Will WDW lift mask mandate?

[dreamer17555]

Make it optional if someone wants to wear 4 more power to them

Masks protect others from the wearer not necessarily the other way around. I can’t believe we are a year into this discussion and it’s not understood that masks protect others more and offer the wearer only some protection themselves.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I agree with others that say Disney will do this in stages. I think the stages will begin once OC drops the mask mandate. I predict it will start with increased capacity and lessening social distancing. Next will be only requiring masks once in queue for rides through the ride and having exited the ride queue/building and inside buildings(unless actively eating/drinking). Last will be dropping the masks all together.

 

[NorthernCalMom]

Kids under 5 are most likely never getting it.

Actually, based on the current data we have, that statement is incorrect. Children of any age still get it, though apparently at lower rates than adults. Most of them develop milder cases or are asymptomatic, but their viral load seems comparable to that of adults, which means they can still (symptoms or not) transmit it to others. There is also the possibility of MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children), which can occur months after infection and can result in severe illness and even death. Fortunately, MIS-C is rare.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html

 

[jlwhitney]

Seems too much work with little benefit on their end. Do they really need to throw a bone to those who don’t like the masks when they’re largely coming anyways? Also gives them less leeway for gathering outdoors for things like shows and choke points in the parks.

I think they go all at once when they go.

It would be very easy to do you wouldn’t define lines as indoor and outdoor it would be simple if you’re in line for a ride or to order food or whatever and then you wear the mask is just walking around outdoors the no no

 

[Eric Smith]

It would be very easy to do you wouldn’t define lines as indoor and outdoor it would be simple if you’re in line for a ride or to order food or whatever and then you wear the mask is just walking around outdoors the no no

People wouldn't follow those distinctions and it's impossible to post CMs at every entrance to every ride to enforce. I think Disney should just keep the current mask policy until they decide not to require masks at all.

 

[redrosesix]

I think a lot hinges on the variants, especially since J&J is not helpful with at least one major one. (I will clarify to say it’s less than 60% effective for the SA variant)

Having enough doses doesn’t mean they’ve actually been able to vaccinate everyone. That’s just going to take time. Also I’m going to continue to point out the fact that there is no vaccine currently approved for children under the age of 16 which is a big portion of Disney’s guests.

AstraZeneca's vaccine isn't as effective against the SA strain either...and now we have the new Brazilian strain. Vaccine makers have been doing trials against this one. China's vaccine is supposedly not working for it, and Pfizer and Moderna are saying they will develop a booster for it but I don't think they've concluded that their vaccine won't cover it yet.

One thing though...this might be a perfectly logical reason to keep the Quince groups out for a little while.

I agree with you though -- it's going to be about how safe children are in the parks. They aren't going to take a chance of kids dying from something they got in the parks.

 

[redrosesix]

Actually, based on the current data we have, that statement is incorrect. Children of any age still get it, though apparently at lower rates than adults. Most of them develop milder cases or are asymptomatic, but their viral load seems comparable to that of adults, which means they can still (symptoms or not) transmit it to others. There is also the possibility of MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children), which can occur months after infection and can result in severe illness and even death. Fortunately, MIS-C is rare.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html

This.

Little kids just have a lot more natural killer cells, like bats. It's either a response to the number of viruses they come in contact with for the first time, or it's an adaptation that allows them to survive all of those viruses we only get once. We still have so much to learn about this virus and immunity in general.

 

[jlwhitney]

Actually, based on the current data we have, that statement is incorrect. Children of any age still get it, though apparently at lower rates than adults. Most of them develop milder cases or are asymptomatic, but their viral load seems comparable to that of adults, which means they can still (symptoms or not) transmit it to others. There is also the possibility of MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children), which can occur months after infection and can result in severe illness and even death. Fortunately, MIS-C is rare.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html

They are still by far not the major worry and with adults vaccinated there risk is lowered . They aren’t the ones risking the hospitals from being overcrowded.

 

[jlwhitney]

People wouldn't follow those distinctions and it's impossible to post CMs at every entrance to every ride to enforce. I think Disney should just keep the current mask policy until they decide not to require masks at all.

actually it’s what legoland is doing and really it isn’t that hard. I really think it will be stages of reducing masks vs all or none

 

[DisneyElite4]

I foresee more issues if masks are required only indoors vs policing it all the time. Get to the indoor part of the line only to realize little Sally dropped her mask back in that mass of people between Peter Pan and Small World. Defining indoors vs outdoor could be interesting too. Is under an awning indoors or not?

While I do agree that policing could be harder, these were the same types of arguments people made (myself included) as to why it would be hard to police back in July 2020. If Disney wants to require something, they will find a way to police/enforce it.

 

[J-Dog]

A lot will come down to when Sea World and Universal do it. I know we all like to believe that Disney is doing all this to keep us safe (and I'm sure they DO have safety in mind to an extent), they are also trying to maximize profits. If SW and UOR lift mask mandates and people start flocking there instead of Disney, I'm confident that Disney will follow suit. On the other hand, if SW and UOR lift restrictions and no one goes (doubtful), then Disney may keep theirs around longer.

I was going to say exactly this same thing.

 

[dreamer17555]

While I do agree that policing could be harder, these were the same types of arguments people made (myself included) as to why it would be hard to police back in July 2020. If Disney wants to require something, they will find a way to police/enforce it.

But they already have a policy and are enforcing it. Why would they peel back layers when the guests are already there and clearly coming if they have to wear masks part of the time versus just keeping the mask on the entire time? Is anyone who’s really anti-mask going to still come to Disney if they have to put a mask on for any time they’re in any line? Does it make any sort of sense for Disney to loosen that restriction but only when not in line and therefore have to staff all the lines to make sure the people are complying at the right points? The whole idea of Universal or Disney saying no masks this summer, seems to be more hassle than it’s worth

 

[Mousefan mom]

I understand the need to wear masks while many would like and can't get the vaccine (particularly Cast Members), but once vaccines are fully rolled out, I think it will be interesting how this plays. I don't anticipate Disney dropping masks anytime soon. Unfortunately even if they did it for vaccinated folks, you know everyone would just say they were vaccinated or had "health conditions" and wouldn't wear a mask. Unfortunately though as someone who has to wear one 8+ hours a day 5 days a week as an essential worker--I have NO desire to wear one on vacation especially in Florida heat. We go to Disney at least once a year, and I think 2021 will sadly be the second year in a row we won't be going to Disney. I miss it, and I'm glad others are still going to help their business--but I can't justify it while masks are required, and the offerings are still so limited. A Disney trip is an investment for many ($$$) and I want to be comfortable on vacation. We are looking into other types of travel this year (cabin in the woods, outdoors, beach, etc.).

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

The CDC is strictly a Scientific entity stating what in their analysis is best to combat and eradicate COVID. The original reasons for the shut downs/mask requirements were to pause the outbreak until there were enough hospital beds, ventilators, and vaccines. So what the CDC states is not what the politicians promised. It has become a bait and switch in that even though we have meet all the original requirments to loosen COVID restrictions, we are now being told we have to follow all CDC recommendations. I am tired to politicians continuing to move the goal posts.

Amen to this post.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I agree with you though -- it's going to be about how safe children are in the parks. They aren't going to take a chance of kids dying from something they got in the parks.

Honestly this statement isn't likely to factor in, when you think back to the pandemic in 2009/2010 where H1N1 was more dangerous to children (than Covid is) but Disney still operated full steam ahead. And regular influenza is more dangerous for young children as well. The amount of children harmed by Covid is miniscule and would not justify Disney basing their decisions on.

 

[J-Dog]

Personally, I think a lot of it simply depends on the trajectory of this Covid thing. If the so-called "fourth surge" happens, then I think restrictions will continue until at least fall 2021 or even into 2022. But if the trajectory continues to slowly drop, and mask requirements elsewhere slowly go away, then I think Disney will have to follow suit.

I do agree that Disney may keep their mask mandates longer than others, but if OC drops them in a few months, then SW and then UO, I expect Disney to drop them within weeks or possibly months. They aren't going to wait many months or years after everyone else.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

They are still by far not the major worry and with adults vaccinated there risk is lowered . They aren’t the ones risking the hospitals from being overcrowded.

Exactly. Children are not overwhelming hospitals, children are still in sports, school, etc. Children are not even close to the crux of this pandemic and this virus poses no greater risk to them than regular flu or H1N1 did in 2010 (actually Covid poses less risk to them). People are forgetting the end goal was never zero death. It was to prevent overwhelming the hospital systems.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

This.

Little kids just have a lot more natural killer cells, like bats. It's either a response to the number of viruses they come in contact with for the first time, or it's an adaptation that allows them to survive all of those viruses we only get once. We still have so much to learn about this virus and immunity in general.

While they say it's not exactly the same as Kawasaki, the truth is the risk of MIS-C attributed to Covid in children is rare and Kawasaki or Kawasaki like illness can occur and does occur in children after various viruses or vaccines even.

 

[HikingFam]

They are going to take a conservative approach. I imagine they care more about upping capacity than getting rid of the mask requirement, and in fact, keeping masks could help them justify increasing capacity in a “safe” way. The fact is that they are not having a hard time filling parks right now, despite what the anti-mask people want to think.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Yeah I mean why care about CM safety?

But they can take the vaccine at this point that we are talking about masks made optional.