After only being open for a little over a week, Disney World fanatics will no longer be able to actively eat or drink while roaming its parks. The move was done because many people didn’t wear mandated face masks.
What We Know:
- The park recently updated its face mask policy on their website to address the new changes, along with a plethora of guidelines to safely navigate Disney World. While masks will be strictly enforced, the only times guests may remove their mask is while eating or drinking in a stationary position and being socially distant from other people as they do it.
- As stated on the face coverings section of the parks website, “Face coverings are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) and cast members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.”
- Disney has been heavily criticized for reopening its parks and resorts in Florida, the current epicenter of the COVID-19. The theme park closed in March, along with many other businesses, during the start of the pandemic in the U.S. As of late, the exponential increase in cases has even lead to a shortage in ICU beds statewide.
- A professor of epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health noted that the park’s reopening is an ill-advised idea. Dr. Anne Rimoin, who is also the leader of the UCLA COVID-19 Rapid Response Initiative, stated that due to the surge of COVID-19 in Florida, anyone who is vulnerable should stay home.
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- According to the Disney Food Blog on Instagram, Disney World is serious about taking extra precautions for its guests. New signs have been placed throughout the property in order to promote social distancing and reinforce when removal is appropriate.
Other changes have been implemented to facilitate the flow of visitors. Some of which include online reservations for each park before admission, reducing the number of guest at a park at any given time, and minimizing the amount of people on rides. Proper sanitation of all transportation, restaurants, and retail stores is also in effect.
