Both American Disney Resorts have announced that they will be ending their indoor mask rules for those vaccinated. This rule change will take effect on Thursday, February 17th. In this post, we’ll cover the news and add a little bit of commentary.

Here is the update as stated on the Disneyland website:

“Beginning February 17, 2022, face coverings are required for unvaccinated Guests (ages 2 and older) in all indoor locations, including throughout indoor attractions and indoor queues. Face coverings are required for all Guests, regardless of vaccination status, in certain indoor settings including Disney shuttles and in health settings, such as in First Aid. Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.
All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

• Be made with at least 2 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 not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with the existing rules.

Face coverings may have an integrated transparent plastic panel to aid in viewing the wearer’s mouth. These face coverings should:

• Be a fabric face covering featuring a solid plastic panel containing no openings that is attached to the fabric on all sides using tight knit stitching
• Meet all face covering requirements listed above”

On the Walt Disney World website, similar phrasing is used with this lead in paragraph:

“Beginning February 17, 2022, Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. Guests who are not fully vaccinated are expected 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.”

As you can see, guests who are unvaccinated are expected to wear masks at the resorts. Transportation will still require a mask in all of its forms. I do expect to see Disneyland Resort to be a little stricter in the existing rules simply because of what state the park resides in.

As has been the case for a couple of years, the situation is fluid and Disney could easily put the policy back in place. That has already happened once last summer. With current case numbers plummeting and certain mask policies changing statewide, specifically in California, the timing of this decision isn’t surprising.

I’m going to commit a crime against blogging 101 and not offer much commentary here. Like everyone in the country world, I’m sick of the debate and know that everyone is entrenched in their opinion. Quite frankly, turning to a Disney Theme Parks blog for an opinion on the matter probably isn’t a great idea. What we do encourage is reading and listening to health care experts on the matter and by following the simple rules that Disney has set forth.

Along those lines, please be respectful. Cast Members are working hard and don’t deserve your wrath. If they catch COVID then they have to go a week+ without pay. If they’re wearing a mask, be kind and keep your distance while talking to them because they are trying their darn hardest to keep serving you while supporting themselves and their families.

If you are a more cautious person concerned about this then we recommend outdoor dining, which is accessible at all Disney Parks. With a lack of indoor shows currently offered, those shouldn’t affect your touring plan too much. There are a number of ways to go about a Disney vacation right now and if you are most comfortable with keeping it outdoors then that’s very doable.

Like I said, I’m not going to offer up much on this subject. If you have questions please leave us a comment. Instead of getting into some political debate that won’t help anyone, I’m just going to end this with some photos that make me happy. Enjoy!

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