To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.
UPDATE: Due to the growing prevalence of other COVID-19 variants and the development of the situation with the pandemic, this post will no longer be updated. For all the latest information about COVID-19 and travel to Disney World and Disneyland, click here.
We’ve seen several variants of COVID-19 since the pandemic first began in 2020, with the most recent ones being subvariants of the Omicron variant. With each new variant come concerns about the potential for infection and how the updates could affect travel plans.
COVID-19 Signs
BA.2 is a highly contagious variant of Omicron, we saw it become increasingly present in wastewater near Disney World previously. But new variants have since taken the spotlight, one of which was BA.2.12.1. Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms and how BA.2.12.1 could impact your upcoming Disney vacation.
What Is the New COVID-19 Variant?
The BA.2 omicron subvariant was previously the most prevalent in the United States, but things have changed.
As of late July 2022, CDC data shows that BA.2 (an Omicron subvariant) recently made up around 0.3% of new cases, while BA.2.12.1 made up around 5%. BA.4 now makes up around 12.9% of cases and BA.5 makes up over 80% of cases.
©CDC
The BA.2.12.1 variant is more contagious than BA.2, but does that mean it’s more severe? Not necessarily. Experts are currently saying that this variant does not cause more severe disease than BA.2.
The CDC director previously said, “We are not anticipating more severe disease from some of these subvariants, but we are actively studying it” (Yahoo).
COVID-19 Health and Safety Sign
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida have, however, been increasing as of May of 2022.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms for the BA.2.12.1 look very similar to previous COVID-19 variants. Here are some to look out for:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Some people may experience these symptoms more severely than others. And — as was the case with other COVID-19 variants — many people may be infected with BA.2.12.1 without experiencing any symptoms at all.
NBC Chicago stated that those who have been vaccinated and boosted will likely experience cold-like symptoms. They also reported that “experts generally agree that the public shouldn’t worry too much about the emergence of each omicron subvariant.”
Mask Vending Machine
David Montefiori (professor at the Human Vaccine Institute at Duke University Medical Center) stated, “At some point, you just can’t get nervous every time there’s a new variant, because there’s always going to be a new variant. We’ve been through multiple waves of variants that really mattered a lot, but we might be coming out of that because there’s so much immunity built up in the population” (NBC).
At-Home COVID-19 Test ©WVNS
General policies such as being vaccinated and boosted, getting tested if you experience symptoms, wearing a face mask when needed, and practicing social distancing where necessary can apply to all variants.
A Summer Surge
Some experts warned of a summer surge. In an interview with CBS News, Dr. Birx pointed to 2021, which had a similar trend of COIVD-19 cases to what we’re seeing so far in 2022. Dr. Birx urged the public to prepare for a coming increase in cases like we saw in the summer of 2021.
COVID-19 cases have been increasing, though the 7-day case number averages remain below the high numbers we saw in January and February.
The New York Times reports that the U.S. is in the middle of a COVID-19 surge, due to the BA.5 subvariant.
Click here to see our full analysis on the possibility of a summer surge
How Could It Affect My Trip to Disney World?
For a while, BA.2.12.1 was becoming increasingly present in the United States and in Florida. Since that time, other variants seem to have taken top spot in terms of being responsible for more cases.
©AdventHealth
According to the New York Times, as of late July/early August 2022, COVID-19 cases in Florida have decreased by 6% compared to the average 2 weeks ago, deaths have remained at the same level, and hospitalizations have increased just slightly.
©New York Times
Orange County and Osceola County (the two counties where the majority of Disney World is located) were previously in the “low” community level for COVID-19 under the CDC’s rules. Both counties now fall under the “high” level.
©CDC
If cases of the new BA.2.12.1 variant or other variants rise and pose a threat to public health, Disney World could revise its face mask mandates in the parks. It’s unlikely that the parks will close again (the way they did in 2020), but we might see a return of face masks to transportation and/or other indoor areas.
As of writing, Disney has not made any announcements about changes to mask mandates or other health & safety policies.
Face masks could return to Disney World
Remember that currently, face masks are not required anywhere in Disney World except in certain parts of First Aid locations. The most recent change to that policy was this past April when requirements for face masks on transportation (like the Monorail and Disney buses) were removed.
First Aid Station
We’ll keep an eye out for any updates from Disney World and let you know about the changes. Stay tuned with DFB for all the latest information that could impact your upcoming Disney trip.
Is the COVID-19 pandemic over? Here’s what Dr. Fauci says.
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Please don’t return Social Distancing!
I was looking forward to hugging Doc McStuffins and Vampirina again; and if social distancing returns, then that would mean that it would be too late and I would miss my chance. That would be my worst nightmare!
Braden, I get you, but if being safe means returning to social distancing, I’m all for it–my dad died from Covid because he wasn’t taking precautions and a friend only a few years older than me almost died from it.
so let me get this strait from the above article… “ hospitalizations remain lower than before the omicron variant engulfed Florida.” and “ An epidemiologist in Florida has said, “In terms of severity, it doesn’t seem like we’re experiencing what we did with delta or omicron” HOWEVER “ the recent changes to eliminate mask mandates in theme parks and on public transit could lead to more hospitalizations in the coming weeks”!?!?!? if that’s not contradicting i’m not sure what would be!!
I was just at Disney Sunday, April 24th and came home Thursday, April 28th. The evening I got home I spiked a fever and had major chills and body aches. I tested the next evening and was positive for COVID. Went more than two years without getting it (including 3 trips to Disney in 2021 and 2022)! It’s definitely going around down there, but hopefully it’ll be a quick spike and all will be well again.
My husband and I just returned from WDW April 28th. We’ve been several times since they reopened without problems. This last trip (over a week) was the first time we didn’t wear masks inside or on transportation. I also noticed very little distancing and many hand sanitizer stations were empty. I started experiencing what I though were spring allergy sx the evening before we left. I home tested a couple days later once I started running a low grade fever. Sure enough, I had covid. I’m vaxxed and boosted so my course was relatively mild. I’ll wear masks inside now mainly because I would rather not get sick! We do try to distance but it’s impossible on transportation and on some rides, so we’ll try to protect ourselves better next time.
After adhering to all the rules, regulations and advisory requirements at home in Scotland for the last two years just four days after arriving in Disney both DW and I contracted Covid.
Just goes to show no matter how careful you are it will catch you out. Luckily we are triple vaccinated so symptoms not too bad.
Thanks for posting this update, we’ll be ready for our trip next year. In Australia, an average of 30-40 people are still dying EVERY DAY from COVID, yet you look around and hardly ANYONE wears masks any more and shops have also started removing hand-sanitising stations. They act as COVID was the ONLY germ in the world and now that we’re seeing a slight decrease, we don’t need to be sanitary anymore?!
We need to accept COVID is here like any other disease, sure, but we can still do our best our best to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Let those who don’t care carry on with life sneezing and coughing into their hands, not washing their hands after the bathroom, not sanitising, like the disgusting, uncouth people they are, and let them figure out why they keep catching colds etc.
Braden, the worst thing that could happen to you would be catching COVID and either dying of it or coming out of it with Long COVID. Social Distancing is the least of your worries. Stay safe & healthy.
Cinderella, I’m sorry for your loss. Please continue to stay safe & healthy.
Shanken, things aren’t so contradictory if you take the following part of the article to heart:
“An epidemiologist in Florida has said, ‘In terms of severity, it doesn’t seem like we’re experiencing what we did with delta or omicron,’ although ‘IT’S TOO EARLY TO MAKE ANY PREDICTIONS’ (Palm Beach Post).” So, basically you should continue being cautious whenever you’re around people whom you don’t know. That is, practice Social Distancing, keep yourself Vaccinated/Boosted, and wear a Face Mask whenever you’re in a crowd or in an area with poor ventilation. Stay safe & healthy.
To the Disney Food Blog, thank you for reminding everyone that COVID is still with us. Being forewarned is being forearmed. Please stay safe & healthy.
If you’re vaccinated, aren’t you protected? I don’t believe there is another variant. I think this is all about politics. They want to have another fraudulent election by telling people they need to be safe and vote from home. And by the way, masks are only to lower you’re immune system for when they unleash the next thing on us. “Wake up and smell the hummus”! To quote the late, great Robin Williams as the genie from Aladdin.
Whimsically Me….even with all your scientific and medical revelations, I wouldn’t pin my hopes on this years Nobel prize. But look on the bright side, you’ll save a lot of money by not buying airline tickets to Oslo, Norway.
There will always be some new variant or new disease. The last two years have proven that the so called experts know nothing. Lock downs, social distance, mask….it’s all a waste of time. None of it helps. The 6 foot social distance rule was totally arbitrary. There was zero research. Someone just said, hay 6 feet sounds good. We know the mask provide little to no protection. Lock downs don’t work. Vaccines seem to help some. Luckily the severity of the virus is mild. Very few hospitalizations or death.
I’ve been to DW many times since the reopening, always felt relatively safe but this past weekend was the worst. People coughing everywhere and I witnessed many guests not washing hands after using restroom. Common sense seems to have vanished as the crowds have increased. Now my daughter and I both have Covid. We are both vaccinated but have had a miserable few days. Don’t see myself going back anytime soon
Covid the only free souvenir you can have by visiting Disneyworld.
Speaking from experience as we caught Covid three days before our cruise so two years waiting is wasted. Rescheduled for Barcelona next year. Not chancing Florida next year.
We just returned on Monday the 27th. Started feeling ill the day before. My 9 year old son and I are positive. We wore masks on busses, close indoor spaces and during travel. Both vaccinated. LOTS of people coughing, sneezing and most people don’t mask.