FAQ & Guide to Face Masks at Disney World
This guide to face masks at Walt Disney World offers info & tips, recommendation for best masks, rules & policy changes, and answers to frequently asked questions on wearing masks at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, plus traveling to and within Florida. (Updated April 18, 2022.)
The question of “are face masks required at Walt Disney World?” has been a controversial topic among fans for months, since before the parks reopened or the rule was even announced. We are not here to relitigate the topic. If you want to argue about the mask policy, join a local debate club. If you want your voice to be heard about Disney’s rule in a meaningful way, contact Walt Disney World.
As of the latest rule change, Walt Disney World joins all other major theme parks in Central Florida as effectively eliminating their indoor face mask rules. Similarly, SeaWorld Orlando, Gatorland, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida all only “recommend” face masks rather than having actual rules–with only a few exceptions. There are a few places where you’ll still have to wear a face mask at Walt Disney World, as covered below.
April 18, 2022 Update: As of today, you’ll no longer have to wear a mask while flying to Central Florida. Earlier today, a federal judge in Florida vacated the federal mask mandate for airplanes and other forms of public transportation. The ruling found that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had overstepped its authority, failed to adequately explain its reasons for the mandate, and did not allow public comment in violation of federal procedures for issuing new rules.
As a result, the Transportation Security Administration will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time. CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.
Already, United, Delta, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines have announced that effective immediately, face masks are no longer required on their domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country’s mask requirements), or at U.S. airports. All other major airlines are expected to follow suit very quickly, as the “Airlines for America” industry group had lobbied on their behalf to end the mask mandate before it was previously extended.
It remains to be seen whether Walt Disney World will likewise drop its face mask requirement on buses and the monorail. Disney’s mask rule for those forms of transportation is predicated on the same CDC order, so it would stand to reason that Disney will follow the lead of the aforementioned airlines. However, it wouldn’t surprise us if Disney waits a little longer to see whether the Justice Department will appeal. Our expectation is that there won’t be an appeal, and Walt Disney World will lift the bus and monorail mask rule by the end of the week–but that’s just a guess.
Now let’s take a look at Walt Disney World’s rules concerning masks; here’s the official face covering policy from DisneyWorld.com:
Face coverings are 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 are still required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on Disney buses and monorails.
All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) should:
- 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
Face coverings should not contain valves, mesh material or holes.
Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with 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
Here’s a chart to help understand where masks are and are not required at Walt Disney World for all guests:
Face masks are now optional for fully vaccinated guests on the Disney Skyliner and on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser transport from Halcyon and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Face masks are still required for all guests aboard Walt Disney World buses and the monorail.
Next, let’s address some of the more frequently asked questions about face masks at Walt Disney World…
Will Walt Disney World be asking guests their vaccine status?
No.
Why not?
For one thing, there’s past precedent–Walt Disney World didn’t make any distinction the last time mask rules were dropped. Also, it’s prohibited under Florida law and other businesses have lost high-profile legal battles with the state.
For another thing, virtually no business anywhere—even in other states without Florida’s laws—is differentiating between vaccinated and unvaccinated guests beyond the honor system policy, unless required by the state (and as mentioned above, Florida does the opposite).
It’s simply not worth the hassle and headache. It would be asking a lot of Cast Members at a time when there’s already a labor shortage and frontline employees everywhere are at about their wits’ end. This is why the new rule is, essentially, “there is no rule.” (Outside of enclosed transportation, where there remains a face mask rule for all guests. You should expect that to be actively enforced.)
If my kids are under age 5, and thus cannot possibly be vaccinated, will they be required to wear masks?
Again, this is effectively the end of enforcement of rules by Walt Disney World.
Even though it can reasonably be deduced that a small child under 5 years old is unvaccinated, Disney will not be policing whether they wear masks in light of the above. Instead, all unvaccinated guests will be “expected” to wear masks. Likewise, I am expected to eat vegetables when I prepare dinner for myself, but you can guess how that goes when I’m left unsupervised.
Why are there still mask rules on transportation?
As best we can tell, that one is outside Walt Disney World’s control. (Honestly, I’m not sure how they’re lifting the rule on the Skyliner and Galactic Starcruiser transport–but this is a confusing of rules and regulations, so there’s probably some ‘exception’ I’ve missed.)
According to the US Department of Transportation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order requiring the wearing of masks by travelers on conveyances when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel. The Order defines “conveyance” as including “aircraft, train, road vehicle (including rideshares), vessel…or other means of transport, including military transport.”
At present, it appears that this is set to expire on May 3, 2022. It could be extended, as that has already occurred several times in the past. (We didn’t dig too deeply on this one, so take this explanation with a grain of salt.)
This makes me feel uncomfortable to visit Walt Disney World, any risk mitigation advice?
The highest-risk activity at Walt Disney World since reopening has been dining indoors. That has remained true without regard for any past or present rule changes. The easiest way to reduce your actual risk is by eating outside. See our List of the Best Outdoor Dining at Walt Disney World for recommendations. If you’re comfortable with indoor restaurants, mask rules shouldn’t really change the equation much for you.
For those who are still concerned about face masks, the silver lining is that One-Way Masking Works. High quality masks are now widely available, so your safety is no longer dependent upon what others are doing–your health is in your own hands.
If anything, wearing a properly-fitted N95 or KN95 mask offers greater individual protection than you and others around you wearing cloth masks. A growing number of experts have said cloth masks are inadequate to protect from Omicron and other more highly-transmissible variants. At this point, the onus is on the individual to properly protect themselves, if they so desire.
(Here’s one high-quality mask we recommend. We don’t use it anymore, viewing higher quality masks as superfluous for two relatively young and healthy adults who are fully vaccinated and boosted, but they’re a good option if your personal profile or risk tolerances differ from ours.)
What’s the best mask for Walt Disney World?
We have bought many masks. The best option for personal protection that we’ve used is the Powecom KN95 Face Mask. (That one is often sold out, in which case we recommend this Powecom FFP2 Face Mask.)
After doing some research, I opted for the Powecom masks due to their high performance and scratch-off anti-counterfeit label on the package that provides codes to verify authenticity on the company website. Additionally, they’re comfortable, offer a snug fit, and are relatively inexpensive by high quality face mask standards.
Any other face mask recommendations?
My other favorite option is from Suay LA. These are still a great, breathable option, especially for hot weather when the KN95 mask might be more uncomfortable. These are constructed from medical grade non-woven polypropylene surgical wrap and have a nosepiece. They should offer a degree of protection to the wearer. Both of us prefer the small. It’s a snugger and cleaner fit, especially above the nose and under the chin.
Do many guests wear face masks?
In outdoor common areas, we’d estimate that roughly 20% of all guests are wearing masks as of March 2022. We’ve noticed that this number fluctuates depending upon local case numbers. It was higher in August, significantly lower in June-July, and lower now once again.
During our time at Walt Disney World over the course of the last week, we didn’t observe any discernible differences among the parks. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios are all more or less the same.
Is the face mask rule being actively enforced on transportation?
That’s hit or miss.
You should absolutely bring a face mask with you to Walt Disney World if you’re relying on enclosed Disney transportation, but don’t be surprised if you see other guests not wearing masks. If that’s a concern, we’d recommend renting a car.
Are face masks be required on boats, ferries, and other watercraft?
No.
What are the face mask rule at the water parks?
Same as above, with one notable exception.
Face coverings are *not* permitted while experiencing water slides or in the water.
Does Walt Disney World sell masks?
Yes. Numerous stores around the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs sell a range of character designs and Disney patterns. These are now on clearance, and prices should continue to drop.
For now, there are still vending machines outside of each park that sell generic ones for $2 each.
Are the masks sold by Disney any good?
They’re actually not half bad. Still not our favorite option, but if you want something reasonably comfortable and cute, they’re a decent choice.
Plus, the Baby Yoda mask is the official “basic millennial” accessory, following the storied legacy of the blue Monsters U hat and Spirit Jersey. If you don’t Instagram yourself wearing a Baby Yoda mask, gazing off into space, and standing in front of a colored wall, did you really even visit Walt Disney World?! 😉
Any other mask-related accessories that are worth carrying?
Essentially anything that will help cool you down. Another absolutely necessary accessory is the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad. We’ve been praising these things for years, as they’re basically some sort of mix of science, technology, and magic. Great for keeping cool–but staying dry.
Another must-have accessory is the Life Straw Go Filter Water Bottle. Drinking fountain water at Walt Disney World is sourced directly from the swamp, and is actually 3% alligator urine. This bottle filters out the pee, and it’s BPA-free! It also uses a 2-stage activated carbon filter to reduce odor and chlorine, leaving zero aftertaste! (If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, Brita Filter Water Bottles are great, too.)
Another accessory we recommend is this USB-powered travel fan. It’s small, lightweight, and can plug into your external battery charger. This is one of the main recommendations in our Unique Disney Packing List, which is where you can find our all-purpose top picks for things to pack for a trip to Walt Disney World.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you have any questions this FAQ failed to answer? If you’ve visited the parks since Walt Disney World reopened, what was your experience wearing masks? Do you think there’s anything else guests should know before visiting in during this ‘temporary abnormal’ time? Keep the comments civil, as this is not the place for politically-charged arguing, antagonism, personal attacks, or debating the efficacy of NPIs. We will be heavy-handed in deleting comments that cross the line, even if it’s only a single sentence. You are not going to change anyone’s mind via the comments section on this blog, nor are you going to change Disney’s rules or public policy. If you wish to shout your opinions into the internet abyss, that’s why Facebook was invented.
Hi! I am having someone make me masks for our up coming trip. How does Disney know if its 1 or 2 layers? The material is Disney themed and is pretty thick. Trying to decide if I need more matreial.
We were there for Labor Day, but at at that time, they weren’t actually asking anyone. If you’re obviously just wearing a piece of cheesecloth, they will hassle you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t expect to be harassed about it. Unless it’s really hot and muggy out, you should just get used to it and be more annoyed if you wear glasses. I know some folks can’t tolerate having a mask on, but it wasn’t so bad that it made the trip miserable for me anyway. I mean, we did get on RoTR twice…
We went to Hollywood Studios a few weeks ago and honestly, we all struggled with wearing the mask all day. Especially when we were outside, away from others– because then, it really seemed illogical.
Other side effects I noticed: You have to wait in line for every single ride. Most rides were a 60-90 minute wait. I really wish they were at least still doing fast passes, as that would allow you to get a few rides into your day without such a long wait. And, you could leave the park earlier and still feel like you had a good experience.
Also, we ate lunch at the Star Wars world restaurant, not sure of its name. We had to do mobile ordering, then wait to be called to sit, and the restaurant was FRIGID cold, so that we felt we had to hurry and eat and get out of there. Overall, it made it seem unwelcoming, as if they were trying to minimize people enjoying a leisurely lunch sans mask.
My advice: Locate the Relaxation zones on your map and plan on using them. Bring snacks and your own water bottles so you can have periods of time to sit and chat and breathe freely. We also brought a roll-on of peppermint essential oil and applied it to the inside of our masks and temples to help with the headaches we were getting.
Our family isn’t accustomed to wearing masks all day– so if you are, you may not need these tips.
We already have tickets to go in December with friends who will be visiting us and have never been to Disney before. Otherwise, I absolutely would not return while the mask order exists. It’s not just the mask situation. You also have to wait in long lines, which we almost never did when we were pass holders in the pre-covid days. No character interactions. No shows or entertainment. A vast reduction in snack kiosks and open restaurants. More grouchy cast members (which, who can blame them? What a terrible place to work nowadays, but better to have a job than be laid off like so many colleagues?) I feel bad for them. And no, they were not all grouchy… just more grouchy ones than there used to be. We spread as much cheer to them as we could by thanking them for their work.
We visited WDW last week. For the most part, we felt safe and comfortable, but we’ve been wearing masks since March and live in So. Florida full-time. The one exception to success is a pattern we observed of visitors pulling their masks below their noses on a fairly regular basis. We were in line for Spaceship Earth following a group of people who kept doing this. They would be advised by CMs to pull their mask up and they did so only to pull them back down as soon as the CM left. They also pulled them fully down during the ride. They were accompanied by a guest who shouted at them from outside the line that masks were for fools and illegal. He was never approached by CM. There’s always one, but it did make us uncomfortable.
I don’t understand why people have to do things like that. There’s enough yelling for lost or misbehaving kids without it. I may have a few strongly held political beliefs (ahem) but I will not be an arse about things and ruin someone else’s vacation by yelling at people in lines, making noises or talking in Hall of Presidents or other disrespectful behavior in the parks. There’s just no point. It’s bad enough we’re all yelled at by CMs as it is!
Most of Ohio was doing this and now we are on the verge of disaster, these are the people who have kept this virus going and damaging so many lives. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/12/ohio-businesses-close-gov-dewine-explain-new-covid-19-orders-nov-11/6187677002/
We visited both Disney and Dollywood this past summer. Mask policies were extremely similar and well enforced in both places with one huge difference in Dollywood’s favor – they allow masks to be removed for taking socially distanced photos outdoors. This is no different than outdoor dining at a table 6 ft away or more from others. Dollywood guests in no way abused this policity – they took their quick photos and then put masks back on. It’s very easy to see if someone is taking a photo or just strolling around w/out a mask. This made a huge difference to be able to have “normal” vacation photos while posing no risk to other guests. There is no reason Disney couldn’t do this as well and it would greatly increase guest satisfaction. Yes, I have a few token “2020” photos of my family all wearing masks at Disney, but that is enough. Photos are such a key part of vacation and this is an easy way they could make the experience more enjoyable right now.
Re the “fill in all available space”.. That was one of the high points of my trip- NOT being yelled at to do so at Aerosmith’s Rockin’ Rollercoaster. I absolutely HATE how many times I am yelled at on vacation, from the entrance ques through the ride lines. They instead reminded all gently but firmly to remain distanced. Ahhhh.
We spoke with someone on the phone at Disney on 11/10 and told them we were interested in buying memory maker for our upcoming trip but we wanted to know if we could take our masks down for photos and she told us that yes, we would be able to do that. But according to your post that’s not true. Has anyone else been given that information?
The cast member gave you bad information, unfortunately. Photopass photographers are very strict about mask compliance and you cannot currently take masks off for any photos. I personally think this is a huge misstep as it would pose no risk to others as long as photo groups are socially distanced outdoors. But they are very strict on this policy.
We visited in July & while at Animal Kingdom purchased snacks & drinks. We found a quiet corner away from other guests to eat & drink. A cast member approached us & told us that between sips or bites we had to put our masks back on. My husband tried to discuss this with the cast member & she insisted that we had to do this. We had been closer at lunch next to other guests eating than we were here so we were baffled.
I think you just got unlucky–unfortunately, there have been some reports of things similar to yours. However, this is not the policy and we’ve never been told anything like this.
If no exemptions are being made due to putting others at risk, why are children under 2 not required to wear masks? Everyone knows how much they sneeze without covering their mouth, pick their noses, put hands in their mouths and touch everything. I’m assuming it’s because they are unable to understand and follow these rules. I agree with them. However, my 5 year old autistic son who tests socially, behaviorally, etc… as an 18 month old is not allowed to visit. It really feels like we are being discriminated against. Every year my extended family goes on a vacation together to Disney. We were left out this year and probably will be next year.
I think it might be because children under 2 are in a stroller the whole time so they are kind of naturally socially distant that way. This is in addition to the fact that there’s zero chance of keeping a mask on a baby/toddler that young. We wondered about that in our trip in August as well but this was the reasoning that we came up with. My 3 yr old nephew wouldn’t do well with the masks all day, but I was very pleasantly surprised with all of the little kids doing better than grown adults when we went!
I think SIDS comes into play as well. It isn’t safe for under 12 months to have something over their nose and mouth.
Creedthoughts…
We are currently staying in our camper at Fort Wilderness and they are requiring that we wear face masks while riding in our golf cart, which is ridiculous. I can understand wearing them when parked, but passing someone doing 20 mph…please!
Virus can travel up to twenty feet with the right conditions.
Or thousands of miles! But to require wearing masks in the golf cart is absurd.
We were there last week. A couple of concerns that I will share. I cannot fill my mug in the food court and must have a cast member fill a cup with my choice of beverage due to the covid. But while in line at Alien Space Swirls there are drinking fountains and they were working and folks were drinking from them?? Please explain the logic in that. You can also fill your own water bottles. Nothing makes sense????? Just my 2 cents!
If you think logic plays into any of these decisions, you’re sorely mistaken. By Tom’s own estimation Disney’s policies are primarily concerned with the illusion of safety. Secondary motivation is protecting their own interests. Is going maskless in line for Crush N Gusher any safer than going maskless in line for Triceratop Spin? Obviously not. They’re both outdoor queues with presumably similar if not identical social distancing polices in place. The difference? Disney doesn’t want the inevitable wave of lawsuits that would come in should they require guests wear masks on a slide which dumps them into a pool at high speeds. However they get PR points for requiring them elsewhere where such risks don’t exist.
Another example would be the plexiglass dividers. As Tom pointed out, these are largely functionally useless. Aerosilized droplets permeate the air supply in indoor spaces and are recycled and redistributed through ventilation systems. The idea that a virus couldn’t, or wouldn’t be expected to, simply find its way around, over, or under a piece of plastic is obviously ludicrous. But as it is a visible indicator of “safety”, it reassures guests even if the safety they provide will be vastly overestimated.
Interestingly, security theater is something of which many people are fans, even when they consciously accept that what they are seeing is largely a show. Using TSA as an example, studies consistently indicate that it is fairly useless, as when put to the test agents fail to detect planted weapons over 90% of the time. However, I’ve heard many people state that they fully accept these statistics as true, they acknowledge the “theatrical” nature of the polices and procedures, yet they can’t help but feel safer regardless. It’s an interesting paradox, and one which wholly applies to many pandemic related policies, at theme parks or otherwise.
We just got home last night from our brief trip 11/6-11/11 and have to say we definitely enjoyed ourselves even with the masks. Living up here in MA, the weather has cooled down a whole lot. So I was a bit worried about being back in a humid environment again and having to wear masks for the majority of our visit. Overall, it wasn’t horrible. But… once you start hoofing it to go from one side of a park to the other, it’s a bit of a different story. I used the “older style” Disney masks. I feel like I should’ve gotten a lighter mask.
We stayed at universal endless summer and visited Universal multiple day, DHS one day and Magic Kingdom one day. I personally think Disney is doing a better job with making sure people are keeping their masks on and I feel like the visitors in the Disney parks abide by the spacing marks in queues better than at Universal.
I’m a firm believer that we have to wear these masks in order to do the things we want to do. So, I feel as though people should respect the rules that are put into place. Eventually they’ll be a thing of the past.
Tom I know you are Uniqlo connoisseurs, as am I…their mask are fantastic – 3 layers, with the inside being a filter. And they are washable too! 3 for $15 bucks! Black or white colors only.
The masks Disney sells are not two layers only one…
At least two styles (the original and the new all polyester– I have both) have two obvious layers. Some disposable masks are multi-layer but melded together. In my own homemade masks, I use a non-woven fusible interfacing in a few masks to boost protection from the many who do not wear masks. This makes the layer to which it is fused appear to be one layer which isn’t an issue as I always use two layers in addition to the interfacing. Breathing is more difficult in those.
They ought to have you do messaging for the CDC, between the very accurate information, careful explanation, and humor (I love the “my mask protects you, your mask protects me”). Because it’s not about people choosing to take risks themselves; it’s about how they put others at risk. As someone in the mental health field, I can attest that mask exception letters aren’t a thing, any more than we’d excuse anyone from wearing a seatbelt or having to be sober while driving. Glad to know that Disney is taking this seriously.
So how strictly are masks ACTUALLY enforced for small children/toddlers? I know my two year old and possibly my three year old will not keep one one.
We were there a couple of weeks ago with my two year old. She did a great job of keeping it on, but no one ever said anything to her when she would slip it off to snack or while she was riding around in the stroller. I will say the last two days she wore it less often, I think she was just OVER it and hot and no one said anything to her.
I really enjoyed reading this article. You brought humor and humility together to inform future Disney guests on what to expect while visiting the parks. You’re right, NO ONE likes it, but sometimes we just have “suck it up, Buttercup!” Seeing people in America, especially children and mostly MY OWN children in masks, literally breaks my heart. As a grown man, I literally teared up when my 2 year old daughter put her mask on for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed your using the words “Temporary Abnormal.” This is certainly abnormal, and I refuse to accept it as any “New Normal.”
We are planning a short trip to Magic Kingdom on our way back to Kentucky from Sanibel Island. Your blog really helped point out the mask guidelines I was looking for. I typically use a single-layer neck gaiter on a normal basis at work and around town. But, thanks to your blog, I need to find a mask that fits the Disney Parks policy, and is most comfortable in the humid asphalt jungle that is Walt Disney World.
Was Sanibel uncomfortably crowded? We’ve thought about going but I was concerned the beach would be mobbed.
Anyone used the Mission mask in the parks? They’re great and comfortable but have these small “holes” that aren’t really holes. Not sure if Disney will pushback on it. We’re going in a week and a half.
https://www.mission.com/products/adjustable-sport-mask
Hi Tom. I came back to this post to use your link to order more Suay masks but the link isn’t working. It’s possible that it’s just me but I thought I’d let you know. They’re still available but now you can choose the color of the straps – yay! Love the neon green!
“Drinking fountain water at Walt Disney World is sourced directly from the swamp, and is actually 3% alligator urine.” Please tell me you’re kidding!
Well, that’s still better than dr pepper or coffee, so…