Travel Tuesday: Disney Parks changed its face mask requirements again

As Disney continues to navigate the reopening of its parks, face mask requirements have changed — again.

While Disney World is always a magical place to visit, the current health environment makes a trip to the Florida theme park a different experience. Even with less crowds, social distancing, plexiglass barriers, and other measures, one safety precaution is changing: A new mask rule has been introduced, and it won’t just change the experience; it should also make people more thoughtful.

A visit to theme parks often comes with food and drink indulgences. From that Mickey-shaped pretzel to that brightly colored Blue Milk, walking from land to land is a slow stroll that involves a sip and a bite. Unfortunately, given the current health climate, a sip and stroll does not comply with wearing a face mask.

Although the majority of Disney’s guests adhered to the face mask requirements, people tended to exploit a loophole. How can you wear a face mask and still enjoy that Dole Whip? It really isn’t possible. So, people would use the eating and drinking reason to have a mask removed while walking around the Parks.

Now, a new rule has been implemented. Food and drinks can only be consumed while standing still and being socially distant from others. It appears that drinking around the world has been put on hold, just like your Disney cruise.

While many people loved to sip and stroll around the parks, the adjustment to this change is rather large. During a recent visit to Animal Kingdom, people tended to congregate around the entrance to Sau’li Canteen and enjoy a beer. It wasn’t that people were trying to break a rule, but there wasn’t sufficient space.

Thinking about this mask policy change, Disney will need to make more open areas for people to stop and enjoy their food and drinks. While there are relaxation areas, there will need to be more eating areas.

Although some park areas have the space, other spots will be more difficult. For example, if you get your Blue Milk in Galaxy’s Edge, where can you enjoy it? There aren’t many large open spaces to sit and relax. No one wants to leave Galaxy’s Edge to go enjoy that special themed drink.

While this change in policy is for guests’ safety, it does present a variety of required adaptations. How many parents keep that never-ending bag of Goldfish close to the stroller to keep meltdowns away? What about people who enjoy their morning Starbucks fix before riding Space Mountain? Routines will have to change.

More importantly, guests will need to be conscious about their food and beverage habits. The Florida heat can be brutal, and wearing a mask makes it quite hot. It is imperative to drink plenty of water while walking around the parks.

Guests need to plan water breaks into their day. Whether it is every hour or after every third ride, that water break is essential.

Since the Disney maps do designate where there are resting areas, try to plan a route that includes stops. Instead of zigzagging around, be thoughtful in the approach to the day. Those little breaks throughout the visit will make for a much more enjoyable experience.

Even though drinking around the world might take a little longer, Blue Milk might not be drunk in front of the Millennium Falcon, and your foodie Instagram photos might not have that picture perfect backdrop, it’s all for a good cause. Isn’t it better for all the guests to follow the rules so that Disney Parks stay open?

What do you think of this change in Disney Parks mask policy? Will it change your decision to to visit the parks?