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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to develop, and rules and regulations have changed with it.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Sign
Over the past year, mask rules have changed, vaccines have become available to more individuals, and we’ve kept an eye out for updates on COVID-19 numbers in Florida. Recently, the White House announced some new policies when it comes to COVID-19, vaccines, and testing. How could these policies affect your Disney World trip? We’re breaking down what you need to know right here.
What’s Going On?
According to the Associated Press, the White House recently ordered new requirements when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine and testing. The new rules would require that “all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly.”
Specifically, NBC News notes that The White House “asked the Department of Labor to issue an emergency rule requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require any unvaccinated workers to produce a negative Covid test at least once a week.” According to Reuters, “The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is in charge of formulating and enforcing the rule, which will be rolled out in the coming weeks.”
Additionally, AP News shares that workers “at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.” And employees of the executive branch of the federal government, as well as contractors who do business with the federal government will be required to be vaccinated.
COVID-19 Vaccine Sign
According to AP News, “despite more than 208 million Americans having at least one dose of the vaccines, the U.S. is seeing about 300% more new COVID-19 infections a day, about two-and-a-half times more hospitalizations, and nearly twice the number of deaths compared to the same time last year.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 deaths.” According to AP News, “Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated.”
Enhanced Cleaning Details
When it comes to airplanes and airports, the mask mandate has already been extended through early 2022. The White House, however, has recently moved to double the federal fines for passengers on airlines who refuse to wear masks during their flights, as well as those who refuse to wear masks on federal property.
The White House has also said it is working to increase the supply of COVID-19 tests and is working with some retailers to sell at-home testing kits at cost.
Orlando International Airport
When it comes to entertainment venues and arenas, the White House is calling on these locations to require vaccinations or proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry.
Additionally, federal officials are reportedly moving forward with plans to administer booster shots of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The booster shots are set to be administered about 8 months after the 2nd dose of the 2-dose vaccines.
How It Could Impact Your Trip
So, how could these new rules and regulations affect your trip?
1 — For Guests Who Are Flying, There Will Be More Severe Penalties For Not Wearing a Mask
As we noted before, there is already a federal mask mandate in place for airports, airlines, trains, train stations, and buses. This mandate is in place through January 18th, 2022.
Face Mask Sign in Seattle Airport
The White House’s updated rules do not change that. But, the White House has moved to double federal fines for those who refuse to wear masks on flights. If a guest is planning on flying to Disney World, they will encounter and have to follow these mask requirements. Failure to do so could now result in more substantial fines than before.
Click here to see more about this mask mandate.
2 — You May Be Required to Do More Regular Testing or Get Vaccinated Depending on Your Employer
If you are working for a company that will be impacted by the White House’s vaccine or testing requirement (i.e. you work for a company than has more than 100 employees), then you will need to follow any updated requirements from your employer with regards to COVID-19. Under the White House’s plan, this would include vaccination or weekly testing.
If you are not yet vaccinated and plan to be vaccinated in the future to comply with this requirement, you’ll just want to watch out for how the vaccine schedule lines up with any future planned trips. In other words, if you have a trip to Disney World planned and in the middle of that trip you’d be due to receive your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, you’ll need to see how to best address that situation.
Health and Safety Reminders on the Map
Alternatively, if you get tested weekly as part of these requirements, you may end up discovering that you have COVID-19 when you otherwise would not have found out (potentially because you are asymptomatic).
If you do end up testing positive for COVID-19 just before your trip, you will likely be restricted from traveling as the airline may require confirmation that you are not positive before allowing you to fly. You will also NOT be able to visit Disney World if you have COVID-19.
©Disney
Visiting Disney World while positive for COVID-19 would be a violation of their health and safety acknowledgment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you think or know you had COVID-19 and you have symptoms, there are certain recommendations regarding when you can be around others. If you have no symptoms, then there are separate guidelines, which you can see below.
©CDC
If you know that you will be getting tested for COVID-19 more regularly, a positive COVID-19 test will likely result in the modification of your travel plans. Be sure to read Disney World’s cancellation and modification policies. You may also want to consider purchasing travel insurance to assist with any last-minute cancellation or modification charges.
3 — Disney May Require Testing for Its Guests
Again, according to AP News, the White House has “called for large entertainment venues and arenas to require vaccinations or proof of a negative test for entry.” While it has not specifically been addressed, it stands to reason that Disney World would constitute a “large entertainment venue.”
Disney is already requiring many of its employees to be vaccinated. But, Disney World has not been requiring its guests to be vaccinated or to show a negative COVID-19 test.
Entrance to Hollywood Studios
In Florida, a law has been passed banning vaccine passports and banning businesses from requiring guests to provide proof of vaccination before serving those guests. Thus, it is likely that Disney World will not be able to require all of its guests to provide proof of vaccination before allowing them to enter the parks.
But, Disney World could require guests to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test in order to enter. This could be done similarly to how the pre-embarkation day COVID test requirement is handled for Disney Cruise Line. Guests could be required to take a negative COVID-19 test at a place of their choosing and upload that information into a website a certain number of days before visiting. The test may be good for a certain number of days, and, depending on the length of their stay, guests may be required to obtain another negative COVID-19 test. Disney could also potentially exempt those who voluntarily show proof of vaccination from testing requirements.
Entrance to Animal Kingdom
This could require a significant amount of additional work for Cast Members or guests, but it is possible. Other entertainment spaces have required proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination, such as Broadway or certain venues holding indoor events.
Disney has not announced any vaccination or testing requirements for its guests, but it is always good to be on the lookout for any updates ahead of your trip as rules can change rapidly.
4 — Rules Can Change
That leads us to our last point. This is not directly related to the White House announcements, but the announcements do serve as a good reminder that things can change. We’ve seen Disney World change mask rules, distancing rules, and more, sometimes very rapidly.
Depending on how the situation with COVID-19 develops, Disney World could change its rules again, the airports you’re flying through could change their rules, or the airlines you’ll be traveling on could change their rules.
Spaceship Earth
Specifically, at Disney World, the company could implement distancing again, place more limits on capacity, change mask requirements, or change other rules and regulations. The key here is to ensure that you check and see what rules are in place during your visit, as you’ll want to make sure you’re following all updated requirements.
Click here to see Disney World’s current mask rules.
Note that at this time Disney has not announced any vaccination or testing requirements for its guests, nor have they announced any further mask, distancing, or capacity changes.
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates on this situation and we’ll let you know what we find. Stay tuned for more information.
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‘The new rules require that “all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly.”’
THIS IS FALSE AND MISLEADING IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. IT IS NOT PART OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, IT WAS A REQUEST, NOT A REQUIREMENT, BY THE PRESIDENT FOR OSHA TO DO THIS
No problem we all are vaccinated doing our part to keep everyone safe. So looking forward to our October visit!!!
Disney needs to mask up and social distance again
This article is so misinformed, DFB its saddening to see this article from you guys, you should be ashamed of yourselves, truly. I mean no disrespect i just felt compelled to share my feelings with this open forum. This is wrong, and sickening. Mass Formation……Mass Formation……terribly sad.
It would be a great move for guests to show a negative test result. i believe people should have the choice to vaccinate but it would be nice to know there is an extra layer of protection while visiting Disney.
I could see Disney having onsite rapid testing for CoVID-19. Just be sure to use the Genie+ to schedule using the Lightning Lane to enter the park faster.
Mandates are NOT laws, and this one will be challenged in court from many areas. I would not worry about it at this point. HIPPA says I have the right to keep my medical information private, so Disney will be sued if they try this.
You do what you have to do to keep people safe. You don’t like it don’t go. Its very very simple.
Do what is requested or don’t go. I have an underlining condition, but I am vaccinated and I wear my mask, and I take all necessary precautions. Why because I love going to WDW and I want to continue to go, I want to stay as healthy as I can. This past Saturday we honored those who gave their lives to save others.
In honor of 911 I am asking you get vaccinated to honor and save lives of others, I am sure every member of the NYFD would have gotten a vaccine why not to save their life but to save the lives of others.
Honor those men and women get vaccinated save lives, help the USA stay strong.
None of what Biden said is actually in effect and some or all of it may never be. There are actually Federal rules that must be adhered to; writing these orders, approval, public comment, etc. None of this has yet been done and, no matter what he thinks, the bulk of this wish list cannot be accomplished with Biden’s pen.
Essentially, this article is premature and may engender needless fears abd worry among those who are planning their vacations.
For public venues, indoor or out, vaccines should be mandated for all who are eligible, period!
Please stop speculating. Stick to the facts.
Another reason to stay home, watch TV and have a few drinks.
I am so happy you are considering requiring vaccination or negative tests for guests. That is the smartest and safest path to take, especially with Delta variance raging in Florida.
Kudos to Disney World!!
Thank you!!!
That’s not fair vaccinated guest don’t have to get test. Umm hello vaccinated people are still getting covid.
Yellow Journalism at its finest. Stop saying false news that people are going to go crazy about. What their personal employer does, has nothing to do with Disney.
If Disney mandated proof of vaccines for all guest, it would be so much nicer as it would be less crowed and people would fell so much safer. It would create a much better and enjoyable atmosphere. But we all know that is not going to happen. Profits over people (and safety) will always be the first priority.
I have an October trip, a November trip and a February trip booked with different children snd grand children. Disney will lose all my business if they push this vaccine discrimination!
Wow I cannot believe what I am reading. If Disney or any other venue requires the jab or a negative covid test, you will never see my money again. This country is getting so ridiculous. Are people not seeing what is happening before their very own eyes, so sad!!!
I love DFBGuide. Love love love it. Until now.
With this article, it is major click-bait. There are NO vaccine or testing requirements for Disney World and shame on you for making people worry about something that doesn’t even exist. I have two trips scheduled and I saw the headline and started crying and worrying that I wouldn’t be able to bring my family to Disney because of your misleading article. Please don’t make people worry about something that’s not even existent. Thank you.
It’s too bad WDW is in FL. I wish we could guarantee that not only all the staff were vaccinated, but the guests too. I bet more people would go.
Let’s hope not! These mandates are getting way out of hand! How about if you don’t feel comfortable or safe being at Disney, don’t go. But if you do feel unsafe or uncomfortable, don’t go and complain about others that do feel safe being there. If you want to wear a mask, then wear one. But don’t complain about others not wearing a mask. Seems pretty simple to me. 🤷🏼♂️
I really hope WDW requires vaccination to enter the parks, no exceptions.
I 1000% agree!
So are they going to make people prove they don’t have Hepatitis A,B,C , tuberculosis, HIV? This is nothing but discrimination! If they do this they will lose even more guest. Taking away fastpass and magical express, magicbands, no dining plans, park reservations, restricted park hopper. Disney is doing everything they can to drive their loyal guests away
I will cancel our trip for April if they require the mask still and definitely if they start this crap!
I am all for this. There is no reason not too. Tests and shots are free. WDW is an expensive vacation so, I want to relax and not worry that my family will get ill. It is the realizable thing to do.
100% fully vaccinated or no entry anywhere on Disney property!
We need to save lives!
Selfless not selfish!
WDW should require vaccinations and masks. Be reasonable, keep everyone safe and have a fun time. Protect our children, protect everyone by simply being vaccinated and wearing a mask when appropriate. It’s public safety for goodness sake. Why do people have to threaten to not go to Disney World over this? It’s shameful. Be smart about it and get the jab. When more people are vaccinated, less chance of virus mutations. This is a deadly Delta virus. No shirt, no shoes, no vaccination, no mask, no service. It’s the safe and smart way to go. Thank you Disney! Keep up the good work!!
People commenting vaccination or no entry, do realize the vaccinated can still get COVID and spread COVID, so how is being vaccinated saving lives? This is not a vaccination, it is the flu shot!
Disney is filling the parks. If everyone who insists they wouldn’t set foot in the parks if they require the vaccine stays home, guess what, Disney will still fill the parks.
To the people commenting that you can still get covid if you’re vaccinated, do you wear your seatbelt? (Mandated BTW).
People say they like facts. I have one. I have been vaccinated for 6 months. I did not do it to try and protect the world or others. Just not that noble. I did it for me. What was right for me. I could care less if the person next to me has had the shot(s) or not. If you choose to not go to WDW or anywhere, or ever do anything where there are people. That’s on you. You make your own decision. Make no mistake. If what I do is different that what you do. Don’t think I will do what you are doing, unless I believe it is something I want to do as well. This is not a game of Follow the Leader.
Anthony great words to live by. If only everyone would live by this advice, the world would be a better place. Thank you for sharing this, I have a lot of respect for you.
I write first to say thank you to daily drops of the blog. It makes my day along with u tube DFB. A lot of work and so appreciated. My go to for answers and smiles.
If a ride is on fire (my fear anything high…like Skyliner😳) and Disney is saving us I will follow their lead. Why not when an invisible killer lurks and there are no flames to see? The AP reports Covid rates are up 309% as are hospitalizations and deaths now. My BFF and doctor died days apart from Covid. A friend of my husbands fully vaccinated died from the Delta Variant. It is pretty real to me. I have the booster so 3 shots etc. and I just got home from a few nights at WDW. I have one sweet pea granddaughter not even two months. She and her parents live near us. We agreed that I needed to quarantine when I returned and take a test a few days back. Negative. Yes, the things we do for love. ❤️