Planning a trip in the upcoming months? Here’s a few things you will want to know before your next visit.
Masks are required to enter into a Disney theme park for all guests ages 3 and up and must remain on at all times, this includes guests that are fully vaccinated. This means covering both the nose and the mouth.
To be considered a proper face covering your mask must be:
Recent changes to Disney’s mask policy took effect April 8th and it states that guests are allowed to temporarily remove their masks to take photos while they are outside and stationary. They also must maintain the appropriate physical distance. This does not pertain to ride photos however. If you or anyone in your ride vehicle takes off their masks while on the ride, you will not receive your photos.
The only time it is acceptable to remove masks is when actively eating or drinking. This unfortunately means no walking around the park eating a Mickey Ice Cream bar or drinking that delicious beverage from the different countries around the World Showcase. Guests must be off to the side or sitting down, be physically distanced from the people around, and must stay in a stationary location. There is also no eating while in line for attractions When dining at a table service restaurant, guests must wear their face masks until food and/or drinks arrive.
Disney has incorporated some Relaxation Stations in their parks and pool areas for guests to sit and be able to take off their masks when needed. In each theme park there are at least two stations. The stations are set up so there is normally more than 6 feet of distance between groups and there are some time limits. A Cast Member is stationed at the front of each and guests will be asked to keep their visit to 30 minutes if crowds are an issue and people are waiting to use them. Tables should not be moved around to accommodate larger parties. Cast Members will ask guests to keep your mask on until seated. Unlike food areas, you don’t have to be actively eating or drinking to have your mask off. Cast Members will clean and sanitize the area when guests leave. These locations may have hours that differ from the park open and close times.
Here is a list of where you can find Relaxation Stations….
(Note: Many of these are located close to the restrooms, however you will need to wear your mask to leave the area to use the restrooms)
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom
If you forget where any of these stations are located don’t fret! Disney has added them to the park maps so you can always easily find one based on where you are located in the parks. Also, most stations do have a hand sanitizer station located at the entrance and exits but make sure you have some handy on your person too in case they are out. Another tip is make sure you have a bag or somewhere safe for your mask to go. Although the tables are being cleaned regularly, putting your mask into a Ziploc or something like that is safer. This is a great time to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate in the hot Florida sun so be sure to bring a drink with you!
If you are planning on heading over to Disney Springs at any point please know that you will be going through a temperature screening. The appropriate masks are also to be worn at Disney Springs too. You will not be allowed to enter if you do not have your mask on you. If you forget one when you get to a park Disney does have vending machines outside of each park selling generic masks for $2 each.
Blizzard Beach however has some different rules regarding masks. First off a few good things to know, the overall capacity of the park has been reduced, there are temperature screenings like all the other parks, physical distancing is being enforced, and face coverings are required in certain areas.
These designated areas where masks are required are:
A good rule of thumb is if there are going to be a lot of guests or if guests are going to be interacting with Cast Members, masks are required. If you are actively eating or drinking you can take them off like in the other parks but walking around the area they should be put back on. You DO NOT Need your mask when you are in the water or when riding the water slides as well as in the lazy river however guests must stay in the provided inner tubes. Masks also are not required when you are riding the chairlift, waiting in a queue line or just sitting around in the chairs around the parks. If you do need to order food or visit the restrooms you might want to keep a mask on you or handy so you don’t have to find one before you go.
If you are planning on enjoying a swim at one of the Disney Resort pools you are allowed to take off your mask. Once inside the gated pool deck around you are allowed to take your mask off. If you plan on going to the bathroom or ordering food, that mask need to go back on first.
It is important to note there is a NO “reasonable accommodation” policy, therefore no medical exemptions will be made on Walt Disney World’s mask policies. They are for everyone’s health and safety and if one person isn’t wearing a mask they could pose a threat to all others.
No matter what the mask policy is at Disney, the magic is still alive. With all the rules that are in place, Disney is taking the best precautions that it can for everyone. If you would like to see some other things that have changed since Covid-19 please head over to our other article COVID-19 - Planning a trip to WDW for more. Any of our agents would be happy to assist you in planning your best trip yet!
Masks are required to enter into a Disney theme park for all guests ages 3 and up and must remain on at all times, this includes guests that are fully vaccinated. This means covering both the nose and the mouth.
To be considered a proper face covering your mask must be:
- At least two layers of breathable material
- Fully cover your nose and mouth and secured under your chin
- Fit comfortably against the side of your face, not loose
- Be secured either around the back of your head or over your ears so guests can be hands-free
- May not be a neck gaiter, open-chin triangle bandana, face covering with valves, or a face covering with mesh
Recent changes to Disney’s mask policy took effect April 8th and it states that guests are allowed to temporarily remove their masks to take photos while they are outside and stationary. They also must maintain the appropriate physical distance. This does not pertain to ride photos however. If you or anyone in your ride vehicle takes off their masks while on the ride, you will not receive your photos.
The only time it is acceptable to remove masks is when actively eating or drinking. This unfortunately means no walking around the park eating a Mickey Ice Cream bar or drinking that delicious beverage from the different countries around the World Showcase. Guests must be off to the side or sitting down, be physically distanced from the people around, and must stay in a stationary location. There is also no eating while in line for attractions When dining at a table service restaurant, guests must wear their face masks until food and/or drinks arrive.
Disney has incorporated some Relaxation Stations in their parks and pool areas for guests to sit and be able to take off their masks when needed. In each theme park there are at least two stations. The stations are set up so there is normally more than 6 feet of distance between groups and there are some time limits. A Cast Member is stationed at the front of each and guests will be asked to keep their visit to 30 minutes if crowds are an issue and people are waiting to use them. Tables should not be moved around to accommodate larger parties. Cast Members will ask guests to keep your mask on until seated. Unlike food areas, you don’t have to be actively eating or drinking to have your mask off. Cast Members will clean and sanitize the area when guests leave. These locations may have hours that differ from the park open and close times.
Here is a list of where you can find Relaxation Stations….
(Note: Many of these are located close to the restrooms, however you will need to wear your mask to leave the area to use the restrooms)
Magic Kingdom
- Pete’s Silly Sideshow - indoor location with air conditioning
- Golden Oak Outpost in Frontierland - outdoors and unshaded
- Tortuga Tavern - covered and outside
- Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant - very spacious and outdoors
EPCOT
- Norway: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - indoors and air conditioned.
- United Kingdom: near Rose & Crown and the Yorkshire Fish Shoppe. - outdoors with tables and umbrellas
- Future World: between Test Track and Mission: Space - limited seating, has tables with umbrellas
Hollywood Studios
- Star Wars Launch Bay - indoor and outdoor sections, indoors is air conditioned
- Galaxy’s Edge beside Rise of the Resistance - outside, limited tables with some umbrellas
Animal Kingdom
- Pizzafari in Discovery Island - indoor and air conditioned
- Asia across from Up! A Great Bird Adventure - outside and covered with tables.
If you forget where any of these stations are located don’t fret! Disney has added them to the park maps so you can always easily find one based on where you are located in the parks. Also, most stations do have a hand sanitizer station located at the entrance and exits but make sure you have some handy on your person too in case they are out. Another tip is make sure you have a bag or somewhere safe for your mask to go. Although the tables are being cleaned regularly, putting your mask into a Ziploc or something like that is safer. This is a great time to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate in the hot Florida sun so be sure to bring a drink with you!
If you are planning on heading over to Disney Springs at any point please know that you will be going through a temperature screening. The appropriate masks are also to be worn at Disney Springs too. You will not be allowed to enter if you do not have your mask on you. If you forget one when you get to a park Disney does have vending machines outside of each park selling generic masks for $2 each.
Blizzard Beach however has some different rules regarding masks. First off a few good things to know, the overall capacity of the park has been reduced, there are temperature screenings like all the other parks, physical distancing is being enforced, and face coverings are required in certain areas.
These designated areas where masks are required are:
- When guests enter and exit the park
- The shopping areas
- Food and beverage areas
- Restrooms and changing areas
- Renting a Locker
A good rule of thumb is if there are going to be a lot of guests or if guests are going to be interacting with Cast Members, masks are required. If you are actively eating or drinking you can take them off like in the other parks but walking around the area they should be put back on. You DO NOT Need your mask when you are in the water or when riding the water slides as well as in the lazy river however guests must stay in the provided inner tubes. Masks also are not required when you are riding the chairlift, waiting in a queue line or just sitting around in the chairs around the parks. If you do need to order food or visit the restrooms you might want to keep a mask on you or handy so you don’t have to find one before you go.
If you are planning on enjoying a swim at one of the Disney Resort pools you are allowed to take off your mask. Once inside the gated pool deck around you are allowed to take your mask off. If you plan on going to the bathroom or ordering food, that mask need to go back on first.
It is important to note there is a NO “reasonable accommodation” policy, therefore no medical exemptions will be made on Walt Disney World’s mask policies. They are for everyone’s health and safety and if one person isn’t wearing a mask they could pose a threat to all others.
No matter what the mask policy is at Disney, the magic is still alive. With all the rules that are in place, Disney is taking the best precautions that it can for everyone. If you would like to see some other things that have changed since Covid-19 please head over to our other article COVID-19 - Planning a trip to WDW for more. Any of our agents would be happy to assist you in planning your best trip yet!