Face coverings for guests at Walt Disney World Resort will no longer be required when outdoors beginning on Saturday.
“Starting May 15, face coverings for guests will be optional in outdoor common areas at Walt Disney World Resort,” Disney said in a statement. “With the exception that guests must wear face coverings from the entrances at all attractions, theaters or transportation and throughout those experiences.”
Based on these updates, guests are still expected to bring a face covering with them for their visit. Social distancing guidelines still apply.
If a guest is stationary while eating food or drinking a beverage, the guest is allowed to be maskless.
Restrictions designed to fight spread of Covid-19 are loosening up at Disney World as more Americans get vaccinated and coronavirus cases fall.
The latest update came Wednesday from Disney on physical distancing.
Disney disclosed in a message on its app that it plans to start limiting physical distancing to three feet in some areas of the parks, although six feet of space would still be maintained in restaurants and shops. The message, which said the changes were “gradual,” did not mention ride lines.
Disney’s move comes after both Universal and SeaWorld have already cut physical distancing from six to three feet in some areas.
The company has announced on its website that it would be phasing out on-site temperature screenings for cast members starting May 8 and for guests on May 16.
“Since reopening, we have considered guidance from public health authorities, government agencies, and our own team of health and safety experts as we assess and update health and safety measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19,” Disney said in a statement.
At least 226 nuisance alligators have been captured and removed from from Walt Disney World by wildlife trappers since a toddler was killed by an alligator at a Disney resort nearly five years ago, according to state records.
Two year-old Lane Graves, was making sand castles near the water’s edge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort about 8:30 p.m. on June 14, 2016 when an alligator bit the boy’s head and dragged him into the water, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s final investigative report on the incident.
State-contracted wildlife trappers removed an average of 23 alligators from Disney property, Over the eight years prior to the child’s death according to records from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“In keeping with our strong commitment to safety, we continue to reinforce procedures related to reporting sightings and interactions with wildlife, and work closely with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove or relocate certain wildlife from our property in accordance with state regulations,” a Walt Disney World spokesperson said.
The removal of nuisance alligators does not have a significant impact on Florida’s population of about 1.3 million alligators, according to FWC.
Disney Parks is releasing these new Rainbow Mickey ears and they will be really adding some color to the parks!
The latest Mickey Mouse ear hat features a classic look. This souvenir topper features rainbow striped ears and a Mickey patch to make you beam with pride!
The new ears are now available for pre-order, take a look below:
“We will continue to provide authentic products and experiences and create storytelling moments that celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year. Stay tuned; more Pride products will roll out globally at various locations and retailers in June and all year long as we continue to celebrate the community,” Disney Parks said in a post.
In celebration of Pride Month 2021 and the company’s Pride collection, The Walt Disney Company is giving funds as part of our ongoing commitment to organizations around the world that support LGBTQ+ communities. Guests can learn more on RainbowDisneyCollection.com.
A new special event is brewing this Halloween season at Magic Kingdom park—Disney After Hours BOO BASH! Join this ghostly gathering offering music, decorations, attractions and oh-so-eerie entertainment.
In case you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours, it’s a special event that’s open to a limited number of guests, after normal park operating hours. The experience offers low wait times at more than 20 attractions from classics like the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, to newer favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s a ghostly good time for all!
Get in the spooky spirit with Halloween-themed cavalcades. Indulge your sweet tooth at candy stops throughout the park. See some of your favorite and fiendish Disney friends as they lurk about, from Dr. Facilier and Captain Barbosa, to Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale. Stop and listen to the Cadaver Dans during their special comeback (from the dead) performance. And enjoy themed offerings, from sweet treats to savory delights.
Disney After Hours BOO BASH will take place on select nights from August 10 through October 31. Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Disney After Hours BOO BASH tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom park as early as 7:00 PM without the need for a day park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation, giving you time to enjoy even more fun.
Event Highlights
This hauntingly happy Halloween event is sure to be spook-tacular! Highlights include:
Halloween-themed cavalcades
Candy stops, with plenty of sweet surprises
Character sightings throughout the park
Special performances by the Cadaver Dans
Attractions, including favorites like Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain
Themed food and beverages available for purchase
Special décor, lighting, music and more!
Plus, Disney After Hours BOO BASH offers low wait times at some of your favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom park.
Dress in Your Boo-tiful Best
Guests young, old and immortal can dress in costume for the occasion and get their fill of Halloween candy. As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children younger than 14. In addition, all guests are required to wear approved face coverings during the event. Before you arrive, check our Know Before You Go page and Costume Guidelines.
Disney World has announced that it will start dropping temperature checks this weekend.
The company has announced on its website that it’ll be phasing out on-site temperature screenings for cast members starting May 8 and for guests on May 16.
“Since reopening, we have considered guidance from public health authorities, government agencies, and our own team of health and safety experts as we assess and update health and safety measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19,” Disney said in a statement.
“We will continue to follow the guidance of health and safety leaders going forward and most importantly encourage people to get vaccinated,” it said.
Tickets still need to be bought in advance via the reservation system and face coverings are required for cast members and all guests aged 2 years old and over.
Social distancing must still be observed and parades and fireworks have been put on hold indefinitely in a bid to keep guests safely apart.
Capacity has also been cut, with numbers further limited in restaurants and in queues to prevent overcrowding.
Despite this, guests can still dine in at their favorite restaurants and enjoy the rides, though character meet-and-greets have been replaced by socially distanced character processions.
Following new legislation signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that suspended all remaining local government COVID-19 mandates and restrictions, including mask requirements, Disney World theme parks are now reevaluating their current COVID-19 safety guidelines.
DeSantis issued two new executive orders “suspending all local emergency orders until July 1, 2021, at which point local orders will be permanently invalidated,” the governor’s office said in a statement Monday.
According to a pop-up message on the My Disney Experience mobile app, Disney World said: “We are aware of the state of Florida’s plans announced today to modify COVID-19 guidelines. We will evaluate this latest guidance and maintain our current health and safety measures at this time, including face covering requirements.” Take a look below:
The pop-up message read: “We will continue to make thoughtful adjustments to our policy. As COVID-19 vaccines become available, we encourage people to become vaccinated.”
Private businesses, such as theme parks and hospitals, are still able to impose their restrictions.
Disney World is looking to hire for a wide variety of jobs.
While Disney World in Florida reopened several months ago, it’s still operating at limited capacity which meant that not every employee was brought back. Now, as the park prepares for a capacity increase and the reopening of more resort hotels, Disney World is now hiring for Attractions, Custodial, Merchandise, and Quick Service Foods departments.
Over a year ago, when the pandemic first struck, Disney World had to temporarily close its doors. This unprecedented move forced the company to furlough or lay off a significant number of employees.
Disney now has a public posting for new part time cast members. These new roles are for areas in attractions, custodial, merchandise, quick service foods and lifeguards. There are also full time positions available for house-keeping. Each of these part-time roles, while different in their own ways, require some of the same basic qualifications.
• Must be at least 18 years of age. • Must be able to use cleaning chemicals and supplies. • Must give at least three days of full availability, including nights and holidays.
The news of these expanded job postings for Disney World comes just several days before Disneyland in California is set to reopen after more than a year of being closed.
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is finally reopening soon after a long refurbishment.
The PeopleMover closed back in March 2020 before Walt Disney World closed due to the pandemic. When Magic Kingdom reopened in July 2020, the PeopleMover remained closed. Well, the wait is over and the ride everyone likes to relax and cool down on is finally reopening.
Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, has confirmed the refurbishment of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is nearly finished and the attraction will be reopening later this weekend as you can see in the post below:
Stitch even got a chance to test out the ride this morning, prior to it’s Magic Kingdom reopening this weekend.
Stitch took a test ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in Magic Kingdom Park this morning, prior to its reopening at Walt Disney World later this weekend!
