Disney Will Stop Digitally Adding Masks to Guests' Faces - Inside the Magic

Recently, Walt Disney World Resort began digitally adding face masks to Guests’ on-ride photos. But now, Disney says they will no longer do so.

Several theme park Guests at Disney World reported that they noticed masks were being digitally added to on-ride photos. Occasionally, when a Guest was pictured without wearing their mask properly, a face mask was digitally added to their photo. This way, Disney could still distribute on-ride photos to Guests (something they were previously not doing when Guests in the photo were not properly wearing their masks — or not wearing masks at all).

Read More: Guests Must Wear Masks to Get Disney Ride Photos

Now, in a recent report by USA Today, Disney representatives have come forward and shared that they will no longer be digitally adding face masks to Guests’ photos.

“In response to guest requests, we tested modifying some ride photos. We are no longer doing this and continue to expect guests to wear face coverings except when actively eating or drinking while stationary,” Disney said in a statement provided by spokesperson Jacquee Wahler, according to USA Today.

The choice to alter on-ride photos so that all Guests look as though they are wearing face masks came months after the theme parks reopened. In mid-July — when Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom were in the first phase of reopening — Disney announced that Guests who remove their masks while riding attractions would not be able to obtain their on-ride photos. So, as the policy went, if you and your family rode Splash Mountain and someone in your group removed their mask during the attraction (or did not wear their mask properly), then Disney would not provide you with the photo taken of you while riding. This also applied to ride photos that showed both your party and other parties: if someone in another party did not wear their mask properly while on the attraction, and that person happened to be pictured in your on-ride photo, then Disney would still not distribute the photo.

Related: Cast Members Use Disney Magic to Enforce Face Masks

Months later, Disney began testing the process of digitally adding masks in order to still provide those riders with on-ride photos — for attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, for example. This choice was met with mixed opinions, but ultimately Disney has decided to take a step back. However, as USA Today points out, it is not yet clear whether photos with maskless riders will be available for purchase.

Face coverings are still required for all Guests ages two and up at Walt Disney World Resort as the theme parks continue to operate amid the ongoing pandemic. Disney has given no indication of when face masks will no longer be required at the theme parks, and the CDC continues to recommend everyone to wear masks to protect others and themselves. As of now, Disney Parks officials are still taking mask enforcement seriously, even going as far as stopping attractions entirely when Guests remove their masks. 

Below are the official Disney World rules for face coverings:

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

All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

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

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

We will continue to update Inside the Magic with the latest information on Disney Parks operations.