Masks at WDW in 2021

[Marionnette]

in Pa most places are 2 and up

In PA the state requires 2 and up to wear a face covering when in public places, including nursery school and daycare situations. It's not just "most" places. It's all public places.

It's got to be tough parenting a toddler through this pandemic. They're at an age where you want to socialize them as much as possible yet you have to place so many restrictions on how they can do that right now.

I don't foresee the mask requirement at Disney going away any time soon. I got my first shot yesterday. We were lucky to be able to get an appointment. The nursing assistant that gave me my shot said that they are booked up until June. They are administering 500 vaccines a day. But we live in a county with over half a million people. It's going to take a very long time to immunize even half of the population. For that reason, I don't think we can expect mask requirements to go away in 2021 and I can imagine it will extend thru the winter of 2022.

Not the news anyone wants to hear. But if you want to take your child to Disney this year, they're going to have to mask up if they are 2+. That's not going to change. You can wait until mask requirements are lifted or you can start introducing them to wearing a mask early on. It's not just Disney. It's anywhere you take your child around here.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

In PA the state requires 2 and up to wear a face covering when in public places, including nursery school and daycare situations. It's not just "most" places. It's all public places.

It's got to be tough parenting a toddler through this pandemic. They're at an age where you want to socialize them as much as possible yet you have to place so many restrictions on how they can do that right now.

I don't foresee the mask requirement at Disney going away any time soon. I got my first shot yesterday. We were lucky to be able to get an appointment. The nursing assistant that gave me my shot said that they are booked up until June. They are administering 500 vaccines a day. But we live in a county with over half a million people. It's going to take a very long time to immunize even half of the population. For that reason, I don't think we can expect mask requirements to go away in 2021 and I can imagine it will extend thru the winter of 2022.

Not the news anyone wants to hear. But if you want to take your child to Disney this year, they're going to have to mask up if they are 2+. That's not going to change. You can wait until mask requirements are lifted or you can start introducing them to wearing a mask early on. It's not just Disney. It's anywhere you take your child around here.

I have been saying to start early with toddlers but most just think this will end soon. not sure where you are in Pa but most Amish do not wear masks unless have to at a business. and I agree masks thru winter 2022 is my guess

 

[chaselovesnemo]

Nope. Go read the post again. They said young children and teens.

Ok, by that I didn’t mean they don’t ever spread the virus- just that they are not the super spreaders they were initially believed to be. The most recent research confirms this.

Are web links allowed? A recent pediatric study (18 and under.. kids AND teens) showed only 4% of household outbreaks were due to children. And that’s when you live in close quarters with them, much less stand 6 feet from them at a theme park. I saw another large scale study in schools (North Carolina maybe?) and there was not a single case of student to teacher transmission.

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I’m just saying the research shows pretty clearly you are more likely to spread the older you are (oldest teens basically as likely to spread as adults) so I’m not sure why we can’t have some grace for 2-3 year olds who are rarely spreaders, aren’t old enough to fully understand (or fully control impulses), and are usually strapped in strollers anyways.

Especially at a theme park where you shouldn’t be if you are high risk or truly worried about contracting the virus.

 

[Olaf Myfrenzargay]

They actually require two year olds to wear masks?

 

[Cheburashka]

I just read the below article and he doesn’t seem to think masks will be required into the fall. It’s hard to know what to think or believe anymore. Any thoughts on his assumptions?

No one knows when the mask requirement will go away. That author's guess is as good as yours or mine. It will depend on how long it takes to get most of the country vaccinated, combined with the perceived Covid threat being greatly decreased. Disney's "safety first" image will play into it, too.

It would be risky to plan a trip for September, assuming that masks won't be required. It's possible they won't be, but it's equally possible that they will be required. If masks are a deal-breaker for your family, either book for 2022 (more likely that masks won't still be required then) or wait to book until the mask requirement has actually been lifted.

 

[Cheburashka]

They actually require two year olds to wear masks?

Yes, two and up. Little ones spread illnesses just like grown-ups do. Ask any daycare provider.

 

[Marionnette]

Ok, by that I didn’t mean they don’t ever spread the virus- just that they are not the super spreaders they were initially believed to be. The most recent research confirms this.

Are web links allowed? A recent pediatric study (18 and under.. kids AND teens) showed only 4% of household outbreaks were due to children. And that’s when you live in close quarters with them, much less stand 6 feet from them at a theme park. I saw another large scale study in schools (North Carolina maybe?) and there was not a single case of student to teacher transmission.

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I’m just saying the research shows pretty clearly you are more likely to spread the older you are (oldest teens basically as likely to spread as adults) so I’m not sure why we can’t have some grace for 2-3 year olds who are rarely spreaders, aren’t old enough to fully understand (or fully control impulses), and are usually strapped in strollers anyways.

Especially at a theme park where you shouldn’t be if you are high risk or truly worried about contracting the virus.

Well, we don't make the rules. Disney makes them for their property. The mask rule follows CDC guidelines. Masks are mandated by executive order for all air passengers age 2 and up, in airports and on board aircraft. It's not just Disney. It's not just individual states. It's a pretty widespread rule.

Now, you can cite individual studies but until the powers that be decide otherwise, your 2 year old needs to wear a mask.

 

[Missingmypooh]

Are you itching to get out of the house?
universal is 3 and up for masks.
LEGOLAND is 8 and up.
they also have characters you can meet at adistance, which the kids love!

if you did universal, then you could do one day at the Disney water parks- masks only for the entrance/exit, retail and food. You could easily spend several hours in the toddler area and then head back to your hotel!

Disney will likely be the very last park to drop the requirements, so if any of the other parks ease up during the summer/fall, then you can have an estimate that Disney will likely follow in their own time.

 

[erin1715]

Ok, by that I didn’t mean they don’t ever spread the virus- just that they are not the super spreaders they were initially believed to be. The most recent research confirms this.

Are web links allowed? A recent pediatric study (18 and under.. kids AND teens) showed only 4% of household outbreaks were due to children. And that’s when you live in close quarters with them, much less stand 6 feet from them at a theme park. I saw another large scale study in schools (North Carolina maybe?) and there was not a single case of student to teacher transmission.

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I’m just saying the research shows pretty clearly you are more likely to spread the older you are (oldest teens basically as likely to spread as adults) so I’m not sure why we can’t have some grace for 2-3 year olds who are rarely spreaders, aren’t old enough to fully understand (or fully control impulses), and are usually strapped in strollers anyways.

Especially at a theme park where you shouldn’t be if you are high risk or truly worried about contracting the virus.

 

[erin1715]

Are you itching to get out of the house?
universal is 3 and up for masks.
LEGOLAND is 8 and up.
they also have characters you can meet at adistance, which the kids love!

if you did universal, then you could do one day at the Disney water parks- masks only for the entrance/exit, retail and food. You could easily spend several hours in the toddler area and then head back to your hotel!

Disney will likely be the very last park to drop the requirements, so if any of the other parks ease up during the summer/fall, then you can have an estimate that Disney will likely follow in their own time.

Is universal really 3 and up for masks? If so, they’ll be getting our vacation dollars!

 

[erin1715]

Is universal really 3 and up for masks? If so, they’ll be getting our vacation dollars!

holy cow I just checked their website and it’s true! I’m so excited now lol

 

[Missingmypooh]

Is universal really 3 and up for masks? If so, they’ll be getting our vacation dollars!

Yep! You can confirm on their site, and we’ve been many times with our 2 yr old.

 

[Missingmypooh]

Yep! You can confirm on their site, and we’ve been many times with our 2 yr old.

also, universal allows gaiters, so now that’s she’s 3, and our 5 yr with ASD, we can enjoy the parks without yelling at them to keep it over their nose.
something about the gaiters makes it much easier to keep in place and not fiddle with it and I don’t have to worry about it falling off their ears.

 

[Alan1972]

I believe the poster said young children are not spreaders, not teens. This is also what I have read in my research of the virus.

Young children can spread. my niece was vaccinated in December. her son brought the virus home from kindergarten 2 weeks ago. No symptoms. His infant brother had a fever. she was negative due to vaccination status,both kids tested positive. Dad is deployed overseas,no visitors to the house. Dont lie to yourself.

 

[maxiesmom]

also, universal allows gaiters, so now that’s she’s 3, and our 5 yr with ASD, we can enjoy the parks without yelling at them to keep it over their nose.
something about the gaiters makes it much easier to keep in place and not fiddle with it and I don’t have to worry about it falling off their ears.

Many studies have shown neck gaiters are the absolute worst thing to wear. Some even make the particles smaller and easier to spread. Make sure you check the fabric, and get one that doesn't do that.

 

[chaselovesnemo]

Well, we don't make the rules. Disney makes them for their property. The mask rule follows CDC guidelines. Masks are mandated by executive order for all air passengers age 2 and up, in airports and on board aircraft. It's not just Disney. It's not just individual states. It's a pretty widespread rule.

Now, you can cite individual studies but until the powers that be decide otherwise, your 2 year old needs to wear a mask.

I don’t disagree. This is why we’re going a week before my toddler turns 2- because I know he will not wear a mask all day at this age. I can think the age is a bit ridiculous but private businesses do have the right to make the rules and people have the right to choose whether or not they will go based on those requirements. I think Disney will definitely play it safe and keep mask requirements longer than almost any other business.

 

[Missingmypooh]

Many studies have shown neck gaiters are the absolute worst thing to wear. Some even make the particles smaller and easier to spread. Make sure you check the fabric, and get one that doesn't do that.

as Floridian locals we only wear them to theme parks, no where else has required masks since April 2020. When ‘they’ say Florida is “lax”, they certainly aren’t exaggerating in the slightest.

Came here to say, I checked Florida’s State of Emergency. our Governor will renew (or non renew) the SOE in the end of February.

at the very least, if there was no SOE, it’s possible private businesses will open themselves to litigation for not allowing exemptions. Will be interesting to see where businesses draw the line once that lifts (maybe February, maybe later this year, I don’t pretend to know how the governor makes his decisions)

basically- to answer the OP- the SOE should have some bearing on when Disney changes their policies. (What those changes might be are anyone’s guess)

 

[Marionnette]

as Floridian locals we only wear them to theme parks, no where else has required masks since April 2020. When ‘they’ say Florida is “lax”, they certainly aren’t exaggerating in the slightest.

Came here to say, I checked Florida’s State of Emergency. our Governor will renew (or non renew) the SOE in the end of February.

at the very least, if there was no SOE, it’s possible private businesses will open themselves to litigation for not allowing exemptions. Will be interesting to see where businesses draw the line once that lifts (maybe February, maybe later this year, I don’t pretend to know how the governor makes his decisions)

basically- to answer the OP- the SOE should have some bearing on when Disney changes their policies. (What those changes might be are anyone’s guess)

I doubt it. Disney has an agreement with their unions regarding mask requirements for guests. which was part of their reopening plan. A private business must do what the state requires, at minimum, but can go further with what they require. I don't think we will see Disney relax their mask requirements until the CDC makes a blanket recommendation. That's one thing that would satisfy the CM unions.

 

[lanejudy]

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I’m just saying the research shows pretty clearly you are more likely to spread the older you are

Do those studies take into account that kids are out in public much less? That in large part accounts for the lack of spread. Schools that are open have very strict rules which is preventing spread in schools. Places that opened up youth sports have found just as much spread among that age group as adults. Daycares and schools with looser rules have seen spread. Children are spreaders, they just don't have as much unrestricted opportunity to catch/spread it as adults.

 

[Dakota731]

Young children can spread. my niece was vaccinated in December. her son brought the virus home from kindergarten 2 weeks ago. No symptoms. His infant brother had a fever. she was negative due to vaccination status,both kids tested positive. Dad is deployed overseas,no visitors to the house. Dont lie to yourself.

Don’t lie to yourself thinking you are safe when wearing a mask either. Both my children are in health care and both got the virus while wearing a mask. My neighbor just got the virus when the only place she had been in two weeks was to physical therapy, and she and the therapist both wore masks. And my friend’s son decided to get married at the courthouse to protect her since she has health conditions. Well you guessed it, the JP had covid unknowingly and the four of them all got it. So if you want be be totally safe then I wouldn’t go to a theme park with thousands of people masks or not.