#Disney World to allow guests to take off masks for photos

Later this week, visitors to the Magic Kingdom will be able to go maskless — for photos, at least.

Disney World said Tuesday that customers will be allowed to temporarily take off their masks while posing for outdoor photos beginning Thursday.

Disney World did not comment further on what prompted the updated guidelines, which now say that “face coverings must be worn at all times except when dining or swimming,” or taking photos outside.

The Orlando, Fla.-based theme park, which reopened in July, has strictly enforced mask wearing and social distancing during the pandemic. However, there have been cases where guests have been able to skirt the rules.

In December, Disney World got called out for doctoring photos of maskless guests on rides by superimposing facewear onto visitors, which park-goers are required to wear, in line with anti-COVID mandates.

“We are no longer doing this and continue to expect guests to wear face coverings except when actively eating or drinking while stationary,” a Disney World rep said at the time, adding that the company is “taking every precaution they can to assure they stay open.”