Disneyland is back! Here's what to expect.

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As of June 15th, Disneyland and California Adventure have re-opened to bigger crowds, with fewer COVID related restrictions in place. Things aren’t quite back to normal, but they’re getting there. We visited just after the reopening and came up with a few important things to know before heading back: 

  • While California relaxed its capacity restrictions on June 15th, Disney hasn’t fully re-opened its doors yet. How many people the park is actually letting in is unclear, but a cast member told us on June 18th it was around 40% of capacity. Expect the parks to ramp up over the course of the summer, with crowds back to normal by August or September.

  • What does that limited capacity mean for visitors? At least for now there are relatively short lines for lots of rides, especially at the beginning and end of the day. You’ll probably still have to wait over an hour for the big-ticket rides like Radiator Springs Racers and Space Mountain, but often you can hop on crowd pleasers like Little Mermaid or even Haunted Mansion in less than 10 minutes. We walked straight on to Big Thunder Mountain around 4PM with no wait at all.

  • Mask policies have changed dramatically. Fully vaccinated visitors are now no longer required to wear masks at all, and Disney does not require proof or even ask if you’ve been vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals, including children, are required to wear masks inside unless eating, but again there’s no real method of enforcement. The result is that only 10-20% of guests were masked when we visited, and it’s safe to assume that there were plenty of unvaccinated people, including kids under 12 who aren’t eligible for the vaccine yet, that were unmasked.

  • Social distancing requirements have been dropped as well, so prepare for old school crowding when waiting in lines. People seem to be voluntarily spacing themselves out slightly, but if you haven’t been out in public for a while, hit a few grocery stores first before you brave a theme park.

  • If you’ve been dying for a picture with Mickey, Elsa, or Spiderman, don’t worry, you can still get it. But for now he’ll just be hanging out in the background. (That’s a Spiderman joke. Get it?) Disney characters are easily found in all the usual spots around the park, but you’re not allowed to get close to them. Fortunately, they’re still happy to wave for your socially distanced selfie, and without the crowds pushing in around the performer it’s actually a little easier to get a photo.

  • The Disneyland app is king. While you can certainly still visit Disneyland and California Adventure without a phone, the official Disneyland app makes things much easier. Checking wait times at rides is huge, so you can strategize your next moves, and knowing where the nearest bathroom is is a life saver. The app stores your tickets digitally so if you have a Park Hopper ticket it’s easy to go back and forth between the parks without having to keep track of your paper tickets. You can have the app installed on multiple devices, all connected to the same account.

  • For now, access to the two newest, high-demand rides, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Spiderman: Web Slingers, is via the app only. As of this writing, each ride uses a virtual queue system that requires you to log in at either 7AM or noon to try and get a spot in line later that day. The queue fills up almost instantly, so make sure you’re logged in and in a place with good reception if you want your chance to ride. Use multiple devices if you can. When you’re assigned your spot you’ll have a flexible window to arrive at the ride, and if you’re a little late for your window they may let you on anyway. You can only be in one virtual queue at a time.

  • Many restaurants allow you to order via the app, which can save you some time. First you’ll have to choose a window in which you’d like to pick up your order, then let them know you’re there so they’ll actually prepare it. It’s a good idea to tell them you’re there before you actually arrive, because it could take a while before the food actually comes out. And naturally, avoiding meal rushes is key. At noon even the pretzel and churro stands have long lines.

  • In addition to the main Disneyland app, there’s a game app called Play Disney Parks that can be good for killing some time in lines, especially with kids. Most of the games are short and simple, but if you’re looking to really immerse yourself in the Star Wars experience, try the Data Pad game and embrace your inner nerd.

  • Bring a power bank! Trust us, if you’re using the app as much as we did, you’ll need it.

  • If you really want to get the most out of a day at Disney, consider booking a room at one the Disney hotels. The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a great choice because you can walk directly into the park from the hotel, saving a lot of time in the morning so you can be the first one on the rides.

  • And remember, Woodlyn Travel can book your next Disney adventure for you, whether it’s park tickets, a hotel, or even a Disney cruise. Just let us know how we can help make your next vacation even more magical!

What’s open? Where you can travel now!

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The summer travel season is fast approaching, and for those of us who haven’t traveled during the pandemic, or who have been limited to short road trips, the easing of travel restrictions is literally opening up a world of possibilities. While there is still time to plan an international trip this summer (and plenty of good deals available), it can be a challenge to keep track of which destinations are open and what you’ll need to do to travel there.

Here’s a quick overview of some popular summer travel destinations and what you need to know about visiting. Keep in mind that things change quickly so its best to work with Woodlyn Travel to help with planning.

Europe

While much of Europe is planning to open to American tourists this summer, a number of European countries are already open, including Greece, Iceland, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Cyprus, and Georgia. Regulations vary for each country, but generally some combination of vaccination, negative COVID test, and mandatory quarantine upon arrival will allow tourists to enter.

Other European countries, including tourist popular spots like France, Spain, Italy and the U.K., have announced goals to open to non-essential travel by June. The devil is in the details, however, and we are waiting to see exactly how the re-opening will look. It’s safe to say that being fully vaccinated will make things go much smoother but outside of that we are all waiting to see how travel will look. Don’t let this hold you back, just approach European travel with caution - keep in mind cancellation policies and have a back up plan or buy travel insurance - If you’ve been longing for a European vacation, here are a couple hotel options we recommend:

Croatia (now open): Villa Dubrovnik - Perched on the cliffs with stunning views of the city and sea.

France: Shangri-La Hotel Paris - Incredible service in an unbeatable location, featuring complimentary upgrade to Eiffel Tower view

Monaco: Hotel de Paris- Monte-Carlo - Sophisticated vibe in a glamorous setting.

Mexico

Mexico has been open to travelers, with no requirement to be vaccinated or show a negative COVID-19 test at this time. There is also no mandated quarantine upon arrival, although your hotel or resort may ask you complete a health questionnaire. Land border crossings remain closed to non-essential travel but air travel is open and good deals on flights are readily available. Among the Mexican resorts a few favorites::

Grand Velas Los Cabos - All-inclusive luxury with dramatic ocean views and great dining.

Presidente InternContinetal Cozumel - Idyllic setting featuring white sand beaches and calm, turquoise waters.

Andaz Mayakoba Riviera Maya - Exclusive beachfront resort with amazing spa and pools.

The Caribbean

Tourism is big business in the Caribbean. Some destinations have already re-opened and are eager for visitors. Among the places currently open to US tourists are Aruba, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, and Jamaica. Many countries have an easy online portal where you upload a copy of your vaccination or negative test before arrival. Keep in mind that a nice advantage of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands is that because they’re US territories you will not have to get a negative COVID test before returning to the US. If the Caribbean sounds like your speed, here are a couple hotel suggestions:

US Virgin Islands: The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas - Excellent accommodations and stellar service in a gorgeous setting.

Puerto Rico: Fairmont El San Juan Hotel - Authentic Puerto Rican hospitality minutes from historic Old San Juan.

Jamaica: Jamaica Inn Ocho Rios - Family owned boutique hotel on a premier private beach.

Belize: Blancaneaux Lodge - Tranquil resort in a remote, adventurous setting.

Asia and Oceania

Asia and Oceania have been cautious about reopening, and with limited exceptions popular destinations like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan are not allowing American visitors. There are some exceptions however: French Polynesia and the Maldives are now open and offer amazing experiences for those looking for an adventure.

Maldives: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island - One-of-a-kind island setting, with exclusive free night offers available now.

Tahiti: Conrad Bora Bora Nui - Overwater villas in a classic South Pacific setting.


General guidelines for international travel

  • Be aware that unless you’re traveling to a US territory, you’ll likely need a negative test to return to the United States (yes, even if you’re vaccinated), and you may need to self-quarantine upon return as well.

  • Double check that passport! After being grounded for a year it’s easy to forget if your passport is still valid. If you need to get it renewed before traveling, start your paperwork now! Routine renewals take 10-12 weeks, while expedited service is usually 4-6 weeks (although passport expediting services sometimes claim they can get it a week or two faster). If your trip is less than 4 weeks away, you’ll have to make an appointment to visit a passport office in person, and unfortunately these appointments are completely booked for the next couple months.

  • Although a country may officially be open to tourists, the CDC and the State Department are still discouraging non-essential travel to some areas. Check their websites for guidelines, which are updated frequently.

  • If you want to book a trip to a country that isn’t open yet, but you think it will be by the time you travel (let’s say a trip to Germany in August), be sure you understand the cancellation policies for the hotel and airfare when you book. With a little planning you won’t lose a dime if the country decides not to open. Or consider travel insurance, which can help cover the costs of last minute changes.

How to get an extension for your expiring travel voucher

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It’s been a year since the emergence of COVID changed how we all live, work, and go to school. Many of us who love to travel had to scramble to cancel trips, hoping they would only be delayed temporarily. But now, a year later, many people are holding travel vouchers that are soon to expire and wondering what to do with them. Woodlyn Travel’s Melissa Wu recently spoke to Kristine Lazar of CBS2 in Los Angeles about her family’s situation and how they were able to extend their vouchers for use at a later time. If you have vouchers and don’t think you’ll use them before they expire, here are some suggestions to help improve your chances for an extension.

  1. Work with a travel advisor - If you are working with a travel advisor, start with them. They are your advocate and ally – they want you to travel as much as you do! They can leverage their relationships with hotel partners and know the right people to contact to get your extension approved!

  2. Be prepared - Read the fine print – Does the voucher need to be used by a certain date or do you need to book by a certain date? You may have more time than you realize!

  3. Request early - Put in your request for an extension well before the expiration date. If the voucher expires in June 2021, start the conversation for an extension NOW. And if the voucher has already expired, don’t lose hope: you may still get an extension, and it never hurts to ask.

  4. Have a reason - Be sure to have a specific reason for not using your voucher within the normal time frame. Is it because you won’t have the time off from work? Concerned about traveling or waiting for the vaccine? School schedules conflict? Think through your case ahead of time so you can make a strong argument.

  5. What is your goal? - Are you hoping for another year extension? Do you want a refund? Keep your end goal in mind when approaching your request for an extension.

  6. Are you flexible? - Consider how flexible you might be. Travel partners want you to travel. If they are not able to accommodate your request, what can they offer you instead? If the hotel has multiple locations will a transfer to a different property work for you?

  7. Be kind – The travel industry has been hit hard by COVID and many destinations have struggled to stay afloat. The people answering your calls or emails want your business but may be overwhelmed with requests. Be patient and express how excited you are to visit or use the voucher. A little bit of understanding and sympathy for their situation can go a long way!

  8. Last but not least: document, document, document. If somebody approves your voucher extension, make sure you have that approval in writing. If it is over the phone, ask for the name of the person who is granting the extension and keep a record of it.

Extending your travel vouchers is a great way to kickstart your post-pandemic travel plans. So don’t hesitate to pursue an extension, and above all, talk to your travel advisor! They have experience and connections that can make sure your valuable travel vouchers don’t go to waste!