Face Mask Compliance at Disney World
In this post, we’re going to take a fresh look at face covering rule compliance in the last couple of months. In case you missed what’s unquestionably the most controversial reopening policy, Walt Disney World is requiring guests wear masks at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and the resort hotels.
If you’re looking for info about these polices, consider beginning with our FAQ & Guide to Face Masks at Walt Disney World. For a seemingly simple topic, there have been a lot of questions, policy tweaks, and more. That’s a pretty comprehensive look at everything you need to know, presented in question and answer format.
For the first month that Walt Disney World reopened, we presented a section on mask compliance in each of our park photo reports & updates. We haven’t done that recently, and with everything from school going back into session to the holiday weekend to off-season, we thought it’d be worth revisiting–especially as several readers have inquired…
Our initial concern was that after starting out strong in the parks, face mask compliance would dip for a variety of factors. Cast Members would (very understandably) grow tired of the constant conflict and behavior corrections, more guests would attempt to ‘test’ the rules, and there would be general fatigue with the new rules.
It’s entirely possible all or some of that will still play out at some point, but thus far we’ve actually observed the opposite. It should go without saying, but what follows are our anecdotal observations. The two of us are not in every single park every single day. Obviously, your experiences and observations may differ…
As before, mask compliance varies by park. Magic Kingdom, the park largely devoid of alcohol sales, is the best. Our observations have been that 98% of guests have adhered to the rules and are properly wearing masks.
With all of the parks, rule compliance varies by time of day and location. At Magic Kingdom, the worst spot is the Central Plaza and directly in front of Cinderella Castle, where some guests try to “sneak” photos with their masks off. To Walt Disney World’s credit, they’ve modified the in park rule spiel to address this, attempting to proactively correct guest behavior. It’s still not perfect.
Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are about the same at around 97% compliance, which is better first thing in the morning and generally lower as the day wears on. That’s normal at every park.
Both of these parks lose a percentage point due to guests walking and drinking. It’d be easy to vilify alcohol here (and that certainly plays a part) but Starbucks patrons are just as big of an offender. Will mask compliance drop further as we enter the heart of PSL season?! Time will tell.
EPCOT lags further behind with compliance at around 95% or so. The discrepancy here is due to alcohol, specifically drinking around the world. As with the other parks, compliance starts strong and gets worse later in the day.
This split has nothing to do with daytime versus nighttime hours (EPCOT is not frequented by mask werewolves, at least not to my knowledge) and everything to do with the duration of time guests have been boozing. Not only does alcohol lower inhibitions–it also lowers masks.
There’s also a definite World Showcase and Future World split, with the latter being better.
Anecdotally, we’ve also noticed that mask compliance is worse on weekends (pretty typical of fall, but not nearly as bad as a Food & Wine Festival weekend during normal times).
Next up, Disney Springs. Here we have a bright spot where compliance has actually improved since our last check-in.
At that point, we noted rule enforcement had gotten lax as crowds picked up at Disney Springs. Since then, we’ve observed more Cast Members on “patrol” plus the addition of the same spiel that previously had only played in the parks, plus additional signage. Compliance at Disney Springs is still lower than any of the parks, but we’d put it at around 94%.
Finally, let’s turn to the resorts.
This one is tough to quantify, because there’s only one space that’s typically even moderately crowded, and that’s pools. Those have different rules (see below). As for lobbies, compliance is in at least the mid-90s. As for other common areas, we’ll call compliance “good enough.”
As covered in our Guide to Walt Disney World Pools: Rules, Info & FAQ, the official written rule on pools is that masks are required except while actively swimming. However, the unofficial rule that’s followed at every single hotel pool is that masks are not required within the gated boundaries of pool areas.
We have confirmed this with multiple Cast Members at different resorts, and this has been the consistent and clearly-communicated answer. However, this is not posted on signage or written online in any rules. In my view, this is a good compromise approach. Pool areas are entirely outdoors, capacity is kept lower at them, and chairs are appropriately spaced.
Part of me wishes the resorts would adopt unofficial policies akin to those of the pools. There’s absolutely no reason to wear a mask outdoors with no one else nearby. Many guests recognize this, and do remove masks when no one else is around, quickly putting them on with other parties approach (hence the “good enough” above). We often see this while strolling the resorts; having some discretion to remove masks in such scenarios would be nice.
Unfortunately, we understand Walt Disney World’s predicament here. If they give guests an inch, a few will take a mile. While acceptance of and acquiescence to the policies has improved considerably in the last few months, officially introducing discretion is probably too much latitude that some people would try to further exploit.
In terms of non-compliance, the most common thing is a nose sticking out. Sometimes this is intentional, and you’ll see the guest pop it back under when other parties approach in walkways. (While this is technically non-compliance, it doesn’t bother me. If you’re outdoors and physically distanced, as is very often the case with low crowds in the parks, this presents no issue. In queues or anywhere indoors is a totally different matter.)
The other primary thing is walking and drinking. However, due to changes with in-park signage and the overhead spiel, we’ve noticed less and less of this. Cast Members have also been good about “reminding” guests of the rules here.
On very rare occasions, there are guests at Walt Disney World who are just flat-out not wearing masks. Most of these people are in search of a confrontation, eager to unleash an outburst to any Cast Member who dares ask them to don a mask.
We just give ourselves some space, and ignore them. It’s not about masks, it’s about attention. They want the latter so they can record a tantrum to share on social media, further fanning the flames of controversy–even though the rules were made abundantly clear many times prior to entering the park.
It’s also worth pointing out that our limited experiences with mask compliance in Central Florida have markedly improved in the last couple of months. It’s now been nearly three months since Orange County issued a mask mandate, which was initially contentious and ignored by many.
We once described Publix as the wild west, and that’s no longer the case. There are still some shoppers who wholly disregard the mask mandate, but far fewer. Compliance is mostly good–probably around 90%. In general, it seems that the culture war component of masking has largely fizzled out, except at the fringe.
Ultimately, that’s what we’ve observed recently with face mask compliance at Walt Disney World and beyond in Central Florida. In light of all this, we’re no longer expecting compliance to decrease. Not only is the ‘honeymoon period’ with these rules already over, but there’s more widespread compliance outside the parks and the weather will soon start to improve. All of that bodes well for mask compliance for the next several months.
Now, here’s hoping that mask compliance serves its purpose, there’s an effective vaccine, and we can put this in the rearview mirror by Spring 2021. While we’re fine with masks as a short-term prophylactic measure, they’re obviously far from ideal. It probably goes without saying, but like everyone else, we’re ready to go back to normal.
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 about current mask compliance at Walt Disney World this failed to answer? If you’ve visited the parks since Walt Disney World reopened, what was your experience wearing masks? Do you agree or disagree with any of our assessment? Please keep the comments civil. This is not the place for arguing about efficacy, politics, and so forth—all such comments will be deleted, irrespective of perspective. You are not going to change anyone’s mind via the comments section on this blog, nor are you going to change Disney’s policy.
What if you are stopped to take a drink with your mask off and getting your masked companion to snap a pic of you with the castle in the background? Is the facemask patrol disallowing that?
If you are *standing still* and *physically distanced* while taking your drink, nobody’s going to get angry if you snap a photo while that is happening. However, photopass CMs will not take a photo of you if your mask is off.
Not always true. We were eating a Mickey bar sitting with the castle in the background. I was snapping a picture and was told by two cast member that we had to keep our mask on at all times. Got quite confused because we were eating the bar. The second one got somewhat angry with me. And I know we weren’t doing anything wrong. â€â™€ï¸
Well Tom, since posting an effective vaccine will be available by 2021, and all this can be put in the rearview mirror, I must ask why I was banned from posting from my home IP addy the very same thing back in late March? WDW 2020 was unlikely…..
We stayed at the Boardwalk in July, and the cast members said that masks in the pool area were reccommended but not required. I hope you were misinformed and that they are not changing the “unofficial” policy. Sometimes you just need a break from the masks…
The official policy (i.e. what’s posted online) is that masks are required unless you are actively swimming. The unofficial policy (i.e. what CMs are actually enforcing) is that masks are not required within the gated pool area. What you described in your comment is the same as what is described in the article above.
We stayed at the GF in July and were told we could take our masks off around the pool. No one was really wearing one at the pool area
I observed quite the opposite at my visit over Labor Day weekend.
Sitting at the airport after a trip right now. Mask use was very good overall. More isolated occasions of none use than anything. When CM saw people they were very quick to correct. What we noticed more than anything was the spacing in lines. Disney was great having all this marked out, but people still have use them for them to be effective. Maybe it was just lay over from the holiday, but the parks were far from empty. After Irma the parks were empty, but most of the typical long line items stayed that way while we were in town this trip.
Yesterday I heard about clear see through face masks on wcbs newsradio. These are NOT face shields which are not the same as face masks and not accepted at WDW.
Just now I had the opportunity to google see through face masks to learn more. I have no connection to these things and make no money mentioning them. I’m a Disney fan trying to give back to this blog which has given me so much.
If you are concerned about photos on any vacation I highly recommend you goggle them.
I still have more research to do but there are some that are FDA approved and they will make for far better photos at Disney World. It should be noted they were not invented for photo taking but for better communication.
Here’s a few lines from one of them called the clear mask.
“The ClearMaskâ„¢ is the first fully transparent, FDA-cleared, class II surgical clear mask with full-face visibility.”
“55% of communication is visual. Traditional masks block faces and prevent our ability to see facial expressions and emotions, catch visual cues, and communicate.”
“Miscommunication is a leading cause of medical errors and can be prevented. When traditional masks are worn, miscommunication may increase with people who heavily rely on visual communication, such as deaf and hard of hearing individuals, children, and older adults. For many, missing critical visual cues can be the difference between complete understanding and a preventable ER visit. ”
The next step is to find out if Disney is aware of them and if so if
they allow them.
These would help Disney by improving mask compliance and maybe move more folks to visiting the Parks as there’d be little problem concerning photos.
Hmmm anyone here have a Disney connection who could help move this forward.
Here’s a link for those who are curious: https://www.theclearmask.com/
Looks promising–thanks for the heads up!
“I still have more research to do but there are some that are FDA approved and they will make for far better photos at Disney World. It should be noted they were not invented for photo taking but for better communication.”
These are not FDA approved, just FDA cleared.
They also have gaps along the side of the face in order to get air to the wearer. Disney is going to need to change their requirements to allow this product to be worn.
“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”
DebC makes an interesting point. Here’s more info. I’m still investigating. Still very promising.
Are clear masks FDA approved?
(CNN) — The Food and Drug Administration has given its OK to the world’s first fully transparent surgical mask. The company says their product helps improve communication by making the mouth visible, while still providing a high level of protection. Some models of the mask are approved for use in operating rooms.Aug 20, 2020
from cnet.com
What does ‘FDA approved’ mean?
“FDA approved” means that the agency has determined that the “benefits of the product outweigh the known risks for the intended use.” Manufacturers must submit a premarket approval (PMA) application and the results of clinical testing in order to get approval.
When deciding to approve a product or drug, the FDA has to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. The FDA is usually inclined to approve a product that has a higher risk if the potential benefit is significant — like an artificial heart valve that can save someone’s life.
What does ‘FDA cleared’ mean?
Class II and Class I medical devices are usually “cleared” by the FDA, which means the manufacturer can demonstrate that their product is “substantially equivalent to another (similar) legally marketed device” that already has FDA clearance or approval. Those already-cleared products are called a predicate.
For instance, let’s say hypothetically Apple wanted to create a pacemaker, using the same design and features of one that already exists. The company could get FDA clearance if it can compare its product to another that’s already on the market and demonstrate that it is it just as safe and effective, and works in the same way.
Companies must submit a “premarket notification submission” or 510(k) to the FDA so that it can review the product and clear it. Once the FDA declares that a new medical device is substantially equivalent to a predicate, it is “cleared,” and can be marketed and sold in the US.
I think we’re good on that aspect.
Mickey1928, thank you for explaining in detail how the FDA works and the potential of clear masks being approved by Disney. I’d just like to add one note. I have a bladder sling implant that was approved by the FDA predicated on the approval of a previous bladder sling. Two months after it was implanted, it was recalled.
The manufacturer fraudulently submitted information to the FDA (in other words, they lied) and the FDA didn’t check. They just approved the sling. Since then, I have a very low opinion of the FDA, and want everyone to know that FDA approval isn’t the end all and be all. As a result of their protocol, I’m walking around with an implant that has given me problems from day one. Be careful.
This mask may have a difficult time being passed by Disney for park use as according to the ClearMask website under the FAQ section “Is the ClearMask reusable?” – it states they are for indoor use only.
“Is the ClearMaskâ„¢ reusable?
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the ClearMaskâ„¢ for single-use only, and is not intended to be reused; thus, we cannot recommend or provide advice on cleaning methods.
The mask is designed for indoors settings and recommended for use at room temperature in ventilated, low-humidity environments, such as indoor offices or clinics.”
If they can be approved and allowed by Disney they would provide a great option for guests. They would also be a great choice by Disney for cast members to enhance the “Disney experience” to be able to see their smiles .
Tom (and Sarah) thank you for the time and insight that you provide through your articles and reviews. As we are from Toronto () and currently can not travel they provide a much needed virtual Disney vacation!
Daily reader and first-time poster here. Tom, I imagine right about now you may be feeling like “no good deed goes unpunished.” I read this blog not only for the excellent information and insights, but alao because I enjoy your tone and writing style! They are essential to who you are as a writer (and a person, I suspect), and they enhance the experience of your information-sharing. Those who read your blog and then complain about how you express yourself seem very much like those who intentionally go somewhere that clearly requires mask-wearing and then complain about having to wear/refuse to wear a mask. Be your authentic self, that’s who we read and love!
For myself, if I could GET to WDW safely I would absolutely feel safe being there, based on your reports and photographs, and would happily wear a mask in exchange for being able to walk onto so many attractions. But the prospect of traveling through multiple states, many with much higher infection rates than my own, is what is keeping me away now. Someday I’ll return!
Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
I have been 3 times since the re opening. I don’t mind wearing a mask because I understand it’s the rule. However I do believe Disney is putting WAY to much into treating adults who pay a lot of money to come to the parks like children. They’ve over done it with WAY to many signs and security. Just let cast members address it as they see it. If you can social distance and outside they shouldn’t care for things like pictures or eating/drinking.
I do wear a mask in public if “social distancing is not possible. But when it is possible, why a mask?? (Akin to “why a duck?”)
I still disagree with the entire concept of the pandemic if we really look at the uncooked statistics, but that is not the topic. The virus is real, I’m just concerned that the plan of attack is still off-kilter.
I still cannot find enough value in reduced hours, entertainment and other offerings to offset the non-reduced costs. Normal is not pharmaceuticals nor what is going on today in this world. “Temporary abnormal” is the phrase I would use. But never will I use “new normal”. Not now, not ever.
I will return to WDW when we have pre-covid 19 conditions again. If it never does than I’m sure Disney will still have plenty of other people to go in my stead.
Have you seen the videos of how far a sneeze or cough travels with no mask or with a mask? Due to unfortunate humans on the planet social distancing becomes an issue over an over outside in spaces where social distancing should be possible. I love your outlook on the people you are relying on to keep me safe. Me, not so much.
Indeed many folks will go that love to adhere to the rules and enjoy what they can.
Bonjour Jesse.
En France, POUR L’INSTANT, le masque est obligatoire Á partir de 11 ans….
Nos cinémas, théâtre, restaurants et bars sont ouverts avec le port du masque. Mais pour combien de temps car la contamination repart de plus belle. Uniquement les discothèques sont toujours fermées. Vivement que les laboratoires trouvent un remède ou un vaccin….. Nous attendons pour aller Á Disney Land Paris car je ne veux pas faire de jolies photos avec nos masques……..patience !
Céline
How strict are they enforcing masks for toddlers? We’re planning a trip in May, so hopefully this shouldn’t be an issue but I was curious in case. Our 2 year old is mostly ok to wear one around town but sometimes she’s just a cranky 2 year old that doesn’t want to. She’ll be 3 by then, so she’ll probably be better at it.
I wonder the same thing. We are going next month.
We didn’t take our toddler when we visited last week, but I did see several cast members remind parents that their toddlers were to keep their face coverings on at all times…Most were very nice about it and you could tell they hated to enforce the rule but they did enforce it…hope it isn’t an issue for you next year…**fingers crossed**
Tom! Love your blog! When are you going to do another face mask review? Soon I hope! I went for Labor Day weekend and used my “pretty” mask but in hindsight it probably should’ve only been used for photos as I was dying in the heat. I’m hoping to return in October better prepared.
I’m not entirely sure. I stopped buying new masks because it felt like throwing good money after bad with nothing surpassing the Suay ones we’re using.
With that said, we almost certainly will buy Christmas ones if Disney releases a fun design (and I suspect they will). I’ve heard the Halloween ones are nicer quality than the regular ones, so hopefully the holiday ones will be even better. We’re suckers for all things Christmas!
I definitely think the topic of masks has been beaten to death, but I do agree with Tom that the people that are the loudest and causing the most problems, either screaming at people to wear a mask, or screaming at people that they won’t wear a mask, are definitely in the minority. Regardless of whether you think masks are needed and effective or not, I think most of us fall into the largest group who simply wear it because a business asks us to. I’m sure you have a pretty thick skin by now dealing with people commenting on your work, but personally I cracked up when you got nasty comments about a photo of a chicken and for using PSL! :’-) As someone who frequently asks my kids “what does THAT mean?!?” when it comes to abbreviations, and frequently hears in reply “Really mom?!?!” (Insert teenager rolling their eyes here…) I was surprised that one needed translation! 😉
I ended up Googling PSL after the question and it turns out there are a LOT of non-Starbucks uses of that acronym and some are not the type of thing I want associated with this blog, haha!
At EPCOT today we saw only one example of someone walking around without a mask in place, and he was drinking. Two different cast members asked him to put his mask on or step aside and stop to drink. Finally he did. I think he was not understanding what they were telling him. Didn’t see any other violations.
I am truly over this discussion. Why is a sign that states “No shoes, no shirt, no service” a perfectly acceptable part of American society, yet a sign telling you to wear a mask is somehow infringing on your civil liberties? I never wear shoes in my own house and often not in my backyard, but I always wear them in public. Never have I felt that I was being oppressed because I had to wear shoes into my local grocery store. I bet there are people who have a medical condition that prohibits the wearing of shoes and they don’t go strolling in to restaurants unshod and expect service. Making you wear shoes and shirts and pants when out in public is for your safety as well as the safety of others. JUST LIKE MASKS! I haven’t yet seen anyone berating a Cast member for telling them to put a mask on, thank goodness, but I assume it happens. For those people, a visit to Disney is….wait for it…not an essential like air, water, or food, so if you don’t want to play by their rules DON’T GO TO DISNEY!!! Please stay home and instead go to your local Publix with no mask . Furthermore, go with no shoes and no shirt and see how far you get! Oh no, the Man is bringing me down by making me wear pants! Waaaaa!
Ok, all done. Thanks for letting me rant.
Wendy, thank you. My “no shirt, no shoes, no service” comparison has been met many times with puzzling looks. Thank you for explaining the mask mandate in words everyone should be able to understand.
I never see no shoes etc. signs anymore, in Florida. People bring their dogs into Publix, they sniff the groceries as they go down the aisles, absolutely no one interferes with them. Perhaps you live in a different part of the country?
The places that have require shoes and shirts are almost always indoors. Big difference.
This post is awesome….and right on point. As is Tom’s comment that all those people that are screaming the loudest want is attention. That is the cold hard truth and I try not to let them get to me as we have enough to deal with right now.
Great read! Thanks for defending Cast Members! If people don’t want to follow the mask rules, they should wait to visit. Regardless of where a person falls on the mask debate, Disney’s rules are abundantly clear and shouldn’t be broken.
Not a fan of the mask rule and probably won’t visit while its in place due to that and other cuts, but a rule is a rule. There are warnings and disclaimers all over Disney’s websites and everywhere.
The “resort when no one is around for miles” is a tough one. We kept them on always unless in pools but it was definitely a little weird to wear them while hauling suitcases to the room without another soul in sight or walking from SSR to DS.
That said, agree that a bright line is best. So we did it. And it was fine.
It’s Tom blog and his words, not yours. You go on about preaching and then you do the same thing. Kindly move on if you don’t like the content.
This was a response to GW
Had a stay at Boardwalk recently. Th Pool area had signs going in and out pool area. Masks were enforced when walking around pool area and sitting in a chair. You didn’t need a mask when in the pool and eating or drinking.