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

[KNovacovschi]

I'm thinking, and I could be totally wrong, is that they will go back at first to the way it was for a whopping 2.5 weeks, no test requirement if you are out of the country for less then 72 hrs and if they remove PCR they will change it to antigen. I don't see them getting rid of testing all at once especially just before March Break. Of course all this only if you are vaccinated.

 

[TropicalDIS]

The ctv article reads upon arrival which means you wouldn't be stuck out of the country.

That's what I am reading as well, which is good news. Question would be do you do the anti-gen at the airport on arrival, or is it take home?

Be interested to hear what they say next week!

 

[spewey]

Ok Mr. Doom and Gloom here is feeling a bit better. Testing on arrival (even better if just random to track new variants) is just fine in my books

 

[spewey]

Aaaand now it seems again all they’re considering is allowing antigen tests, but keeping the requirements to be negative to get on a plane or drive back (you can cross of course by land if positive but you could face massive fines).

I am not pessimistic by nature, but my gut strongly says if they do this it will remain in place for a loooooong time, meaning effectively travel will remain a logistical nightmare for the foreseeable future.

 

[Momloveshockey]

We bought the Switch health PCR lamp tests for our upcoming trip. Paid over $500 for the three tests so I am using them to get on the plane to come home. Or maybe I will just stay in the sunshine and heat…. 19 days until Disney time!!

 

[CanucksRock]

I fly home today! Very long travel day due to layover in Toronto. No issues checking into flight. They checked my ArriveCan & my positive result from 10 days ago. Back in Orlando in a short 6 1/2 weeks from now for a short 4 night trip. (This trip turned in 22 nights)

 

[KNovacovschi]

We bought the Switch health PCR lamp tests for our upcoming trip. Paid over $500 for the three tests so I am using them to get on the plane to come home. Or maybe I will just stay in the sunshine and heat…. 19 days until Disney time!!

Yeah we bought 2 and now I'm kicking myself for buying them so soon, lol. 21 days for us.

 

[CanucksRock]

Zero issues returning to Canada. For context, It has been 10 days since my positive test. (Tested Feb 3, returning Feb 13)

Everything was filled out in ArriveCan App/Check in. At MCO (Westjet) I was asked to show my ArriveCan confirmation and my positive test result (mine was Walgreens). At Customs in Toronto, I breezed right on through (Nexus) …no questions. Green sticker on my passport. After leaving Customs a person asked to see sticker on my passport - I assume this is the point they divert people for testing. She told me I could go on. That was it.

Next up …filling in Manulife Claim forms. Hope that goes as smooth… (it’s insurance - my hopes are low)

 

[hcortesis]

Zero issues returning to Canada. For context, It has been 10 days since my positive test. (Tested Feb 3, returning Feb 10)

Everything was filled out in ArriveCan App/Check in. At MCO (Westjet) I was asked to show my ArriveCan confirmation and my positive test result (mine was Walgreens). At Customs in Toronto, I breezed right on through (Nexus) …no questions. Green sticker on my passport. After leaving Customs a person asked to see sticker on my passport - I assume this is the point they divert people for testing. She told me I could go on. That was it.

Next up …filling in Manulife Claim forms. Hope that goes as smooth… (it’s insurance - my hopes are low)

Are you saying you flew home seven days after testing positive?

 

[CanucksRock]

Are you saying you flew home seven days after testing positive?

Oops! I’ll edit. I’m flying home today Feb 13.

 

[hcortesis]

Oops! I’ll edit. I’m flying home today Feb 13.

Ok thanks. Because I have booked a (second) return flight for 10 days after our scheduled test in March. Was hoping maybe it had changed to

 

[CanucksRock]

Ok thanks. Because I have booked a (second) return flight for 10 days after our scheduled test in March. Was hoping maybe it had changed to

Westjet changed my return flight - no charge - even with it being a companion fare flight. Even answered the call within 20 mins to make the change. (I called the day before my original return flight)

 

[mamaofsix]

Aaaand now it seems again all they’re considering is allowing antigen tests, but keeping the requirements to be negative to get on a plane or drive back (you can cross of course by land if positive but you could face massive fines).

I am not pessimistic by nature, but my gut strongly says if they do this it will remain in place for a loooooong time, meaning effectively travel will remain a logistical nightmare for the foreseeable future.

If this is helpful, we have had quite a number of friends who have tested positive and come across the land border with no fines at all in the past few weeks. I've heard so many first hand reports, that I have absolutely zero worries that we might be fined if one of my party tests positive before crossing.

 

[KCMA]

If this is helpful, we have had quite a number of friends who have tested positive and come across the land border with no fines at all in the past few weeks. I've heard so many first hand reports, that I have absolutely zero worries that we might be fined if one of my party tests positive before crossing.

I have heard the same in regards to the land border (we drive so I don’t read up to much on the flying requirements) I believe if you show up and you are 100% honest about the positive test.. have a documented quarantine plan in place and understand that you will be contacted a few times to ensure your following your plan and have all your arrivcan ready and filled you will not be fined .. just like crossing during pre Covid times, if you show up unorganized and argumentative/uncooperative you will have a tougher time getting through with no issues

 

[spewey]

If this is helpful, we have had quite a number of friends who have tested positive and come across the land border with no fines at all in the past few weeks. I've heard so many first hand reports, that I have absolutely zero worries that we might be fined if one of my party tests positive before crossing.

Yep, I get that - I would make the same assumption. That's why we're driving to New York City for March break - we feel confident returning by land - but assuming testing is still in place, not by air.
I know we here on the DIS are battle-hardened, experienced and often obsessive travelers with back-up plans to our back-up plans. But most people aren't. What I've been pointing out with my (frequent) posts on this topic is that nearly all Canadians who want to travel outside of the country will probably fly, and of if it's not to the States will HAVE to fly. So if there's an assumption out there that by switching from molecular to antigen but retaining the mandates that that will boost the travel industry or help people "get their lives back" - there's going to be a lot of disappointed folks once they figure out the risks remain the same.

 

[mamaofsix]

Yep, I get that - I would make the same assumption. That's why we're driving to New York City for March break - we feel confident returning by land - but assuming testing is still in place, not by air.
I know we here on the DIS are battle-hardened, experienced and often obsessive travelers with back-up plans to our back-up plans. But most people aren't. What I've been pointing out with my (frequent) posts on this topic is that nearly all Canadians who want to travel outside of the country will probably fly, and of if it's not to the States will HAVE to fly. So if there's an assumption out there that by switching from molecular to antigen but retaining the mandates that that will boost the travel industry or help people "get their lives back" - there's going to be a lot of disappointed folks once they figure out the risks remain the same.

100%. I agree. And all the gov't is really doing is handing our Canadian airline's travel income over to U.S. companies . . . because so many people will simply drive across the border and fly in and out of a U.S. airport to avoid testing.

 

[CanucksRock]

As of February 28, Antigen test will be accepted. I updated the FAQ with the Disney Maingate location as they provide free Antigen Tests.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Anyone ordered the Switch antigens with express shipping? How fast do you truly get it?

 

[PalmettoPath]

Yeah we bought 2 and now I'm kicking myself for buying them so soon, lol. 21 days for us.

We have them too and I actually don't mind because we'll do the RT LAMP tests 72 hours before (assuming that's still the rule) and then if negative you have peace of mind for the rest of your trip (versus stressing up until 24 hours before). So I don't mind that -- at least it's a silver lining for the (now) additional cost.

 

[sdm513]

Anyone ordered the Switch antigens with express shipping? How fast do you truly get it?

I used express shipping -- I ordered on a Sunday night at 6:40 pm, Purolator picked up the package in Mississauga on Monday evening at 6:23 pm, and it was delivered to me in Ottawa at 11:17 am Tuesday morning. This was a few weeks ago.