Operating a theme park throughout the pandemic is an interesting task to accomplish because, for Disney, they must ensure all of their Guests and Cast Members are safe during these unprecedented times, while also making sure that the magic is still there in the same way it once was.
Well, we can see that even Disney is still trying to fill mask wear with magic!
Although Disney World has now relaxed their mask wear rules, allowing Guests to remove masks for a few seconds for photos, we can see they are continuing to show Guests they must wear a proper face covering while at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or really, anywhere on Disney property that is not inside your Resort hotel room or in the water — And they are doing so in a fun way!
Bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) took to Twitter to post a photo of a masked-up Donald Duck sitting above one of the health and safety regulations outside a temperature check:
Donald with face covering outside a Walt Disney World pandemic temperature check.
Donald with face covering outside a Walt Disney World pandemic temperature check. pic.twitter.com/q7syJPJ7Lh
Although Bioreconstruct did not highlight where specifically the photo was taken, I, personally, have also seen Donald at the entrance to EPCOT in the past. I also remember seeing a variety of characters at the temperature check station at Disney Springs including Duffy, so it seems that Disney is continuing to remind Guests that they must not only wear a mask in the theme parks, but also while at Disney Springs.
Additionally, it is important to remember that Guests must wear a face covering at all times unless actively eating or drinking while stationary, or while taking a photo at a safe social distance from others. Also, Guests must wear their mask properly over their nose and mouth — just like Donald!
Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may temporarily remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking an outdoor photo*, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing during this time. (*Beginning April 8)
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.
Credit: Disney
Face coverings may have an integrated transparent plastic panel to aid in viewing the wearer’s mouth. These face coverings must:
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
The use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing.
Disneyland Face Masks
Over at Disneyland Resort, Guests may also notice a similar trend of character plushes wearing face masks, including Mickey Mouse, who we recently spotted sitting at the temperature check entrance of Downtown Disney looking very cute and safe!
Credit: ITM
Below is another adorable photo of Mickey at Downtown Disney from our Instagram page!
Even Mickey Mouse is doing his part and wearing a mask!
Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming, and remember to not touch your face. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing. Eating and drinking are permitted only in designated dining areas, and are not permitted while queuing or in attractions. Disney reserves the right to require a Guest to leave if they are not properly wearing an approved face covering.
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
Credit: Inside the Magic
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.
Face coverings may have an integrated transparent plastic panel to aid in viewing the wearer’s mouth. These face coverings must:
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
The use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing.
Credit: Disney
It is one thing to have several health and safety signs all around the park, but that is something that, nowadays, we see at every business or establishment we enter due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But including our favorite Disney characters in a positive display like this, it continues to use the magic of Disney in a progressive and encouraging light.
Credit: ITM
