It has been one of the most controversial issues since Walt Disney World reopened its gates back in July 2020 after months of closure due to COVID-19. Wearing masks now seems to be the normal thing to do, you can't leave the house without one and in many places they are mandatory including shops, schools and yes theme parks including of course Walt Disney World.

Our latest Big Debate aimed to gauge your opinion, after almost a year on, about mandatory mask wearing at Walt Disney World and if your view has changed?

A number of readers commented on the use of the word "surrendered" and I understand your concern with this. I chose this word particularly as the poll aimed to see if those people who were initially against mask wearing had over the year changed their mind on it. Whether this was through research, media or just through the sheer desire to get back to Walt Disney World this year? If this was the case they would indeed have to "surrender" to mask wearing whatever their initial opinion as they are the rules.

As always, yes, there is a chance of bias because this is a voluntary poll but it aims to gain a sense of feeling among Disney fans and to give readers a chance to air their views and debate with other members of our community on this subject.

RESULTS

So, we split this poll into three sections and here are the results:

• Yes, always thought it was sensible - 40%
• No, will not go to Walt Disney World until the mask rule is abolished - 47%
• Have surrendered to mask wearing, I want to go, so accept I will have to wear a mask - 14%

As I said in the original article, the split of for and against mandatory mask wearing has always been fairly similar. In our results, 40% have always thought mask wearing was sensible and haven't therefore had to surrender because they agreed from the start.

There appears to be no chance of changing the views of 47% of those that voted, they will not go back until the mask rule is abolished and interestingly 14% have voted that they have surrendered to mask wearing in order to be able to visit "the happiest place" on earth this year.

With vaccines being rolled out and hope on the horizon I asked in our previous Big Debate, Is It Worth Visiting Walt Disney World In 2021? We now know that guests have lots to look forward to at Walt Disney World in 2021 with EPCOT "Taste of" International Flower and Garden Festival Kicking Off Next Month, Modified Festival of the Lion King Coming Back This Summer to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the opening of Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Harmonious at EPCOT, New "Soul" Jazz Exhibit Coming to EPCOT Next Month and Disney surely has exciting plans, albeit modified, to celebrate The Magic Kingdom's 50th year. So, are these enough to entice you to Walt Disney World in 2021, here are the results:

• Yes - 39%
• No - 61%

It looks like the majority of visitors are planning on giving the 50th year a miss in favor of waiting until 2022 and beyond when hopefully mask wearing will be a thing of the past and parades, shows and fireworks will be back on the agenda at Walt Disney World.

Your Thoughts and Comments

As always in our Big RESULTS article we have chosen a selection of your comments to include to show both sides of the debate for you to read. This article contains results from our last two debates;  After Nearly A Year, Have You Surrendered To The Mandatory Mask Wearing Rule At Walt Disney World? and Is It Worth Visiting Walt Disney World In 2021? as they tie in well together:

"Even after being vaccinated I'll be wearing a mask in public settings indefinitely ....especially during cold & flu season. I haven't had so much as a sniffle since last March when I began wearing one and that's a good thing."

"I'm still against the masks. I went in Nov. and put up with them, but will not be returning to Disney until the mandate is gone."

"We have been several times- yes, I look forward to the end of masks, but we have still enjoyed our times there. I understand the need for precautions so they could reopen, and several employee unions required the current rules to let staff return to work. We have still been able to have a great time and Cast Members have mentioned multiple times how much they appreciated people coming back. People need to make the best choice for them and their own families. If you don’t want to wear a mask, then it is your choice not to go. If you want to go, follow the rules. We have found the paper masks are most comfortable in the heat."

"Nope. Still waiting for the mandates to be gone. Disney isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'd like to fully enjoy the experience and not pay for half of the magic."

"Yea if I go somewhere that they don’t enforce masks I leave."

"I am against mask wearing. But if it gets me closer to doing things that feel almost “normal” I will put one on. I do beleive they give people a false sense of security. Like someone else stated, if you can smell things thru it, it’s not protecting you from viruses. I believe they should make the mask rule “recommended but not required”."

"I wear one eight hours a day, five days a week. It doesn’t bother me..."

"We have been several dozens of times, and we will continue. We only wear the masks because we have to."

"No ... I will not go till it’s my choice to cover my face! Making healthy people cover their face is absurd."

"Not going again for a while. Not because of masks, but because of the price and the lack of hours and missing experiences."

So, in summary there is still a clear divide between those that agree with masks and those that don't but it appears, as our poll results show, that some people have accepted that masks need to be worn and have chosen to wear one and visit Walt Disney World. A lot of fans are inevitably waiting for the mask mandate to be lifted and for much loved parades, fireworks and shows to return to Walt Disney World before they choose to visit again.

If you haven't yet had your say on these issues, let us know what you think by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook  page. We will bring you all the latest news on from Walt Disney World and beyond on our News and Facebook page and here is our new Big Debate for you to read and vote on, MagicBand Vs MagicMobile Which Will YOU Choose?