Disney World Test and PCR Test to Return

[Frozen2014]

Our trip isn't until August but I'm assuming Canadian rules aren't going to change anytime soon.

Our last day is a Saturday and flying from MCO at 6pm.

Where are others scheduling their PCR tests? I did a quick check at Orlando airport and they give PCR tests guaranteed next day for 11pm ($149 each)...or same day at 11pm ($199 each). We are a family of four.
They also offer same day results in 5hrs but that's $249.

So by this, we would need to head to MCO on Friday, take the test (paying more for "same day by 11pm") and then return to the park. Or do the same on Thursday for "next day by 11pm".

Is there a closer/better spot near Disney World? And what is the timing? We are staying on-site with no car.

Thanks. This may impact the parks we select (e.g. is missing MK time, then may add another MK day).

 

[JETSDAD]

Walgreens, Curative, and BeeperMD are all popular ones that are free. Walgreens has the ID Now test which generally returns results very quickly (ours were back in under an hour). People have had good and bad results with various ones so read through some of the recent posts to see what you're most comfortable with and it's probably best to have a plan B as well. We used both Walgreens and Curative.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks. Is there a specific location? Or just use google maps to find one close to the park?

 

[soccerra]

We had Walgreens booked around the 68 hour mark (give or take) and then had a backup at CVS since it takes 30-36 hours (at least from reports and this is what we experienced in Anaheim). The Walgreens in Celebration is where we tested, had 4:00/4:15 booked for the 2 of us. Showed up at 3:45, was one person ahead of us, got to the Window at 3:55pm, done by 4:05pm. Received the Negative Results at 6:00 pm one right after the other, we cancelled the CVS for the next day.

 

[wildpony]

If you go to Walgreens website you can book one week out. You can also see the stores that have appts for the ID NOW tests.
We scheduled an Uber and there was a category for covid testing appointments in the app. My daughter and I booked back to back appointments. Super easy. Had results in 2 hours.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you. Will definitely look these up when we get closer.
Do most get the test done one day before your flight or two days? I see soccerra mentioned 2 days at 68 hours before.

 

[damo]

I would get it done as early as you can keeping in the required timeframe. That way, it gives you time to adjust to alternate plans if you test positive and lots of time to vacation stress-free if you test negative!

 

[joech]

I suggest you make at least 2 back up plans for the test and budget to pay for the test out of pocket if necessary. Holiday and the recent surge of Covid doesn’t help with our situation. We booked Beeper MD for Dec 30 and Walgreen as our back up plan on Dec 31 for our return flight on Jan 2. We called Beeper MD to confirm our appointments twice and we were told everything is good to go. We never got a text confirmation the day of our Beeper MD appointment and started to worry. Gave them a call and we were told there is no tester on December 30 in Lake Buena Vista (AK kidani) area and the agent suggested us to look for other alternatives. Ok, we thought we have a back up plans and should still be good. By 2:00pm we got an email from Walgreen telling us our appointments were canceled.

It was a stressful few hours to look for PCR in the area and lucky we found a place call urgent care in celebration and they accept walk in @ $199 each and we got our results in 2 hours.

We were beyond relieve when we went back to pick up our negative result paper work.

 

[Frozen2014]

I suggest you make at least 2 back up plans for the test and budget to pay for the test out of pocket if necessary. Holiday and the recent surge of Covid doesn’t help with our situation. We booked Beeper MD for Dec 30 and Walgreen as our back up plan on Dec 31 for our return flight on Jan 2. We called Beeper MD to confirm our appointments twice and we were told everything is good to go. We never got a text confirmation the day of our Beeper MD appointment and started to worry. Gave them a call and we were told there is no tester on December 30 in Lake Buena Vista (AK kidani) area and the agent suggested us to look for other alternatives. Ok, we thought we have a back up plans and should still be good. By 2:00pm we got an email from Walgreen telling us our appointments were canceled.

It was a stressful few hours to look for PCR in the area and lucky we found a place call urgent care in celebration and they accept walk in @ $199 each and we got our results in 2 hours.

We were beyond relieve when we went back to pick up our negative result paper work.

That sounds really stressful. Glad it worked out and you found a spot?

Maybe we should plan on taking an uber to MCO two days before for the test and just pay the $149 each + uber? That should at least be reliable.

 

[starry_solo]

That sounds really stressful. Glad it worked out and you found a spot?

Maybe we should plan on taking an uber to MCO two days before for the test and just pay the $149 each + uber? That should at least be reliable.

You would think so but I believe that isn’t guaranteed either. There are reports that lines are long and people weren’t able to get tested. You’re better off booking appointments closer to WDW with one to two backups.

 

[CanucksRock]

Thanks. Is there a specific location? Or just use google maps to find one close to the park?

Here is the curative one people have mentioned that is close to Disney Springs. (Free PCR Test)

https://book.curative.com/sites/33929#10.17/28.4035/-81.4646

 

[joech]

Yeah, urgent care open 24 hours and accept walk in. They were pretty busy last night when we went and we got tested within a couple hours. Then we went for dinner around the area and went back to pick up the results in around 2 hours.

The nurse told us that the place at MCO ( I believe it is advent health } has ran out of test kit a few times and People ended up missing their flight.

 

[Frozen2014]

You would think so but I believe that isn’t guaranteed either. There are reports that lines are long and people weren’t able to get tested. You’re better off booking appointments closer to WDW with one to two backups.

Thanks for letting me know. Obviously prefer the free ones anyways. And from joech's comment, seems similar comment.

Here is the curative one people have mentioned that is close to Disney Springs. (Free PCR Test)

https://book.curative.com/sites/33929#10.17/28.4035/-81.4646

Thank you! I've noted the link and good it's on-site (or nearby at DS)

 

[cslittle999]

Switch Health’s RT-LAMP test is a good option. I used it for a trip to Las Vegas at the end of November. You do have to sign up for a free Aeroplan account to get discounted pricing. https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We used Curative just a week or so ago, easy peasy, free and results in a few hours. They do the RT-PCR test. We used them instead of Walgreens as we preferred a walk-up, instead of a drive through location. So many on these boards used Walgreens and their ID Now NAAT test is also free and quick.
Having said that, I really think 8 months from now things will likely change. Canada might stop the testing requrement. I agree they probably won’t any time soon, but August is not soon. We also go to WDW again in August as well as sail on the new Disney Wish, at this point the testing is in the back of my mind but hoping it will be done by then.

 

[Frozen2014]

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan

Great. Thank you. I've noted the link.

 

[Frozen2014]

We used Curative just a week or so ago, easy peasy, free and results in a few hours. They do the RT-PCR test. We used them instead of Walgreens as we preferred a walk-up, instead of a drive through location. So many on these boards used Walgreens and their ID Now NAAT test is also free and quick.
Having said that, I really think 8 months from now things will likely change. Canada might stop the testing requrement. I agree they probably won’t any time soon, but August is not soon. We also go to WDW again in August as well as sail on the new Disney Wish, at this point the testing is in the back of my mind but hoping it will be done by then.

Great to hear Curative worked for you. Am really hoping they drop the PCR test and at least go to antigen if they require something. As of now, they are no longer even offering PCR tests for free unless high risk symptomatic or in specific setting such as long term care as they just can't keep up. So hoping by August it's gone as we know we just have to let this "go through" and the vaccines will keep it mild. Sounds like they may not even keep track in schools anymore.
Sounds like an amazing trip you have with WDW and the new Disney Wish! It's nice to have something to look forward to.

 

[pinkle]

Lots of info Thanks everyone, we are also travelling from Canada with a group of 8 We have two young children and plan on taking shuttles most places therefore we won't have car seats We were hoping PCR testing wasn't going to be required but it doesn't look like its going that way. We were looking for something we could walk to or somewhere reliable to come to us.
I appreciate any advice!

 

[wdwmom3]

Lots of info Thanks everyone, we are also travelling from Canada with a group of 8 We have two young children and plan on taking shuttles most places therefore we won't have car seats We were hoping PCR testing wasn't going to be required but it doesn't look like its going that way. We were looking for something we could walk to or somewhere reliable to come to us.
I appreciate any advice!

There is no where you can walk to and the option that comes to you is not very reliable lately. Your other option would be purchasing the switch health tests to take with you. But those are $150 each.

 

[pinkle]

There is no where you can walk to and the option that comes to you is not very reliable lately. Your other option would be purchasing the switch health tests to take with you. But those are $150 each.

Thanks. I don’t believe Canada will even except that!