Walt Disney World updates policy to allow visitors to forgo face masks on outdoor rides

Previously, masks were required for all rides and queues at the Florida theme park

Masks will still be required for visitors aged 2 and over at all of the park’s indoor locations and attractions. AP

Walt Disney World has updated its face mask policy, allowing visitors to choose whether or not to wear face coverings in outdoor lines, outdoor theatres and outdoor attractions.

Until Thursday, when the new rules came into play, masks had been required in order to enjoy all of the Florida theme park’s attractions.

Masks will still be required for visitors aged 2 and over at all of the park’s indoor locations and attractions, including restaurants, theatres and transportation, with the exception of ferry boats.

Previously, masks were optional in all shared outdoor areas, but they were still required to be worn onboard attractions and in queues.

Disney World closed its doors for two months last year at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and reopened more than a year ago with strict safety guidelines that involved wearing masks, social distancing and limiting crowds.

Earlier this year, Disney World officials started allowing visitors to go without masks in outdoor common areas.

Guests arrive at the transportation center at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World on the first day of reopening, in Orlando, Florida, on July 11, 2020. AFP

Guests snap souvenir photos at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World on the first day of reopening. AFP

Guests wear masks as required to attend the official reopening day of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World while taking the big plunge on Splash Mountain. AP

Guests wear masks as required to attend the official reopening day of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. AP

A guests gets her temperature taken before entering the official reopening day of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. AP

Guests arrive to attend the official reopening day of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. AP

Visitors to the Disneyland Resort head toward the exit after a morning of shopping on the reopening day of the Downtown Disney District. AP

Disney annual passholders get a peek at the coronavirus-inspired changes inside the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AP

Maria Delgadillo takes a selfie with her mother Rosa Torres at the entrance to Disneyland on the reopening day of the Downtown Disney District on its reopening day in Anaheim, Calif. AP

Guests wear masks at Disney's Animal Kingdom during an annual passholder preview Thursday, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AP

A view of Mickey Mouse at the Walt Disney World theme park entrance in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The theme park is scheduled to reopen on Saturday despite a surge in new Covid-19 infections throughout Florida. AFP

Wait times were low for Expedition Everest Thursday, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. “The Most Magical Place on Earth” is reopening after nearly four months. AP

Disney annual passholders get a peek at the coronavirus-inspired changes such as plastic dividers on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom. AP

Lacey Robinson, left, and Erica Shaw relax after an early morning drive from Bakersfield to attend the reopening day of the Downtown Disney District on its reopening day in Anaheim, Calif. AP

A Disney employee runs a line to get in to the virtual queue for World of Disney on the reopening day of the Downtown Disney District on its reopening day in Anaheim, Calif. AP

Disney annual passholders get a peek at the coronavirus-inspired changes inside Disney's Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. “The Most Magical Place on Earth” is reopening after nearly four months. AP

In July, Disney officials said the company will be requiring all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the US who work on site to be fully vaccinated.