Social media was abuzz last night after country music singer Jason Aldean posted a photo of his family at Disney World, all without masks on, a violation of the Disney World policy.
Aldean, who reportedly told one social media user to “chill out” after they noticed his family was breaking the rules, has previously said that he hates wearing masks. Aldean said that they only took their face masks off for a photo, which is still a violation of park rules. Of course, whether a person likes masks is of very little consequence when the park rules for each and every person say that masks must be used except when eating or drinking while remaining stationary and physically distanced.
Aldean would have known about the policy as there is no shortage of signage letting guests know they must keep their face masks on. Disney World has even implemented a park-wide audio message that reminds guests that face masks must stay on for photos.
Disney World has recently rolled out new messaging to guests, making them aware that they will be asked to leave the theme park if they are not wearing a properly approved face mask, which the Aldean family was not.
Unfortunately, we have found the wording found on signage and played via audio to be hollow, with very little to no enforcement of policy being observed in the parks. On a recent visit to EPCOT, we noticed nearly 150 guests not wearing masks properly and a complete understaffing by Disney of Cast Members who would be able to enforce policy.
It’s unclear if Aldean removed the photo from his social media of his own volition or if Disney contacted him, but celebrities such as Aldean are typically in contact with Disney throughout their visit, oftentimes accompanied throughout their day by a VIP guide.
We hope that Disney World brass is able to empower their Cast Members to be able to enforce a policy that will likely need to be shown as effective to continue the safe operation of their theme parks.
Universal Orlando even jumped in on the discussion, tweeting out a “My Kinda Party” reference this morning, a nod to one of Aldean’s songs.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
Let the public shaming commence! This is where we have come to as a society – shaming parents for posting pictures of their family’s smiling faces. Comply or face the wrath of the mob!
Been here for 5 days and have to disagree entirely with the sentiment in this post of vast numbers of people violating mask rules. Even in the lack of shade and ample liquor presence of Epcot, few, very few, violations. And the incredible heat and humidity of Animal Kingdom, guess we missed the Aldean’s.
The number of masks at Epcot is spot on. I was there for ten days over the last two weeks and noticed how many people just ignored the rules. I thought the worst offense was at Epcot where a group of ten randomly stopped in the middle of a busy path between pavilions to drop masks and eat in drink in the middle of the path making it difficult for other parties to pass them. There was very little enforcement with so few castmembers apart from those trying to manage rides and queues.
You don’t HAVE to be in a theme park during a pandemic. You gotta figure there are going to be people not wearing masks. Evaluate your risks. Use common sense. This mask police business is getting out of hand. (..and before it starts, I DO wear a mask everywhere, just don’t feel the need to be the Mask Police.)
We spent a week the end of September. Visited all four parks. Masks were in full force and enforced. Animal Kingdom was the strictest. Several times my teen granddaughter was told to pull her mask up over her nose. Did not see anyone blatantly walking around without masks We were eating Dole Whip in MK and lowering our masks to take a bite. We were told to find a place to sit and eat, not walk and eat. We felt they were very strict in all the parks.
This is where we have come to as a society: People in a deadly pandemic refusing to abide by safety rules, let alone just practicing safety behaviors on their own to help protect people besides themselves.
Special rules for special people/ nothing new
The day the CDC actually declares a pandemic,
which it has not, is the day states have the right
to issue mask mandates. Since the CDC has NOT
declared a pandemic, any and all mask mandates,
social distancing orders, and other measures
designed to prevent us from exercising our rights
are in fact illegal.
The CDC website clearly calls it a pandemic. Maybe do two minutes of research before spreading misinformation.
I thought it was a beautiful picture thanks for sharing the photo Jason
Did the family take their masks off for one photo or did they never wear the mask the whole time in the park? People we need to be cautious but we also need to continue to live life.
They said it was just for the photo, but it doesn’t matter, it’s a violation of posted Disney World rules either way
Edward, as a reminder, Disney is PRIVATE PROPERTY. They can require whatever they want.
Same as convenience stores with their “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” signs. 🙂