At DL this week: where the wait times are made up and distancing doesn’t matter

[bardays]

Thanks so much for this. We have January booked and I go back and forth about cancelling daily! Today, in BC.. there were some pretty big restrictions announced. I fear DL would feel way too different than Vancouver. Not sure if I could relax and enjoy

 

[bcwife76]

Thanks so much for this. We have January booked and I go back and forth about cancelling daily! Today, in BC.. there were some pretty big restrictions announced. I fear DL would feel way too different than Vancouver. Not sure if I could relax and enjoy

I'm not sure what you mean by restrictions; BC is bringing in a vaccine passport so as long as you are vaccinated it's all good. Maybe I'm in the minority but I'm glad BC is bringing this in. It's only supposed to be until January (to be reevaluated then) and vaccine passports are not new. Several cities in the US are already doing this including San Fran, New York and New Orleans. Wouldn't be surprised if more follow suit soon.

 

[bardays]

I'm not sure what you mean by restrictions; BC is bringing in a vaccine passport so as long as you are vaccinated it's all good. Maybe I'm in the minority but I'm glad BC is bringing this in. It's only supposed to be until January (to be reevaluated then) and vaccine passports are not new. Several cities in the US are already doing this including San Fran, New York and New Orleans. Wouldn't be surprised if more follow suit soon.

I am for them too. I work in events and I want to feel safe myself. I just mean I could go from a place (BC) of feeling safe in a restaurant or a theatre to being in Disney where not everyone will be vaccinated. I would be on edge the whole time.

 

[bcwife76]

I am for them too. I work in events and I want to feel safe myself. I just mean I could go from a place (BC) of feeling safe in a restaurant or a theatre to being in Disney where not everyone will be vaccinated. I would be on edge the whole time.

Ah yes, I see your point. It's a strange world we need to navigate these days

 

[BlancheNeige7]

Meals were one thing I was wondering about. Where did you end up eating and finding a little space to eat?

We found that most (if not all) quick service restaurants have outdoor seating. We would have a large breakfast at the hotel and have lunch around 3, and diner after 7. Menus have been paired down, but we always found something we liked. Disclaimer : we are not foodies and mostly tried to eat things we cannot find at WDW.

DL :
The Plaza, Hungry Bear , Jolly Holiday, French Market, Rancho del Zocalo, Stage Door Cafe

DCA :
Pym's, Cozy Cones (needed to mobile order), Pacific Wharf, Lucky Fortune

 

[BlancheNeige7]

Thanks so much for this. We have January booked and I go back and forth about cancelling daily! Today, in BC.. there were some pretty big restrictions announced. I fear DL would feel way too different than Vancouver. Not sure if I could relax and enjoy

We had a Florida vacation schedule for Aug 14th that we switched for DL a few days before. It is way too early to determine what will happen in January. Will there still be a mask mandate? 5th wave?

We felt very comfortable in DL last week, but have been visiting local attractions (Wonderland, La Ronde and Calypso). Level of comfort is very personal. We decided not to bring our unvaccinated children as we knew we would not feel at ease with that decision. Both DH and I are vaccinated and wore quality masks. We also cut our vacation down to under a week, meaning that testing positive at the 72 hour mark was near impossible. We bought a bunch of at-home rapid tests from CVS ($25 for 2!) so we could test upon arrival and a few days later. Our #1 stressors was bringing this bug home.

There will be outdoor queues with no distancing and very few masks. Are you comfortable with the protection of your mask and the outdoors? There will be indoor queues with no distancing and some noses poking out. Most queues are outdoors, so this could be minimized. There will be some (not many) who remove their masks as soon as a ride starts. If this makes you nervous, I would wait to travel.

The only time I felt uncomfortable was customs at Pearson... a long line in a very stuffy room....

 

[BlancheNeige7]

I am for them too. I work in events and I want to feel safe myself. I just mean I could go from a place (BC) of feeling safe in a restaurant or a theatre to being in Disney where not everyone will be vaccinated. I would be on edge the whole time.

I would feel so much better knowing all my high school students were vaccinated.... Part of my comfort level going on our trip probably comes from the fact I have had to work in person with many kids. There were weekly emails about cases at my school or my DDs school during peak waves. So incredibly happy to be vaccinated!

 

[ronandannette]

I'm not sure what you mean by restrictions; BC is bringing in a vaccine passport so as long as you are vaccinated it's all good. Maybe I'm in the minority but I'm glad BC is bringing this in. It's only supposed to be until January (to be reevaluated then) and vaccine passports are not new. Several cities in the US are already doing this including San Fran, New York and New Orleans. Wouldn't be surprised if more follow suit soon.

What kind of restrictions? We’re joining family from Ottawa on a little jaunt to the Sunshine Coast at the end of the month (rest assured we’re all fully vaxed). What should we expect? The last time we visited BC (Fairmont Hotsprings in April) they basically sent us packing and closed the boarder behind us.

 

[bcwife76]

What kind of restrictions? We’re joining family from Ottawa on a little jaunt to the Sunshine Coast at the end of the month (rest assured we’re all fully vaxed). What should we expect? The last time we visited BC (Fairmont Hotsprings in April) they basically sent us packing and closed the boarder behind us.

BC is introducing a vaccine passport but it doesn't come into affect until Sept 13.

 

[matterhornyodeller]

We ate at Carthay Circle and had a great experience indoors, as well as Docking Bay 7 (nobody was there!).

I think I was just hyper aware of the mask stuff because we did do so many rides and were simply so close to the people around us a LOT. Like on pirates an entire row in front of us removed their masks as soon as the boat left the dock and I was like...cool.....

There are tons of places to eat outdoors - harbour galley area, the small world area, the back of hungry bear upstairs.

I really didn't want to freak people out but just wanted to be realistic. I think for me the thing was yes I did get used to being around tons of people but I couldn't put the thought of the test out of my mind before returning. I was like sure fun haha but better be safe cause you need that negative test to get back home. I hope the requirement is dropped soon.

 

[tlcdoula]

We had a Florida vacation schedule for Aug 14th that we switched for DL a few days before. It is way too early to determine what will happen in January. Will there still be a mask mandate? 5th wave?

We felt very comfortable in DL last week, but have been visiting local attractions (Wonderland, La Ronde and Calypso). Level of comfort is very personal. We decided not to bring our unvaccinated children as we knew we would not feel at ease with that decision. Both DH and I are vaccinated and wore quality masks. We also cut our vacation down to under a week, meaning that testing positive at the 72 hour mark was near impossible. We bought a bunch of at-home rapid tests from CVS ($25 for 2!) so we could test upon arrival and a few days later. Our #1 stressors was bringing this big home.

There will be outdoor queues with no distancing and very few masks. Are you comfortable with the protection of your mask and the outdoors? There will be indoor queues with no distancing and some noses poking out. Most queues are outdoors, so this could be minimized. There will be some (not many) who remove their masks as soon as a ride starts. If this makes you nervous, I would wait to travel.

The only time I felt uncomfortable was customs at Pearson... a long line in a very stuffy room....

For the home tests how do they work, just swab yourself and it will show a positive or neg? This would def make me feel better coming home and being able to test ourselves before going back to work or seeing anyone?

Yesterday we (ok well I) decided to book our flights for November. I was thinking last night that we would need to be extra cautious when we came home to ensure we were not sick and would not pass it onto anyone else. Testing would def make me feel more comfortable.

 

[Chickinvic]

I was like sure fun haha but better be safe cause you need that negative test to get back home. I hope the requirement is dropped soon.

And I hope that it isn't dropped anytime soon. The Covid numbers down there are insane.

 

[BlancheNeige7]

For the home tests how do they work, just swab yourself and it will show a positive or neg? This would def make me feel better coming home and being able to test ourselves before going back to work or seeing anyone?

Yesterday we (ok well I) decided to book our flights for November. I was thinking last night that we would need to be extra cautious when we came home to ensure we were not sick and would not pass it onto anyone else. Testing would def make me feel more comfortable.

The at home test is super easy to do. You swab for 15 second in each nostril and then put the swab in the testing kit you prepare beforehand. Results are in 15 minutes and kind of like a pregnancy test... 2 lines = positive. The test bought at CVS is called the Binax Now. This link has a description and video showing how it works. https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/BinaxNOW-what-you-need-to-know.html

We ended up purchasing many boxes to take home since they are not yet available in Canada. They are about $25 for 2... so quite cheap! We ordered the tests and snacks/drinks from Instacart at cvs and had it delivered to our hotel.

 

[tlcdoula]

The at home test is super easy to do. You swab for 15 second in each nostril and then put the swab in the testing kit you prepare beforehand. Results are in 15 minutes and kind of like a pregnancy test... 2 lines = positive. The test bought at CVS is called the Binax Now. This link has a description and video showing how it works. https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/BinaxNOW-what-you-need-to-know.html

We ended up purchasing many boxes to take home since they are not yet available in Canada. They are about $25 for 2... so quite cheap! We ordered the tests and snacks/drinks from Instacart at cvs and had it delivered to our hotel.

That is perfect!!! I always do a grocery order so this will work perfect.

 

[bardays]

We ate at Carthay Circle and had a great experience indoors, as well as Docking Bay 7 (nobody was there!).

I think I was just hyper aware of the mask stuff because we did do so many rides and were simply so close to the people around us a LOT. Like on pirates an entire row in front of us removed their masks as soon as the boat left the dock and I was like...cool.....

There are tons of places to eat outdoors - harbour galley area, the small world area, the back of hungry bear upstairs.

I really didn't want to freak people out but just wanted to be realistic. I think for me the thing was yes I did get used to being around tons of people but I couldn't put the thought of the test out of my mind before returning. I was like sure fun haha but better be safe cause you need that negative test to get back home. I hope the requirement is dropped soon.

THIS is what would make me stressed. Chin masks raise my blood pressure. I fear I would not enjoy myself But that's me. Wish I could relax a bit more.

 

[Chip#1]

The at home test is super easy to do. You swab for 15 second in each nostril and then put the swab in the testing kit you prepare beforehand. Results are in 15 minutes and kind of like a pregnancy test... 2 lines = positive. The test bought at CVS is called the Binax Now. This link has a description and video showing how it works. https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/BinaxNOW-what-you-need-to-know.html

We ended up purchasing many boxes to take home since they are not yet available in Canada. They are about $25 for 2... so quite cheap! We ordered the tests and snacks/drinks from Instacart at cvs and had it delivered to our hotel.

Purchased ours from Rapid Test & Trace (Canadian company) ; the Rapid Response BTNX kits. But it looks like both the 25 pack (that's what I purchased to take tests with us) and the smaller 5 packs are both on back order for a couple of weeks.

 

[22Tink]

Purchased ours from Rapid Test & Trace (Canadian company) ; the Rapid Response BTNX kits. But it looks like both the 25 pack (that's what I purchased to take tests with us) and the smaller 5 packs are both on back order for a couple of weeks.

I hadn’t heard of this option. Thank you!

 

[Susan2771]

Meals were one thing I was wondering about. Where did you end up eating and finding a little space to eat?

We are here now and we have not had a problem at all finding lots of empty tables at the quick service. If one is willing to wait at a sit down restaurant most have a 30 minute wait except Blue Bayou. That one is a couple of hours

 

[andynick]

My wife and I were in DW from 7/28 - 8/4, and stayed at the Boardwalk Inn. We knew what to expect before leaving for our trip, but it was a shock to actually experience the parks in-person. The numbers didn't add up...virtually everybody wasn't wearing a mask while indoors. If only 49% of the country is fully vaccinated, then it's safe to expect about half of all guests wearing a mask while indoors. It's disappointing to see so many selfish people only thinking of themselves and not caring to protect others around them by not wearing a mask. I believe that every individual should have the freedom to choose whether or not they get vaccinated, but if you choose not to vaccinate yourself, FOLLOW THE MANDATES or don't visit. The vaccine is available to people aged 12 and older, and with only 25% of US teenagers fully vaccinated, the numbers, one again, did not add up. Seriously? You knew the rules before coming to Disney, so FOLLOW THEM. We were on property when Disney changed their mandate to: everybody, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask while indoors. While this did improve things, many people would wear their masks incorrectly or just straight-up remove them while out of sight from a cast member. Again, very disappointing to see so many selfish people acting in their own self-interests...especially seeing as how this is a PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS!!! I fully understand and accept the risk of catching COVID at a place like Disney (regardless of your vaccination status), but was seriously disappointed in the amount of people who chose themselves over others. Obviously, masks aren't 100% perfect in preventing transmission; they are far from that number. Just be aware of the reality before going to Disney: no social distancing and people be asked to be honest about their vaccination status without having to show proof. We knew what to expect before going, but weren't fully prepared for what we experienced. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have gone.

Maybe it's time that certain parks be designated VACCINATED ONLY (requiring proof of vaccination) on certain days, while other parks can be designated as AT YOUR OWN RISK. This would satisfy both vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals.

 

[Bunkie1979]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience - this is incredibly helpful! Fellow Canadian here.

DH and I have a trip planned mid-September for and have been wondering how it has been in DL and DCA. We are still cautiously watching the data in Orange county week over week and are prepared to pull the plug and lose some money if we feel risk is just too great to proceed. Your info will be included in our overall risk assessment.

Great tip on Anaheim City Hall for walk-up testing. I was wondering what our plan would be with other drive through options without a vehicle. I've added it to our list of potential locations.

Would you be willing to share some details on your in-flight experience and what that was like?