Everything you need to know about Walt Disney World's return to masks for summer 2021

Jul 30, 2021 in "Magic Kingdom"

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Masks return to Magic Kingdom July 30 2021

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Posted: Friday July 30, 2021 10:26am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Following the latest CDC and local Orange County guidelines, Walt Disney World once again requires masks to be worn when on any attraction or indoors, effective July 30 2021.

When arriving at the parks, everyone is reminded of the new policy with prominent signs at the main entrances.

Signs at the front of Magic Kingdom remind guest that masks are required indoors

Disney has been very busy over the last 24 hours installing a vast number of mask reminder signs at the entrance of every indoor location, which includes all rides (even with outdoor settings), restrooms, shops and restaurants.

Mask required sign at the Emporium on Main Street U.S.A.

Masks required sign at Casey's Corner

In addition to the signs, Disney is also playing a spiel over the audio system reminding guests to wear masks when indoors. And as before, Cast Members in queues and on-board attractions are reminding guests of the rules.

As we saw earlier in the year, masks are required at attractions once you reach the main entrance marquee. They are not required in outdoor overflow queues prior to the marquee from our observations today.

Masks are required once past the attraction entrance marquee, even for outdoor attractions like Jungle Cruise

Masks are required on all attractions, including those that are primarily outdoors. Examples include Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Dumbo and Barnstormer.

Masks required on outdoor coasters like Barnstormer

Masks required on the carousel

Water playgrounds have been turned off, including the recently reopened Casey Jr Splash and Soak Station.

Water is off at Casey Jr Splash n Soak Station

Masks are required on water rides like Splash Mountain

Rope drops are still taking place as normal, and masks are not required when in outdoor common areas.

Rope drop continues as normal and masks are not required outdoors

Social distancing is not being enforced, and there has been no return to plexiglass dividers or closing of preshows. Capacity has not been impacted by the new mask rules.

Cast Members are also now required to wear masks when indoors, and they remain optional for Cast when outdoors.

On Walt Disney World transportation, masks are required everywhere with the exception of the Magic Kingdom ferry boats and launch boats.

More masks appear to be in use outdoors than earlier in the week, crowds remain high

Here are the official mask requirement rules as detailed on Disney World's website for July 30 2021 until further notice.

Face Coverings Required

Upon entering and throughout all attractions
All indoor theaters, including theater entrances
All transportation except ferry boats, including transportation entrances
All indoor locations, including restaurants, except when actively eating or drinking while stationary

Face Coverings Optional

Outdoor common areas
Pool decks

Discuss on the Forums

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wdwmagicApr 14, 2022

This thread is going to take a break for a while until any changes are announced at Disney in regard to the last remaining mask requirements on transport.

Andrew CApr 14, 2022

If we are talking about WDW, put the blame on the company for keeping this silly rule in place. For airplanes, put the blame on the feds. When people realize stupid rules are in place and have no impact, they are going to be challenged. That’s just human nature and the reality throughout history. On the other end, when rules tend to make sense, people are more receptive. WDWs transportation rule is illogical. The feds 14 day extension of the public transportation rule at this point is the same. Expect more push back. It’s all about appearances than anything else and more and more people will pick up on that.

Chip ChippersonApr 14, 2022

No, you're not following the rules. You're planning the mask version of holding your finger an in from your siblings face and saying, "I'm not touching you!" And for the record, on my recent flights, the message was that masks had to be replaced between bites/sips, so unless you plan on holding g a drink to your mouth for the entire flight then you're not following the rules - but if you do that, please report back and let us know of how that worked out for you during turbulence.

Club CooloholicApr 14, 2022

I already explained it. It slows things down and makes it harder for the employees. And some might not really want to sit for 3 hours on a flight next to a guy sipping coffee the whole time.

Nonsensequitter75Apr 14, 2022

I don’t understand why you’re mad at me.

G00fyDadApr 14, 2022

There. Fixed the stupid. Now, go create ANOTHER account for me to ignore. :rolleyes:

Nonsensequitter75Apr 14, 2022

Thanks for understanding

G00fyDadApr 14, 2022

Okay.

Nonsensequitter75Apr 14, 2022

God bless, but no thank you.

G00fyDadApr 14, 2022

They are flag carriers for the socially inept and the self-important. They have one job here. It's stupid but they're going to do it.

G00fyDadApr 14, 2022

Just go back to your regular account. Please? For everyone.

Nonsensequitter75Apr 14, 2022

What can I say? I’m so lonely at this stage in my life, that the (virtual) company of people who hate me is better than the alternative, which is no company at all.

DisneyCaneApr 14, 2022

Hence why I asked the poster if they were intending to only experience outdoor attractions with outdoor queues. If yes, then I can at least understand their logic. If no, then the obsession about people not masking on transportation doesn't make any sense.