Face masks or face coverings are a huge point of contention. But for the time being, that those visiting Florida’s major theme parks will have to wear them. We know it can be daunting just thinking about wearing a mask in the Florida heat and humidity, so we’ve put together these 9 tips you’ll need to survive wearing a mask at Disney World and Universal Orlando.
Disney Springs and Universal Studios Orlando are requiring guests to wear masks when visiting the shopping and dining centers. Walt Disney World and SeaWorld presented their re-opening plans and both included requiring guests to wear masks.
Nine tips for wearing masks at Disney World and Universal Orlando
So, if you wanna play you’re going to have to wear a mask or face covering. But there are things you’ll need to know to make sure they are effective and ways to keep you safe when wearing a mask in the Florida heat and humidity.
1. Pack multiple face masks
And carry them with you at the parks! We had kids and adults dropping masks on the ground and on the floor of restaurants.
It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting the Orlando theme parks for multiple days or just for a day trip, you will need multiple masks – It’s as simple as that. So when packing your park bag or suitcases or making your packing list make sure you add multiple masks per person!
Depending on how long you plan on spending in the Florida theme parks, I’d plan 2-5 masks per person per day.
2. Change your mask when it gets wet
Masks are not effective once they are wet. And they get wet from spit, sweat or water spray – including water from handheld misting fans!
When wet, it makes cloth masks harder to breathe through and we are more likely to touch, adjust and fiddle with a wet mask putting ourselves more at risk at coming in contact with COVID germs and spreading those germs through touch.
3. Bring a plastic bag/case for your dirty masks
When changing your dirty and/or wet masks out you’ll need to put them in a safe place so they don’t contaminate other items in your bag or pockets.
A zip-lock bag is a great option as it takes up very little space in our park bags and has the ability to seal completely.
4. Keep your clean masks in a sterilized container when in the parks
You’ll also want to keep your extra clean masks separate from other items, so you don’t accidentally touch them when searching for something else. And make sure to wash your hands or sanitize your hands right before changing out your mask each and EVERY time!
So, bring a couple of zip-lock bags for your dirty and clean masks.
5. Do not touch or adjust your mask in public
Mentioned above when talking about wet masks – touching your mask when out and about puts you and others more at risk. So, the goal is to try to avoid it as much as possible.
But let’s be 100 – this is soooo much easier said than done – I know from experience. Because I was just at Universal Orlando for the Team Member preview and boy, did I fiddle with my mask. So, if you have to adjust your mask, wash or sanitize your hands immediately afterward.
6. Wash all dirty masks before wearing them again at the parks
Yep, just like your underwear, you can only wear your mask once before it needs to be washed.
So, unless you pack multiple masks per person and day – you’ll need to figure out how to wash your masks in the hotel room each night.
If you’re staying in an off-site timeshare, vacation rental or in a Disney Vacation Club villa with a washer and dryer, you’re set. But if you’re in a regular room, you can pack some travel laundry detergent and handwash your masks in the sink and hang them to dry.
7. Take advantage of mask rest areas
You read that right! Universal Orlando has introduces “mask rest areas”. These spots allow guests to take a break from wearing their masks. While resting without your mask they ask that everyone maintains a social distance of at least 6-feet between groups.
These spots can be found in Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
And Disney mentioned they were looking into “mask relaxation spots” when they were presenting their re-opening plan.
8. Slow your pace
We are so used to rushing from attraction to attraction that many of us have trained ourselves to walk fast when in the parks. But trust me, when wearing a mask, speed walking is not the way to go unless you want to be winded, dizzy and/or struggling to catch your next breath.
9. How to prevent glasses from fogging up
Everyday glasses, sunglasses and even 3-D attraction glasses can fog up when wearing a mask because when you exhale the hot air can escape from the top of your mask by your nose.
But if you make sure your mask is snug against the bridge of your nose and the glasses are sitting over the mask they won’t fog up. You can twist the ear straps of your mask if it’s a little too loose. Placing a napkin or tissue on the bridge of your nose under the glasses and on top of your mask can also be used to prevent fogging.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a fan of the “new normal” especially when it comes to mask-wearing… But I made it through an entire weekend at Universal Orlando utilizing each of these tips!
And shockingly, it wasn’t horrible. But I did struggle, so make sure you’re pacing yourself, drinking LOTS of water and taking advantage of the Mask Relaxation spots, if available!
And if you’re looking for tips just for kids – Check out Patty’s post Will Kids Have to Wear Mask at Disney
Do you have tips that I didn’t mention? Drop them in the comments because I’d love to try them out on our next trip!
Leave a Reply