Disney World Quarantine Rules & Travel Guidance
Quarantine rules to Florida from many states apply to Walt Disney World visitors returning home. This covers travel restrictions, mandates & recommendations, international testing requirements, updates on numbers, and relaxation of rules for fully vaccinated people by the CDC. (Updated April 26, 2021.)
In addition to travel rules, this post has become our monthly status report for progress and setbacks by states and the U.S. as a whole. As always, we’ll begin with the above map, which has stalled in its improvements. In some states, new cases have plateaued and even increased in hot spots. The silver lining there is that hospitalizations and deaths continue to drop throughout the United States, and that trend will likely continue with older and higher risk populations vaccinated.
Speaking of which, more positive news: the vaccination rollout continues to accelerate. The United States has now administered more than 225 million doses, fully vaccinating over 92.9 million people or 29% of the total U.S. population (42% are at least partially vaccinated). The United States is now averaging 3 million vaccines per day in the last week. We’re among the best countries in the world for vaccine rollout, on par with the United Kingdom and well ahead of the rest of Europe and Asia.
The fruits of these improved numbers are starting to impact policy. After months of cautionary messaging that has been slow to evolve, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will release new recommendations this week. This is expected to include a lifting of outdoor face mask guidance.
Per multiple news outlets, President Biden will announce several changes on April 27, as part of remarks on the state of the pandemic. The will likely include more rule relaxations for fully vaccinated people, though the final language of the announcement is unclear, as is to whom the outdoor mask rules will apply.
This comes after prominent publications like Slate and The Atlantic proposed an end to outdoor mask mandates. Israel, which offers a potential preview into what the U.S. numbers will look like in another month if vaccination rates hold, lifted its outdoor mask mandate.
There has also been a growing chorus for ending outdoor mask rules among experts. Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC: “People could choose to wear a mask if they want to. I think there shouldn’t be requirements that they have to wear masks outdoors…We know activities outside are lower risk than things done indoors.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci essentially said the same thing on ABC with regard to outdoor mask rules: “The CDC is a science-based organization. They don’t want to make any guidelines unless they look at the data and the data backs it up. But when you look around at the common sense situation, obviously the risk is really very low, particularly if you’re vaccinated.”
As we reported last week, Orange County is weighing a timeline to phase out some restrictions, including face masks and physical distancing. New CDC guidance could preempt that, and be a potential game-changer for Walt Disney World. However, that’s likely only going to be the case if dropping masks outdoors encompasses both the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
If you’re wondering why Walt Disney World probably won’t change its mask rules if that relaxation applies only to the fully vaccinated, it comes down to logistics. Theme parks, airlines, hotels, and various other businesses cannot have two classes of people. That would be a nightmare scenario for enforcement, and overly burdensome to frontline Cast Members and other employees of the aforementioned businesses. As we’ve reported previously, vaccine passports could sidestep this issue, but will not be allowed in Florida.
Prior to this, the CDC released new travel guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. This is a big step that reflects a shift in messaging and better balance, which is necessary if the CDC wants its advice to remain relevant to real world behavior.
For domestic travel, people who are two weeks past their final shot (first dose of Johnson & Johnson; second dose of Moderna or Pfizer) do not need to get a test before or after trips and do not need to self-quarantine after travel. That means, for example, fully-vaccinated grandparents can fly to visit their grandchildren without testing or self-quarantining, provided they follow the other recommended public health measures, such as wearing masks on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation.
For international travel, the CDC guidance indicates that fully vaccinated people do not need to be tested before their trips unless it is required by the destination. When returning to the United States, fully vaccinated people should get tested and have a negative result before boarding an international flight back to the United States.
Of course, this international travel guidance is somewhat meaningless for most countries that have barred travel. However, that could change in the coming months. The U.S. Travel Association has pushed the government to lift travel restrictions on international visitors. As many of these are reciprocal in nature, this is first likely to occur with other countries–like the United Kingdom and Israel–that are also vaccinating at high rates. (Vaccine passports remain likely for international travel, with the European Union and many other countries working on implementing such systems.)
In tandem with this travel guidance, the CDC also stated that “if grandparents have been vaccinated, they can visit their daughter and her family, even if they have not been vaccinated so long as the daughter and her family are not at risk for severe disease.”
Extrapolating from that quote, this could be a precursor to how the CDC will handle bigger picture guidance given that most kids likely will not be vaccinated in 2021. That’s very relevant to Walt Disney World’s rules given its core demographics. With all adults now eligible to be vaccinated and ample availability throughout most of the country, it’s entirely possible that things are closer to normal and public health measures can be further relaxed by Memorial Day.
We’re already seeing some states ditch their rules, and more will undoubtedly follow suit as the early-movers are “vindicated” by numbers that continue to decline. Based solely on seasonality, current trajectory, and vaccination rates, that seems likely. Moreover, public tolerance of face masks, especially once vaccines are widely available, is going to plummet.
Being fully vaccinated is effectively the end of this for most people, and they’ll want to behave accordingly. No matter how people might feel about masks right now, the vast majority won’t want to continue having to wear them long after they’ve been vaccinated, especially on vacation.
We’ve been predicting precisely this for months. (See When Will Walt Disney World Stop Requiring Face Masks? among many other posts.) Even late last year as the holiday surge started, we stressed that there was light at the end of the tunnel and numbers would start to come down as the season of family gatherings ended (contact tracing has shown over 70% of cases are a result of “living room spread“) and vaccines rolled out.
On the last earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Chapek recently stated that Walt Disney World could have some level of physical distancing and mask-wearing for the remainder of 2021 but called vaccine availability a game-changer. Most other sites emphasized the “remainder of 2021” part of that, saying it meant face masks until 2022.
We disagreed, emphasizing the some level and game-changer parts. In parsing Chapek’s words, it appears to us that Disney is laying the groundwork for changing its approach to health safety protocol so rules can be relaxed on an earlier timeline. (Just reiterating all of that here to double-down on our past predictions, which have been criticized for being too bold and optimistic.)
Even with variants posing some cause for concern and making it premature to declare mission accomplished, our view is that “cautious optimism” is still the appropriate perspective. In Europe there has been a plateauing of numbers or even spikes in some countries, but the United States’ vaccine rollout has been markedly better. Again, we’re on par with the United Kingdom, which is still seeing cases and deaths drop despite their variant.
Obviously, things could still go wrong–as has happened several times throughout this–but hopefully the U.S. can outrun the variants with vaccinations. Anyway, let’s move along to the travel restrictions and quarantine recommendations & rules…
Domestic Travel Restrictions & Quarantine Rules
Now let’s turn to the state-by-state quarantine rules. For its part, Florida does not have any quarantine requirements, travel bans, or restrictions in place for those arriving from other states. Governor Ron DeStantis issued a series of executive orders rescinding all of those in fall of last year, and Florida Fully Reopened in September.
In short, there is no quarantine rule that will impact you going to Walt Disney World. However, returning from Walt Disney World is another story entirely. Many states have quarantine rules in effect for residents returning from Florida or visiting from out of state. Here’s a rundown of quarantine rules for various states and cities. (Note: the aforementioned CDC travel guidance for vaccinated people was just released on April 2, 2021 and many states haven’t yet had a chance to update their rules accordingly–within a few days, all will align with the CDC guidance.)
New York has announced that domestic travelers will no longer be required to quarantine after entering New York from another U.S. State or U.S. Territory. It’s still recommended as an added precaution, and completing a health form is still necessary.
New Jersey has already shifted from a mandatory to a voluntary quarantine, as has Connecticut. This is significant, and the Tri-State Area is all lumped together up top, because this trio has had some of the more stringent rules in the contiguous United States.
California‘s travel advisory has been relaxed for the fully vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, avoid non-essential travel. If you must travel, get tested 1-3 days before travel and 3-5 days after travel. After travel, self-quarantine for 7 days, no matter what your test results were. If you didn’t get tested, self-quarantine for 10 days.
Maryland‘s emergency order to limit all travel to essential purposes only still appears to be in place. All Marylanders who do travel outside of Maryland or any individuals who do travel to Maryland must either obtain a negative test result or self-quarantine for 10 days upon return home.
Kentucky‘s travel advisory now discourages all out-of-state leisure travel until further notice. Those who do travel out-of-state for leisure travel are urged to voluntarily self-quarantine upon return to Kentucky or follow CDC guidance for alternate options to shorten the quarantine period.
Minnesota highly discourages out of state travel for non-essential purposes. Incoming visitors and Minnesotans who travel out-of-state are asked to stay home and quarantine for 14 days. Consistent with CDC guidance, a shortened quarantine period may be possible.
Rhode Island‘s rule is that those arriving will need to quarantine for 10 days or provide proof of a negative test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Quarantines can be shortened with post-arrival testing. Those who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine if asymptomatic.
Both Maine and Massachusetts have nearly identical rules in place, right down to the exception for fully vaccinated individuals.
Pennsylvania has rescinded its quarantine rules. Now, travelers are simply advised to practice appropriate public health measures to slow the spread.
New Mexico also rescinded its mandatory quarantine rule. Visitors from anywhere outside of the state will instead by strongly advised to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.
Vermont no longer requires quarantine for those who are fully vaccinated (it has been 14 days since your final vaccine dose). Anyone else traveling to Vermont must quarantine for 10 days.
New Hampshire requires a 10-day quarantine upon arrival, except for fully vaccinated people. If you have not had any symptoms, you have the option to get a PCR test and end your quarantine with a negative test result. You must continue to monitor yourself for symptoms for the full 14 days.
Kansas no longer has a quarantine requirement for Florida. However, it does have one for mass gatherings of more than 500 where you did not socially distance and wear a mask. Walt Disney World has such rules, so this arguably does not apply.
Both Alaska and Hawaii have very similar mandatory 10-day traveler quarantine and passenger verification process for anyone traveling to those states. This has nothing to do with Florida, specifically.
Out-of-state travelers have the option to get tested via a trusted travel provider prior to their arrival, and show proof of a negative result, to avoid the quarantine.
Washington DC requires anyone engaging in non-essential travel to or from Florida and other states to self-quarantine for 14 days when they come to the District.
Same deal with Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order, which directs travelers entering or returning to Chicago from Florida and other surging states to self-quarantine for a 10-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.
If your state has a test-out option, there are numerous diagnostic testing sites within a short drive of Walt Disney World. The closest is unquestionably the Disney Maingate Complex, which is near Animal Kingdom (and actually on-property). The Florida Division of Emergency Management operates this walk-up testing site daily from 8 am to 5 pm, and appointments are not required at this location.
The Disney Maingate Complex offers rapid testing, with results available in about 15 minutes. We’ve used this site and have had great experiences–never a wait, quick & easy, and friendly staff. Highly recommended!
Two alternatives with less convenient locations are the no-contact rapid tests at Walgreens or CVS. Walgreens has two locations: one in Kissimmee east of Disney’s Hollywood Studios (2274 Fortune Rd) or near Universal Orlando (5280 S John Young Pkwy).
CVS has two Orlando locations (13454 South Orange Blossom Trail & 7001 Old Winter Garden Road). Both have eligibility and appointment requirements right now, but are in the process of scaling up testing so it should become easier in the next month or two.
(If your state or city has a Florida quarantine order or advisory, we’d greatly appreciate it if you’d leave a comment letting us know. There is no nationwide database with this information, and searching state-by-state is a tough task. Thanks!)
International Travel
The CDC is expanding the requirement for a negative test to all international air passengers entering the United States. A test will be required before departure to the United States, and that will be combined with the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival and quarantine for 7 days post-travel.
The new administration issued an executive order reaffirming this rule, which is now in effect. It also requested that these policies be reviewed by the State Department, Homeland Security, Transportation Department, HHS, FAA, TSA, and CDC leadership.
Canada and the United States issued a mutual ban on non-essential travel across the land border last spring, and have extended that order each month since. People driving into Canada must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken in the United States within 72 hours or proof of a positive test result between 14 and 90 days before arrival, which is long enough for the illness to have passed, but not so long that immunity might have waned.
Travelers arriving at Canada’s land border points will also be required to take tests upon arrival. That is also the date that air travelers will be forced into a mandatory three-day hotel quarantine at their own expense and required to take multiple tests.
United Kingdom citizens are currently barred from entering the United States, with some exceptions–including those with close family members in the US, and certain other limited categories of visas holders such as diplomats. The limited categories of people who are allowed entry to the US must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Previously, were some flickers of hope about a New York to London “air bridge” that would restore flight routes between those two cities without a quarantine, thanks to rapid testing. We would caution against too much hope about this–there had been rumors of a travel bridge between the UK and US, but those have been quiet for months.
The same proclamation that bans travel to the United States from the United Kingdom and Ireland also applies to the European Schengen area. That means no one will be completing any Chateau to Castle challenges anytime soon.
This ban includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
It is presently unclear when and how this travel ban will be lifted–it could occur on a country-by-country basis, or a blanket proclamation. At this point, it is not expected to occur until Summer 2021 at the earliest.
In addition to United States-issued travel bans regarding arrival, Australians are restricted from traveling overseas. Exceptions exist for New Zealand and other countries that have the pandemic under control; the United States is not one such exception.
With vaccine distribution likely to take several months, there are concerns that these non-essential travel bans could last until 2022 if nations don’t come up with ways for people to safely cross borders. One such possibility is a rapid polymerase chain reaction test prior to travel. Airport testing is a viable option with results possible within 10 minutes, but the degree to which such a system could scale is debatable. (Although lack of demand for international travel may render that concern a moot point.)
In summary, a variety of international travel bans remain in place–by both the United States and other countries–that will make visiting Walt Disney World a non-starter for at least the next few months, if not the remainder of the year. Past estimates have pegged international tourists as accounting for 18-22% of all guests to Walt Disney World, so this could be a big blow for park attendance.
With regard to domestic travel restrictions, visitors from all 50 states are now welcomed to Walt Disney World without restriction upon arrival. When returning home, it’s a different story, as over one-dozen states have mandatory quarantine requirements or recommendations. Unfortunately, after some of these were rescinded, we’re now likely to see more quarantine rules reinstated or implemented due to Florida’s upward trends. If you have a 2021 trip to Walt Disney World and are visiting from out of state, plan accordingly, as a quarantine could be required when you return home.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you located in a state that has quarantines on travelers from Florida? How far into 2021 do you expect the travel restrictions to be extended? Do you have plans to visit Walt Disney World this spring or summer? If you’re an international reader, what’s your expectation regarding travel between your country and the United States? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Other thoughts or concerns? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
There is an error in the quarantine for international travellers because when you call the Florida health department the message says all international travellers must also quarantine and i spoke to someone after in that department and she said it was true and MANDATORY.
I am hoping to fly to Florida in January and to Disney in March. I am from New York. If Florida is still in a bad state I will cancel. I have already cancelled twice.
I’ve cancelled my September trip and rebooked for December. Not sure if there will be a difference but we will see. Worse case scenario I cancel again
But I still say that DeSantis trying to get back at The tristates should be illegal. DeSantis’ original executive order was because the tristates were hot spots. Now we are not. So, supposedly not allowing us in while allowing the rest of country to create in is unconstitutional. I wonder if Florida has been sued yet. They would for sure lose.
At this point to me it is just a matter of principal.
Sorry Shelley, but that’s amusing at best. Sue them for what, exactly?
Mrnico, its a violation of the Commerce Clause. All of these quarantine orders on out-of-state visitors are. The Commerce Clause requires that any restrictions on interstate travel must be regulated by Congress, not the States. So, technically, if she were to be “forced” into a quarantine, she could file a writ of habeas corpus and a writ of prohibition in federal court, and request an emergency injunction to not render the legal issue moot. Just as one example…
DeSantis is a jerk. Why maintain the 14 day quarantine arriving from NY to Florida? We are good here? It’s Florida that has the problem now. Disney needs to get on him.
Lynn
No enforcement going on for this order at least from my personal experience. If the rest of florida would follow disney precautions maybe it would have less cases. Can’t believe all the money desantis cost disney with all the tri staters canceling summer trips. Although he may be saving lives by keeping the order to scare away out of states. At this point though he should be following nj and blocking out 31 other states except tri state area.
Lynn, if you don’t believe in it, then just ignore it. Isn’t that what everyone is doing now? Seems like that’s all we are seeing all over the nation on the news right now.
You have to be insane to come to Florida right now. We are setting records daily for infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
Maybe. Infections are just numbers, and not really indicative of much, especially when the numbers are untrustworthy. I expect that more than 80% will or already have been exposed. We should concentrate on protecting those at higher risk. Numbers of hospitalizations are really only important when they are for this virus, not other things, such as the tens of thousands of folks going in for unrelated procedures which were postponed, etc. My uncle died from it, but he had severe COPD and needed a lung transplant 3 years ago. So saying this is what killed him is a stretch.
Being from NJ and having an upcoming trip planned mid-August, the quarantine being lifted should be a positive thing. However, Florida cases are at record levels and now Walt Disney World is offering discounts for Florida residents to visit. This leaves me much more uncomfortable in bringing my family, including two senior citizend and 4 younger children. I’m not sure why they would risk other state travelers health by encouraging their own residents to visit when cases are at all time highs. This alone has triggered us to cancel our trip. I trust Disney is taking health and safety precautions of all seriously, but it really doesn’t sound like it.
@Beckyd just keep in mind you’re not really traveling to Florida as a whole, rather, you’re isolating yourself in a theme park environment assuming you are staying on-property where all precautions are being taken. That should give you a level of confidence and for me that’s what matters but do what makes you comfortable, just keep that perspective in mind…
Docmarmo, exactly!
There are so many experts here! WOW… it amazes me how many people know better than the actual people working on the virus. What these people know is from tv… SMDM…we’ll never get out of this because there are so many “experts” knowing more and not agreeing with a little short term sacrifice for a long term gain…
I don’t know what SMDM is supposed to mean, but a whole lot of people wouldn’t consider losing their business or house, etc they’ve put everything they have into as a short term sacrifice.
Agreed.
I was unaware that wearing a mask in public caused people to lose their business, house, etc…. as for SMDM, I think it’s pretty clear this means “Six Million Dollar Man”! lol
Dolph, talking about the forced business closures, somewhat randomly selected over political reasons. Big business over small businesses. Not allowing sale of seeds, ammunition, etc.
I’m old enough to remember him and the Bionic Woman! Should’ve known that…so much garbage on TV now. Remember Taxi, WKRP, SNL that was actually funny?
Looks like you may need an update again soon. Fingers crossed. It’s being reported today that the I95 checkpoint at the Fl/GA line has now been officially closed. There is also another report coming out that they have ceased distributing forms for any incoming flights from the Tri States. I won’t hold my breath though until it comes officially from FDOH or the Governor’s administration.
Wow that would be huge and I would totally consider coming this summer with my family!! @DeeLiz could you please tell me where you got the information if you don’t mind sharing? Thank you! 🙂
yes of course Doc here is the news link for the I95 closure
https://www.news4jax.com/health/2020/07/20/floridas-covid-19-checkpoint-on-i-95-finally-closed/
and the news link regarding airports
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/south-florida-airports-say-state-stopped-screening-tri-state-flights-for-quarantine/ar-BB16Y9Zi
@DeeLiz many thanks!! I want to return this summer if possible. We’ve been locked down since March!!
We have a trip planned late August (staying at the Polynesian) and are from NJ. We already had COVID come through our home in March so we feel OK to travel. The kids really still want to come so if any one has any updates on actual experiences traveling to disney from tri state recently would be very interested to hear. We plan to fly to orlando and take magic express so we know disney would know we are from NJ and just arriving. Does the quarantine mean you have to stay in your room the entire time? can you not even go to the pools? any thoughts are appreciated struggling with what to do
From all I’ve read Barbie Disney does not want you to quarantine on their property. You must do that prior to your visit. It’s on their website in the Know Before You Go section. How that is being enforced is what I would like a clear answer on. So far I have not found any solid evidence Disney is even enforcing this.
I can only speak from experience and I am not advising to break any orders however here is my 2 cents on the quarantine.
Came to florida on 18th flew into Orlando no one gave any forms or asked any questions about where we were from. As far as disney no one asked any questions either. Been having an awesome trip with empty parks and walk on rides. Stayed at 2 different disney dvc resorts. Wouldn’t travel anywhere around florida except disney however. Disney went above and beyond for safety.
Easy to social distance here the place is empty and plexiglass everywhere. Cast members are wearing face shields and masks.
Even told cast members we were from nj when asked and no one freaked out.
When I get home I will quarantine for 14 days.
Glad I did not cancel this trip.
We skipped magic express this time opted for car instead to reduce risk and also am driving to parks skipping buses.
@Don thank you for that. I’m so tempted to book and go but we’re not DVC guests and not sure the same would apply to “regular” guests? Methinks no but fiqured I throw that out there for discussion. What do you think?
Don! Thank you so much, this is just the information I was curious about. Any forms you filled out in the airport?!
Sorry, Don – saw you posted about the airport forms – was curious about how wearing masks has been? Is it very uncomfortable? if you have kids are they complaining?
THANK YOU!!
Our numbers are insane. Florida is averaging about 10,000 positive cases a day. But the bad part is that Orange County has had 31 deaths in the past 48 hours. We have cancelled our park reservations. We have one in 3 weeks for HS and will decided a few days before if we will cancel that one as well. I would not advise traveling here from other states just because they have become lax at enforcing the order. It really isn’t safe. I have gone to EP, MK, and AK and I felt pretty ok about everything. But these numbers just drive home that it really is an illusion. I hope everyone makes the best decision for their families, I’m not putting anyone down. Just sharing my thoughts for my family. We are living in crazy times!
@doc I can only speak about dvc but did you check in online for your hotel already at disney? You will go right to your room then once its ready..this is all a personal decision.
@barbie masks are annoying but you get used to them. Everyone is wearing them except at pools and pool areas..no masks needed.
@Barbie, Disney requires you to complete a form attesting to the fact that you are not under quarantine orders, which you are once you set foot in FL. (It’s on the app). Further, Disney does not permit quarantine on their properties.
For us, we’ve been hoping for a revision to exclude the tri state. We’re subject to ethical rules for our professions and our kids are aware of what’s going on with the quarantine rules, so no matter how much we’d like to be there, it’s neither worth it from a career perspective, nor as a life lesson for our kids.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
@Don thanks for the info, I’m going to call and try to get a booking for August… I’ve said this before, my family and I already had the virus and tested positive for Antibodies, I also donated my blood for convalescent plasma treatment purposes so again we’re not concerned about traveling. It baffles me the many people in this thread that still seem to be getting upset with folks desiring to or already traveling from the Tristate area where our numbers are among the lowest in the nation. With all the precautions Disney is taking I think it may be one of the safer places in the country to visit right now. Everyone needs to remember that many people would lose their jobs if Disney continued to stay closed or closed again. Keep that in mind when you’re perturbed at others for their desire to go to the parks…
@Celtic Knot
Could you link a source as to where this form Disney is making anyone fill out from the tri states? This is the first I’ve ever seen of something like this. Every place I have researched people from the tri states arrived to the resort and just went to their rooms, no questions asked, no forms from Disney and no enforcement at all.
Docmarco we also have the antibodies and it is making us more risk tolerant. Ideally the quarantine would be lifted before we travel but that may not be the case. The NJ quarantine state list is optional but expected, not mandatory – so there is a big difference and not sure why FL didn’t just make it reciprocal. It has been hard being cooped up for 4+ months, especially on the kids. We obviously don’t want to put any of our family in danger but for everyone’s sanity we need to get away and we really can’t find a better option, not for lack of trying! people should be more sympathetic to that and not be so judgey! even if we stayed at the resort the pool time it would be heaven and much needed disney magic that we are all in desperate need of!
@Barbie 100% with you, we’ve been stuck here in NJ like you since March & school is right around the corner! Our kids are at that ripe age & will soon be past what I would like to call that “Magic stage”! We want to go and enjoy them while we can. After all there is nothing better when you can bring joy to your kids and to me there’s no better place to do that than Disney!
Hi @DeeLiz,
I don’t know how to add a screenshot.
When you open the Disney app, the Health Acknowledgement is on the top. Maybe it’s there because I have a reservation for next year(?).
It says, “All Disney Resort hotel Guests must read the health acknowledgement prior to arrival.” When you click on it, it says, “By entering Walt Disney World Resort, you acknowledge that you understand and will abide by the above health-and-safety requirements”, including that you “are not under any self-quarantine orders”.
What do they do to you if you’re not truthful? I don’t know, but whether to comply is an ethics issue for each person to address within themselves, and not one I’m opining on for others. I just pointed it out because I hadn’t seen it mentioned.
Full text:
Health Acknowledgement
Please make sure that you have reviewed any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to Florida. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/ for information. By entering Walt Disney World Resort, you are confirming that you and all persons in your party:
are not experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov, including:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
have not been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine
are not under any self-quarantine orders
Guests who cannot confirm all of the above criteria must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.
If you need to reschedule your reservation, please call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) W-DISNEY or (407) 934-7639. If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, please call Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
By entering Walt Disney World Resort, you acknowledge that you understand and will abide by the above health-and-safety requirements.
@ Celtic Knot
Oh I misunderstood I assumed you meant Disney was giving a form to those who were checking in at the resort upon arrival, not the acknowledgement on their app/website. But thank you 🙂
@doc and celticknot
Just stayed at copper creek for 4 days and Polynesian for another 4 days. I see the health acknowledgement but nothing to actually do on it. Just a read and honor system. I checked in to my hotels online when I was back in NJ so when we got here we walked right into our room. Even rented a car down here. I feel safe eating in the restaurants at disney and all the masks and plexiglass in between rides is unreal. Also the theater shows are spaced out between rows and seats. I wouldn’t go anywhere else in florida or the world however. You also can’t walk and drink or eat anymore without a mask on. Cast members are enforcing rules for masks in parks on rides etc. The kicker is how empty the parks are we are walking on rides multiple times. 10 min waits for smugglers run in star wars….slinky 20 minute…flight of passage 10 min..
This is all personal choice if you don’t want to risk it then don’t come but I feel safer here at disney then back at home in nj with all the knuckleheads at the grocery stores and home depots.
I was waiting for a quarantine form when we got off plane in orlando…nothing nobody
Plane leaving Newark for ft Lauderdale was even more packed then ours. No way all those people are quarantining.
Ashamed disney lost all this money this summer because the tri state area canceled.
Hey Celtic Knot, that list of symptoms just sounds like being alive and awake after 40, doesn’t it?
Don, that sounds amazing from an activity standpoint. Our September GE trip last year was great for that land. Everything else was still very busy, oddly. We walked on SR many times, did Oga’s 3 times. BTW, if it’s not crazy busy, Oga doesn’t shoo you out after 45min like they say if you’re still drinking.
Our February trip was different, big lines all over. Still great fun though!
@Don those are my thoughts exactly Disney and Universal in fact being a safest places to visit, maybe not earth but I get your point, lol!!
this is amazing post thanks for sharing information with us
@Don,
Thanks for your info on being there right now. Are you from NJ? I am a nervous wreck cause we have plans from 8/8 – 8/15 and I don’t know what to do. I keep hearing so many conflicting things!! We are staying at Animal kingdom. Do you think we will be ok? We really want to come down but of course I don’t want to get in trouble. haha
@chrissy are you dvc? Did u check in already?
I am from nj flew jet blue no forms till fill out and no one asked any questions.
I wouldnt go anywhere but disney though once u are here.
Safest place on earth I would consider this.
Do you think this quarantine rule will apply to ALL the attendees of the Republican National Convention in August? This is going to get (even more) interesting…
Convention just cancelled as of today
@Don, I am not DVC but we are staying at the Animal Kingdom Kidani Village rooms which are DVC from what I learned. I didn’t check in yet since arrival date is 8/8. It is too early now isn’t it? We definitely won’t go anywhere else besides Disney. I agree with you! I think We are flying Spirit. We live in West Berlin and usually fly spirit but never did Jet Blue. Maybe I’ll
Check them out tonight. Glad to know about no forms and no questions. Really
Looking forward to my special happy place but a little worried but it is very reassuring to hear your experience. Thank you so much!!
Chrissy, you’ll love Kidani Village, it’s awesome. Hopefully you get Savannah view, with balcony right onto animals.
I’m in the UK and originated two vacations booked in the US for 2020…Orlando on May and New York in September. We originally moved the Orlando trip to later in the year in the fall, and cancelled the New York trip. But we’ve now rebooked Orlando for May 2021 and will look at going to New York toward the end of 2021. I don’t see the travel ban being lifted until early 2021, so hopefully we’ll be OK for travel in May, but as the situation is very fluid…who knows.
@MRNICO, oh really? Oh wonderful I am So glad to hear that! I did book a Savannah view room so I hope we see lots of animals! Read many reviews and the resort sounds wonderful. Thanks so much!
The Orlando Sentinel explains the problems with calculating the “positivity rate” in Florida. The bottom line is that we seem to have a hot spot. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-positivity-rate-florida-paints-rosy-pandemic-picture-20200715-cpwwngaefzdnpitbs7buh7zsei-story.html
NO retests should be counted as either, unless the result changes. If a person goes form negative to positive, or the other way, okay. Otherwise, that’s nothing new. And I want to see separated data for types of tests. It’s more difficult to interpret, perhaps, but it’s the only way to have any degree of accuracy.
And the plot thickens…
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/fox-35-investigates-questions-raised-after-fatal-motorcycle-crash-listed-as-covid-19-death
Doc, this is just the tip, I believe. With labs reporting almost 100% positive test results, without actually completing any tests, etc. This is outright fraud, and really, a form of terrorism. I could easily see Disney and any business that relies on tourism suing these labs, hospitals, and news outlets for adversely impacting their businesses.
@Mrnico what’s really disturbing is the news (not sure of the accuracy of it or any of this anymore ) that it’s a directive from FL Dept of health to report only positive cases. Terrorism I’m not sure but for certain it’s one big mess that I hope gets cleaned up very soon. Something tells me that won’t happen till after Nov 3rd…
Hi Tom,
I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your blog. I’m sorry that people suck. Please don’t let them get you down.
I know people who are staying on Disney property and at the parks as we speak and are from NY. They must not be checking when people check-in.
I have a friend who is due to come in from Ireland in February for her first visit to both Disney and the US. Hopefully things will be settled by then and she won’t have to push the trip back.
I hope so! We had to return from Germany early in March because of this, and I’m still not happy about it.
Lots of absurdity going on, to be sure. I’m from Texas, where there are reports of numerous new cases, but not trustworthy reports. I’ll need to see numbers split out completely. No plans to travel to NY for many reasons long before this fiasco. If I were though, I’d just fill out the form to get the result I wanted, much like all of their ‘polls’ on any political issue. I just did the form online with fake info to test it and it’s pretty easy to do. I’m not advising anyone to do anything wrong, and we all need to act in best efforts to NOT spread any diseases to others. But this threat of a $2000 fine is just absurd. About like cities threatening to shut off your utilities if you don’t pay a red light camera fine…
Hello, Im from Argentina, usually I go to WDW every september, this 2020 y had tickets and all star movies hotel booking, bu i think tha the flight will not leave Argentina, for tha is that i have changed my trip to january 2021. If is it an useful information, there are prohibited flights between Argentina and other countries untl september 1st.
That’s a big problem for people still wanting to travel. No flights means no travel, unfortunately. But I really hope it works out for you!
Hi,
When you changed to 2021, did Disney charge you the higher rate or honor the 2020 pricing?
We are from New Jersey and plan to go to Disney August 31 to September 5. Is this going to be able to happen or should we kiss our Disney dreams good bye. We have gone every year for last 5 years and feel confident that we’d be safe going. Will they keep us out of the park. Would Disney contact us since they know we are from NJ to cancel our vacation. I would think if they know we can’t go they’d step in and say something no?!
Why would Disney tell you that? They don’t know your plans. You need to quarantine for 2 weeks when you get here, for all they know you are flying in 2 weeks before hand.
Hi Lisa I’m from New Jersey as well and no they won’t call you regarding the mandatory 14-day quarantine. It’s best to call them and let them know your situation. There is hope that Governor DeSantis might review the Florida 14 day mandatory quarantine in early August I was told by their covid hotline but when you return to New Jersey you’ll have to 14 day quarantine unless Gov Murphy changes ours, so it’s complicated to say the least… It it was me I would call Disney and ask them what’s the latest you can cancel or reschedule without incurring a surcharge.
DVC told me they do not monitor or police this order its on your honor to quarantine before you come to the resort. They are not canceling vacations or barring entry to parks. Temperature check and masks for the parks. This is all politics at this point and is probably low on DeSantis list with all the other stuff going on. I had family that just flew in from NY to Ft myers and stayed a week and came back without any issue and followed all rules of masks and social distancing. Didn’t go to disney but went back and forth.
Hi Don,
Please help me follow your post. You said that everything will be fine because you’ll follow the rules by not following the rules, and encourage others to not follow the rules?
That’s so interesting.
Hi Aaron
Not trying to argue whats right or wrong in this forum. Just stating facts did they violate the order 20-82 yes but I guess I was trying to say they were following some of the rules when they got there. Not telling anyone to violate the rules. I’m just saying the gov needs to take a look at the order again because tri state is no longer a Hotspot. Other states are worse than we are now and they have no quarantine orders for entering florida unless I missed another EO.
It’s not because of illness is rampant in the tri-state area but because if you brought it back from here you could ignite a new cluster. It’s to discourage you from traveling, a 2 week quarantine to and from will discourage most people.
If you bring it back with you and don’t quarantine you’ll be in big trouble in your home state. They can fine you and make you testify about where you’ve been.
NJ is not enforcing the return quaratine the same as NY. Direct quote
Murphy has said states can’t force people to quarantine because it’s unconstitutional for American states to close their borders. Instead, he said, New Jersey is strongly suggesting it.
That’s funny Maria. I wouldn’t do anything Cuomo or Deblah-sio says to in any case, but this is over the top. You can get infected through grocery deliveries or the US mail. I do not see anyone paying a $2k fine.
@Mrnico – grocery delivery, sure, if you all aren’t wearing yours masks.
From the US Mail? Okay, that’s pretty funny. I like it. Please, for your sake and the sake of those around you, please listen to the medical professionals. There are even a handful of us on here. None of us have a political agenda We just want you to be safe and well. You should feel safe around the mail.
To date, there are no documented cases of transmission of this virus via letter or parcel. The “crowns” of the molecule hold onto soft surfaces, and it’s difficult for our skin to pick them up from there.
Aerosol is the primary vehicle for infection with SARS-CoV-2. Wear a mask every time you leave your house. Require that those around you do as well. Do that, and you should be alright.
Aaron, I’m in agreement! I was being a little facetious there. While I do not believe it’s probable, it is possible for surface transmission. Having worked in design and construction for a long time on many, many types of facilities and for the last 3 years almost entirely in healthcare, I’ve learned more about infection control than I ever imagined. We just wrapped up design on redo/optimization of the 19 OR suites at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Selecting finish materials for ORs, especially neuro suites, can get interesting. According to ASHE, we lose 200 people a day to hospital-acquired infections in these USA, and that to me is horrific.
Subtleties are often lost in written snark… I was just making fun of the absurdity of this ‘fine’ BS and the continued totalitarianism of NY. I wear a mask (usually a bandana, actually) when I go out. I don’t really like it, but I just try to pretend I’m an outlaw in the Old West. That helps.
Here’s some, breaking News @Tom and might I add extremely disturbing!! The numbers are NOT accurate!
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/fox-35-investigates-hospitals-confirm-mistakes-in-floridas-covid-19-report
“The report showed that Orlando Health had a 98 percent positivity rate. However, when FOX 35 News contacted the hospital, they confirmed errors in the report. Orlando Health’s positivity rate is only 9.4 percent, not 98 percent as in the report.”
We actually watched this same story on the local news last night.
I’m not quite sure what to make of this. I don’t believe there’s any intentional conspiracy here (these providers and the state gain nothing by having the numbers look worse), but it’s nevertheless concerning that multiple testing locations are submitting inflated positivity numbers.
Indeed I agree the state has nothing to gain and I don’t believe in conspiracy theories but we do know that people who were put on vents the hospital would get $29k and anyone admitted with covid immediately got $13k. I’m not so sure about Labs getting Kickbacks but in this day and age Anything is Possible…
This just makes me Furious on how these errors can be made on such a critical subject!
This is the problem that is causing so many to be so divided on COVID19 and what should/shouldn’t be done. CDC is counting new and old cases (people with antibodies indicating they have HAD the virus but do not currently HAVE the virus), AND tests that are positive for coronaviruses that have been around for decades that are otherwise known as the common cold as NEW COVID 19 viruses. This is on the CDC’s actual web page. There seems to be no standard for reporting anything and the rules seem to change on the daily. I truly hope that Disney takes ALL of this into account and stays open. The fact remains that the more testing is done the more cases will pop up and the death rate is going down. Like I’ve said before we have to learn how to live with this virus just as we’ve had to live with every other virus. Disney World staying open isn’t just about money for them, it’s about money for the tens of thousands of people they employ. I’ve seen so many argue that they should stay closed. It’s not that simple. And the fact remains if you don’t feel safe don’t go. Life must go on.
That being said, I’m excited to go back. I’m worried of how things will be in September when our trip is, with the line waits and the unavailability of fast passes. I’ve made dining reservations and was finally able to add a day to my trip and reserve a park. I was worried that by the time it got added on we would miss out on the park we wanted for that additional day. I will say that when we called and added a day to our trip and it did not update on our end. We called again and were told to wait 72 hours. We called after 72 hours and Disney had to get the IT department involved and we spent hours on the phone. They fixed it AND were able to add the park reservation on for us for our wait and problems. Disney is AWESOME.
I’m hoping that you go back Tom closer to my vacation time and can keep us posted on the changes over the next few months! 🙂
@Seth completely agree with you. We’re now scheduled for November and we Will go as long as we’re not LOCKED down as we are now. I would go tomorrow if I could but this 14 day mandatory quarantine makes it too punitive for us. Hoping things change come Sept for you.
That’s a massive problem for all of us, not knowing what numbers are accurate versus sensationalized. We’re seeing similar issues in Texas.
@Mrnico indeed its disturbing.
@Docmaro, I can assure you hospitals and patients aren’t allowing unnecessary ventilation of patients for money. Hospitals make money of elective surgery, not emergency response.
Ventilation is a painful and frightening thing to go through, and if you do make it through it, you come out permanently disabled. Honestly, I wish it were possible to post pictures of what it actually is here, because it would probably shut down this “debate” for most of us subscribers.
@Seth, the US is 4% of the global population but accounts for a quarter of deaths related to COVID-19. No amount of testing changes that number, and nothing makes the CMs who have no choice but to go back be safe on the job since they’re not being provided adequate PPE for their unusual circumstances.
Yes, there was a time at the beginning when the CDC counted positive SARS-CoV-2 tests and serum antibody tests together. That was months ago, and it was a mistake. Data is standardized nationwide now: the 50 states, the five continually inhabited territories, and DC. Only results from the SARS-CoV-2 tests are counted in that data.
@Aaron DC how can you assure me? Please with the expert statements of certainty. I personally know doctors in NJ that told me patients that were vented should have been proned…
You can post all the stats you want but facts are facts:
“The report showed that Orlando Health had a 98 percent positivity rate. However, when FOX 35 News contacted the hospital, they confirmed errors in the report. Orlando Health’s positivity rate is only 9.4 percent, not 98 percent as in the report.”
Most of the deaths in the Northeast were due to nursing homes who were forced to admit elderly who were infected. Why were the hospital ships and the Javits Center empty do you have any statistics on that?
Anyway I digress…
I’m going to email DeSantis. Below is email address for anyone interested
mailto:[email protected]
Thank you Shelly, I emailed him and asked kindly to reconsider New Jersey like he did Louisiana. Not expecting whole even read it but you never know thanks again for the email address.
ive sent about 4 emails to desantis and also the president of universal. crickets from desantis and I did get a response from universal, but it obviously hasn’t; done any good as of yet.
Shelly and Joe good idea and good luck i was going to email him also. Let’s see what happens. Just to let you know I know of jerseyans that went down in the last week by plane and no questionaire…they aren’t going to disney but I can tell you they aren’t quarantining.
I doubt this is being enforced and dvc already told me they are not enforcing this its on the honor system.
I think the order worked though and it scared off the masses.
I just don’t think this is fair to the tri state..they should quarantine all the other Hotspot states.
Thanks for the address Shelly. For what it’s worth I will e-mail the Gov. As repugnant as the tri state governors are, at least they provided a method for states to be removed from the list, whereas the Florida order seems set in stone. Maybe if enough pressure is applied, this ridiculous quarantine can be lifted. I am surprised Disney was not able tohave some influence on the
@MJR I called the State of FL Covid travel hotline and had an informative conversation with a young lady. I was told the Gov may revisit his decision in early August about lifting certain states & was also reminded of LA being removed with a new EO. I’m not happy with what seems to be politics at play but I’m holding out hope!
Good luck everyone. At this point even if DeSantis lifts it we still have to quarantine when we come back to NY, NJ or CT. What a mess. We rescheduled our September trip until December. I hope I don’t have to reschedule again.
So CT, NY and NJ now have some of the lowest % of cases but they can’t come to Disney World until at least September 5. But all the states with high % are allowed? Is someone looking into this? Not allowing us in without a valid reason has to be unconstitutional
At least CT, NY and NJ have a valid reason for requiring Florida to quarantine before entering. Florida does not.
@Shelley. at this point even though it is ridiculously frustrating there is no point in trying to rationalize this because it is completely irrational at this point. The only people it hurts are the ones who would like to take a vacation in florida and are trying to abide by the rules put in place. Many people are going anyway and are seemingly just fine without being checked up on. the point remains that this order was put in place back in march as a knee jerk reaction to people from the tri state coming to florida to avoid our lockdowns. i firmly believe the tri staters did not increase the case count in florida even the ones who made it down. fast forward 4 months and the original wording of the order is exactly the same and it currently does not apply to the tri state area as there currently is no longer substantial community spread here. plus we are essentially opened up now up here so we aren’t fleeing the lockdown anymore so i ask again why are you still singling out this area desantis? either give us a valid factual reason or remove it because you look petty and incompetent at this point with this restriction.
Agree, Shelley. This makes no sense. Why is the tri-State area still restricted and told to quarantine but no other state is? In several of his speeches he admitted that the tri-state area was not a concern like it was in March/April. It would be nice if addressed this issue.
Contact the governor of NY and let him know you’re frustrated. It’s not Desantis, it’s Cuomo.