Disney Makes Major Mask Rule Change to Beloved Monorail

Another day, another change to the face mask regulations at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way Disney Parks were operated at Walt Disney World, with social distancing, face masks, travel policies, and health regulations altered for the safety of Guests and Cast Members. Back in March, Disney Parks removed the indoor locations face mask rule at Disney’s theme parks. Disney’s California Adventure, Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom all saw a sense of normalcy return.

And now, after a federal judge on Monday, April 18, voided the national mask mandate on airplanes and mass public transport, it seems Disney has made its own decisions regarding mask requirements for COVID-19.

Credit: Disney

The COVID situation continues to change on a daily basis for those traveling domestically and internationally. Tourism is booming after a quiet two years, with sold-out Park Pass Reservations at the Disney Parks and record-breaking crowds at airports.

After Orlando International Airport (MCO) removed its face-covering regulations today, April 19, Disney has seemingly followed suit. Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) on Twitter revealed that Disney has updated its face mask guidelines for its bus and Monorail transport options:

NEW: Walt Disney World has updated its face coverings policy to make masks optional for all guests in all locations (including transportation). “Face coverings are optional for Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations, as well as Disney transportation.”

NEW: Walt Disney World has updated its face coverings policy to make masks optional for all guests in all locations (including transportation).

"Face coverings are optional for Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations, as well as Disney transportation."

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 19, 2022

Going forward, this means that at Walt Disney World, face coverings are now completely optional for Guests in all outdoor and indoor locations.

Previously, Disney’s mask mandate remained onboard its Monorail service after the indoor mask rules changed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort. Masks were still required for those boarding a Disney bus or Monorail, despite vaccination status. It became optional for Guests who were fully vaccinated to wear a face mask while boarding the Disney Skyliner, and those who are not fully vaccinated were still required to wear a correct face covering while aboard this mode of Disney World Resort transportation.

The decision to void the national mask mandate came from U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, who cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s failure to justify its mask mandate extension. The federal court ruling means that The White House mask order “is not in effect at this time.”