Disney has recently updated its face-covering policy for guests visiting Walt Disney World.
Here is the full statement updated on Walt Disney World’s website:
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.
Please note, face coverings are not permitted while experiencing water slides or in the water.
Disney Cruise Line is taking a phased approach to updating health and safety protocols on board. Considering recently updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DCL will update several health and safety measures for sailings beginning on or after April 1, 2022, originating from a U.S. port of departure.
Some onboard products and experiences that were paused due to physical distancing protocols will resume in a phased approach. Protocol updates, among other, include lifting physical distancing across DCL ships and resuming self-service buffets. Face coverings are optional in most places on the ship including Walt Disney Theater. Port Adventures will return to their traditional format where possible. At this time, the Sail Away Celebration, the Pirate’s Night deck party, and up-close character interactions continue to be paused.
Protocols for sailings from Canadian and European ports may vary and will be communicated at a later time. Health and safety measures, on each ship or fleetwide, may change at any time without notice.
Two years ago, the world was forced to shut down as we battled the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney theme parks across the globe were forced to shut down for months. In the time since, we have seen surges and drops, and now have a vaccine that is widely available. Many countries are now seeing steady declines in COVID positivity rates and hospitalizations as vaccination rates also go up. Unfortunately, one country is seeing a massive spike in cases — China. The government is reporting case numbers not seen since the virus was first reported in Wuhan.
It is due to this sharp spike, Shanghai Disney has announced that it will be closing its gates beginning March 21. Shanghai Disney released a public statement, saying:
Due to the current pandemic situation, Shanghai Disney Resort, including Shaghai Disneyland, Disneytown and Wishing Star Park will be temporarily closed from Monday, March 21, 2022. We will continue to monitor the pandemic situation and consult local authorities, and will notify Guests as soon as we have a confirmed date to resume operations.
We apologize for the inconvenience and will provide refund or exchange for all Guests impacted during this period.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! We look forward to seeing you soon!
This is only the second time during the pandemic that Shanghai Disneyland has been forced to shut down. Back when the pandemic first broke out, the Resort was closed from January 2020 until May 2020. It has been open since then, as China worked diligently to get the virus under control. Shanghai Disney’s closure follows the closure of Disney’s other Park in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Disneyland has been closed since January and keeps pushing back its reopening date.
According to reports, Shanghai has closed all of its schools and put mandatory testing in place for its residents. The outbreak has seen the city seal off residential compounds for at least 48 hours. On Saturday, March 19, mainland China reported nearly 2,000 cases. It also reported the country’s first death from COVID in more than a year.
Beginning March 26, 2022, the State of Hawai‘i’s Safe Travels program will conclude, and passengers arriving from domestic points of origin will no longer have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a pre-travel negative test result upon arrival to Hawai’i in order to avoid quarantine. International passengers must continue to follow the travel requirements put in place by the federal government. Government requirements are subject to change, and we encourage Guests to continue to stay updated on any travel requirements leading up to their planned stay.
In addition, the City & County of Honolulu’s Safe Access O‘ahu has also expired, and Guests are no longer required to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to dine on property.
As a reminder, the State of Hawai‘i maintains a face covering mandate for all indoor locations. At Aulani Resort, face coverings are required for each Guest age 2 and up, and must be worn in all indoor locations, including Laniwai – A Disney Spa, except when actively eating or drinking while stationary and maintaining appropriate physical distancing. Face coverings are optional in outdoor common areas at Aulani Resort.
BIG news coming out of Walt Disney World Resort today, February 15, 2022. Disney has updated its website to announce face coverings will now be optional in almost all parts of the Disney Parks and Resorts.
As COVID cases in Orange Country and Central Florida decline, Disney has reevaluated its face-covering policy. The news comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that Disney World’s neighboring theme park competitor, Universal Orlando Resort has dropped its face mask policy.
Now, it looks like Walt Disney World Resort is following suit! According to Walt Disney World: 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.
Take close notice that if you plan to use Disney transportation, you will still need a mask on hand as Disney noted Disney buses, monorail, and the Disney Skyliner will still require Guests to wear masks.
While the new policy states that face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests, Disney will not be checking vaccination records of Disney Guests.
Through Wednesday, February 16, 2022, Guests visiting the Disney property will still be required to use face coverings and follow along with the current policy which states, “Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) in all indoor locations, regardless of vaccination status. This includes upon entering and throughout all indoor attractions and indoor queues and in Disney buses, monorail, and Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.”
The most interesting part of this face-covering adjustment is that while Walt Disney World is dropping its face mask requirement throughout most of its property, Hong Kong Disneyland Park still remains closed due to COVID through February 23.
