A Full Guide to Walt Disney World’s Current Health & Safety Measures

Planning to visit Walt Disney World soon? If you haven’t visited since the parks reopened in summer 2020, you’ll soon experience health and safety measures unlike any you’ve encountered on property before.

Ready to Visit the Most Magical Place on Earth?

When can you remove your mask at Disney World? What does it look like to go on the rides now? What distancing policies are in place for riding things like Disney buses or the Monorail? Today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Disney World’s health & safety policies so you can be fully prepared for your trip.

Note: Keep in mind, these policies have changed over time and are subject to change again. Keep an eye out for updates AllEars.net and our social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

1. Face Masks

If you’re heading to Disney World before February 17th, 2022, you’ll need to wear a face covering at all indoor locations. That policy will be changing on February 17th when vaccinated guests will no longer need to wear a face covering in any outdoor or indoor location, except on Disney transportation.

How Fun is This Face Mask?!

According to the Disney World website, starting February 17th, “Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.”

Animal Kingdom Face Mask Signage

However, if you are traveling to Disney World, you’ll need to know that masks are still required in airports and on airplanes. So keep that in mind when you prepare and pack for your next trip.

Click here to find the best face mask accessories for your trip!

2. Social Distancing

Most of the physical distancing markers throughout Disney World have been removed, including in attraction lines and in stores.

Maintain Physical Distancing

Disney also updated their policy on physical distancing on their website, removing language that stated guests needed to stay six feet apart. Now, the website says that “adjustments are still in place to promote physical distancing.

Follow the Dots

Attractions are not enforcing social distancing in the queues, and most do not have distancing markers anymore.

Physical Distancing in Action

If you’re trying to avoid lines and promote more physical distancing while shopping, you can make use of Disney’s Mobile Checkout system at some stores on property.

Mobile Checkout

This allows you to buy your merchandise without having to wait in any long checkout lines. Skip the lines and still purchase your favorite Disney items? Sounds like a win-win to us. It’s only available at a limited number of stores right now, though, so keep that in mind.

Click here to read about mobile checkout!

3. Attractions

Many attractions had plexiglass or some kind of other divider in their queue areas before, but these have largely been removed from Disney World rides.

Plexiglass on Pirates of the Caribbean

Pre-shows — like the one before the Haunted Mansion ride in Magic Kingdom — have returned to most rides as well.

Walking Through the Pre-Show

Cast members are continuing to clean the ride vehicles thoroughly, but they no longer close the rides for cleaning throughout the day like they used to.

Cast Member sanitizing the log on Splash Mountain

Additionally, shows that once had rows closed for physical distancing now have all the seating open for guests.

Keep These New Seating Arrangements in Mind During Your Next Trip

You can read about how every single ride in Disney World is handling distancing right now here.

See how every ride in Disney World is handling distancing right now by clicking here!

4. Food

In terms of food, we’ve already addressed one new thing, which is that guests must wear a face mask inside except while actively eating and drinking. Aside from that, here’s what you need to know now about eating at Disney World.

Pizzerizzo

For starters, there are many restaurants that have reopened, but several (including some popular favorites) are still closed.

Casey’s Corner is Still Closed 🙁

In the ones that have reopened, you might find modified or slightly limited menus, so keep that in mind.

Also, some restaurants have changed their eating style. For example, Hollywood & Vine, Chef Mickey’s, and Tusker House all used to be buffet-style meals. All three have now changed and now either serve plated or family-style meals. Also, at Be Our Guest, breakfast has been temporarily discontinued, and lunch is now Table Service, as opposed to Quick Service.

Check Out the Pork Osso Bucco from Hollywood & Vine!

Also note: character dining has been modified. At the moment, you can’t walk up to and hug your favorite characters. But you can still wave at your friends from afar and take socially distanced selfies at the spots where character dining is available.

We <3 Mickey

Right now you can dine with characters at Chef Mickey’s, Garden Grill Restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera, Tusker House, Storybook Dining at Artist’s Point, and Hollywood & Vine. You can also see Cinderella for a brief moment at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and catch a quick glance of the Beast at Be Our Guest.

Mickey!

For distancing purposes, Mobile Order is heavily promoted (and in many cases, essentially required) for many Quick Service spots in Disney World.

Mobile Order Notice

If you’re checking in for a dining reservation, you can use Mobile Check-in on the My Disney Experience app to check in from a distance.

Mobile Check-In

Keep in mind you can also eat your snacks and food in the park, but you must be stationary and physically distanced from others.

5. Restrooms

You might be wondering if the restroom experience is any different at Disney World due to the pandemic. Generally, things are the same, except many restrooms have signs that remind guests to maintain an appropriate social distance from one another.

Disney Springs Restrooms

Some also have signs installed reminding guests to wash their hands for 20 seconds.

6. Hand Sanitizers and Hand-Washing Stations

Throughout Disney World, you’ll find many hand sanitizer stations and potentially some hand-washing stations with water and soap as well.

Hand-Sanitizing Station

Generally, there are hand-sanitizing stations before you get on a ride and at other spots throughout the parks. Be sure to look for those as you walk around.

7. Temperature Checks

Previously, all guests had their temperatures checked before entering a Disney World park.

Here’s What the Temperature Checks Look Like

Now, temperature checks have been removed, so you won’t be seeing these on your upcoming trip.

8. New Security Screening Process

A new security screening process is also now in place in Disney World. Before, you had to open up your bag and have a Cast Member poke around it as the screening. Now, a contactless system is in place that lets you pass through a metal detector while holding onto all of your items, except any that the signs might specifically ask you to remove.

Security Sign

If one of the detectors goes off, you may be asked to open your bag for security to look through, or your items may be waved down with a metal wand.

A Peek at the Security Screening Area

We’ve seen this process implemented in the parks and Disney Springs.

9. Health Acknowledgement

The Disney World website specifies a health acknowledgment that you are essentially making by entering Disney World. Specifically, it notes that by entering the Disney World Resort, you are confirming that you and all persons in your party are not experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19 identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The website then lists a number of symptoms including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, and muscle or body aches, among others.

Health and Safety Signs

By entering Disney World you’re confirming that you have not been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine and that you are not under any self-quarantine orders.

If you cannot confirm any of those things, Disney’s website indicates that you “must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.” Disney also notes that if at any point during your vacation you can’t meet the above criteria, the guest and their traveling party “will be required to isolate and may be relocated or asked to leave the property.”

Health & Safety Reminders

It’s important to keep this in mind. You must ensure that you fully meet Disney’s health acknowledgment terms before and during your stay.

10. Hotels

At the moment, many hotels have reopened in Disney World, but one still remains closed. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will reopen on March 31st, 2022. Reservations are currently available.

Have You Visited Disney’s Wilderness Lodge?

If you do stay at a Disney World hotel, they now have enhanced cleaning and some housekeeping modificationsSpecifically, Disney has shared that they have increased cleaning in high-traffic areas like public elevators, handrails, restrooms, and more.

Grand Floridian Hotel Elevator

Before you arrive, your hotel room will undergo a thorough cleaning with attention to high-touch areas, floors, and more. Inside the room, you’ll find individually wrapped glassware and plastic wrapped around some things like remote controls.

Remotes in Plastic

Guests in hotels with reusable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash canisters will see that these nozzles are cleaned between guests. You’ll find a piece of plastic on the nozzles to show they’ve been cleaned.

Cups and Plates Also in Plastic

During your stay, housekeeping will also be a bit different. Generally, your room will get a light cleaning every other day, which includes wiping off some surfaces, removing the trash, replenishing the towels, and vacuuming. You can also decline this service if you want. And the rules are a bit different for Disney Vacation Club Members using their membership to stay. You can read all about this on Disney’s website.

Cleaning Procedures

Also, keep in mind that Bell Services will deliver luggage to rooms but is not currently escorting guests. And valet parking is slowly returning so may not be available at every resort.

Old Key West Airline Check-In Area

Disney is also heavily encouraging online check-in for your hotel reservations. Additionally, they have automatic checkout and a virtual chat available with hotel Cast Members — all designed to minimize contact and maintain distancing.

Click here to see what it’s like to stay at a reopened Disney World hotel.

11. Parades and More

As part of Disney’s distancing policies, parades and close-up character meet-and-greets have been temporarily suspended. You can still watch Disney’s character cavalcades, though. These are like mini-parades with no set schedules. A new cavalcade called the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade is coming to Magic Kingdom on February 11th, 2022.

Hey Minnie!

Disney did bring back the holiday parade for the after-hours event (and for a limited time during the day), and they’ve also announced that the Festival of Fantasy parade will return to Magic Kingdom on March 9th.

Mickey and Minnie in Festival of Fantasy

Some characters are also greeting guests from a distance. For example, you can usually say hello to Anna and Elsa in Norway, or wave at some characters as they stand in the Main Street Train Station.

It’s Elsa!

One-on-one character meet and greets have returned as well, although there are still some distancing guidelines for these experiences. You won’t be able to hug the characters or ask for autographs, but you can chat with them and take photos.

Mickey Mouse Character Sighting at Town Square Theater

You can meet Mickey Mouse in the Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom, see the Disney princesses at Fairytale Hall, and more.

Click Here to See a Unique Character Meet and Greet That’s BACK In Disney World

And that is our full guide to Disney’s health and safety measures. Of course, things are subject to change in the future. So, be sure to watch for any updates from us at AllEars and look for any updated signs around Disney World. We’ll be on the lookout for any changes and keep you informed!

Are you planning to visit Walt Disney World soon? Let us know in the comments.

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One Reply to “A Full Guide to Walt Disney World’s Current Health & Safety Measures”

  1. How strict are they with toddlers wearing masks? We were thinking of taking our daughter for her second birthday in May. We’re trying to practice early to get her used to them though.