Although this photo doesnt necessarily show it, Joanna was giggling and squealing during most of the ride! Its such a fun coaster.
In January 2020, just before the pandemic hit, my friends and I began planning a girls weekend at Disney World for October. It was going to be us and our daughters. I was so excited for that trip, but then came
...No one knew how long the pandemic would last. So, we kept our trip booked until the last day for cancelations. Disney allows people to cancel up to 30 days before a trip, and you get a full refund on your room or package. Unfortunately, we didnt purchase a package. We bought our tickets separately, and those were Disney extended the expiration date by nearly a year, and our tickets are set to expire in September 2021.
Ive since rebooked the trip a few times, but I always chickened out and canceled. By the end of February of this year, I was fully vaccinated, but Andrew and the kids werent. I worried about Joanna bringing something home to Andrew and getting him sick. I almost went in April. Andrew had had his first shot by then, but numbers were still high. I postponed again.
are both fully vaccinated, and numbers are low. I decided to finally take the trip with Joanna so we could go before indoor mask rules were relaxed or eliminated at Disney World. The policies are constantly changing, but, currently, masks are required at all indoor locations at Disney World as well as in any lines or on any attractions. They are not required outdoors when walking around the parks. Im happy with these rules. To me, its important masks are still worn indoors since our kiddos cant get their shots yet. So, with those rules, I feel like we can navigate the and safely.
My friends couldnt join us on the trip. Phuong took her family earlier, and Aminta had family plans so a fairly last minute trip didnt work for her. So, its just Joanna and me. It feels a little strange being here with half our family, but its also special making memories with my daughter. And, to make things fair, Andrew had taken Oliver to visit his parents in Montana at the end of last summer. So, the kids each get a special trip with a parent!
long day of travel. After being so nervous about the airplane, the lax enforcement of safety made it extra stressful. At Des Moines International Airport, about 1/4 of people had a mask hanging around their chin. No one enforced it. Joanna and I found a quiet place in the airport and hung out there, away from the rest of the travelers. We were flying Southwest. Our first flight was half empty. Joanna and I sat in the back away from most people, and it worked out well. On our second flight, the plane was full, and the kids in front of us spent the whole flight without a mask (they werent little kids... maybe 10 years old). After this experience, I would absolutely not flying with a person under 12 who cant be vaccinated yet.
However, once we arrived, everything changed. I have to say: Disney is doing a great job with safety! I feel safer being at Disney World than I did at the airport and on the airplane. When we arrived at the Disney Magical Express station at Orlando airport, there were still lines marked for families to keep 6 feet of spacing. Everyone had masks on. They directed us to a shuttle and gave us an assigned seat so that every other row was empty. Im also amazed at how well (almost) all the guests follow the rules. Even in the bathrooms at Disney World, where there arent cast members to monitor mask use, I havent seen a single person without a mask.
After two flights, a train, and a bus ride, Joanna and I made it to our resort: Art of Animation! The cast members here are incredible! They have been so unbelievably helpful and kind. Joanna and I were hungry when we arrived. Id placed an mobile order on the bus for our lunch, and I clicked that we were here as soon as we got in the lobby.
