It’s been a BIG morning in Disney World.

Just last night Disney announced face masks for all guests would not be required outdoors. After almost a year of strict face mask rules in place, we hit the parks early to see this new change in action. Come along with us as we check out life in Disney World (outdoors) mask-free.

Disney made this announcement last night after many guests had likely gone to bed or otherwise been unable to see it. So for many guests at the parks this morning, this news was a surprise! We spotted many guests on their phones looking up what was going on or asking others.

We started our morning noting that temperature checks, which Disney had announced would be phased out soon…have been. The tents remained but AdventHealth workers weren’t here checking any temperatures. We saw this at the Transportation and Ticket Center…

…and at Hollywood Studios.

Most guests had masks on getting IN to the parks. In fact, on our trip on the Ferry Boat to Magic Kingdom, a Cast Member was asking guests to please keep them on while on the boat.

In the parks, we witnessed MOST guests wearing their mask as they went through the park entrances. Some were not though. A Cast Member we spoke with said guests are not required to have them on while entering, as they are outside.

Over at Hollywood Studios, a Cast Member with a loudspeaker was letting guests know about the policy change as they entered.

Signage has been updated at entrances to no longer specify masks outside, but does note guests ARE still required to wear masks indoors and on attractions.

We noticed, of the guests that left their masks on while entering, many stopped to remove them once past the entrance.

Many guests on Main Street were taking theirs off. We’d say we saw probably about 30% leaving their masks on.

We popped in the Emporium in Magic Kingdom to see how the change looked. There, a Cast Member was alerting guests as they entered that their masks needed to be back on. If you’re curious how bathroom breaks are being handled (they are indoors, after all) most guests we’ve seen have been putting their masks on before hitting the bathroom. 

At outdoor food locations though, like Westward Ho, we noticed guests ordering mask-free.

Remember that now, being able to have a mask off outdoors means guests can potentially eat and drink while walking without a mask again. We spotted a number of guests doing just that. This appears to be allowed under the new policy.

As for rides, you currently need to have a mask on while in line and riding an attraction. On most rides we spotted a Cast Member at the entrance altering guests they need a mask on to get in line. We’ve seen a number of guests leaving masks in strollers and having to rush back to get theirs!

We spoke with a Cast Member who let us know the policy, as they understood it, is that masks are not required and guests can eat and drink in line only while in overflow lines but NOT the “real” lines (so basically the long distanced lines extending PAST the real lines are OK). Once guests enter the ACTUAL line (so once you go under the gates at Haunted Mansion or once you get in the real line at the front of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train where a Cast Member greets you, for instance, masks need to be used and eating and drinking must stop).

This IS the first day, so answers as to where masks need to be used in line seem to vary a bit from Cast Member to Cast Member. If a Cast MEmber asks you to stop eating or drinking in line or put your mask on, listen to them. Just know it’s possible it could take a few days for them all to get on the same page for individual rides.

Speaking of Cast Members, all of them that we’ve seen have been still wearing masks. We’ve seen Cast Members that work completely outdoors still wearing them so, at this time, this policy change only seems to be for guests.

This is a VERY new policy so it will likely take a bit for guests to settle into it. So remember, if you plan to go indoors at all (a gift shop, transportation, or restaurant, for instance) or plan to ride a ride, pop that mask back on! We’ll continue to update you with these new HUGE changes as the day goes on!

Click here to learn more about the new mask policy changes in Disney World

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

What do you think of this major change? Let us know below.

The post FIRST LOOK! Masks are No Longer Required Outdoors in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.