Come on Disney....You're next

[Bethany10]

We still wear ours in situations where our youngest needs to wear one. He is partially vaccinated though so we have an end in sight. I don't think he really cares though and would understand if we were mask-free and he wasn't

This is us as well. Both our guys are partially vaxxed, but I've been trying to keep mine on to help protect them.

 

[Robbydj13]

Waaaay too premature given the fact that children under 12 cannot be vaccinated. I really hope Disney does not follow suit. Really disappointing. We will be canceling the Universal portion of our trip. I just do not trust that unvaccinated people are wearing masks.

Whereas we will be planning to switch over to Universal if Disney doesn't start getting back to normal soon

 

[amarberry]

View attachment 578080

Until mid-June, no child under the age of 15 will be fully vaccinated. After that, no child under the age of 11 will be vaccinated. Are they planning to enforce mask wearing on all kids in these age groups since there is no question of their vaccination status? They probably won't and that's my concern.

I understand that others are excited about this policy change, but I think it's premature considering this is a family destination that caters to an audience that doesn't have the ability to be vaccinated yet. We had an Orlando trip for this summer that was planned before the relaxation of mask policies and we are seriously reconsidering going now. We live in a high masking wearing, high vaccination rate city and I'm not sure if we'll be comfortable in a close contact, potentially low mask compliance environment with no confidence that others around us are indeed vaccinated. It's been a long 15 months of our family being cautious, and I feel like I need to ease back into our old normal especially knowing kids are unvaccinated and potentially spreading the virus. I understand many others do not have the same reservations as our family and wish them all a happy theme park vacation, but I just wanted to point out that not everyone is jumping for joy at this announcement. This is just one more layer of frustration for us on top of (at Disney) reduced park experiences, reduced hours, and reduced restaurant options. I'm sadly thinking that we might be happier spending our vacation elsewhere at this point.

 

[TexasChick123]

Until mid-June, no child under the age of 15 will be fully vaccinated. After that, no child under the age of 11 will be vaccinated. Are they planning to enforce mask wearing on all kids in these age groups since there is no question of their vaccination status? They probably won't and that's my concern.

I understand that others are excited about this policy change, but I think it's premature considering this is a family destination that caters to an audience that doesn't have the ability to be vaccinated yet. We had an Orlando trip for this summer that was planned before the relaxation of mask policies and we are seriously reconsidering going now. We live in a high masking wearing, high vaccination rate city and I'm not sure if we'll be comfortable in a close contact, potentially low mask compliance environment with no confidence that others around us are indeed vaccinated. It's been a long 15 months of our family being cautious, and I feel like I need to ease back into our old normal especially knowing kids are unvaccinated and potentially spreading the virus. I understand many others do not have the same reservations as our family and wish them all a happy theme park vacation, but I just wanted to point out that not everyone is jumping for joy at this announcement. This is just one more layer of frustration for us on top of (at Disney) reduced park experiences, reduced hours, and reduced restaurant options. I'm sadly thinking that we might be happier spending our vacation elsewhere at this point.

They aren’t enforcing anything nor requiring anything of anyone. They specifically stated they are “expecting” those who aren’t fully vaccinated to wear a mask, not requiring it. Take my kids for example. We all got COVID within the last few months. They’re just as protected as those who are vaccinated and never had COVID according to every recent study that’s been done. DH and I got COVID with symptoms and got the vaccine. Let people choose what they want to do which is exactly what Universal is doing. If people are uncomfortable with it, they are welcome to decide Universal isn’t for them at this time.

 

[EveDallas]

Awesome! I can't wait for my next trip!

 

[PatMcDuck]

Will unvaccinated people continue to wear masks as requested/suggested? I am curious; literally everyone I know is vaccinated. Except kids, of course. I would guess no, because many of the unvaccinated don't want the vaccine OR to wear a mask, right?

This is welcome news, progress at last, hope it is not too soon, but I feel safe myself.

 

[TexasChick123]

Will unvaccinated people continue to wear masks as requested/suggested? I am curious; literally everyone I know is vaccinated. Except kids, of course. I would guess no, because many of the unvaccinated don't want the vaccine OR to wear a mask, right?

This is welcome news, progress at last, hope it is not too soon, but I feel safe myself.

I know some unvaccinated people, and they do not wear masks. It’s a risk people are going to have to take when going out now.

 

[tigger2002]

but I think it's premature considering this is a family destination that caters to an audience that doesn't have the ability to be vaccinated yet.

.
We have been going to Dollywood for a month now with no mask. If there were lots of infected kids, or adults for that matter, it would be all over the news. No increase, in fact it continues to go down just like Florida.
.

 

[amarberry]

They aren’t enforcing anything nor requiring anything of anyone. They specifically stated they are “expecting” those who aren’t fully vaccinated to wear a mask, not requiring it. Take my kids for example. We all got COVID within the last few months. They’re just as protected as those who are vaccinated and never had COVID according to every recent study that’s been done. DH and I got COVID with symptoms and got the vaccine. Let people choose what they want to do which is exactly what Universal is doing. If people are uncomfortable with it, they are welcome to decide Universal isn’t for them at this time.

All guests were required to wear masks at all times until a couple of weeks ago and all guests were required to wear masks indoors until this policy change today so it's a pretty substantial change that was made very quickly. Families who may have booked vacations under the previous restrictions might have felt okay about being in a theme park during a pandemic provided that masks were enforced. I'm not disagreeing with any family making the choice to visit Universal (and I assume Disney soon) with the mask policy revision. In fact, I said that I wish any family making that decision to have a happy theme park vacation and I mean that sincerely. I just wanted to point out on a thread that seems enthusiastic about the change in policy that not everyone is pleased with this decision and, in our case, are leaning towards spending our vacation dollars and time elsewhere because of the diminished experience for us.

 

[bdiddy]

I'm so excited about this! We leave in 2 wks for 3 days at USO and then 7 at WDW. All four of us are vaccinated. I don't see Disney dropping this anytime soon though. Like soon soon. I would honestly be shocked. Maybe around the 4th but not just yet. I think we'll still be wearing them indoors at Disney on our trip in 2 wks.

My thoughts on kids not being vaccinated is that I think at this point, it's up to each individual family to make what decision is best for their family. If a large majority of ages 12+ are vaccinated, then they should not be required to wear masks anymore. If someone is uncomfortable with their young kids who aren't vaccinated being around large amounts of people where you just don't know who is and isn't vaccinated - I think you have two choices. Either don't go, or have your child and/or family still wear a mask. It could be who knows how long until very young kids are vaccinated and even when they are, there will still always be people that don't get vaccinated and you'll never know who they are. At some point businesses such as Disney want to get back to normal and are going to put the liability in the hands of the individual person. I also say all of this as someone that has been very pro-mask and pro-vaccine. At some point it becomes - if your child isn't vaccinated then either don't go or mask up and take the risk.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Well, I just hope our kids can get the jab before our December trip. Otherwise, we'll cancel our trip. I don't trust the unvaxxed to be honest and wear a mask, because a lot of times the same people who refuse masks refuse the vaccine too. Since they're not requiring proof (understandable, given the load that would put on front-line TMs) there is really no way to know. My cousin and his wife got Covid during a trip to Disney last year. She's an anti-masker and probably complied with the rules as little as possible.

 

[disrev]

Leaving Thursday morning with our oldest daughter to celebrate her finishing up the HP books. All of us are fully vaccinated. This is great news!

 

[ajollyholidaywithjo]

My thoughts on kids not being vaccinated is that I think at this point, it's up to each individual family to make what decision is best for their family. If a large majority of ages 12+ are vaccinated, then they should not be required to wear masks anymore.

You are right. If someone is vaccinated, they should have the freedom not to wear masks. But, we know that most of the people abusing this freedom are the people who are not vaccinated, have not worn masks this entire time, and make fun of those who have gotten vaccinated and have wore masks. And that just really annoys me.

 

[TexasChick123]

All guests were required to wear masks at all times until a couple of weeks ago and all guests were required to wear masks indoors until this policy change today so it's a pretty substantial change that was made very quickly. Families who may have booked vacations under the previous restrictions might have felt okay about being in a theme park during a pandemic provided that masks were enforced. I'm not disagreeing with any family making the choice to visit Universal (and I assume Disney soon) with the mask policy revision. In fact, I said that I wish any family making that decision to have a happy theme park vacation and I mean that sincerely. I just wanted to point out on a thread that seems enthusiastic about the change in policy that not everyone is pleased with this decision and, in our case, are leaning towards spending our vacation dollars and time elsewhere because of the diminished experience for us.

I agree that this was a swift change in policy for those who already had vacations booked. We head there soon and thought we’d have to wear masks the whole time when we booked. While we are happy about the change, I understand that’s not everyone’s feeling. I’m sorry you may be looking to change plans. I’m sure you were looking forward to the trip. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

What happened to follow the science? LOL

The University of Louisville just finished a study that showed mask did nothing to slow the spread of the virus. https://www.dailywire.com/news/study-finds-face-masks-didnt-slow-spread-of-covid-19

Denmark put out a study in November that stated mask were insignificant in slowing the spread. The entire country of Sweden never wore mask and the spread and death rates were far lower than the state of NY. https://fee.org/articles/new-danish-study-finds-masks-don-t-protect-wearers-from-covid-infection/

Ontario Nurses Association won two cases in 2015 and 2018 in "Mask or Vaccine lawsuit", in freaking Canada for goodness sakes. The Court stated that the evidence presented by the govenment to force nurses to "Mask or Vaccinate" was "ILOGICAL and UNREASONABLE"!

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releas...ate-or-mask-influenza-policies-692687881.html

 

[DisBuckMan]

We are at Disney now, and will be at Universal Sunday and Monday. We are very happy the masks are going to be gone at Universal.

If you're not comfortable going, you should stay at home. Take charge for protecting you and yours instead of depending on others to do it.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I am so excited!!!!!
We arrive at the Hard Rock on Monday......this is excellent news

 

[xiphoid76]

Just because you do something first doesn't necessarily mean it's the right idea.

Actually Universal wasn't first. Not sure who was, I know Dollywood has been maskless for a while now; and in Orlando, SeaWorld was ahead of Universal. Doing something first may be risky, but doing something last is a bad sign. Disney used to be a trendsetter, now they are a follower. Still love it to pieces, but wish they would take the initiative more.

 

[shawthorne44]

Well, I just hope our kids can get the jab before our December trip. Otherwise, we'll cancel our trip. I don't trust the unvaxxed to be honest and wear a mask, because a lot of times the same people who refuse masks refuse the vaccine too. Since they're not requiring proof (understandable, given the load that would put on front-line TMs) there is really no way to know. My cousin and his wife got Covid during a trip to Disney last year. She's an anti-masker and probably complied with the rules as little as possible.

There is a third option. Have your kids wear an N-95 mask. It works better than even the most optimistic effectiveness of everyone wearing cloth masks. Those masks weren't discussed at the beginning because of shortages. But, that isn't a problem anymore.


Look on the bright-side about your cousin. They are now part of the herd immunity.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Most people who don’t want the vaccine have had the virus. Those people are safer than vaccinated people.