First step to March 2022 Trip

[bankr63]

So it is feeling a little more real today. I took our first real step towards a March break trip for 2022. We have been sitting on the fence about going but laying in bed last night I thought of at least one step that had to be taken right away.

We have a lot of flexibility as to whether we go or not because we have a timeshare (Sheraton Vistana Resort) that is an old-style deeded ownership for March break week (most years). Normally we would decide whether we were going to use it by now and deposit the week for exchange (or rent) if not going, but we held out. With signs looking up, and the recent announcement of a possible easing of testing for the fully vaccinated, we are feeling increasingly positive.

So what did I do today? Well, I realized that I have bought a new truck since our last trip, and my old SunPass transponder is gone with the old one. If I am going to use the toll roads, I needed to order a new one, so it arrives in time. We always use the 417 toll expressway around Orlando, especially with the construction on I-4. I'm glad I waited because SunPass just recently introduced the SunPass pro transponder (CFX has had this for a while). So now I can use my transponder in Florida PLUS anywhere else the E-Z Pass works (most East coast states). This will be great for those fall trips into New England as well! I don't have to bother changing providers over to Cental Florida Expressway, and our old SunPass in our second car is still on the account too. So there we go, $15 invested so far in our getaway...

Still not sure if we will go to the parks or not. We're not that comfortable with what we hear the crowd levels are. We still have lots of minor parks on our old WPFAM-NE tickets, so maybe a waterpark. Otherwise just planning to lay around the pool and soak up some Florida warmth and sunshine. It will have been exactly 2 years since we were last outside of the country (or even outside of Ontario) since we were in Hilton Head for the break when this whole thing blew up. I still remember the surreal drive home with things closing down all around us. It's been a long haul for all of us, but in a household with a teacher and a hospital administrator it has been a particularly difficult 2 years.

 

[Minniemoo15]

We are feeling cautiously optimistic about our first week of March trip too. We always go that week and had just snuck that trip in in 2020 before the world shut down . I was pretty sour March 2021 knowing what we *should* have been doing. We only have 16 days to go but every day I feel a bit more confident that we will make it. Like you, we are planning to hang around the resort … lots of pool time and maybe a bit of the parks during the less busy hours. I just want sun!

 

[KCMA]

Hoping the best for your trips!! Lots of people in the same boat as you!!

we have plans to drive in April!

 

[hcortesis]

Good for everyone. We are nervous, but going over March Break. Flying and staying in Disney's Beach Club Villas. Numbers are dropping daily both here and there. We will mask everywhere and avoid restaurants. Cautiously looking forward to our trip

 

[bankr63]

We are feeling cautiously optimistic about our first week of March trip too. We always go that week and had just snuck that trip in in 2020 before the world shut down . I was pretty sour March 2021 knowing what we *should* have been doing. We only have 16 days to go but every day I feel a bit more confident that we will make it. Like you, we are planning to hang around the resort … lots of pool time and maybe a bit of the parks during the less busy hours. I just want sun!

LOL - March 2021 we decide to book a getaway in the Laurentians, not too far from home in Ottawa. Just prior Quebec wasn't quite in the highest level of lockdown but restricted travel between red zones and yellow/green zones. Our destination was a yellow, but couldn't get there without crossing a red, and our Ottawa area would have been considered red too. Lost a fair bit of $$ on that one too - timeshare exchanges aren't generally refundable. That probably explains why we are being so uncommitted about this year's trip; don't want to get burned again.

 

[Hemlock]

I also starting planning a March 2022 Florida trip today! We’re thinking of staying 3 weeks . Need to find accommodation/flights… exciting and scary too

 

[pigletto]

We were booked for right after this past Christmas and things looked ok to go until about 2 weeks out. We couldn’t quarantine if we contracted Covid and miss so much work , so we made the very disappointing decision to pull the plug 12 days before we were supposed to leave.

We had rented DVC points that would have been refundable until 30 days out . We only got 50% back and lost our Cirque tickets. Overall could have been worse I guess but it wasn’t fun.

I wish now we had rebooked for March break ( because Dd who works in a school could have come) but I wasn’t in a gambling mood at the time. However Dh and ds17 and I are booked for late May and all signs look good for that to happen.

It is definitely nice to be planning again, isn’t it ? Even if it’s with a healthy dose of caution.

ETA .. I’m tempted to book Vistana for our first five days as it’s $800 Canadian cheaper than our current reservation at Port Orleans Riverside and we do enjoy Vistana. I did have my heart set on onsite this time though.

 

[Candycane83]

I booked for March which is basically less than a month out now and was so hopeful…. I’m so disappointed in the announcement today which is basically just adding the option for rapid antigen test within 24 hours. I was hoping they scrap testing for vaccinated Canadians. I’m debating regarding pulling the plug since it’s such a hassle with the testing possible quarantine… next plans are in summer but was really looking forward to this trip.

 

[podgirl]

I booked for March which is basically less than a month out now and was so hopeful…. I’m so disappointed in the announcement today which is basically just adding the option for rapid antigen test within 24 hours. I was hoping they scrap testing for vaccinated Canadians. I’m debating regarding pulling the plug since it’s such a hassle with the testing possible quarantine… next plans are in summer but was really looking forward to this trip.

i know just how you feel! We have a trip planned for the summer, but I got overly excited thinking that testing requirements might be scrapped and thought maybe we could go for March Break. However, if there’s still a chance a positive test could mean having to stay in the USA, then there’s no way we can go due to having to work.

 

[Candycane83]

i know just how you feel! We have a trip planned for the summer, but I got overly excited thinking that testing requirements might be scrapped and thought maybe we could go for March Break. However, if there’s still a chance a positive test could mean having to stay in the USA, then there’s no way we can go due to having to work.

Yeah.. we have leeway to take 10 days off in the bank I work if we test positive for Covid I think but it’s still a lot of hassle. I know a lot of people say it’s worth it though so I’m still considering… I miss being out but after staying home so much to crowded parks with no mask requirements I’m nervous at the chances of testing positive