Disney World photoshops face coverings onto maskless visitors on rides
Digital face masks are being added to ride photography
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Disney World has started photoshopping masks onto visitors who aren’t wearing face coverings on certain rides.
The theme park has a strict policy that requires guests to wear a mask at all times.
Previously, Disney further incentivised people to keep their face coverings on by not providing their ride photography if they weren’t wearing one.
However, revoking certain visitors’ PhotoPass pictures meant others who shared a carriage with them would also be penalised, even if they had followed the mask protocol correctly.
A new measure has been introduced to get around the issue: digital face masks.
On some rides at the Florida park – currently Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom and aboard DINOSAUR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom – photos will be “enhanced” by adding a mask to the faces of riders who have chosen not to wear one.
A snap that includes the photoshopping element was shared to Facebook group Disney World Junkies.
It shows a group of riders on the DINOSAUR attraction caught mid-ride.
Most of the people appear to be wearing their own face coverings, but one has obviously been added – the woman in the back row has clearly had some digital enhancement.
The photo processing time takes a little longer for those where digital masks have been added, according to WDW News Today, a site dedicated to Disney Parks news.
It follows the news over the summer that Disney World Florida told guests they could no longer eat and drink on the go.
Resort officials introduced the rule in order to close a loophole which saw guests walking around the park without masks.
As part of new measures brought in to help stop the spread of coronavirus, visitors were instructed to bring their own face coverings and wear them at all times within the park, except for when dining and swimming.
Guests were therefore bypassing the rule by buying a drink or snack, removing their mask and eating or drinking while walking around the resort.
Disney has now been stricter in its guidance to indicate that this is not appropriate.
Park-goers should only eat while standing still or sitting, while maintaining social distancing.
“You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing,” according to the resort’s website.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments