A few weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Disney Store released pre-orders for a line of Disney face masks. Initially, the masks were available in four different themes, in packs of four masks for each theme. Each four pack was available for pre-order for $19.99. The available sizes (at that time) were small, medium and large.
Because we were planning a big family trip for October at that time, we placed an order for several packages. At that point, we were still optimistic that we’d be able to take our October trip, but we assumed we’d probably be wearing face masks when we went. (For more on our decision to postpone our big family vacation, click here.)
Disney Face Mask Themes
Disney face masks are currently available in six different themes.
Star Wars Themed
The Star Wars themed face masks include four designs. These designs include:
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- The Child (Baby Yoda)
- R2D2
- Episode IV:A New Hope
- Star Wars Logos and Symbols
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Mickey & Minnie Mouse Themed
One of the most popular Disney face mask themes is Mickey and Minnie Mouse. As with the other collections, there are four different designs in this package. The designs include:
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- All over Mickey Mouse figure
- All over Minnie Mouse figure in black and white
- Minnie Mouse face with dots
- Mickey Mouse icon all over
Pixar Themed
The Disney face mask line that features Pixar is pretty cute. There are four different designs featuring Pixar icons. The four designs include:
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- Forky
- All over print of Pixar characters on blue background
- Mike Wazowski
- All over print of Pixar characters on white background
Marvel Themed
One of the latest additions to the Disney face mask options is the Marvel themed collection. Like the other themed collections, the Marvel collection includes four different designs. The four designs include:
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- Hulk
- All over Black Panther symbols
- All over Marvel logo
- All over grid with Marvel characters and symbols
Princess and Frozen Themed
If you are a Disney Princess, or just love them a lot, the Disney face masks featuring Disney Princesses might be your favorite. This collection also features four distinct designs. The four designs include:
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- Frozen
- The Little Mermaid
- All over Disney Princess figures
- Disney Princess names, all over
Disney “Faces” Themed
Disney face masks’ newest collection features the lower half of famous Disney character faces. The four faces in this collection include:
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- Winnie the Pooh
- Stitch
- Mickey Mouse
- Marie (the Aristocats)
Disney Face Masks: The Good
The good news is that the Disney face masks are even cuter in person than they look on the shopdisney.com website. They’re made of a very soft knit fabric. They are not heavy weight, and they are fairly comfortable to wear and breathe in.
The colors are strong, and after several washings, the masks that are getting worn are holding their colors very well.
While there have been “fit” issues (see The Bad, below), the masks are comfortable to wear and fairly easy to breathe in. They are not as lightweight as disposable masks or all cotton masks, but they are not heavy.
Maintenance
You can machine wash the masks, using cold water and gentle cycle. Do NOT bleach. You can tumble dry them on low heat. I’ve also hand washed them and laid flat to dry. They don’t feel quite as soft that way, but it does the job.
Disney recommends you wash your masks between wearings. The masks dry fairly quickly, but you’d probably want at least two if they were the only masks you were wearing (on vacation for example). That way you could wash at night and alternate days for each mask.
Supporting a Good Cause
Disney is donating one million cloth face masks for children and families in underserved and vulnerable communities across the United States. Disney’s donated masks will be distributed by MedShare (www.medshare.org). In addition, Disney is donating $1 million in profits from the sale of Disney face masks. This donation is also going to MedShare to support the medical community’s ongoing efforts to provide care to those in need.
Disney Face Masks: The Bad
Sizing Issues
These masks run SMALL. When we placed our order, there were three sizes available, small, medium and large.
This has changed. There are now four sizes available: Youth Small, Youth Medium, Adult Large and Adult Extra Large. The three smaller sizes are the sizes that were previously labeled small, medium, and large.
For our review, we ordered some masks in each size. The small size masks were too small for our six and seven year old family members, but worked well for cousins that are two and three. Disney has since renamed this size “Youth Small”. This is obviously in response to complaints from buyers unhappy with the small sizing.
Medium
The size medium masks we ordered we thought would be perfect for our teenaged family members, but we have found they are way too small for the older kids. The medium (now called “Youth Medium”) fit a small six year old perfectly, but was too small for her seven year old cousin.
He’s a little big for his age, probably closer to your average nine year old. Unfortunately the size large (now Adult Large) is way too big for him, so we are making some modifications to his medium mask so he can wear it.
Based on the kids we have asked to model the masks so far, we are predicting the Youth Medium mask will work for kids of average size, age 4-8 (maybe 7).
Large
The size large masks we had planned for all the adult family members.
We were successful with two people. Both found the size large masks (now called “Adult Large”) very comfortable.
We were less successful with our teenager, Vinny. Vinny is 5’10” tall, and pretty lean. We’d originally thought a size medium would work for Vinny, but once we realized that the medium wouldn’t fit his little brother, we knew Vinny would need a large.
Unfortunately, Vinny’s experience proved to be common. The rest of the “adults” in the family all found the masks to be too small. The loops for the ears just are not long enough.
Functionality
There is no where to put a filter in these masks. That isn’t necessarily a big deal; they are two layers and provide basic protection. If you wanted to add a filter, you could cut a slot in the back layer and insert a filter between the layers.
Disney Face Masks: The Ugly
Ok, so there isn’t really any UGLY. I just had this fun The Good, The Bad and The Ugly film analogy going, and couldn’t let it go!
Seriously though, lots of buyers have been very frustrated by the Disney face masks, no matter how cute they are. If you spend $19.99 on a four mask package for your kids, you expect to be able to use them for your kids. When they are too small, it’s annoying.
Similarily, if you had your heart set on wearing that Forky mask to work next week and it’s way too small, you might be disappointed.
Modify?
Some folks have been able to successfully modify the masks to make them fit. Some workable options that we have seen include:
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- Cutting the ear loops and extending them
- Removing the ear loops completely and replacing them
- Looping elastic or ribbon through the loops and tying the mask behind your head (not using the ear loops for your ears at all)
However, most of us don’t expect to have to modify our Disney Store purchases to “make it work”.
I will also say that I did find some inconsistency in this initial group of masks. Some were slightly uneven, slightly larger on one end than the other. I suspect that because we ordered almost as soon as they were available for pre-order, we received some of the first masks shipped out. Most likely, inconsistencies and quality issues have been worked out by now.
The Disney Store does accept returns, and the fact that they have renamed the sizes does seem to indicate they recognize they may not have provided enough sizing information initially.
Sizing
More good news. ShopDisney.com now provides very detailed sizing information including measurements for all the Disney face masks. This should help you avoid some of the frustration that other buyers have experienced.
Youth Small
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- Mask Width: 5”
- Mask Height (Pleats Closed): 2 1/2”
- Mask Height (Pleats Opened): 4 1/2”
- Ear Loop Strap Length Per Side, Joint to Joint: 5 1/2”
Youth Medium
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- Mask Width: 6”
- Mask Height (Pleats Closed): 3 1/4”
- Mask Height (Pleats Opened): 5 1/2”
- Ear Loop Strap Length Per Side, Joint to Joint: 6 1/2”
Adult Large
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- Mask Width: 7”
- Mask Height (Pleats Closed): 3 3/4”
- Mask Height (Pleats Opened): 6”
- Ear Loop Strap Length Per Side, Joint to Joint: 6 1/2”
Adult Extra Large
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- Mask Width: 7 1/2”
- Mask Height (Pleats Closed): 4”
- Mask Height (Pleats Opened): 6 1/4”
- Ear Loop Strap Length Per Side, Joint to Joint: 7 1/2”
Sizing Guide
Measure from the bridge of the nose to the bottom of the chin. Use the guidelines below to help identify the correct size mask to order. Disney suggest you choose the LARGEST size your measurement falls into. However, also take a look at the ear loop strap length per side, joint to joint, provided above. You want to be sure that the straps are going to be long enough, unless you are comfortable modifying the loops.
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- Youth Small: 2 1/2” – 3 1/2”
- Youth Medium: 3 1/4” – 4 1/2”
- Adult Large: 3 3/4” – 5 3/4”
- Adult Extra Large: 4” – 6”
Overall Grade: B+
We’d give these masks an A+ for cuteness, absolutely. An A- for comfort, mainly because the ear loops are a little thicker than needed, in our opinion. Where the masks take a hit is on FIT. That’s a C, based on what we’ve tried so far.
However, Disney DOES appear to have rectified the size issue by renaming the sizes and adding a fourth, larger size. We have an order of the new Adult Extra Large masks on the way, and will update you once we’ve had a chance to try them out.
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Disclaimer
All the Disney face masks used in this review were bought and paid for. We did not receive any free or sample masks in exchange for this review. There are some links on our site that lead you to products or services we recommend that we think you will like. If you follow those links and make a purchase, we earn a small commission on your purchase. This does NOT affect the price you pay. Thank you.