Walt Disney World to become free of mask requirements for the first time since summer 2020

Apr 19, 2022 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Tuesday April 19, 2022 1:43pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced that it has dropped its requirement for all guests to wear masks when on its transportation systems, effectively making Walt Disney World mask-free for the first time since summer 2020.

The new Walt Disney World mask-free policy comes into effect immediately. Disney continues to recommend guests who are not fully vaccinated continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters and on enclosed transportation.

Masks have been a requirement at Walt Disney World in some capacity since the parks reopened from the COVID-19 shutdown in mid-July 2020.

Special teams of Cast Members enforce mask use at Magic Kingdom in July 2020

The parks went through various stages of masks requirements, including at all locations, indoors only, to most recently only required on enclosed transportation.

Health and safety reminders on Main Street U.S.A. during 2021

Disney's policy change follows a recent ruling by a federal judge that the CDC's mask mandate on public transportation was not valid. Major airlines and other transportation providers have also stopped requiring masks.

Masks have been required on enclosed transportation systems until this latest policy change

The updated face covering message on the official Walt Disney World website is as follows.

Face coverings are optional for Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations, as well as Disney transportation. It is recommended Guests who are not fully vaccinated continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters and on enclosed transportation.

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wdwmagicApr 19, 2022

Walt Disney World to become free of mask requirements for the first time since summer 2020 https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt-disney-company/news/19apr2022-walt-disney-world-to-become-free-of-mask-requirements-for-the-first-time-since-summer-2020.htm This thread will be reopened should things change.

G00fyDadApr 19, 2022

Doesn't matter. I don't think it would even make it before the appellate court before May 3.

Andrew CApr 19, 2022

Awesome...if they are following the science, we are good!

danv3Apr 19, 2022

Per CNN--Appeal is likely: Appeal likely on public transportation mask mandate, Health secretary says From CNN's Virginia Langmaid There will probably be an appeal of Monday’s court decision overturning the Biden administration’s mask mandate for public transportation, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Tuesday. “We will respect the ruling, but as I say: I'll respect the ruling, but I’ll follow the science,” Becerra said at a news conference with Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, urging people to continue to wear masks, particularly older Americans and those with weakened immune systems. “We are right now in the process of deciding, and we likely will appeal that ruling. Stay tuned,” Becerra said. https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/federal-mask-mandate-airlines-04-19-22/index.html

Andrew CApr 19, 2022

Surprised by how quickly the airlines, WDW and others acted?

WEDYENSIDApr 19, 2022

Happens to almost every subject these days...

Tom P.Apr 19, 2022

Hey, guys? We've kinda veered away from anything Disney-related here. I suspect that @The Mom will be along any time to remove posts and remind us that political discussions are not allowed. Perhaps we could make her job easier and get back on topic?

mktApr 19, 2022

You should refresh, I added more.

Disney4LyfeApr 19, 2022

Edit. Masks are now about 25/75. News trickling out. I expect my next ride will be close to completely unmasked

correcaminosApr 19, 2022

Pretty sure that's where we are as well. Unless it becomes a huge problem with deaths and overwhelming health care, it's done.

TraumaApr 19, 2022

They should just put you in charge!

Heelz2315Apr 19, 2022

Man I hope you’re right

mktApr 19, 2022

I'm still wearing mine at the parks. And I'm still going to wear my seatbelt when I drive, and take an Uber home if I've had too much to drink, and wear sunscreen when I'm outside.

mktApr 19, 2022

Only when you remove the context of every other reply I did between this and that. There were two ways this was happening. Slow means Disney did it like they usually do; fast means this was ordered from up above, and any delay in implementing is just the logistics (sending emails, printing out new signage, etc). Now the legal, PR, and risk teams are creating some boilerplate material to have put aside if there's a superspreader at WDW (or if it flat out just becomes one) which shifts blame everywhere else. But hey, mandate's gone. Maybe @wdwmagic and @The Mom can start killing off some threads.