Tips & Tricks For Wearing Masks [At Home & At Disney]

Right now, and for what we imagine will likely be the case for the remainder of 2021, wearing a mask that fits snug over your nose and mouth is part of the Walt Disney World experience. Unfortunately, mask wearing can be tricky or flat out difficult for some people, especially if they’re needing to wear one for an extended amount of time. That being the case, I thought that today we’d talk about how to find the right mask for you and make wearing it at Walt Disney World [or anywhere really] an easier experience.

Find The Right Mask For You

This might sound overly simple, but finding the right mask for you can make all the difference. Though it can be tempting to grab a pack of whatever’s on the shelf at your local drug store or order a few from your friend with the sewing machine, you may find yourself paying the price later while dealing with what turns out to be an uncomfortable or ill fitting mask. This is why I strongly recommend taking the time to find a mask that works best for you. Whether it’s the shape of your face, the epic beard you’ve got going for on or the fact that you wear glasses, finding a mask that accommodates you specifically will make wearing one [especially for long periods of time] that much easier.

Take Your Masks For A Test Drive

It’s one thing to think that a mask is going to work for you; it’s another to know it. That’s why I think it’s very important to take your mask for a test drive. Since you’ll be wearing your mask for long periods of time at the Walt Disney World Resort, including during long walks, it can be useful to see how your favorite mask holds up in that type of scenario. You can do this in a few different ways, but I recommend taking a long walk while wearing your mask or even keeping it on while doing housework [or other chores that require lots of movement]. This will give you a sense of how the mask feels when you’re wearing and moving in it. It will also help you notice any problems prior to your vacation, rather than in the middle of it, so that they can easily be addressed or accommodated for.

Accessorise

Did you know that there are tons of accessories out there that can make your mask wearing experience more pleasant? From ear savers [preventing the elastic from tugging on your ears] to forms that keep the fabric of your mask going into your mouth when you breathe, there’s probably a solution to the problem you’re experiencing. Even better, most of them are either easy to DIY or available at very reasonable prices. Like I mentioned above, be sure to take your accessories for a test drive before you get to Walt Disney World to ensure that they do the job!

Stock Up

Once you’ve found masks and/or accessories that work best for you, make sure that you stock up on enough of them to get you through your trip. I recommend at least 1 mask per day for each member of your party, but ideally you’d have 2 or 3 if you’re traveling during the hotter times of the year. Of course, you can also wash your cloth masks at your resort if you’re planning on doing a load of laundry or 2 during your stay or supplement with disposable masks.

Change Your Mask Out Frequently

We’ve heard how masks work [multiple times over the past year] and so we are all well aware that they collect droplets that we expel through our mouths. This means, every time we breathe and talk, moisture comes out of our snack-eater and gets caught in the layers of material that we’re wearing over our nose and mouth. Over time, this buildup of moisture can make the mask feel very uncomfortable and can even make us feel hotter than we actually are. The best way to prevent that is to change out masks frequently throughout the day.

Bring Storage Options

No one wants a used, and likely wet, mask flopping around the inside of their backpack. I know I sure don’t. To prevent that from happening, pack yourself a way to store both clean and used masks.There are lots of different storage options for masks out there, but I prefer using a simple Ziplock bag. I’d recommend carrying one for clean masks and one for used, which can be labeled with a sharpie.

😷

I hope that some of these tips and tricks can help improve your mask wearing experience. Like I said at the top of this discussion, I anticipate that wearing a mask will remain a requirement for the duration of 2021, but I don’t think it will be forever. In the meantime, let’s hang in there and do our best to keep fellow Disney enthusiasts, park goers and cast members safe!

Have you found a mask that works best for you or your family members? How about accessories? Do you have any that you find particularly useful? Let us know your