Just as health and safety guidelines and recommendations continue to be modified and updated by local government and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Disney has also been regularly adding clarification to their policies on face coverings for guests and cast members at Walt Disney World at Disneyland Resort. As Scott Gustin first reported, Disney has added additional clarification to their mask guidelines, specifying that “face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings.”
According to Disney, “Face coverings are intended to reduce the transfer of respiratory droplets, and exhalation valves and materials with holes do not adequately filter air that is exhaled.”
The additional clarification follows an update last week to Disney’s policy with respect to face coverings when eating and drinking, which clarified that guests may only remove face coverings “while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.”
Universal Orlando Resort also updated their face covering guidelines this week to ban masks with exhalation valves and mesh or holes of any kind.
Face coverings continue to be a focus of conversation as Walt Disney World’s four theme parks have reopened with the requirement that all guests over the age of 2 (as well as cast members) wear face coverings at all times “except when dining or swimming.” Similar guidelines have been issued for the Downtown Disney District of Disneyland Resort, which began a phased reopening July 9.
This article has been updated to reflect that Disney has added the new face covering language, previously reported by Gustin, to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort websites.
21 comments
Some people can only get the type of face mask they have on face mask are not easy to get.
I can buy a mask at nearly every gas station in my area. I highly doubt someone can only find a mesh mask.
Face masks are pretty easy to get… CVS, Walmart, Kroger, any pharmacy they all have them. Not to mention online. Even Michael’s craft stores have them. I’m not sure how that’s even an excuse anymore.
You’re making the idea that All Types of Face Masks are readily available to everyone everywhere. Not always the case when many areas don’t even have a regular grocery store. Besides those face masks they want people to buy are hella expensive.
A trip to Disney is not cheap. If you can afford tickets, you can afford to find the appropriate masks for your trip.
Kn95, surgical or n95 only. Any other mask and we might as well not be wearing one.
Face masks are incredibly easy to find. Gas station, drug store, target all carry them. Likewise there are 30ppl at any given time selling ones they make.
One more reason to not visit.
Most asks with filters are far superior to just plan masks but in order for them to be breathable holes are needed….
More breathability with mesh, holes or exhalation valves mean you are not protecting others. Isn’t that the point. Get over it, pull up your big boy pants and just wear the masks without the whining and drama. Healthcare workers are wearing masks for 8, 12 and 16 hour shifts to protect you.
valve masks only protect YOU. if you are, in any way, infected, using a valve mask WILL transmit the disease to people. and normal masks WITHOUT HOLES are breathable!
They said nothing about filters. They said no masks with valves because when you exhale your breath does not go through the filter just directly into the air.
I work at a grocery store for 9hrs a day with a reg cloth mask. It’s not that hard. I do curbside so I’m outside alot. Least you guys don’t have to wear them all the time in your daily life. Just spoiled Americans..
So, I have an “opening hole” on my masks to put a “filter” in. Are you saying these are not acceptable?
It depends on if the hole goes all the way through or has a valve.
I work in a restaurant on grill or flattop for hours on end with a mask on. Very hot conditions. People have no idea what hot really is, stop complaining and if you don’t like it don’t go.
For the price of Disney tickets, Disney should just provide their visitors with their branded masks as mandatory face wear & that’ll eliminate all questioning regarding acceptable face coverings.
If the park wants a specific type of mask worn, then they should hand them out at the gate. That will take out any question on if a mask is adequate enough.
If you can afford to go to Disney world you can afford a nice face mask.
I still don’t know why anyone is patronizing the amusement parks!!!!! You all fold like a house of cards lol. Dont go see how fast they change their minds.
And if they dont is it that important? Wait until this all goes away
I am from the UK and like many others find it hard to hear when people come up with some pretty lame excuses about wearing a mask. Working as a teacher and also night shifts in a care home I like many will do anything to protect not only myself but everyone around me. We have gone through tremendous shortages of PPE in this country which has been frustrating so knowing that we are able to get hold of them now to help battle this awful pandemic is brilliant and one everyone should embrace.
My husband and I love Florida and are due to come back in August 2021. Fingers crossed the pandemic has lessened drastically but if masks still have to be worn when we are due to come then we will have no issues with wearing them.
Good to know information. Valved masks provide little to no protection at all. You can also checkout a range of n95 masks over here.