Disneyland to ditch mask requirement, other COVID-19 rules
Breaking news from Disneyland tonight. According to its website, Disneyland is dropping most mask requirements for fully vaccinated travelers as of tomorrow, June 15, 2021.
This is happening on a big day as California's theme parks will once again welcome out-of-state visitors starting the same date.
As TPG also reported on Friday, Disney World in Orlando is also adjusting its mask policy on June 15.
Additional changes are in the works. Here's what you can expect at Disneyland come June 15.
Fully vaccinated travelers do not have to wear masks
Starting on June 15, if you've been vaccinated, you don't need to wear a face-covering indoors or outdoors at Disneyland.
Unvaccinated guests (aged 2 and up) must continue wearing masks indoors, except when dining. At present in the U.S., there are no COVID-19 vaccines approved for children aged 11 or younger.
How will Disneyland police vaccinations?
Here's what Disney said at its site: "While guests will not be required to show proof of vaccination, vaccinated guests will self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry. In addition, all guests will need to attest that they are aware of the State of California's strong recommendation that guests be fully vaccinated or receive a negative COIVD-19 test prior to entering the theme parks when making their Disneyland Resort theme park reservations."
No more temperature checks
Disney World has already suspended temperature checks and now Disneyland will also discontinue the pre-entry checks as of June 15.
Relaxed social distancing
Disneyland's site states that since the State of California has "removed the physical distancing requirements with respect to guests, so we will allow guests to self-determine distancing."
What does that mean? If you prefer to maintain social distance, you can do so for yourself, but other guests will not be held to that standard when enjoying the theme parks.
Related: Theme parks in 2021; What's open?
Capacity controls and theme park reservations
Disneyland -- and Disney World -- will continue its theme park pass reservation systems, which were implemented to assist with capacity limits as the parks reopened. Most reports indicate that the system is working well and will likely remain in place for the foreseeable future.
That said, just because reservations are required, doesn't mean that capacity limits will stay as low as they have been in recent months. We noticed a flood of additional park pass reservation inventory loaded in the last couple of weeks for previously sold-out dates at Disney World. Disney has the ability to add capacity while still requiring advance reservations.
Related: Should you go to Disney World?
When these changes kick in tomorrow, Disneyland and Disney World will be much more in step on rules and procedures, which may help guests know what to expect this summer.
However, for those who have been used to the slower pace at which Disneyland has reopened and made pandemic-era changes compared to its Florida counterpart, today's announcement may come as a bit of a surprise.