to WDW. What are the odds!!
Travis, where did you get all of this information. It is very interesting and I would like to read. Thanks Ron
We all want the same thing. SAFETY AND BEING ABLE TO ENJOY THE MAGIC OF DISNEY.
Ron
I just searched data graphs through the CDC…Covid positivity tests for vaxxed/unvaxxed/boosted. One graph from New York data was interesting. Dr John Campbell has some great info out of the UK also.
Thanks Travis. Ron
I can not believe how many vaxxed people are afraid of unvaxxed people. This really hurts my heart.
Jacqueline, I agree, it’s really sad. I find it especially disheartening that they want unvaccinated toddlers to wear masks so they feel safe . I can’t imagine looking at a toddlers smiling face and wishing it was covered .