Walt Disney World in Florida is making it easier to see smiles again, but guests still can’t hug the characters. Effective today (June 15), face masks will be optional for visitors to the theme park resort who are vaccinated.
In line with Florida legislation prohibiting businesses from asking to see proof of vaccination, Disney workers won’t require official documentation from guests, though the theme park says on its website: “While we will not require proof of vaccination, we expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, and upon entering and throughout all attractions and transportation.” It is not clear, how unvaccinated guests will be identified.
The Orlando theme park says all guests will still be required to wear face coverings on buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner, the resort’s aerial gondola.
The decision on masks is Disney World’s latest tweak to the virus-related safety rules it created when the coronavirus pandemic was declared in March 2020. Disney World closed for two months last year at the start of the outbreak and reopened last summer with strict safety guidelines that involved masking, social distancing, and crowd limits.
Last month, Disney officials started allowing visitors to go without masks outdoors. Disney officials said they expect to ease up on physical distancing guidelines in the near future.
“It’s important to remember that some experiences and entertainment may still be operating with limited capacity or may remain temporarily unavailable,” the company said on its website. “We’re not quite ready to bring back everything yet, but we are optimistic and look forward to the day when Disney pals and princesses are able to hug once again.”