California Health Official Warns Against Florida Travel

in Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

disney travel

At this time last year, California residents were stuck at home with no end to the pandemic in sight. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure were shut down, and if fans of the House of Mouse wanted to get their Disney fix, they would have to fly 3,000 miles away to go to their East Coast counterpart Walt Disney World, which had just reopened its theme parks after also being closed for four months.

father and daughter wearing masks in front of cinderella castle at disney world
Credit: Disney

When the Florida Disney Parks reopened in July 2020, Disney World had no restrictions on who could visit the theme parks, unlike Disneyland, which opened on April 30, 2021, but did not allow out-of-state Guests to visit until June 15. Both theme parks recently got on the same page, when they both decided to not require masks for vaccinated Guests who were visiting the parks since COVID-19 cases were decreasing and vaccination rates were increasing.

guests on space mountain at disney world
Credit: Disney

Unfortunately, a new COVID variant has begun to spread, and states that are seeing vaccination rates flatten are dealing with climbing COVID-19 cases. The Delta variant is also affecting those who have been vaccinated, but typically not as severely as those who have not been vaccinated. Cases are increasing across the country, including in California and Florida.

“Mickey and Friends Band-Tastic Cavalcade” Begins Limited Time Fun at Disneyland Park
Credit: Disney

While California’s positivity rate has only increased about 3%, Florida’s positivity rate has jumped to nearly 8%. Due to the climbing number of COVID cases in the Sunshine State, California Health officials have warned against traveling there. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that Florida is currently in the middle of a “high” rate of transmission, while California is only in the “moderate” tier, with Florida having a positive testing rate about eight times higher than California.

disney world crowds
Credit: Inside the Magic

According to an article by The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis made the following statement with regard to travel:

“I do want to recommend — especially if you’re unvaccinated — reconsider traveling to places where the seven-day COVID-19 case rates are increasingly high, like Nevada, our neighbor, or Missouri, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana and others.” 

While traveling to Florida from California is not restricted and quarantining is not required, it is recommended that Guests reconsider any traveling they might be doing in the coming weeks. It is important to note that Walt Disney World Resort has not made any changes to its health and safety procedures in light of this new Delta variant and the increase in COVID cases in the state. Disneyland Resort has not made any changes to protocols, either, but we will update our website should any of the Disney Parks and Resorts share any new health and safety updates.

disney world
Credit: Disney

Vaccinated Guests visiting Disney World are not required to wear face coverings, while unvaccinated Guests are recommended to. However, Disney is not requiring proof of vaccination and is instead relying on the honor system. The same procedures are in place at Disneyland Resort.

Are you reconsidering traveling to Disney with the increase in COVID-19 cases? Or are you continuing with your plans to visit the theme parks? Let us know in the comments!

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in Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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