FAQ: Travelling to/from Orlando (Including PCR/Antigen Test Info for Canadians)

[Jezwood]

I wouldn't trust getting a PCR from Walgreens within 24 hours.

My nephew did it that last couple of times from Walgreens. Once this past September and again in January. He had no problems . It all went real smooth and his test results were back in an hour both times.

 

[spewey]

My nephew did it that last couple of times from Walgreens. Once this past September and again in January. He had no problems . It all went real smooth and his test results were back in an hour both times.

I assume he actually did the Rapid ID Now NAAT test, and not the PCR? Their PCRs often take 48 hours as they are sent out for testing, and there is often a backlog. The NAATs are done in house with results in 1-2 hours.

 

[Jezwood]

Anyone had success with the free ones? Looking seriously at booking a trip for May but don’t want to pay $750 for testing for us all

My nephew uses the free tests from Walgreens. He has had no issues with them.

 

[Jezwood]

I assume he actually did the Rapid ID Now NAAT test, and not the PCR? Their PCRs often take 48 hours as they are sent out for testing, and there is often a backlog. The NAATs are done in house with results in 1-2 hours.

Yes that is correct. He did do the NAAT tests.

 

[damo]

Yes that is correct. He did do the NAAT tests.

We've done that NAAT tests twice now from Walgreens and had them back within a couple of hours. They aren't the PCR tests, though, but they are a molecular test.

 

[Sue M]

Ah yeah, I don't think the Walgreens test takes that long, personally I'd rather know sooner than later to start that PCR 10 days clock. I mean you either test in Florida and know before you fly or wait and get tested in Seattle. You could order the Switch tests and do that yourself, either the Antigen or the RT-Lamp (which costs more). Or do the free one in Florida. I guess I just think I'd rather get tested in Florida than have to scramble and find a place to test before driving across? Then you know in Florida so you can decide, do you fly back to SeaTac and drive across, knowing you are positive on that flight but that you don't have to show that to fly in the US, or stay in Florida for 10 days?

I just booked our flights out of SeaTac. I thought I’d test in Seattle after landing. But phoned several Walgreens and none are doing the Antigen test. Just the Rapid ID (NAAT). And they’re saying they don’t guarantee results same day. Because they send tests out to a lab. So I guess I’ll go to Walgreens near Universal.
That is a dilemma. What to do if we are positive. I wouldn’t quarantine 10 days. In BC they’re saying you Only have to quarantine 5 days then good to return to work! So I’d probably do that.
But regardless of park rules we plan on masking in ride queues and crowded areas like Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley where bottlenecks occur and being spaced out is difficult.

 

[Sue M]

Has anyone done the Rapid ID testing this month in Florida? Is it still free?

 

[Canadian Tom]

Do I need a covid test if I flying from Buffalo to Orlando in March? Thanks

 

[CanucksRock]

Has anyone done the Rapid ID testing this month in Florida? Is it still free?

Yes, testing in Florida is still Free at Walgreens, Curative, BeeperMD, Disney Maingate, CVS…

 

[hdrolfe]

Do I need a covid test if I flying from Buffalo to Orlando in March? Thanks

Assuming you are driving across, you do not need a test to go there.

 

[Sue M]

Assuming you are driving across, you do not need a test to go there.

Driving to Seattle alone will save us over $200! Plus cheaper flight!

 

[kodes]

You do not have to show test results to drive on the way down. You then avoid having to test to board a flight down to Orlando or a flight back to a bordering US city . You only have to test to drive back across. And if you test positive for driving, they have to let you back across into Canada.

You cannot do that with a direct flight in or out of Canada.

can anyone explain this part to me? Say you drive to Seattle and fly to Orlando and back to Seattle. You test to cross into Seattle. But don’t you still have to test negative to drive back into Canada? And if you test positive aren’t you supposed to quarantine and not re-enter Canada?

 

[Ty666666]

Has anyone done the Rapid ID testing this month in Florida? Is it still free?

We did the curative rapid PCR at the 72 hrs mark, it was free and super simple. Tomorrow morning we're booked at Walgreens for the rapid NAAT ID Now just in case our flight got delayed we would have a more recent test result to stay within the 72 hr window.
I'll update you how it goes tomorrow

 

[hcortesis]

We did the curative rapid PCR at the 72 hrs mark, it was free and super simple. Tomorrow morning we're booked at Walgreens for the rapid NAAT ID Now just in case our flight got delayed we would have a more recent test result to stay within the 72 hr window.
I'll update you how it goes tomorrow

Good for you. How easy was it to make the appointment? By the way, the rules say you need to test no earlier than 72 hours before your "Scheduled Departure". So with your first test, you are safe even if your flight gets delayed.

 

[hcortesis]

can anyone explain this part to me? Say you drive to Seattle and fly to Orlando and back to Seattle. You test to cross into Seattle. But don’t you still have to test negative to drive back into Canada? And if you test positive aren’t you supposed to quarantine and not re-enter Canada?

Negative or positive, they will let you drive into your home country Canada.

 

[Jezwood]

Do I need a covid test if I'm flying from Toronto to Orlando in March? Thanks

As it stands now YES!

 

[Ty666666]

Good for you. How easy was it to make the appointment? By the way, the rules say you need to test no earlier than 72 hours before your "Scheduled Departure". So with your first test, you are safe even if your flight gets delayed.

I missed the "scheduled departure" part I guess you're right, no need for a second test.
Booking the appointment is easy, booked it the day before, and there were many spots. It looks like demand on tests is down because 2 weeks ago before we get here I was always checking and there were no available appointments, they were getting booked fast, unlike now.

 

[mamaofsix]

can anyone explain this part to me? Say you drive to Seattle and fly to Orlando and back to Seattle. You test to cross into Seattle. But don’t you still have to test negative to drive back into Canada? And if you test positive aren’t you supposed to quarantine and not re-enter Canada?

They have to let you back in by land border, even if you're positive. The recommendation is to stay in the U.S. and quarantine, but you do not have to. You do need to be honest that you have tested positive and have a plan for quarantining when you get back home.

 

[spewey]

They have to let you back in by land border, even if you're positive. The recommendation is to stay in the U.S. and quarantine, but you do not have to. You do need to be honest that you have tested positive and have a plan for quarantining when you get back home.

The rules are clear for land crossings - if you test positive, you are expected to isolate in place and NOT return to Canada. If you do - and yes, they cannot turn you away - you can be fined $5000 plus surcharges per affected traveller.
I have not heard of anyone here getting fined, but it is a possibility.

 

[mamaofsix]

The rules are clear for land crossings - if you test positive, you are expected to isolate in place and NOT return to Canada. If you do - and yes, they cannot turn you away - you can be fined $5000 plus surcharges per affected traveller.
I have not heard of anyone here getting fined, but it is a possibility.

Yes, and there have been so far many, many reports of people crossing positive with no incident. So, if it were me I know what I'd do...