Mask mandate doubled down--keep them on while dining?

[BK2014]

I love it when Disney announces new policy changes. It is always the same. People come on here and get all worked up arguing about what the new policy means, how it is going to be enforced, and why it is being implemented despite not actually knowing the answer to any of those questions. Then other people, who are also just guessing, get mad when people throw out theories about the new policy that they disagree with.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I’d also like to mention that disney hasn’t made this a hot news topic. Disney bloggers did that. If disney “changed” the mask rules so dramatically they would have posted it about it themselves so it was clear. It was disney bloggers who saw the new terminology vs what it said originally and made the drama. I’m sure disney had to change the wording so they aren’t held liable or something.

It's not even on the front dining page, you have to click to get to it. I feel if this was truly a "new rule" it would be posted where everyone sees it immediately.
I think it was reworded, poorly, apparently, to stop people from getting up walking around, sitting at tables but not eating, etc.
I am very curious to see if they start adding "Please do not remove your mask until your food/drinks arrive" when they seat you. Then we will know if this was truly intended to be a big policy change.
Doesn't bother me either way

 

[laurenfratt]

It's not even on the front dining page, you have to click to get to it. I feel if this was truly a "new rule" it would be posted where everyone sees it immediately.
I think it was reworded, poorly, apparently, to stop people from getting up walking around, sitting at tables but not eating, etc.
I am very curious to see if they start adding "Please do not remove your mask until your food/drinks arrive" when they seat you. Then we will know if this was truly intended to be a big policy change.
Doesn't bother me either way

Yes! Exactly this!! 2-3 extra minutes of mask wearing in the grand scheme of things isn’t a huge deal. I’ll be happy to even be getting to dine at disney when we go! 53 more days til we’re back in the magic!

 

[yaya74]

It's not even on the front dining page, you have to click to get to it. I feel if this was truly a "new rule" it would be posted where everyone sees it immediately.
I think it was reworded, poorly, apparently, to stop people from getting up walking around, sitting at tables but not eating, etc.
I am very curious to see if they start adding "Please do not remove your mask until your food/drinks arrive" when they seat you. Then we will know if this was truly intended to be a big policy change.
Doesn't bother me either way

I agree!
In the meantime, I think it takes Disney this long to find out that everyone has a different interpretation when it comes to wearing masks in a public area. Some can tolerate better and are more courteous than others. Therefore Disney has to modify its wordings, though done not perfectly, to get its message and expectations out to its customers.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Holy cow. The level of blowing this out of proportion on this thread is getting kind of nuts.

If you have a plate of food in front of you that you’re working on eating, you can remove your mask.

If you do not have a plate of food in front of you or if you’re done eating, you need to wear your mask.

It is courteous to protect the person who is serving your food and cleaning up after you. You’re not having to do any work preparing or cleaning up your meal. The person doing this for you deserves the respect of as much protection as you can give them.

I’ve mentioned this a few times, but we literally have this same rule in my city and people seemed to have figured it out without any trouble. It’s not difficult and a very minimal change from previous policy.

My 5 year old has less trouble with mask rules than some adults. Geesh.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Holy cow. The level of blowing this out of proportion on this thread is getting kind of nuts.

If you have a plate of food in front of you that you’re working on eating, you can remove your mask.

If you do not have a plate of food in front of you or if you’re done eating, you need to wear your mask.

It is courteous to protect the person who is serving your food and cleaning up after you. You’re not having to do any work preparing or cleaning up your meal. The person doing this for you deserves the respect of as much protection as you can give them.

I’ve mentioned this a few times, but we literally have this same rule in my city and people seemed to have figured it out without any trouble. It’s not difficult and a very minimal change from previous policy.

My 5 year old has less trouble with mask rules than some adults. Geesh.

I don't disagree with your interpretation of what the common sense definition of actively eating should be. Just pointing out that there will inevitably be some inconsistency in how this is approached with some thinking that "working on" eating is not "actively" eating if you aren't sticking a fork in your mouth at that moment.

 

[Belles bakery]

Disney world is a vacation. A choice to go and abide by the rules and policies or a choice to not go. I choose to not go to Disney world right now and abide by these policies. I think that arguing there policies is pointless. I don’t want to walk around with a mask on at Disney, I lived in Florida for 15 years and the thought of wearing a mask in that heat and humidity sounds very uncomfortable. But that’s Disney’s rule, so I’m not going.

 

[maxiesmom]

I hate that Disney has to make stupid rules because people push and push and try to get away with stuff. This is in the same pool as the Have to stop walking to take a drink rule. You just know people were walking around with their masks down just because they had a drink in their hand. "Hey, I'm drinking!!" Disney probably had people hanging out at restaurants for long periods of time, not eating or drinking, just to keep their masks off.

 

[Dug720]

Holy cow. The level of blowing this out of proportion on this thread is getting kind of nuts.

If you have a plate of food in front of you that you’re working on eating, you can remove your mask.

If you do not have a plate of food in front of you or if you’re done eating, you need to wear your mask.

It is courteous to protect the person who is serving your food and cleaning up after you. You’re not having to do any work preparing or cleaning up your meal. The person doing this for you deserves the respect of as much protection as you can give them.

I’ve mentioned this a few times, but we literally have this same rule in my city and people seemed to have figured it out without any trouble. It’s not difficult and a very minimal change from previous policy.

My 5 year old has less trouble with mask rules than some adults. Geesh.

I agree!!!

I shouldn't have been surprised, but was to observe a family that was sitting at a table in Satu'li Canteen with trays that clearly showed they were done (it was the dregs of food left and none of them were eating from them) when I got to my table. I watched three different cast members (about 10 minutes apart) approach and ask if they (the CM) could take the trays. The first time one of the kids started to hand a tray over and the mom took it back and said "We're not done yet!" Once the CM was out of earshot, she hissed at the kid "As long as the trays are here it looks like we're eating and we can keep our masks off!!" They were still sitting when I left 30 minutes later.

I didn't experience being delayed in being seated when I was there, but I have friends who have had delays (more than usual) and have clearly observed people sitting long after they had finished and paid at TS restaurants, backing up the table turn-over and creating longer waits for everyone and longer days for the restaurant (and ergo park since these were in-park restaurants) CMs.

It's pretty simple - keep the mask on until you have at least drink in front of you (I personally waited until I had food - would just pull my mask down to take sips before food arrived) and put it back on when you've finished your meal.

 

[Dug720]

I hate that Disney has to make stupid rules because people push and push and try to get away with stuff. This is in the same pool as the Have to stop walking to take a drink rule. You just know people were walking around with their masks down just because they had a drink in their hand. "Hey, I'm drinking!!" Disney probably had people hanging out at restaurants for long periods of time, not eating or drinking, just to keep their masks off.

Yep. See my post just after yours for what I observed during my 2/12-17 vacation.

 

[bennifer]

I am also so sick and tire of... "don't like it, stay home." How about this, If your scared of catching the China Virus, the Flu (where has that gone?), or any other virus, why don't YOU stay home where you will be safe, and let me live and enjoy life without having fear pushed upon me over a virus with a 99.7% recovery rate.

Why do the people who are following the rules set by a company need to stay home and the “tough guys” who refuse to follow the rules get to go break the rules? This makes no sense. It’s simple. There’s a jump park close to us that my DS loves. They don’t have a mask policy or a crowd limit, so we choose to not go. I’m certainly not attacking the people who choose to go. There are plenty of places that I’m sure would be more than willing to take your money that aren’t as strict as Disney.

 

[tippity]

Why do the people who are following the rules set by a company need to stay home and the “tough guys” who refuse to follow the rules get to go break the rules?

I'm leaving for WDW tomorrow and I plan to follow the rules. However, I have no intention of becoming a rule enforcer and searching out CM's to report non-compliance. I am not in charge of anyone else.
If we are uncomfortable in a situation, we will leave the restaurant or park. It's up to me to protect me and my family.

 

[goodeats]

In November I ate at several TS restaurants and I had servers tell me I could have my mask off as long as I was at my table. I have a reservation for June with my children and this honestly makes me debate going to Universal instead. Not so much the few minutes more they have to wear the mask (although I think we could pull out a bottle of water and still be within the rules), but because of the general tone coming from Disney. Will be interested in reading trip reports, especially once Blizzard Beach opens.

 

[kathi]

I hope that some DIS members who are at WDW now will report back on any changes they identify with TS dining.

I really think this is much ado about nothing. Keep mask on until food/drink arrive, wear it if you are up and out of your seat (going to restroom, walking to/from table) and put it on if you are lingering at your table. It makes sense to reduce potential viral load in the room and to not be breathing directly on other guests if you are out of your seat.

 

[GeneralTso]

For the love of churros......they are NOT saying to remove and replace your mask between bites and drinks.
Some people like to take any announcement to an extreme. Waiting for the "Walt is rolling over in his grave" comment.

We won't eat inside a restaurant yet. I'm not convinced any ventilation system is equipped to circulate the air at a "safe" level. That's just a personal choice. We eat outside. If folks can't handle this new rule, just eat outside.

 

[yaya74]

I hope that some DIS members who are at WDW now will report back on any changes they identify with TS dining.

I really think this is much ado about nothing. Keep mask on until food/drink arrive, wear it if you are up and out of your seat (going to restroom, walking to/from table) and put it on if you are lingering at your table. It makes sense to reduce potential viral load in the room and to not be breathing directly on other guests if you are out of your seat.

I just read a post, written by someone who was recently on WDW property, on DVC Fan FB group detailing what caused this change. Bascially too many people used TS and QS area as relaxation zone and that they removed the masks while waiting for a table or lingered for a prolonged period of time without masks. Other people have also commented that they spoke to CM and managers on property in regards to the changes. The policy just wants people to remove masks when eating and put it back on when you are done with the meal. That's all.

 

[CalSea12]

Not everyone lives in the same city or state... so yes I was surprised. In my state, we do not have this rule... we are allowed to take our masks off once we sit down. My state is currently trying to get rid of the mask mandate we have. So surprising yes...

Will I follow Disney's rule? Of course, am I happy about it... nope... but it's the choice I make to go to Disney.

I am curious about more of the meaning though... actively drinking, so if I have a straw/cup in my mouth I don't need a mask?

I can also see how this can cause confrontation with the servers and some guests, I hope people are not rude and take it out on server tips...

So if I want to sit for a few minutes and digest my food, is that allowed? Or do I have to get up the minute I finish my meal?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

So if I want to sit for a few minutes and digest my food, is that allowed? Or do I have to get up the minute I finish my meal?

Simply put your mask back on and sit as long as you’d like.

 

[CalSea12]

Simply put your mask back on and sit as long as you’d like.

But what if I am still drinking? Or nibbling here and there?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

But what if I am still drinking? Or nibbling here and there?

Well then I would say you are actively eating and drinking so you wouldn’t have your mask on