Magic Kingdom Now Playing Audio Reminder About Masks for Cinderella Castle Photos

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Face masks are the new norm at theme parks, and even the Most Magical Place on Earth is no exception to the rule, with guests required to keep their face masks on throughout their time in the Magic Kingdom—even for photographs.

New at the Magic Kingdom is an audio reminder played near the park’s icon, Cinderella Castle, telling guests to keep their face masks on for photographs. The reminder stands out against the usual slew of announcements and reminders as it features the voice of a woman with a distinct accent stating the following:

“Thank you for visiting us today. Please wear a face covering at all times, including when taking photographs. The exception would be when eating and drinking while stationary. Clean hands often and thoroughly. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and maintain physical distancing. Thank you.”

The announcement is in a testing phase now, and began just yesterday evening. You can hear the full audio clip in the video below:

Keeping face masks on for photographs, be it ones you take yourself or through a PhotoPass photographer, has been an established rule since the reopening of the parks

This is one of the more recent efforts by Walt Disney World to ensure health and safety guidelines are being met throughout the parks. Other recent changes to the Magic Kingdom include new physical distancing barriers in the queue for “it’s a small world” and even preliminary distancing markers along the sidewalk of Main Street, U.S.A. for current cavalcades and eventually, parades.

Disney Parks Shares Inspiration and Design Process Behind New Cast Member Face Masks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

At the Disney Parks, you may have seen Cast Members wearing a similar, blue-hued starry face mask. Now, the Disney Parks Blog has given us an inside look at the design process behind them!

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Today we’re excited to share a peek behind the magic and an innovative way our cast members are helping their fellow cast stay comfy and protected with stylish and functional new face coverings, designed for cast, by cast. 

Designed in partnership across the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World costuming teams – Disney Parks Live Entertainment, Worldwide Safety Services and Global Applied Technology – these face coverings were developed remotely through a bi-coastal effort between cast members at both resorts.

“Over the past several months, we’ve spent significant time and brainpower to provide our cast members with face coverings that are both functional and comfortable, and I’m proud of the incredible results,” said Dr. Pamela Hymel, Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer. “They fit well, feel great and can last for more than 50 washes.” 

Drawing from their own experience, the project stemmed from a need for a more unified and breathable face covering. With the full support of their leaders at Disney, this group seized the opportunity to create the unique, reusable face covering, specifically made for cast members at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Aulani – a Disney Resort & Spa.

“The unified design speaks to the fact that we are still one unified Cast, one Disney ‘world,’” shared Yonit Olshan, Costume Designer, Disneyland Resort Costuming. “As a creative team, we gained so much from each other’s experience and exposure to different types of problems and projects.”

Offered exclusively for cast members in two styles, pleated and contoured, and in multiple sizes, the design team sourced and tested a wide range of fabrics, styles and features with a focus on comfort and function. Both styles feature adjustable spandex over the ears, extended nose pinch to the face, contoured shape under eyes, and lightweight, quick-drying material.

Drawing inspiration from classic Disney characters, films and television shows, the pattern unifies what every dreamer and cast member have in common – joy, magic, and a little pixie dust. They sparkle with pixie dust and Mickey constellations, recalling that the second star to the right shines in the dreamy night and reminds us to keep wishing upon that evening star.

WDW Updates Face Covering Policy to Officially Ban Masks with Valves, Mesh Material, or Holes of Any Kind

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World is changing, adapting, and modifying as needed since their phased reopening. We recently shared that an update to Disney’s face covering policy includes remaining stationary while eating or drinking. Now, Disney has caught on to another issue regarding masks with valves, mesh material, or holes of any kind and has made an update to their policy.

When Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., begin their phased reopening July 11, 2020, all guests 2 years of age and older will be required to wear an appropriate face covering at all times, except when eating and drinking while dining. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

As shared on the Walt Disney World website under “Face Coverings”:

Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

  • Be made with at least two layers of breathable material
  • Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
  • Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  • Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free

At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings.

Costume masks are also not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with our existing rules.

The use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing.

Face Mask Policy Updated to Reflect That Guests Must Remain Stationary While Eating or Drinking with Masks Off

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Guests are being asked to stop and remain stationary, standing off to the side, while consuming drinks and snacks while in the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Now, an official policy has been added to the Walt Disney World “Know Before You Go” Face Covering policy webpage.

In the updated policy, it reads “You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.”

What do you think about this new policy regarding face masks? As a reminder, there are multiple “relaxation stations” located in each Walt Disney World theme park, where guests may remove their face covering and have a socially-distanced sit-down.

Guests Not Wearing Face Masks on Attractions Will Not Receive On-Ride Photo at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney World has established some pretty strict guidelines for its reopening regarding face masks at its various resort hotels and theme parks. Face Masks with ear loops are required for all guests over the age of 2, and as we’ve learned through recent updates, no gaiters will be allowed. Once inside the parks, face masks must remain on at all times, except when you’re actively eating or drinking, or inside a designated mask-free “Relaxation Station”. Masks must stay on for PhotoPass sessions, in queues, and especially on attractions. In fact, as a means of further enforcing this rule, guests who remove their masks on attractions will not receive their on-ride PhotoPass photos:

We’ve received confirmation from various Cast Members at attractions that guests who remove their face masks while on an attraction will have their on-ride photo pulled and deleted from the PhotoPass system. Only guests who follow the rules and keep their face masks on at all times throughout the duration of the attraction will have their photo show up for download or purchase.

This has been established at all on-ride photo ops at the Magic Kingdom, including Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.

This rule has been applied to all on-ride PhotoPass opportunities throughout the four theme parks. We’ll inquire at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios upon their reopening to ensure it’s also being enforced at those parks as well.

Do note that many guests have noted significant delays in seeing their PhotoPass photos appear under “My Photos” on My Disney Experience, but as long as you (and, well, everyone else in your ride vehicle) had their masks on, you should see them uploaded soon.