UPDATE: Disney has released a statement that they will no longer digitally enhance on-ride photos to add face masks over maskless guests. You can read the full statement here.
When Walt Disney World theme parks reopened back in July, they did so with new COVID-19 health and safety protocols, including the requirement that guests must wear face masks at all times. To further enforce this rule, guests who were found not wearing their face mask correctly on attractions did not receive their on-ride PhotoPass photos at all. Now, it seems Disney has compromised on this somewhat, “enhancing” on-ride photos by placing digital face masks over maskless guests in on-ride photos.
In a photo posted by Tony Townsend on the Facebook group Disney World Junkies, we see the first instance of this practice aboard DINOSAUR. While everyone in the front row seems to have their face masks on correctly, the riders in the back apparently did not. You can see the slightly oversized, digitized face mask edited onto the woman on the left—it almost looks like face mask clip art.
Due to the additional processing required for these photos, there is a bit of a delay for them to finally appear under the “My Photos” section of your My Disney Experience account. However, this does allow for guests to still receive their on-ride photo, even if there’s a guest not following the rules in their same ride vehicle. With plexiglass installed on most attraction ride vehicles, it’s increasingly likely that you’ll be riding along with one if not multiple other parties, so even if your group is following the face mask guidelines, there’s the chance that someone else might not be.
Not only will these new digitally-applied face masks allow for guests to enjoy their full PhotoPass benefits, but it will also encourage compliance, reducing the “monkey see, monkey do” thought process that may lead guests to erroneously believe it’s okay to remove their masks while on attractions. So far, these digital face mask enhancements are available on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom and aboard DINOSAUR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We expect to see them rolled out to all on-ride PhotoPass opportunities in the coming months.
What do you think of the addition of digital face masks to on-ride photos? Do you think it sets the right precedent for guests? Let us know in the comments below!
