Bailey Fink
What Are Disney World’s COVID-19 Protocols in 2022?
Updated: Jan 28
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 at Disney World before you go.
Like most things in the world right now, Disney World has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney World closed from March 15, 2020 to July 11, 2020 due to the coronavirus, and since reopening, has had guidelines in place to ensure guests’ safety.
Disney’s COVID-19 protocols have changed since the July 11 reopening, and are subject to change in the future. But as of January 2022, these are Disney’s COVID-19 protocols that you are required to follow while on Disney World property.
Do You Have to Wear a Mask At Disney World?
Masks are required at all indoor locations, including restaurants, unless actively eating or drinking, for all guests ages 2 and up regardless of vaccination status. This means masks are required in all indoor queues and attractions, as well. Cast members are stationed in indoor queues to remind you when it’s time to put your mask on.
Masks are required on all enclosed transportation, including buses, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner.
Masks are optional in all outdoor areas, outdoor queues, outdoor attractions, outdoor restaurants, and outdoor theaters.
Also, it’s important to note that neck gaiters, open-chin, triangle bandanas, and face coverings with valves, mesh, or holes and openings are not permitted. Disney requires all masks have at least two layers of breathable material — they can be disposable or reusable. KN95 and N95 masks are also appropriate, and offer more protection.
Do You Have to Be Vaccinated to Go To Disney World?
No, Disney World does not have a vaccine mandate in place, however, they do encourage everyone to get vaccinated.
Other Disney World COVID-19 Precautions
Disney Park Reservations
Park capacity and attendance is now measured by the Disney Park Pass reservations system. In order to enter a park, all guests 3 and up need both a valid admission and a park reservation. Before you book your tickets, you can view daily theme park reservation availability online.
This new system impacts the Park Hopper benefits too. Park Hopper starts at 2 p.m. every day and ends at the park’s closing time. To enter a different park, you must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the second park AND have entered the first park before visiting the other.
The availability to enter another park is subject to change based on the park’s capacity. And reservations for dining, Droid Depot, Savi’s Workshop, and other experiences do not guarantee entry to a park.
Disney recommends you only make additional reservations for parks where you have a Disney Park Pass reservation. You can always make dining reservations through the My Disney Experience app after you enter the second park or you can add your party to the walk-up list.
New Technology
Since the coronavirus pandemic, Disney has added features to the My Disney Experience app that let you have a more touchless and contact-free vacation. In order to use these functions, make sure you have the most up-to-date version of the My Disney Experience app before you go.
Disney recommends you use their new mobile ordering service at select dining locations across the parks and resorts. The service lets you order food and pay from your phone, then let the kitchen know you’ve arrived so they can start preparing your food, so it’s the freshest it can be when delivered to your party.
In addition to the mobile ordering service at dining locations, many dining locations also have scannable menu codes so you can view a digital menu from your phone at table-service restaurants.
If you have a dining reservation, you can use the app to check your party in at select dining locations. Simply check in from the push notification on the My Disney Experience app or scan the QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby — no need to go to the host stand.
If you don’t have a dining reservation, you can use the new mobile feature to add your party to the walk-up list. Simply check the restaurant availability from the app then add your party to the list, once your table is ready, you will be notified and can make your way to the restaurant.
Your MagicBand is already a touchless way to enter your resort room and all Disney parks, but you can also use your phone as a key with the Disney MagicMobile pass on the My Disney Experience app. The MagicMobile pass is available for iPhones, Apple Watch, or Google Pay enabled Android phones.
Disney also recommends you use their Online Check-In Service to check in to your resort room before you arrive. When your room is ready, you’ll get a notification and you can use your MagicBand or phone to get into the room — no need to go to the front desk.
Paused or Modified Experiences
Some of Disney’s park and resort experiences have not yet started back up again.
At the parks, there are modifications for some parades and nighttime spectaculars as well as character greetings. The characters are still in the parks and many have modified, socially distanced meet-and-greets available. Disney has also implemented small cavalcades in place of their parades, which are much shorter in length and smaller than the traditional parades.
At the resorts, the following experiences are NOT available:
Resort airline check-in
In-room celebration
Spas and salons
Fun runs
Hula lessons
Mermaid school
Special classes and programs, including culinary, cultural, and animal programs
When dining, the following experiences are modified or unavailable:
Dining locations are limited in capacity and some remain closed
Dinner shows are unavailable
Private dining is only available at Disney’s Grand Floridian
Character dining is modified and only available at Chef Mickey’s, Garden Grill Restaurant, Hollywood & Vine, Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, and Tusker House Restaurant
The following special events, tours, and extra are NOT available:
Surfing activities
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew
Perfectly Princess Tea Party
Pirate Adventure Cruises
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
Backstage Magic
Behind the Seeds
Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered
Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room
Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette's Patisserie
Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night
Dine with an Animal Specialist
Dining with an Imagineer – Cítricos
Dining with an Imagineer – The Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland
Fantasmic! Dining Package
Festival of the Lion King Signature Dining Package
Highway in the Sky Dine Around
Jiko Wine Tasting
Signature Celebration at Cinderella’s Royal Table
Tiffins Talks
Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table Dinner
Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare
Spectacular Sweet Spots
Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience
Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Nature Experiences
A Path Less Traveled Tour
Behind the Seeds
Dine with an Animal Specialist
Epcot Seas Adventures – Aqua Tour
Epcot Seas Adventures – DiveQuest
Epcot Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth
Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
When shopping, the following experiences are NOT available:
Package delivery to the front of the theme parks is suspended — though you can still have merchandise shipped home
Dressing rooms are unavailable
Cleanliness & Sanitation
Disney is committed to cleanliness on their property, which means guests will have easy access to hand washing facilities and hand sanitizer stations at all parks — you can find all the hand sanitizer locations on the My Disney Experience app, online, or ask a cast member.
Disney also promises to respond quickly to all spills, trash, and other situations as well as enforce heavy sanitation at the end of the day for all restrooms, kitchens, and other facilities.
*All COVID-19 protocols are subject to change.*
