Here now. Some observations for people.

wdwmom3

DIS Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2012
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Hey guys. We are here now and loving the hot and sunny weather. I just thought I would let people know a bit about what it’s like.

It is super busy this week. Park reservations are sold out. We are on property so have early entry and can usually get one or two rides in before waits start to get long. We find within an hour of the parks opening to everyone waits for most things are already at close to an hour. I purchased genie plus for our entire stay and it’s the only way we have been able to ride almost everything we want without waiting a long time. Even with genie plus some of our waits have been around 20 mins but usually only 5-10.

One thing to watch with genie plus including the extra paid ones. The times have changed on us often. Twice for the paid ones I have one time showing when I pick everyone and confirm. But then after I pay it switches to a later time. Just make sure you recheck all your times after you book.

Like I said it really busy this week. Also now that they have dropped mask mandates there are very few people wearing masks. And they pack you in, in lines no distancing at all. It’s a weird feeling coming from home where everyone wears masks and people give you space. We have been wearing our n95 masks. Even though few people are wearing masks, nobody looks at you funny for wearing one.

And I’m happy to announce that we did our tests to return home and they are all negative. We had the switch health tests and they are super easy to do right from our hotel room. For anyone coming needing an antigen test to return home. I would definitely recommend the switch antigen tests
They are $80 for 2.
 
Hey guys. We are here now and loving the hot and sunny weather. I just thought I would let people know a bit about what it’s like.

It is super busy this week. Park reservations are sold out. We are on property so have early entry and can usually get one or two rides in before waits start to get long. We find within an hour of the parks opening to everyone waits for most things are already at close to an hour. I purchased genie plus for our entire stay and it’s the only way we have been able to ride almost everything we want without waiting a long time. Even with genie plus some of our waits have been around 20 mins but usually only 5-10.

One thing to watch with genie plus including the extra paid ones. The times have changed on us often. Twice for the paid ones I have one time showing when I pick everyone and confirm. But then after I pay it switches to a later time. Just make sure you recheck all your times after you book.

Like I said it really busy this week. Also now that they have dropped mask mandates there are very few people wearing masks. And they pack you in, in lines no distancing at all. It’s a weird feeling coming from home where everyone wears masks and people give you space. We have been wearing our n95 masks. Even though few people are wearing masks, nobody looks at you funny for wearing one.

And I’m happy to announce that we did our tests to return home and they are all negative. We had the switch health tests and they are super easy to do right from our hotel room. For anyone coming needing an antigen test to return home. I would definitely recommend the switch antigen tests
They are $80 for 2.
Good to hear from you! I didn’t realize you were on your trip already. Thank you for the valuable information and enjoy the rest of your trip !
 
Thanks for your update. You used the switch antigen tests? I thought the change to antigen was only on Feb 28th?

It sounds like a busy week there, but glad you were able to get on the rides you wanted and have a good time.
 
Great trip report and thank you for posting an on the ground note. Sure many of us are hoping that crowds will thin later this spring. President's Day Long Weekend always a busy time but sure it has been slammed this year. Great to hear that you planned accordingly and enjoyed your trip despite the crowds and stress.
 

Thanks for your update. You used the switch antigen tests? I thought the change to antigen was only on Feb 28th?

It sounds like a busy week there, but glad you were able to get on the rides you wanted and have a good time.

We used the antigen tests to come here. We used the LAMP for coming home.
 
One thing to watch with genie plus including the extra paid ones. The times have changed on us often. Twice for the paid ones I have one time showing when I pick everyone and confirm. But then after I pay it switches to a later time. Just make sure you recheck all your times after you book.

Great info, thanks for posting!
 
We used the antigen tests to come here. We used the LAMP for coming home.

Phew, I was worried for you for a bit there :) Glad to hear the tests were easy to use though, I am thinking of that for my cruise in May (should testing still be needed).
 
We used the antigen tests to come here. We used the LAMP for coming home.
I just got some free Antigen tests from Zehrs. Are they OK to use to enter the USA? Can I just administer the test myself and use it to fly to Orlando?
 
We used the antigen tests to come here. We used the LAMP for coming home.
I just got some free Antigen tests from Zehrs. Are they OK to use to enter the USA? Can I just administer the test myself and use it to fly to Orlando? I'm flying at the end of March.
 
I just got some free Antigen tests from Zehrs. Are they OK to use to enter the USA? Can I just administer the test myself and use it to fly to Orlando? I'm flying at the end of March.

No. The antigen tests have to be “supervised” and you need an official result. The switch health ones are done over a telehealth call. They watch you do the test to make sure it’s done correctly. You then get emailed results.
 
No. The antigen tests have to be “supervised” and you need an official result. The switch health ones are done over a telehealth call. They watch you do the test to make sure it’s done correctly. You then get emailed results.
I know it has to be supervised to come into Canada but I didn't know what the USA required. Thanks for the info.
 
I know it has to be supervised to come into Canada but I didn't know what the USA required. Thanks for the info.
Another thread said that life centers.ca let's you schedule appointments for them to proctor your test. $20 for one person plus $5 for each additional person.
 
Another thread said that life centers.ca let's you schedule appointments for them to proctor your test. $20 for one person plus $5 for each additional person.
Yup cause they count "telehealth" so you can bring your own rapid tests and then do the video call with LifeCenters and voila! And much cheaper at $25 for 2 people (instead of $80!)
 
One other thing we’ve noticed this trip is the lack of merchandise. Definitely supply chain issues. The stores do not have the same level of things that we are used to. Much less selection of things then in the past. The most obvious example of this we saw was in the store in Japan. It’s usually packed. And this time, empty shelves.
 
One other thing we’ve noticed this trip is the lack of merchandise. Definitely supply chain issues. The stores do not have the same level of things that we are used to. Much less selection of things then in the past. The most obvious example of this we saw was in the store in Japan. It’s usually packed. And this time, empty shelves.

Yes, we noticed that in December. We didn't notice it at Universal, however.
 
Good Morning Hon
Ok on this very cold wintery day I need to hear a Florida weather report and one favorite food report.
Hope you are getting lots of sunshine and warmth!
Have fun.

Hugs Mel
 
Good Morning Hon
Ok on this very cold wintery day I need to hear a Florida weather report and one favorite food report.
Hope you are getting lots of sunshine and warmth!
Have fun.

Hugs Mel

Well we head back today. But all week it’s been 30 degrees and sunny.

Best food moments were dole whips for lunch (the coconut and pineapple swirl tests line pina colada). and dinner at Skippers.
 
Well we head back today. But all week it’s been 30 degrees and sunny.

Best food moments were dole whips for lunch (the coconut and pineapple swirl tests line pina colada). and dinner at Skippers.

Sounds wonderful!
Thanks
Hugs Mel
650319
 





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