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Face masks are — once again — no longer required at Disney World and Disneyland beginning Feb. 17

Feb. 15, 2022
2 min read
Disney Halloween 2020
Face masks are — once again — no longer required at Disney World and Disneyland beginning Feb. 17
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Face masks are, once again, about to become optional at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Beginning Feb. 17, 2022, Disney World in Central Florida and Disneyland in California will not require mask-wearing for "fully vaccinated guests in both outdoor and indoor locations". Disney's website goes on to state, "We expect guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters."

Of note is that California's statewide indoor mask mandate just ended today.

Just as last summer — when masks requirements were first dropped beginning on May 15, 2021, before the wave of delta cases led to the resumption of the masking rules on July 31, 2021 — there is no verification involved for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated guests.

The one place at both Disney parks where masks are still required for all guests ages 2 and up is on enclosed Disney transportation including the Disney buses, monorails and the Disney Skyliner. Additionally, Disneyland stipulates that masks are required in its first aid facilities.

This policy change comes just days before the official launch of the much-anticipated Galactic Starcruiser experience, better known as the Star Wars Hotel, which kicks off on March 1. It also comes before children under 5 are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

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Universal Orlando has also recently dropped its mask mandate in recent days, though face masks are still required at Universal Studios Hollywood due to its location in Los Angeles County, which has its own pandemic-related rules.

(Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

The Disney parks join a growing list of tourist-driven destinations — including Las Vegas — that are once again walking back some of the pandemic precautions, including mandatory face masks, as the case levels from the omicron wave retreat.

Additional reporting by Mike Avila.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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