Big Changes At Walt Disney World And Other US Theme Parks

Following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week, theme parks are updating their policies.

With the COVID-19 vaccination program on the go, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have made an update to their guidance. This has led to various changes at Walt Disney World and other US theme parks, relating to masks and physical distancing.

Mask Rules Updated At Walt Disney World And Other Theme Parks

As noted by Reuters, following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Walt Disney World and other US theme parks have updated their mask policy.

Effective May 15, masks have been made optional in outdoor areas and on pool decks at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. However, according to the guidelines, face coverings are still required for entering rides and at indoor locations.

Meanwhile, Universal Orlando has also relaxed its mask policy for guests in outdoor locations. However, the company said in a statement on Friday, “Face coverings will remain required at all indoor locations, including restaurants, shops, and indoor hotel public areas.”

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. has also updated its policies and said on Saturday that masks are no longer required for guests at SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld San Antonio, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Aquatica San Antonio, and Water Country USA. However, this ruling only applies to guests who have been fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, a SeaWorld spokeswoman said on Saturday, “All park employees will be required to continue to wear face coverings.”

The CDC advised on Thursday that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks outdoors and can avoid wearing them in most places indoors.

Physical Distancing Reduced At Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World has announced that it will be reducing physical distancing from six feet in some areas, including hotel pools. This has led to more chairs being placed as the guest capacity increases at the theme parks.

Effectively, more chairs have been added to the pool deck, which reduces the space between guests lounging at the pool.

Physical Distancing In Parking Areas Removed

Following the announcement that Walt Disney World is removing or reducing the six-foot social distancing in some areas of the park, it turns out this also affects parking. As of this past weekend, cars are no longer being spaced out in the parking lots.

Previously, guests would be directed by cast members to every other parking space, leaving a space between each car as they left their vehicles. Depending on how busy the parks were, these empty parking spaces would sometimes be filled later in the day.

With the new ruling, cast members are now directing guests to park in every parking space in the parking lots. In fact, the six-foot distancing requirement has even been removed from some of the signs throughout Walt Disney World.

The changes to the mask policies and physical distancing will no doubt be welcomed by guests heading to the popular theme parks.

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