Health measures have been the norm in Disney World over the past year.
Partners Statue
From mask mandates to social distancing, to increased hygiene; there’s a LOT different from prior to the park closures. Now, though, we’re noticing that one of those health measures is mysteriously disappearing all over Disney World… .
Today, we’ve spotted some noticeable disappearances when it comes to the hand-washing stations that have been implemented around the theme parks. Some of them have been removed! A big thanks to Tom Does Disney (@tomdoesdisney on Instagram) for initially alerting us to this.
Former Hand-washing Station Location
We noticed this change in a few locations in both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom today. Spots that previously had hand-washing stations are now empty.
Hand Washing Stations
In Animal Kingdom, we asked a few nearby Cast Members whether the removal of the stations was permanent. Unfortunately, no one seemed to know whether they will return or not. They did say that the removal was very recent though.
Former Hand-washing Station Location
Hand-washing stations are one of the many health measures that have been instated in the Disney World theme parks since the closures. In fact, hand-washing stations started to crop up BEFORE the parks closed as concern about the health situation started to grow.
Fantasyland hand-washing station, pre-closure
Other health measures that we’ve seen around the parks include the mask requirement, social distancing markers, temperature checks, and increased cleaning for high-touch areas.
Health Signage
At times, you may notice that you are stopped in line for an attraction for longer than normal. This may be because the attraction is going through a cleaning cycle to keep everyone safe on the ride.
Click here to learn more about temperature checks!
We have noticed some changes to health measures other than the hand-washing stations too. For one, social distancing stickers have been removed in certain areas. This may be due to changes in where social distancing is a concern based on guest crowd patterns.
Sommerhaus Area
All guests and Cast Members are still advised to keep a distance of six feet from others and you’ll still see markers in ride queues, merchandise spots, and more.
Want to see more about some removed distancing markers? Click here!
Also, recent changes to the mask requirement mean that guests can now remove their face masks for outdoor photos as long as they are stationary and socially distanced.
New Mask Policy
Previously, masks could only be removed when actively eating or drinking.
To learn more about this change, click here!
You can bet we’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation with the hand-washing stations and we’ll make sure you know as soon as we do whether their removal is permanent or temporary. Stay tuned to DFB!
Click here to learn more about the Hand-washing Stations!
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I think that is a mistake by Disney. COVID will never go away. This year alone has proved that mask, washing hands and sanitizing more has been a side benefit. Research shows that colds and flu have been down in numbers considerably. I for one have not been sick this year. I think the wash stands should stay. My opinion
Kinda bummed. Was hoping they’d stick around even after the pandemic.
We were at the MK fthis past weekend and did not see any hand wash stations.
And a bit more disturbing is all of the hand sanitizer machines were DISGUSTING.
I did not want to go anywhere near them.
I can understand the eventual elimination of the hand-washing stations, but I am hoping the sanitizer stations will be permanent. This past year should have opened a lot of minds that we all should improve our hand-hygiene, not just because of this pandemic.
I agree, the handwashing stations should stay. That’s not the area to cut costs.
Disney should rid of the mask
Mandate but leave the hand washing stations. I think their priorities are in the wrong area.