Are Face Masks Required in Disney World? | Guide & FAQs

“Are face masks required in Disney World since reopening?” For many guests trying to decide whether or not to take a trip to the most magical place on Earth, the answer to that question is a big factor in whether or not to go to Disney World.

When Disney World reopened to guests in 2020, they made it mandatory for both Cast Members and guests to wear face masks while in the theme parks, restaurants, and almost any public place.

UPDATED 1/4/23 – Back in April 2022, Disney announced that face masks are no longer required at Walt Disney World in All Indoor and Outdoor Locations. This is still the case as of this writing.

Read more about these in the NEWS section in this post…

The fan reaction to the Disney mask policy has been an interesting one to say the least. Just the idea of having to wear a face-covering in Walt Disney World has been a bone of contention around the Disney community, with many people already refusing to go.

We get it, we really do. Disney World is your “happy place,” as it is for millions of other people from all over the world. We go to Disney World to forget our problems. It’s a place where no matter what else is going on in the world, we don’t have to think about it. We can just relax and have a good time.

It’s only natural then that we don’t want that perfect image of Disney World that we have in our minds to be changed in any way. The idea of wearing a face mask in the blistering heat of Florida doesn’t help either.

At this moment face masks are totally optional for all guests and are no longer an essential part of theme park attire as they were over the past two years.

After many months, some major changes have been made to Disney World’s face covering policy recently and eliminated the rule for all guests.

In this post, we are going to share everything we know so far about face coverings in the Disney parks. We’ll discuss the current Disney World Mask Policy, and we’ll bring you updates in case Disney ever decides to bring back the face mask mandate.

If that happens, we’ll tell you who has to wear one, where you have to wear a mask in Disney World, and any other rules you need to know.

We’ll do our best to share with you if we think face masks will ever be required in the parks again at Disney World.

When it was running, the mask policy at Walt Disney World worked pretty well, all things considered. 99% of guests complied and Disney did a nice job in making it clear what the requirements are and where you have to wear one.

One thing we want to make clear is we are not medical experts. This post is not here to give our opinions on whether we think face masks are necessary for the Disney parks or not. We are only covering what Disney is saying about them and how that affects your trip.

We definitely want to hear your opinion on the matter, but we ask everyone commenting below to keep things to a calm and rational manner. We do not feel the need to insult anyone for their opinion, for or against, and we hope you don’t either.

We’ll continue to fill in the details as soon as more information comes out about the Disney World face mask policy and any changes to the rules.

If you want the latest info on wearing face masks at Disney World and all the new guidelines in the parks, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

We’re going to answer all your FAQs about masks at Disney World, so let’s dive in and see what we know so far.

(UPDATE) Face Masks Now Optional at Walt Disney World

Disney has gone through several phases in the face mask requirements for its parks.  At times face masks have been required in all indoor and outdoor locations.  Then they removed the outdoor requirement for everyone and even made wearing a face covering indoors optional for vaccinated guests.

The question on everyone’s mind is “How Long Will Disney Require Masks?”

Well, new developments have come up and Disney has drastically changed the rule once again.

Disney has announced that face masks are now fully optional by all guests at the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and hotels both for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests.

Disney is now only recommending “guests who are not fully vaccinated continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters and on enclosed transportation.”

Before this latest change, all guests regardless of vaccination status were required to wear a face covering on Disney transportation. This was one of the only places they were still required. They were optional however in all other areas of the resort including in all other indoor and outdoor locations.

The latest change comes after a recent ruling by a federal judge, overruling the CDC’s mask mandate on public transportation. Mask requirements have since been removed at major transportation centers across the United States, including on major airlines and in airports.

The Walt Disney World website has been updated with the latest face mask policy. Here is the official statement from the Disney World website:

This change in the face covering rule comes at an interesting time. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened on March 1, 2022, and it was definitely a more enjoyable experience for guests without a face mask.

After all, the face mask rule has been the source of many canceled vacations, arguments, and even fights between guests and cast members, and many people are happy to see it go away.

Disney’s face mask rule has also been a huge factor for guests trying to decide whether to visit Disney World in the next couple of years.

We had been anticipating this for a few days so we aren’t surprised to see the change. we wrote just a couple of days ago. Disney isn’t the first theme park in town to make the change.

This isn’t the first time that Disney and Universal have removed their face mask rules.  Universal removed it for all guests on May 28, 2021, but then reinstated the indoor face mask rule in December 2021 when cases were surging.

Disney waited about two weeks and also made a similar policy update by dropping the requirement indoors.

However, shortly after that, in July 2021, Disney made face masks a requirement, this time bringing back the indoor requirement for all guests regardless of vaccination status. This came on new guidance from the CDC at that time.  Some states then hit record numbers for COVID-19 outbreaks, including Florida.

Over the past couple of years, Disney and other businesses have made countless changes to their face mask policies.  Things change depending on a number of factors including if there is an uptick in cases around the country, what the CDC recommends, and what other businesses are doing.

Florida’s numbers dropped significantly since the peaks in the Summer, then they rose again.  Other areas of the country have also remained high through the Fall and into the Winter, so it was easy to see why Disney hadn’t changed anything up to this point.

There are other positives that back up the decision to drop the face covering policy. Vaccine rates continue to increase, even making them available now to children ages 5 to 11.  This affects a lot of families who up to this point have not wanted to take vacations to places like Disney World until the children were vaccinated.

We certainly have seen a big uptick in traffic in the parks this winter, and it would suggest that many now are indeed getting back to traveling once again.

One thing that should have tipped us off sooner that Disney was dropping the mask rule is the lack of face mask options Disney is selling online on the shopDisney website.  There is only one model currently available, after having dozens in months past.

The only other time this happened since the face mask rule went into play was when Disney briefly lifted the rule in July 2021. If Disney thought they were going to be big sellers still, you can be sure they would still have them online.

So with these positive signs, Disney finally dropped drop the indoor face mask requirement again.

It makes sense that Disney chose now to drop its face mask mandate. This is one of the busiest times of the year for visitors to Walt Disney World and it will be a popular choice with guests who are sick of wearing them.

Could Disney reinstate the face mask policy at some point in the future? It’s possible. They’ve done it before and it could again. We don’t think this is likely though.

Of course, this is assuming that the current health crisis continues to better and there are no more setbacks in the coming weeks and months.  If that is the case, we don’t think we will see a mask mandate return anytime soon.

Of course, anything is possible and this is a situation that changes on almost a daily basis, and one bad or good news report by health experts could change the company’s plans.  We’ll have to wait and see just what Disney decides in the future.

Disney’s Face Mask Policy

Right now as of this writing, face masks are optional for both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests in the Walt Disney World theme parks, resorts, and transportation.

The Disney World mask policy is made clear on the Disney World website and they share all the details.

You can see right there that face coverings are optional for all vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests in both indoor and outdoor locations, including theaters and enclosed transportation.

This is a big difference from how things have been over the past 2 years.

A Disney face mask policy was implemented first in Shanghai Disneyland. The theme park reopened its doors in May 2020, and they put in place a variety of new safety measures for guests and cast members alike, one of which is requiring face masks to be worn while in the parks.

Since last year, Walt Disney World executives in the states have been working closely with the various government agencies, recovery task forces, and health experts in order to stabilize just exactly what mask requirements should still be required in the U.S. parks.

Face masks coming to Disney World was planned for a while as Disney CEO Bob Chapek commented in an interview back in the Spring of 2020 about the Disney World parks reopening.

For the last almost two years, face coverings have been one of the most important new safety guidelines, though you can see Disney has been slowly eliminating them in recent months. They have also used other new technologies like the Disney Virtual Queue also help people to keep a distance by staying out of lines.

Who Has to Wear a Face Mask?

As stated by Disney officials, face masks are no longer required for all guests. However, they are still recommended for unvaccinated guests, though nothing is enforced.

Before this latest change, the follower people were required to wear face coverings in Walt Disney World:

• Non-Vaccinated Guests ages 2 years and up
• Vaccinated Guests ages 2 years and up (only on Disney transportation)
• All Disney Cast Members

Even children ages 2 years and up were required to wear a face mask in Walt Disney World.

Many parents hated the idea of getting their kids to wear a face mask all day long in potentially 90+ degree weather. In the past, however, this requirement however was deemed necessary by Disney for unvaccinated guests and coincided with the protocols in place in Shanghai, Paris, and other Disney park locations.

Kids had to be included since they could just as easily spread germs to others. However, like adults, children are not required to wear them outdoors so it shouldn’t be too bad in the hot weather.

Do Disney Characters Wear a Face Mask in the Parks?
No, they don’t. Disney does not want its characters to be seen wearing face masks which would ruin the character’s image and spoil some of that Disney magic. All characters currently in the parks are kept far enough away from guests so they can’t come in direct contact with them and risk infection.

Where Must You Wear One?

At the beginning of the reopening, face masks were required in almost every area of Walt Disney World. Now that has changed and the requirements are much more flexible for guests.

Here is a list of where face coverings are currently required and where they are optional:

Face Coverings Required (All Guests)

• No locations at the moment

Face Coverings Optional (All Guests)

• General Public Areas Outdoors (Walking around the theme parks and hotels)
• All indoor locations, including general areas of the hotels and restaurants, except when actively eating or drinking while stationary
• Attractions, Queues, and Theaters
• While dining (consuming food or drink while socially distanced or sitting in a restaurant)
• Taking photos
• Around and in the pools

Dining

You do not have to wear a face-covering while seated at the table of a Disney restaurant, nor do you need to wear one if you get up and go to the restroom or if you are just walking around the restaurant.

Do I Have to Wear a Mask While Walking Around with Food or Drink?
No, you don’t. In fact, guests are no longer required to stand stationary off to the side or to find a table or bench far from others while consuming food and drink in the parks.

You can now walk around with food or drink in your hands with no mask without any problems, indoors and outside.

This is a change from the original Disney mask policy where guests were not allowed to walk around with food and drink without face coverings.

Guests attending the EPCOT food festivals will be happy as they can walk around World Showcase with food and drink at will.

Swimming Pools

One of the questions on peoples’ minds has been what happens to face masks while swimming? Thankfully, Disney has decided that face coverings are NOT required in the Walt Disney World Resort swimming pools.

Asking if face coverings are required in swimming pools sounds like a silly question, but since up until recently they were required in the resort common areas, some guests wanted to know.

Obviously, it would be impossible to wear one in the pool, as they would either fall off or the disposable ones would get ruined instantly.

Besides not having to wear a mask while you are IN the pool, Disney’s mask policy also did not require guests to wear a face covering while in the pool area. Since all outdoor areas are optional, guests can do as they please.

Relaxation Stations

When the theme parks opened back up, Disney created designated “Relaxation Stations” located throughout the parks where guests did not have to wear a face mask. Some were indoors and some outdoors.

Disney has now eliminated the relaxation station and they are no longer necessary in the parks.

Other Locations in Disney World

Do I Have to Wear a Face Mask Walking Around My Hotel?
No, you do not. Face masks are optional in all public spaces, indoors and outdoors. This includes in the lobby and hallways of hotels, entrances, restrooms, and dining locations.

Do I Have to Wear a Mask in My Room?
Only if you want to. Obviously, when you are back in your hotel room, you are free to wear anything you want.

*The following information is valid when Disney World is enforcing a face mask policy

How to Wear Face Masks at Disney World

Here are some guidelines for how face coverings should fit when visiting Disney World:

• Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth
• Fasten face masks securely with ties or ear loops and allow the guest to remain hands-free
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Face Masks can be disposable or reusable
• Should be made of breathable material
• Make sure you avoid touching your eyes and face as much as possible, even if you use hand sanitizer.

The CDC gives good guidelines on how to wear a mask for it to be effective in all situations.

Can You Take Off Your Mask?

Guests now have much more freedom to take off their face masks, though it depends where you are.

Again, if you are dining, swimming, taking a photo outdoors, or in any outdoor location, you can remove your masks whenever you like. If you are indoors, guests must keep their face masks on at all times. (Non-vaccinated guests)

Cast Members used to remind guests to keep their masks on if not wearing them in the proper locations though that is no longer necessary. At times Disney has even had an audio reminder played on the park loudspeaker telling guests to wear masks.

Can I Take Off My Mask to Take a Photo?
Yes, you can. Disney has recently changed this policy to allow guests to take photos without a face mask on. Before this change they were pretty strict about their mask policy and Cast Members would even tell you to put it back on, even if you are taking a quick photo.

Can I Take Off My Mask for a PhotoPass Photo?
Yes, you can. The photographer at the PhotoPass location will now allow you to take off your face mask as long as you are socially distanced from other guests.

Before the latest update, we saw many people briefly taking them off for photos. Thankfully we now don’t have that problem anymore and you can now get photos with the park icons without a mask!

Do I Have to Wear a Face Mask on the Rides?
Yes and no, it depends on the ride and your vaccination status. All non-vaccinated guests are required to wear a face mask on all Disney World attractions, no matter age or what type of ride it is. This includes thrill rides like Expedition Everest, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror.

However, guests are no longer required to wear a face mask on outdoor attractions or while waiting in line in an outdoor queue.

In-Ride Photos
For a while, Disney was withholding in-ride photos if you took your face covering off while riding an attraction. That is no longer the case and you will receive your in-ride photo in your My Disney Experience account, or on the screen outside the ride as normal.

What If You Don’t Want to Wear a Face Mask?

Thankfully, this is no longer a concern and whether you are vaccinated or not, face coverings are not required at Walt Disney World.

The last time the face mask policy was enforced, however, all unvaccinated guests were obliged to wear a face covering whether they had a medical problem or not.

Of course, Disney did not check or ask for proof of your vaccination so, in reality, nothing was stopping you from not wearing one. It was implied that all those who were not vaccinated would be honest and follow Disney’s guidelines.

Here is an example of the signs that used to be in the parks if you were not wearing a mask:

What if I Can’t Wear a Mask for Health Reasons/Difficulty Breathing?

This is no longer an issue and face masks are optional for everyone, vaccinated or not. When it was a requirement, Disney encouraged all those who couldn’t wear a mask for medical reasons to stay at home until the face mask policy was eliminated, as it currently is.

Are Free Masks Provided in Disney World?

Free face masks are not provided by Disney when you arrive at the parks. They expect guests to bring their own face coverings to the parks and ones that comply with their standards.

We have seen on occasion Disney give guests one of the disposable masks to wear in a pinch, but they don’t make a habit of it and they don’t always have them to give. The bottom line is not to risk it and just remember to bring yours with you.

What Counts as a “Face Covering?” What Kind of Mask is Acceptable?

(This section is no longer applicable since face masks are no longer required at Disney World)

When Disney was saying in its list of regulations that face coverings are required in Walt Disney World, just what exactly counted as a “face covering” anyway?

Disney gave specific information about which types of face masks are acceptable in Walt Disney World and which kinds aren’t. According to the Disney World website:

1. Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the guest to remain hands-free
2. Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
3. Be secured with ties or ear loops
4. Be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable

The following count as “face coverings” in Walt Disney World:

• Reusable or Disposable Masks
• Face Shields
• Homemade Masks
• Buffs

Whatever you wear, it’s important that it covers the mouth AND nose. Face masks should also fit snugly against your face and should be hands-free. You shouldn’t have to hold it against your face with your hand.

The following are NOT considered face coverings in Walt Disney World:

• Neck gaiters and
• Open-chin triangle bandanas
• Costume masks
• Helmets

Bandanas & Gaiters

Many have been wondering if they can use neck gaiters with ear loops or bandanas. Disney has now specifically said that neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not allowed. This is because all face coverings must fit securely under the chin and tight enough to the face

Bandanas and gaiters are too loose-fitting to be acceptable. For a while, gaiters were considered acceptable when Disney World first reopened, but they have since changed their stance on that saying:

“At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.“

Face Shields

You see more and more face shields walking around the park lately, mostly from Cast Members who are issued them. Can guests also wear a face shield in Walt Disney World?

Yes, you can. Face shields are an acceptable form of face-covering while in the Disney Parks, but ONLY if you are also wearing a standard face mask. They are not allowed by themselves.

Costume Masks

REMINDER: Previous Disney dress code rules still apply, meaning you cannot wear a costume mask, helmet, ski mask, or anything else that covers your ENTIRE face. Religious face coverings may be acceptable, however, we encourage you to bring a secondary face mask just in case.

There are many different styles of face masks, each with varying rates of success at stopping the spreading of germs, both for the wearer and those around them. Consistently, Medical-grade masks including disposable surgical face masks and N95 respirators seem to work the best.

Disney is following the advice from health officials and the CDC. To get more information you can go to the CDC website and see what they say.

Buying Disney Face Masks

You may have seen already that Disney has decided to start selling its own character masks for fans to buy. Right now these can be purchased online (if you can find them in stock), or in the parks.

Online

Disney has announced a new line of protective face masks with the Disney characters on them that are now available to buy on shopDisney.com.

Disney is using their timeless stories and beloved characters to help communities abide by the new safety standards when in public settings. These protective cloth face masks fit within the standards of the FDA’s latest recommendations on non-surgical, non-industrial grade face masks. 

The Disney character face masks cost $19.99 per 4-Pack and include designs of your favorites such as:

• Disney
• Pixar
• Star Wars
• Marvel

Disney face masks are available in small, medium, and large sizes on shopDisney.com. Orders are backed up so it might take some time to get them in.

In the Parks

Disney has started selling face masks in Walt Disney World and they have been extremely popular so far with many styles available.

One of the best places to buy some Disney character face coverings is in Disney Springs over at the Marketplace Co-Op store. These masks can also be found in the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.

Disney Characters include:

• Mickey Mouse
• Winnie the Pooh
• Stitch
• Marie (The Aristocats)
• Baby Yoda
• The Hulk
• Goofy
• Forky
• and many more

The designs are mostly the same ones you’ll find on shopDisney.com and cost $9.99 individually or $20 for 4.

Sizes range from Small, Medium, and Large, though the smalls are not available for all styles.

1. To buy the masks, first, get in line outside the Marketplace Co-Op
2. A Cast Member will give you a form to fill out where you can select your design.
3. The back of the form has a size chart to help you figure out which size to buy.
4. Once it’s your turn, hand over your form to the Cast Member and they will find the mask you are looking for.
5. You will then be directed to the correct checkout counter to complete your order.

It would be nice to see more park-specific designs that aren’t available online too. Some attraction-specific designs would be awesome.

Are the Disney Face Masks Actually Good?
They honestly aren’t that bad. They aren’t our favorite face masks, but they look great and are decently comfortable. They also make a really nice gift that even someone back home would appreciate.

Face Mask Vending Machines

If for some reason you forget to bring your face covering to Disney World, don’t worry. Outside the theme parks on your way to the entrance, you’ll find face mask vending machines where you can get one.

These machines are located before you go through security and near the temperature screening tents and the soda machines. They have standard disposable face masks with elastic earpieces and an adjustable nosepiece.

Face masks from the vending machines cost $2 each. You can use cash, credit card, or contactless payment like Apple Pay.

Best Face Masks for Disney World

There are numerous options when trying to decide which type of face mask to wear in Disney World. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making a decision:

Face Mask Comfort

We will be the first ones to admit that using a face mask takes some getting used to, and in the Florida heat, they can be downright uncomfortable to wear, even unbearable at times. Then if you are in the parks for 8 hours straight, that makes it even worse.

One tip is we recommend practicing at home with the face masks before you come to Walt Disney World. Many people already wear them in public, when shopping, etc.

Try going for a walk with them back home so that you can start to get a feel of what it will be like when walking around the Disney Parks all day.

Cloth ear loops are much more comfortable than the elastic ones on disposable masks. The elastic really starts to irritate your ears after an hour or so and the cloth is much gentler.

Also, get a face mask that ties behind your head and not around your ears. The ones we’ve tried around your ears are even painful sometimes, while the masks that tie around your head are much more comfortable and will stay on easier.

Our ears hurting after a few hours is our number one complaint when wearing face masks, so we recommended getting ear hooks/protectors which save the strain on them.

Ear hooks lay flat against the back of your head and attach to the elastic straps of your face mask instead of placing the elastic loops going around your ears. They are also adjustable depending on the size of your head.

Which Material is Best?

Not all face mask materials are made equal. According to the CDC, you should look for tightly woven cotton cloth masks that are double-layered or more in order to be effective.

Make sure the material is comfortable against your skin, lightweight, and breathable. Stay away from materials that are hard to breathe like vinyl.

Our Favorite Brand Mask

Of all the face masks we’ve tried, the best for Disney World or theme parks, in general, are the ones from Suay LA. They are within Disney’s standards for face coverings and are by far the most comfortable masks we’ve worn.

They come in both ear loop and tied models Comfort is extremely important and sometimes you will even forget you have it on, they feel that good! They also are breathable and work well with glasses. They also offer more protection than the normal cloth mask using a medical-grade non-woven polypropylene surgical wrap.

They come in two sizes: Small and Large, but there isn’t a lot of difference honestly. I have a big head so I go with the large and it still fits pretty snugly. If you have a question on sizing, I recommend you reach out to Suay LA directly for help.

Face Mask Tips in Disney World

While wearing a face mask while visiting Walt Disney World is not fun, here are a few tips that will help you make the best out of the situation and put up with it just a little more:

Take a Break

Going to Walt Disney World is tiring as it is, then wearing a mask all day on top of it makes it even worse. The Florida heat will just suck the energy right out of you if you don’t pace yourself.

Make sure you take breaks often to counteract mask fatigue. Stop every once and a while for a snack in a location away from people so you have an opportunity to breathe without the mask. Make sure you stay hydrated and drink lots of water too, even more than normal.

Wearing Glasses with a Face Mask

One of the most annoying things about wearing a face mask is that it can easily fog up your glasses if you wear them. This happens when the mask does not fit tightly across your cheeks and nose, causing hot air to rise up and fog the glasses.

The best solution to this is to avoid wearing glasses to the Disney Parks if you can. Wear contact lenses if possible on the days visiting the parks.

If you must wear glasses, try out a few models of face masks first before going to see which ones fit best and limit fogging.

Bring a Colling Towel or Mini Fan

Let’s face it, Florida is super hot, almost all year long. Bringing a fan or a cooling towel is a good suggestion whether or not you have to wear a mask in Disney World. They both can help you to cool down when you get overheated, which is very easy to do.

Misting fans can be purchased in the parks, but you will pay much more than if you just buy it online before your vacation.

Bring Lip Balm

This is something you might not otherwise think about bringing, but wearing a face mask all day can really make your lips chapped. Make sure you bring a stick of your favorite lip balm, one with all-natural ingredients is best.

Be Patient

This is probably the hardest tip to follow of them all because The Walt Disney World experience can be especially frustrating at this time. All the changes and new rules sometimes can make you feel overwhelmed and you might take that frustration out on your family or Cast Members.

Try to stay calm and go into it knowing that your vacation is going to be a little different than usual, and there may be more delays or frustrating situations. Know, however, that the Cast Members are trying their best to make your visit a magical one, despite the current challenges, so treat them kindly and respectfully.

How Many Masks Should I Bring to Disney World?

Don’t think you can just bring one face mask with you to Disney World and you’ll be all set. You are going to need backups, backups, and more backups.

How Many Should You Bring to the Parks?

You are going to need to bring multiple face masks to the Disney Parks each day. We suggest bringing at least 2 Face Masks per day, per person.

There are multiple reasons you need to bring more than one face mask with you each day to the parks.

• You could lose your mask and be left without one. This could happen on a ride or leaving it behind at a restaurant.
• It rains a lot in Disney World and you could end up with a soaking wet mask.
• Your mask can get sweaty after wearing it for hours, a good reason to have another one.
• It can get uncomfortable. Sometimes after hours and hours, just the way a certain fabric rubs against your face or ears can be irritating. We’ve found switching styles mid-way through the day makes it more bearable.

We usually bring 2 cloth masks with us to the parks each day, plus we throw some disposable ones in our backpacks just in case. That way, under all circumstances, we are covered.

How Many Face Masks Should You Bring on a Disney World Vacation?

This number is going to be a lot higher, but it depends on how many days you are going to the parks and if you are willing to wash your masks on vacation or not.

As we said above, plan on 2 masks per person per day of your vacation. This obviously is going to depend on the type of mask you bring since some are washable and others disposable.

If you are using disposable masks, multiply 2 masks per day per person, by the number of days of your vacation. If you are going for 7 days, you should bring too fewer than 14 face masks with you.

If you are using washable cloth masks, it depends on how often you want to wash them. We think 6 masks is the minimum. Using 2 masks per day means you will get 3 days out of them. That gives you time between washing and drying them before the next use.

You don’t want to have to wash your masks every night when you get back to your room after dinner, then risk they don’t dry enough overnight to use the next day. Having a few extra will give you more flexibility.

If for whatever reason you get to Disney and you didn’t bring enough masks with you, you can always buy a few of the Disney ones in one of the gift shops. Just don’t rely on this in case they don’t have the size or styles you are looking for.

Has This Hurt Park Attendance?

Yes and no. Obviously, there is going to be a big number of people that will not go to Disney World if masks are required in the theme parks. As we said in the beginning, it’s not everyone’s idea of a vacation dealing with covering your face in the extreme heat and trying to handle keeping them on your kids.

For many, it might just be too much of a hassle to deal with. Disney knows that and has accounted for it.

The concerns have lessened now that face coverings are no longer required for vaccinated guests. That should make a lot of people really happy, and make the theme park experience much more bearable.

As for the unvaccinated guests, right now they can’t afford to have the theme parks full anyway as they are limiting attendance in Disney World just like in Shanghai, Paris, and the other Disney Parks. This automatically eliminates a big group of people from the equation, making it easier to stay within the attendance numbers.

In the end, as long as they have enough guests to fill the parks to the current reduced capacity limit, that’s all they need. Now with the rules being relaxed and park capacity increased, expect to see more guests start coming that didn’t want to before.

Is Disney Really Enforcing Face Masks?

So we know that Disney is no longer requiring face masks in the parks. But when they were requiring them, was Disney actually enforcing the mask policy when guests weren’t cooperating?

Disney was putting up signs warning guests they would be asked to leave if not properly wearing a mask. However, we never actually saw anyone thrown out of the park for not wearing one.

Again, this no longer matters since face masks are not required at Walt Disney World.

Are Guests Complying with the Face Mask Policy?

We have to say, for the most part, the vast majority of Disney World guests we’ve seen were complying with the face mask rules when they were running.

That being said, some people just have a hard time following rules and so this is bound to come up from time to time.

Thankfully, in those situations, after Disney Cast Members would warn the guests, they usually put their masks on right away and that is the end of the story. There was an outlier a while back in EPCOT where a man attacked a security guard who was told his family needed to change masks.

If for some reason masks are ever required again at Disney World, we hope that everyone is smart enough to listen to Disney and follow the rules. Even if you don’t agree with it, these are the guidelines Disney is putting into play and we should all abide by them out of common courtesy for our fellow park-goers at least.

From what we saw in the past, face mask-wearing in Disney World was substantially better than almost every other business or public situation we’ve been in, but with things back to normal is no longer an issue.

Should You Postpone Your Disney Trip?

Over the past few years, many people put off their trips to Walt Disney World because they didn’t want to go when face masks were required.

We are crazed-Disney fans who have had the opportunity to go to the parks many times in the last couple of years, and we went both when masks were required and when they weren’t. We love visiting Disney so much that even when it wasn’t quite the same experience as it usually is, we think it beats staying home.

Thankfully, things have changed and this is no longer a concern with face masks optional.

Now perhaps some people won’t want to go because they felt safer with the restrictions in place.

Ultimately, each family will have to decide what’s best for them. If you are spending thousands of dollars to have one of the trips of your life, you should wait until a time when you feel most comfortable going.

One thing that can help is to go when the crowds are the lowest (which is a tall order right now).

Check out our Disney World Crowd Calendar for more information about choosing the best time to go.

Summary

Obviously, face masks were never the end-all-be-all protection, and if people aren’t following the other basic hygiene standards like sanitizing or washing your hands, then masks aren’t as effective in preventing the spread of germs.

Everyone will have to decide when they want to return to the most magical place on Earth. It might be an extra incentive to visit the parks now that there is no face mask policy and being in Disney World without having to worry about a face mask is what many guests have been waiting for.

Of course, they are always optional for whoever wants to take the extra precautions.

Everyone will be able to make their own decision. Whoever doesn’t like the idea, no problem. You are free to go at a future date when you feel safer. If you are like us and don’t want to stay out of the parks another second, this is great news and a huge inconvenience like this going away could be a great reason to get back to the place we love so much.

Our guide to Disney World safety might help explain some of the other steps Disney is requiring from guests at this time.

Let’s hope this all works out well so everyone can enjoy the parks again without face masks for the foreseeable future.

FAQs

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about the current face mask policy in Walt Disney World…

• Will not having to wear a face mask change your decision to go to Disney World?
• Should there be a policy in place?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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