Spring Break 2021 Part 2

Over the last 3 weeks I have had inquires about where to go for spring break and have surprised people. I have had people that misunderstood that since people are starting to get vaccinated it  is now 100% safe travel. People that were unaware that mask policies are still in effect at the theme parks. People that were not aware that Delta is t he only airline blocking middle seats. People unaware that they may travel to someplace and having to quarantine.  If you have not read part 1, Be sure to find it here PART 1  

Please understand with all this, I am trying to impress on you that I get that you want to travel. I want you to be informed. I want you to understand the risk YOU take and the risk you bring back to your community. If you travel you assume all risk associated with your travel and understand the consequences it could have on your community. The Pandemic is far from over, the vaccines are helping, but letting our guard down will undermine any progress we make. I will help book your travel. I will give you the best information about what is happening with your destination and getting there. Ultimately the final decision to travel is yours. 

What is open? What do I need to know? Should I go? What will be different?  Part 1  I think did a good job displaying that there are inherent risk for traveling during the pandemic. Basically, if there are people present, COVID-19 or a variant is present.  Common sense says, the more people in area, the more COVID-19 is the area. 

I am going to keep this honest, quick, and to the point. 

What is open? 

Just about everywhere you go, something will be open. Unfortunately, the amount of places that have "more" open is based more on Politics and Denial than Science and Fact.  Just because things are open, doesn't mean you are getting the full experience or that you will be able to get in.  Let's Take Disney and Universal Orlando for example. Both are open but have limited capacity.  The limited capacity is moving bar.  

Breaking Disney down a little more,  you are still paying full price even with a "discount" but only getting about 60% of the experience. What brings it to full price even with a discount is the discontinuation of the Dining plan,limited resorts, limiting the restaurants that are open. That is right they limit what your choices are when it comes to choosing what you can eat because now more than ever you are a more captive audience due limited capacity( do you dare leave and risk not being able to get back in). They are gradually opening more locations but it sporadic. It's also important to note, they still have several hotels shut down. That means they are limiting the number of value resort rooms available to you with only pop century( at the top end of pricing of a value resort) open and only one of the All-Star Resorts opening in late March 2021. That leaves a large portion of rooms of the value resort level closed.  Then you move to the Moderate Resorts that are open that are at the higher price range while they keep the family friendly Port Orleans- Riverside and French quarter Closed. Stepping up to the Deluxe resorts, the resort  that prices out just above a Moderate resort,Wilderness Lodge, is also closed.Wilderness Lodge is supposed to re-open in June.So you choice are limited and are in higher price ranges. Yep, even with a Discount you are paying close to full price. What else is missing for your experience at Disney? No more extra magic hours for resort guest(its being replaced with early entry), the shows are on Hiatus until later this summer, no fireworks shows, no parades (only character calvacades), No character meets only distanced appearances, Reduced hours, and this is a big one..... No Fastpasses.  It also important to note, Disney is very strict on their mask policies so if you can't wear mask or if anyone in your party can't wear or wont wear mask, don't go, you are going to get booted from the parks. Disney has recently ended social distancing spacing on most rides. 

Lets take the journey across town over to Universal Orlando now.  You are going to get a more "normal" experience here. There is still a limited capacity and they have been reaching that limited capacity quite early in the day on the weekends and during holiday times. They don't have the luxury (yet) to be spread out over 43 square miles like Disney is. That means there are more people in a more compact space. Universal is running most shows including Cinematic Spectacular on select nights. Most restaurants are open and you can still purchase express passes or get them for staying at the Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, and Portofino Bay resorts.  You will Find Cabana Bay fully open in the moderate priced hotels but will find Sapphire Falls and Adventura Closed. You will also find one of of the sections of the Endless Summer Resort closed but opening soon.(Dockside will re open soon) Endless Summer resort offers some the best prices in town but, even though its an onsite hotel, its not onsite hotel. I can explain that more if you ask.  They too, do have mask policies that they enforce and  they  have eliminated social distancing on most of the rides but not at the shows that are open.  

What is important to know about Disney and Universal: Just because you have purchased a ticket, that does not guarantee you entry......if they reach the limited capacities set forth, you WILLNOT be allowed in and 99% of all cases you will have no refunds available. 

Other players in Florida include SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland Florida, FunSpot Parks, and the beaches. SeaWorld,Busch Gardens, and Legoland have kept off the radar but have mask policies, limited hours, social distancing, limited capacity and select attraction/show closings. FunSpot parks.... well lets say they have been hit with violations over covid more than once..... When it comes to the beaches, it really is smorgasbord of polices  unfortunately based on politics. Miami has even suggested to Spring Breakers to head to Las Vegas where Vegas COVID policies are more lax than the beaches are in Miami.  

So what about all-inclusive resorts? Yes they are open. No they are not offering very many discounts. When if comes to regulations at the resorts its going to be based on the country the resorts are in. You will meet a plethora of travel requirements and restrictions. The U.S. State department is recommending you reconsider travel to most places as you can see from the picture up above.  Some countries  DO NOT want american citizens to travel to them(even for business travel).  You will need a negative COVID test to board a flight back to the U.S. which means you could be stuck some place until you  test negative. That may cost you Thousands of dollars and you may not have access to very good health care if you need it. All-Inclusive resorts have been having outbreaks of Covid, unless you are in the tavel bizz you don't hear about them,That is due number of issues we have here. Some resorts have not been very forthcoming their outbreak. They want your money......... Lets not forget about another huge thing if you are looking for an all-inclusive resort. You may be required to quarantine to your room for a period of time when you arrive. If you can't afford to quarantine where you travel, don't go. You will more than likely end up detained.... more than likely detained in a covid mixing bowl......

That is  the to the point version. If you have questions about specific places, Please reach out to me. I will be upfront with you.  Again I understand you want to travel. I will be willing to help you if you assume all risk.