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Credit: ITMOperating a theme park during the pandemic has its challenges, and for those who have visited the Walt Disney World Resort since its reopening, the changes that have been made have really shaken up the Guest experience!
There is still plenty of magic to be had and memories to make, and photos are a big part of those memories. Now Disney has cracked down even further by adding signage reminding Guests not to remove their face coverings for photos inside the park — since the parks reopened, face masks have been required.
Of course, all of these changes are being made to ensure Guests safety while visiting Disney World. One of the biggest rules and changes for Guests is the fact that mask wear is now required when visiting Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and any Disney World Resort hotel. Unless Guests are actively eating and drinking in a permitted area of Disney World property, they must wear an approved face mask at all times.
If a Cast Member catches a Guest not wearing their mask properly, they will ask the Guests to put it on properly; if the Guests refuse, they may be removed from Disney property. Disney has signage that indicates these rules all over their parks.
Unfortunately, not all Guests respect the mask rule, and many take off their masks for photos. This is something I have personally seen done on a variety of occasions. I have also seen Cast Members catch Guests and interrupting the photo as it is being taken, but there is not always a Cast Member there to stop every Guest from removing their mask. We have previously reported arrests and fights that have broken out over mask compliance on Disney property. To read more on those stories, click here.
Now, it seems Disney is adding signage to popular photo spots in order to warn and remind Guests that they must properly wear a mask even when taking a photo. We saw a bunch of these notices go up at EPCOT around the topiaries, which are highly photographed spots during the International Flower and Garden Festival.
Cast Members have also been spotted holding up these signs in popularly photographed areas at the theme parks.
It seems that Disney is doing whatever they can to ensure that Guests keep their masks on while at the parks. Most recently, Disney Parks Blog pushed for masks as a stylish option that can enhance your outfit, and really get you into the magical Disney spirit. On top of mask wear, every attraction in the park has a socially distanced queue, and many of them have plexiglass throughout to ensure that Guests are moving through in the safest way possible.
If you plan to go to Disney World in the upcoming months, be sure to educate yourself on all of the requirements that Guests must abide by in order to enjoy the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Have you ever noticed Guests remove their masks to take a photo at the Disney Parks? What do you think of these new signs?