Disney World says it will now stop photoshopping face masks onto rider's faces - days after altering an image of a guest without a covering
Disney has said it will stop photoshopping face masks onto riders days after altering an image of a guest without a covering.
In a statement the company told WDW Today: 'In response to guest requests, we tested modifying some ride photos.
'We are no longer doing this and continue to expect guests to wear face coverings except when actively eating or drinking while stationary.'
Disney had initially refused to release images where guests were not in masks, according to reports. But a picture taken on the DINOSAUR attraction in Animal Kingdom had shown a rider with a digitally altered face covering.
The image was taken earlier this month.
Since reopening in July Disney states on its website that 'face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members' as part of their COVID-19 rules.
They add: 'You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.'
Disney was accused of photoshopping face masks onto riders despite previously stating that guests must wear the coverings at all times
The image posted to Disney World Junkies appears to show those at the front of the ride in real face coverings; a guest (left) at the back of the picture looks to have a digitally altered mask
An image posted to Disney World Junkies by Facebook user Tony Townsend shows guests at Walt Disney World in Florida in their ride picture.
Townsend wrote last Sunday: 'Got all of our photo pass photos from yesterday except Dinosaur. Just finally got it and you can see Disney has already started digitally adding masks so everyone can still get their photos.
'The woman behind us apparently wasn't wearing hers.'
Those at the front of the image appear to be in real face coverings; one guest at the back of the picture looks to have a digitally altered mask.
A clear screen appears to divide the two separate parties on the ride.
Disney states on its website that 'face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members' as part of their COVID-19 rules. They add: 'You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing'. Guests are pictured at Magic Kingdom in July
The parks had said guests who were in ride pictures where others were not in masks would not see or receive the image, The Orlando Sentinel reports.
Some Disney fans had praised the photoshop idea, with one writing on Twitter: 'Brilliant idea. So the other passengers in the ride vehicle that are actually following the rules aren’t penalized for the actions of some.'
But one wrote: 'They should just kick the person out for breaking the rules.'
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom was also said to be digitally altering masks into photos, WDW News Today reports, before the update.
Guests wear masks, as required, to attend the official re-opening day of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World while taking the big plunge on Splash Mountain on Saturday, July 11
Walt Disney Co announced last month it will lay off about 32,000 workers - 4,000 more than the 28,000 announced in September - as the company continues to struggle with its theme parks due to coronavirus closures and restrictions.
The increased cuts will take place in the first half of 2021, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The theme parks reported a loss of $1.1billion for the quarter ending October 3, as per Bloomberg. Disney also reported a $2.8billion loss for the year to September 30. The year prior the company saw a $10.4billion profit.
