Travel in 2021

 

What can we expect from travel in the new year? 

I know many of your are itching to get back to traveling, but just not sure what is available now, or will be available in the coming months.  I've gathered information about my top booked destinations for you to review.  Whether you are in the dreaming stage or the ready to start planning stage, I am here to help.  

The destinations I'm covering are:

Walt Disney World
Universal Orlando
All Inclusive Resorts
Hawaii
Amtrack Vacations
Cruise Lines
Disneyland
Universal Hollywood

Let's get started.  


Walt Disney World - WDW is welcoming guests to all four parks, and the water parks will be reopening soon (Blizzard Beach reopens on March 7, 2021, Typhoon Lagoon reopens TBA).  Not all of the resorts are open currently, but there are resorts available at each level - Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas.  Additional properties will open as we get through 2021.  I was in the parks back in November, so if you have any questions, please send them my way - I'm happy to help walk you through current protocols and restrictions. Guests ages 2 and up are required to wear face coverings while you are in the parks and other public spaces.  There are rest areas available where you can relax without a mask on.  January brings back the Park Hopper option for tickets, and Park Reservations are still required for park visits.  FastPass+ is still temporarily unavailable, but with continued lower park capacities, the ride lines have been consistently manageable.  If you are thinking about a vacation package to WDW in the next year,  beginning January 5th, you can get 2 extra days added to your ticket when you book a 4-night/3-day room-and-ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for arrivals most nights January 8, 2021 through September 25, 2021.  2021 is the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opening at Epcot and the TRON Lightcycle Run opening inside Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.  

Universal Orlando - Universal Orlando is also welcoming guests to their 2 main parks, and Volcano Bay water park is scheduled to open on or before March 1st, 2021.  Most of the on-site resorts have reopened, with options available at a variety of levels - Value, Prime Value, Premier.  Guests that stay at Premier hotels receive an Express Pass with their hotel stay.  If you are staying at one of the lower level resorts or off-site, you do have the option to purchase the Express Pass which helps tremendously with managing the lines at Universal.  On-site guests also have priority entrance to the parks when the parks reach capacity.  At Universal Resorts, guests ages 3 and up are required to wear face coverings while in public spaces except while actively eating.  The resorts and parks have safety guidelines in place to help reduce the spread of germs and keep their guests safe.  I was in these parks and resorts in November as well, and can answer your questions you have regarding their current procedures.  Currently, the ticket offer is a 2-Park 2-Day Park-to-Park + 3 Days Free Promo Ticket to Universal Studios Florida AND Universal’s Islands of Adventure (Valid for bookings through 1/6/21 and travel through 8/31/21).  We expect to see a new ticket update soon.

All Inclusive Resorts - Select All Inclusive Resorts in Mexico, Jamaica and other locations in the Caribbean have started welcoming guests back to their resorts.  Each country has its own requirements for travelers - some are requiring a negative Covid 19 test within a certain time frame prior to traveling.  Resorts that are open are operating at a limited capacity which is providing a more intimate experience for people travelling as they get the experience the resort with fewer guests to share the amenities with.  Many have updated procedures for their dining reservations, so it's important to look into all of those before booking the package, but also important to know you have these options available.  These countries are eager to welcome back tourists to their areas and look forward to having you there as their guest.  

Hawaii - Hawaii has been welcoming guests back for a few months now, with travel restrictions in place.  The Safe Travels program is mandatory for all travelers entering Hawaii, and includes a multi-layered screening process.  Pre-travel testing enables travelers to avoid a mandatory 10-day quarantine if they are tested within 72 hours before their flight to Hawaii departs with a specific approved NAAT test.  

Amtrack Vacations - a vacation by rail is an excellent way to explore North America.  With carefully curated itineraries, you can see the country in a different way. We can also build a custom itinerary specific to your needs and requests.  Travelers that book a private room do not have wear a mask while they are inside their private room.  Travelers in the main compartment do have to wear a mask while they are in the public space.  

Cruise Lines - In the United States, any cruise itinerary longer than 7 nights has been canceled through Fall of 2021.  For most cruise lines, itineraries through March 31st have been suspended while the cruise lines are preparing their fleet for the new safety guidelines and procedures to return to sailing safely.  Sailing has resumed in other parts of the world and we are eagerly anticipating the return of the cruise ships to North America.  We are currently booking cruises through early 2022, so if you are interested in cruising again, but want to wait a little bit, there are some awesome deals available through many of the cruise lines, encouraging you to come back to the waters.  

Disneyland - Unfortunately, Disneyland has not yet reopened, under California's reopening phases.  Many have asked me when they will be reopening and we don't have a timeline for that.  I will let you all know as soon as I know, because I am eagerly awaiting this news for myself and my family.  If you need to get some Disney in your life, Downtown Disney is open for shopping and dining, along with part of Buena Vista Street in California Adventure.  

Universal Hollywood - Along with Disneyland, Universal Hollywood is remains closed until California's reopening phases allow them to.  

Are there other destinations you are wondering about?  Or would you like additional information about any of these destinations? Just send me an email or you can fill out a quote request using the form on the side - we can start chatting about your next adventure, or just start the dreaming process while we wait for things to even out again.  In the coming months I am hopeful we will see great progress for travel.  

Until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR!