Disney World ends outdoor face mask mandates starting today
Walt Disney World has changed its policy concerning face masks and starting today (May 15, 2021) you are no longer required to wear face coverings in “outdoor common areas.”
However face coverings will still be required:
- In all indoor locations, except when actively eating or drinking while stationary and maintaining appropriate physical distancing.
- At all attractions
- In all theaters
- On all transportation
Guests will now be allowed to eat and drink while strolling through the parks, something that was not allowed because of the need to be stationary.
The change also impacts Disney Springs, Disney’s shopping and entertainment complex.
While this impacts guests, there is no change in the policy for Cast Members. According to Disney, Cast Members will be required to wear face coverings both outdoors and indoors.
This change also places an extra burden on Cast Members to remind guests to put masks back on when entering attractions.
In addition to Disney World dropping this mandate, Universal and Sea World are now also allowing guests in outdoor areas not to wear face masks.
The changes come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new mask guidance for fully vaccinated people stating, “Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”
On April 8, Disney World had started allowing guests to remove their masks to take photos outdoors and effective May 16 are stopping temperature checks to enter the parks.
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