ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney World has made a major change to its mask rules, making face masks optional in most outdoor areas starting Saturday.
What You Need To Know
- Disney World updates face mask policy, makes them optional for outdoors
- Face masks will still be required for indoor locations, attractions and transportation
- The change comes after Universal announced it was lifting its outdoor mandate
- Disney World is also increasing capacity at its parks
The change was made on Disney World's website late Friday.
Guests will need a bring a mask with them when they visit since face masks will still be required for all indoor locations, including restaurants, "except when actively eating or drinking while stationary and maintaining appropriate physical distancing."
Masks are also still required "upon entering, and throughout, all attractions, theaters and transportation," Disney said in the notice on its website.
JUST IN: Walt Disney World has modified its mask policy, making masks optional when outdoors, effective May 15. Masks will still be required indoors, at attractions, in theaters and on transportation. pic.twitter.com/Gov3PJvymC
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) May 15, 2021
Disney's policy change comes just hours after Universal Orlando lifted its outdoor mask mandate earlier in the day.
The change also comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new mask guidance for fully-vaccinated people.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek during an earnings call Thursday called the new guidance "big news" for the company. He also said Disney World had begun increasing capacity at its parks.
The measures have been in place at Disney World since it reopened last summer.