Do you think that if Orange County drops the mandate before the CDC issues mask-free guidelines, does WDW comply with Orange County, or does it wait until the CDC gives the all clear? And then what happens first: the reduction of social distancing (and therefore increased attendance) or the elimination of the mask mandate?
I don't think they can do one without the other.
But if one were going to go first, I think it would be the masks. It makes less sense than reducing social distancing, because SD is, IMO, throttling attendance. But I still think if they had to make a choice, I think they'd lose the masks first
One thing that has become apparent to me is that masks are a reinforce the idea that, for lack of a better term, everything still sucks. They aren't as big a hassle as I thought they'd be, and I've adjusted to wearing them the same way most everyone else has. But they still are a negative image and a negative reminder of how bad things are. For the "Happiest Place on Earth," losing the masks would be an important symbol both onsite and in their customer recruitment. So I think as soon as WDW can get rid of the mask mandate, they will. As soon as they get any clearance to do so from anyone, I think they'll take it before they do anything else.