The Walt Disney World Resort has made the decision to make face coverings optional in indoor and outdoor locations save for means of public transportation.
According to the Disney World Website:
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.
It should be noted that Disney World has not made any mention of it moving to check Guests’ vaccination status.
Read More: Disney Mask Policy Clarity: NO Vaccination Status Check Announced
For the next two days, however, Walt Disney World Guests–regardless of vaccination status–are expected to follow the current mandates in place which include the need to wear them in all indoor locations like restaurants and attraction queues.
Disney World’s decision to step back from its mask mandates comes eleven days after the decision to stop selling face masks in the parks, and only a few days after its chief competitor, Universal Orlando Resort, decided to drop all mask requirements for “fully-vaccinated” visitors and merely suggest the wearing of facemasks to those not fully vaccinated. Click the link below to read our coverage on that story:
The news comes as The Most Magical Place On Earth prepares for another President’s Day Weekend, and this reporter can’t help but feel joy for the kids who will get to make magical maskless memories once again. No more . No more on rides. No more face masks in gift shops. That is if a Guest does not want to wear one.
Related: Video: LA Rams Celebrate Super Bowl Victory at the Disneyland Resort
It should be reiterated that we are not completely mask-free just yet. Walt Disney World Guests should continue to carry what is recognized as acceptable face coverings with them if they intend to use enclosed transportation such as the Monorail, bus, and Skyliner.
As we continue the journey back to normal, we at Disney Fanatic will continue to keep our ear to the ground and update our readers as more information on the lifting of these restrictions comes to light.