UPDATE (April 24) – Disneyland has now updated their mask policy meaning face coverings are now optional for all guests whilst at the resort including on all transport. Their current policy reads:
“It is strongly recommended that Guests wear face coverings when indoors and in enclosed transportation. Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status, in certain indoor health settings, such as in First Aid. Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.”
February 16 – Ever since the announcement back on February 8, 2022 that California was dropping the indoor mask mandate for fully vaccinated people from February 16, we have been waiting for an update from Disneyland.
This update has finally come and it now states on the official Disneyland website that “Beginning February 17, 2022, face coverings are required for unvaccinated Guests (ages 2 and older) in all indoor locations, including throughout indoor attractions and indoor queues. Face coverings are required for all Guests, regardless of vaccination status, in certain indoor settings including Disney shuttles and in health settings, such as in First Aid. Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.”
So, for unvaccinated guests the indoor mask policy remains the same BUT for those who are fully vaccinated, they will no longer be required to wear face coverings while in indoor locations, including on attractions and queues at Disneyland Resort from Thursday February 17, 2022.
The wording on the Disneyland Resort website is interesting as it differs from the official Walt Disney World website which has also updated its mask policy as of February 17. Disneyland uses the word ‘requires’ face coverings for unvaccinated guests in indoor areas whereas Walt Disney World states ‘expected’. Does it really make any difference as essentially what is being said is that unvaccinated should continue to wear face coverings? It appears Disneyland is being more forceful with the rules for unvaccinated guests.
Vaccinations has been a contentious issue and it remains that the Disneyland Resort website still says “The State of California strongly recommends that all Guests be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the Disneyland Resort.” The Walt Disney World website says “We encourage people to get vaccinated.”
However, it doesn’t look like Disneyland will require proof of vaccination status so it seems that they are relying on guests to be honest and for those that are not fully vaccinated to continue to wear face coverings in indoor locations. The face mask policy in still in place for ALL guests on Disney shuttles and in First Aid.
The dropping of the indoor mask mandate for fully vaccinated guests will come as welcome news for many Disneyland fans who have been waiting to be able to ditch their masks whilst in indoor locations for a long time. Some of our readers, however, have contacted us hoping that the indoor mask mandate at Disneyland would stay in place whilst the Omicron variant remains prevalent.
Disney has often shown a more cautious approach to their mask policy so to some the decision to drop the indoor mask mandate for vaccinated guests may come as somewhat of a surprise. But as the indoor mask mandate has now been dropped for fully vaccinated people in the State of California, there has been inevitable pressure for Disneyland to conform.
Let us know how you feel about this major update to the indoor mask policy at Disneyland Resort by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page. As always, policies can change so be sure to check out the latest guidelines before you visit Disneyland this year on the official website.
