Bailey Fink
What Are Disney World’s COVID-19 Protocols in 2023?
Updated: Jan 9
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 2023, 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 optional outdoors, indoors, and on all Disney transportation. Disney recommends that guests who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear masks while indoors and on transportation.
Masks are not permitted on any waterslides or while guests are in the water.
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.
Do You Have To Provide a Negative COVID Test To Go To Disney World?
No, Disney does not require proof of a negative COVID-19 test. But by entering Disney World, you are guaranteeing that you do not have any COVID-19 symptoms, are not required to quarantine due to close contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, or are not under any self-quarantine orders.
If you do contract COVID-19 while in Disney World, you and your party will be required to isolate and may be asked to leave the property.
If you need to reschedule your vacation, you can call Disney's Reservation Center.
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. Park reservations are not required for water parks.
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 first park AND have entered that park before visiting the other. You do not have to make a reservation for the second park.
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.
You can change your date, park, or party reservations and cancel your reservations via your My Disney Park Pass Reservations.
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's new mobile ordering service is available at select dining locations across the parks and resorts. The service lets you order food and pay from your phone, then the kitchen is notified when you’ve arrived so they can start preparing your food so it’s the freshest it can be when delivered to your party.
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 its 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.
Disney's Blizzard Beach is now open, however Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishments.
At the parks, there are modifications for some parades and nighttime spectaculars. Disney has implemented small cavalcades in place of some parades, which are much shorter in length and smaller than the traditional parades.
When dining, the following experiences are modified or unavailable:
Dining plans are currently unavailable.
Dining locations are limited in capacity and some remain closed.
Character dining is currently unavailable at 1900 Park Fare.
The following special events, tours, and extra are NOT available:
Surfing activities
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (only available at Magic Kingdom)
Perfectly Princess Tea Party
Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room
Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland
Jiko Wine Tasting
Tiffins Talks
When shopping, the following experiences are NOT available:
Package delivery to the front of the theme parks and to resorts is suspended — though you can still have merchandise shipped home.
Cleanliness & Sanitation
Disney is committed to cleanliness on its 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.*