Road To Relaxation Travel LLC
  • Home
  • About
    • Travel Professionals
  • Cruises
  • Destinations
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disneyland
  • Blog
  • Request Quote
  • Payment
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • Travel Professionals
  • Cruises
  • Destinations
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disneyland
  • Blog
  • Request Quote
  • Payment
  • Resources
  • Contact

TRAVEL BLOG

Safety First - Our Initial Thoughts to Walt Disney World Reopening (Part 1)

7/18/2020

0 Comments

 
We were fortunate enough to participate in the reopening of Walt Disney World this past week.  While we have lots to catch you up on with resorts, attractions, dining, shows, transportation, and more, we feel it's best to begin with safety around these items and give you first hand knowledge of the measures that have been implemented by Walt Disney World.

We flew from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Southwest Airlines.  The RDU airport was not busy and they have made a few changes in regards to parking and security.  The only parking available at the airport is garage parking and it is $10 per day.  When going through security in Terminal 2 they were combining TSA Precheck and regular security lines while we were there.  If you are TSA Precheck you still go through the designated line, you will be given a card by the security officer and you will proceed to regular security.  You will go through just like the normal TSA Precheck lane once you give the card to the security officer in line.  The seating areas have been marked to allow for proper social distancing and when boarding the SWA flight, they limited each group to 10.  You must have a proper face covering that covers your mouth and nose to be allowed to board.  Once on the plane, they will not allow you to sit in the middle seat unless you are part of a group that is together.  They had one water and snack service.  Overall, SWA was professional as always and very consistent with enforcing their rules that are in place.  The passengers were all cordial and everyone seemed to be respectful of each others' space.  When we arrived at MCO, we experienced the same with full face coverings being worn and everyone practicing social distancing.​
Picture
Raleigh Durham Airport
Picture
Orlando Airport
Now we are off to Wilderness Lodge, more specifically Copper Creek to kick off our resort stay and park time!  Check in for your resort is done completely online through the My Disney Experience App and you will receive a text message when your room is ready.  If your room is not ready when you arrive, you can drop your luggage off at Bell Services and take off on your Disney adventure.  There are Hand Sanitizer stations at the entrance and in multiple places throughout the resort and parks.  While you are on property, you must wear an approved face covering. 
Picture
Picture
When it comes to transportation, Disney did a masterful job of providing social distancing while maintaining as much efficiency as possible to get you transported throughout the resort.  When riding buses, you line up on a marked spot that is distanced from others and when the bus arrives the driver will ask you how many people in your group and then he will give you a number.  This number corresponds to where you will sit on the bus.  They have installed partitions between numbers along with eliminating seats to keep you separated from other parties.  
Picture
Walt Disney World Transportation Bus Seating
Picture
Walt Disney World Transportation Bus Seating
Picture
Check out this new feature on some of the buses!
We were also excited to see USB ports on some of the buses.   Have you seen these on Walt Disney World buses previously?  This was a first for us.

​​This takes us to the end of Part 1.  In Part 2 we will talk about a few other modes of transportation that we took during the week along with.....wait for it.....THE PARKS!

If you are interested in booking a 2020 or 2021 trip to Walt Disney World, reach out to your Travel Professional today, call us at 833.RTR.TRAV or email us at Vacations@rtrtravel.com !!
0 Comments

Walt Disney World Cast Member Preview Day!

7/9/2020

0 Comments

 
​We couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, after an unprecedented 4 month closure. This week, Cast Members got a special preview day at both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Here’s the inside scoop on what changes are happening!
 
Health & Safety Measurements 
 
The park introduced several new policies to ensure the safety of both Cast Members and Guests. You are required to wear a face covering at all times inside the park, unless you are eating or drinking, or while in a designated “Relaxation Zone.” Relaxation Zones can be found at Tomorrowland Terrace, Pete’s Silly Sideshow, and Golden Outpost. These are areas where you can remove your mask and relax.
Picture
Picture
         Relaxation Station at Tomorrowland Terrace. Photo Credit: Vanessa Sipich

Cast Members reported that neck gaiters were not permitted, and you must be wearing a mask with ear loops. Temperature checks are conducted at security, and you must have a temperature below 100.4° to enter the park.
Picture
Temperature Check at TTC. Photo Credit: Vanessa Sipich 
​Bag checks are now low-contact. Guests must place all electronics and metal items into plastic bags, and proceed through the new security detectors with your bag on. If the alarm is set off, then a security guard will have you place all of your belongings into a bin to conduct a search. Fingerprint scans are no longer required to enter the parks.
 
Social distancing is strictly enforced, and there are ground markings in all line queues. Hand sanitizer is found at every turn, and they even make announcements throughout the day reminding guests to social distance and wash their hands.
Picture
Picture
​Sanitizer stations and safety reminders throughout the parks. Photo Credit:Vanessa Sipich
Shopping
 
Popular shops like The Emporium may experience a wait during busy times, as they are allowing only a fraction of the capacity of guests inside at a time. However, they have the ability to turn on a virtual queue, similar to Disney Springs. Once you get in the virtual queue, you will receive a text when it is your turn to shop! This is great because it allows guests to enjoy the park rather than waiting in line!
 
The Magic
 
It may seem that with all of the safety protocols, cancelled parades and fireworks, etc, that Walt Disney World will lose some of it’s magic. But don’t worry! There’s plenty in store for you! Character Cavalcades appeared throughout the day without notice, and featured some pretty amazing surprises! The train station is closed to the public, but features different characters throughout the day, waving at guests from a safe distance.
Picture
Gaston on his horse Magnifique.
​Photo Credit: Arthur Lyons
Picture
Tinkerbell on a treasure chest.
Photo Credit: Vanessa Sipich

​Road to Relaxation Travel will be attending the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort next week! Stay tuned for more information on our personal experiences, as well as any updates or policy changes. What are you excited to see?

Author

Kelly Pickle, Travel Professional with Road to Relaxation Travel

Some would call me a Disney “expert.” What can I say? I just love that Magical Place! For years I have helped friends and strangers alike plan their perfect Walt Disney World vacation! One day it hit me. Why not do it professionally? 

I joined Road to Relaxation Travel in 2019, and I have loved every minute of it! Let me help you with all things Disney! 

0 Comments

Walt Disney World 2020 Tickets and Packages!

7/8/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Beginning tomorrow, July 9, Walt Disney World will resume ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel bookings for 2020.  Your Travel Professional will be able to book new tickets and plan future visits throughout this year at Walt Disney World Resorts!

For those looking to make their plans right away, please note that tickets and Disney Resort hotel bookings may be released at different times throughout the day tomorrow so coordinate with your RTR Travel Professional as soon as possible. 

All guests with valid admission are required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry.  Your Travel Professional will work with you to ensure there is park reservation availability before booking any new tickets.  Reservations are limited and subject to availability.  Please note that, during this phased reopening, some tickets, ticket options and Disney Resort hotels are unavailable, but there are still a variety of options to choose from.

There is so much to look forward to, with many favorite attractions and dozens of entertainment offerings, including special new character cavalcades and the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

If you’re wanting to visit Walt Disney World this year, we recommend reaching out to your RTR Travel Professional!!



0 Comments

Walt Disney World 2021 Bookings Opening Soon!

6/23/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
The magic is returning to Walt Disney World, and soon, you can too! We are so excited for 2021 vacation packages to go on sale this week. Walt Disney World will look a little bit different when it reopens. We're not quite sure how long the changes will last, but we are confident that Disney will do an amazing job keeping guests safe and entertained. 

If you want to visit Walt Disney World in 2021, NOW is the time to reach out to your Travel Professional! Due to the new Park Pass reservation system, you may need to be flexible with your dates in order to ensure Park Pass availability. Booking early will give you the best chance of making Park Pass reservations with ease. 

A few changes to note for 2021: 
- No dining plans: right now, Disney has stopped selling their dining plans. We hope to see them come back in the near future. Dining reservations are now booking 60 days prior to check in!
- Park Pass reservations: once your travel professional has made your 2021 package reservation and it has been linked to your My Disney Experience account, you will need to immediately make your Park Pass reservations. If you need some guidance on how to do that, you can read our blog post here! 

We are so excited to help get our clients trips to Walt Disney World booked and planned! If you have questions, please reach out to your RTR Travel Professionals. We are hoping that additional availability for 2020 will be opening later this summer, and we will be sure to update you when we hear more!

Author

Lauren Regan, Travel Professional with Road To Relaxation Travel
Travel planning has always been something I loved to do. I found that researching a trip and learning everything I possibly could about a destination was something that gave me immense satisfaction. However, I knew that not everyone enjoyed this aspect of traveling as much as I do.

​In January 2016, I joined Road to Relaxation Travel. My goal: to make my client’s vacations as stress free as possible. I know that my clients don’t necessarily get to travel as much as they’d like to - and I want them to have the best possible experience they can.
0 Comments

Walt Disney World Park Reservation System Open for Booking

6/22/2020

0 Comments

 
This morning, Disney rolled out the new Disney Park Pass reservation system! If you are planning to visit Walt Disney World between July 11, 2020 and September 26, 2021, then you'll need to make a Park Pass reservation for each day you wish to visit the parks! 

The process is fairly simple, but we wanted to show you guys how to make these reservations step by step so that you know what you are doing! As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to your Road to Relaxation Travel Professional! While we can't make your Park Pass reservations for you, we can try to help in any way we can!

Step 1: My Disney Experience
Make sure that your reservation is properly linked in My Disney Experience by logging in here: WDW Website Login.

Picture
Picture
Step 2: Go to the Park Pass System Page
The Park Pass System page can be found here: Disney's Park Pass System.
Or by hovering over My Disney Experience and selecting "Park Pass System"
from the drop down. When the page loads, click the "Make a Disney Park
Pass Reservation
" button.
Picture
Picture
Step 3: Choose Your Travel Party
Select the people you are traveling with from the list. If you do not see
someone on here, then they have not been linked properly. Please refer to
Disney's guide on how to link family and friends here: Link Friends & Family.
Picture
Step 4: Choose a Date and Park
After you choose your travel party, you will need to choose the date and park
you want to visit. You can check park availability online prior to making
reservations here: Availability Calendar. Make sure to choose "Resort
Reservation" if you have a package!
Picture
Picture
Step 5: Confirm Park Hours
​The system will ask you to choose a time. Please note that at this time, the system is only showing the park hours for the date you selected. Click the park hours and the screen will advance. 

Picture
Step 6: Review Reservation & Confirm
After confirming the park hours, the screen will advance and show you the
reservation you just made. At the bottom of the screen is a checkbox to
acknowledge that you have read the terms and conditions, along with a
Covid-19 Liability Waiver.
Picture
Picture
If the system is working, the process is not difficult and doesn't take very long at all.   Of course if you have any issues, let your Road To Relaxation Travel Professional know so we can assist you if possible.

Author

Lauren Regan, Travel Professional with Road To Relaxation Travel
Travel planning has always been something I loved to do. I found that researching a trip and learning everything I possibly could about a destination was something that gave me immense satisfaction. However, I knew that not everyone enjoyed this aspect of traveling as much as I do.

​In January 2016, I joined Road to Relaxation Travel. My goal: to make my client’s vacations as stress free as possible. I know that my clients don’t necessarily get to travel as much as they’d like to - and I want them to have the best possible experience they can.

0 Comments

Walt Disney World Updates - Park Reservations!

6/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

Today we received some of the most anticipated updates as it pertains to Walt Disney World, mainly the Park Reservation System.  I promise to condense this down as much as possible, but let's just jump right into the details.
​
EXISTING TICKET HOLDERS
  • Guests that currently have a Walt Disney World Resort Reservation WITH either Valid Theme Park Tickets or Annual Pass will be able to make Park Reservations on Monday June 22nd.  These MUST be linked in My Disney Experience.   
  • Guests that currently have an Annual Pass WITHOUT a Walt Disney World Resort Reservation will be able to make Park Reservations on Friday June 26th.
  • Other existing ticket holders that do not fall in the previous categories will be able to make Park Reservations on Sunday June 28th. 
NEW TICKET SALES & PACKAGES
  • New Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets for 2021 will go on sale by Sunday June 28th.
  • Based on availability, sales of 2020 Disney Resort hotel packages and tickets will go on sale at a later time yet to be determined.
NOTABLE ITEMS
  • If you have a Walt Disney World room only reservation for 2020, in order to make a Park Reservation you must have a valid Theme Park Ticket.  Your RTR Travel Professional can add the tickets to your reservation beginning on Wednesday June 24th.  Once this is added and linked through your My Disney Experience, you will be able to make Park Reservations.
  • You can only reserve ONE park per day.  At this time, Park Hopping is not an option for your Theme Park Tickets.

If you are thinking about a Walt Disney World trip in 2021, please let your Travel Professional know as soon as possible.  With the current reservation setup and resort availability, we will want to get you reserved as soon as possible when the window opens so you don't have to stress!  Our professionals are on top of all the updates and are prepared to handle your vacation plans.
​
Stay tuned into the RTR Travel Blog as we do have some more WDW updates to share, but we wanted to get this one out first to help aid our 2020 Walt Disney World clients!

0 Comments

The Caribbean is Calling!!

6/11/2020

0 Comments

 
PictureSandals Grande Antigua
As more businesses begin opening in the United States, we are also seeing some of our favorite islands and resorts beginning to open too!  This week we received important information from our partners at Sandals in regards to their opening plan throughout the Caribbean.  It's important to note that all of these dates are subject to change, so please verify with your Travel Professional when beginning to plan your next big adventure! 

Let's run down the islands and resorts so that we can start planning your great summer or fall esacape!

Antigua - Island reopened to Tourism on June 4th
Sandals Grand Antigua - Open Now!

Jamaica - Island reopens to Tourism on June 16th 
Sandals Montego Bay - Opens June 16th
Sandals Royal Caribbean - Opens July 2nd
Sandals Negril - Opens August 7th
Sandals Ochi - Opens September 3rd
Sandals South Coast - Opens October 1st
Sandals Royal Plantation - Opens October 8th

Bahamas - Island Reopens to Tourism on July 2nd
Sandals Emerald Bay - Opens July 2nd
Sandals Royal Bahamian - Opens November 1st

Saint Lucia - Island Reopens to Tourism on July 7h
Sandals Grande St. Lucian - Opens July 7th
Sandals Regency La Toc - Opens July 14th
Sandals Halcyon Beach - Opens November 1st

Grenada - Island Reopens to Tourism on July 7th
Sandals Grenada - Opens July 7th

Barbados - TBD on date for Reopening to Tourism
Sandals Barbados - Open TBD
Sandals Royal Barbados - Open TBD

Picture
Sandals Montego Bay Swim Up
​There is still time to take that romantic getaway with your partner this year!  Remember the Caribbean is Calling Your Name and Road to Relaxation Travel can plan your Next Big Getaway!!  Your Travel Professional is up to date on all the entry requirements for each island along with any resort specific procedures.  We are always here to ensure we put the Relaxation back into your Vacation! ​
0 Comments

Universal is Open!

6/4/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Universal Orlando opened to onsite guests and Annual Passholders (with reservations) on June 3rd & June 4th!  We headed down to Florida on the 3rd to check into Hard Rock Hotel and see what was happening here at Universal! We arrived at Hard Rock Hotel and were immediately impressed with all the safety measures Universal is taking to keep their guests safe.   Here are some of things they are doing:

  • They take your temperature as you enter the hotel or the park for the first time each day.  They give you a colored wrist band so that others can see that your temperature has been screened.
  • Team Members are wearing masks and guests must wear face cover in all public areas.  You are allowed to remove your face covering to eat and drink.  Each park also has a place where you can take a break from mask wearing.
Picture
Picture
Picture

  • There are social distancing markers and reminders everywhere.
  • Most lines have been moved to virtual.
  • You are given hand sanitizer before boarding any ride.
  • 3D Glasses are handed out individually.
  • You are loaded in a social distancing manner at all attractions by party size.
  • Most Quick Service locations have mobile ordering available.
  • You wait to be seated at a table at most Quick Service locations to accommodate social distancing.
  • Hotel rooms are not being serviced while guests are checked in to the resort.  They are cleaning after guests leave and trying to leave rooms empty for at least 24 hours.
  • There are signs recommending that only one party at a time ride in each elevator.  
  • Team Members are constantly sanitizing high touch areas.​
​
​Our experience has been absolutely amazing.  Team Members are friendly and cheerful as usual.   Everyone has been really helpful and polite even when they have to remind us to wear our masks or to social distance.   There has been very little inconvenience in all of the changes.

We do have the Unlimited Express due to staying at one of the Premier Onsite Hotels.  I feel like this is even more important than during previous visits.   Many attractions only have the option for a Virtual Line or an Express Pass.  Having the Express Pass keeps us from having to be on our Universal App throughout the day trying to get an Express Pass.   

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure does now have a virtual line.   This is a nice change from when the parks were open previously.   It still does not have an Express Pass.

There has been lots of concern about wearing face coverings in the parks.  Honestly, it is hot at times.   And some of my masks were itchy at times.  However most of the time, it is simply not a big deal.   We saw many children wearing masks throughout the parks and we did not witness one meltdown.  We met one mother and daughter who had a different mask themed for each land in the parks.  There were so many creative masks including three versions sold by Universal.  Personally I took two face coverings each day.  I took a neck gaiter and a mask.  I really liked wearing the neck gaiter on the attractions as I didn't have any concerns about it flying off.  However every once in awhile I wanted to switch out to a mask just to have a different fabric on my face.   

Lockers are in use for many rides and the lines there with the social distancing and sanitizing can get long.  That was probably the largest hiccup I saw at Universal.  As always, we recommend doing Universal without a bag, if at all possible, to best utilize your time.

Overall, we are extremely impressed with how Universal is protecting their guests.   We are enjoying our visit and haven't found much hassle in the new procedures at all.   If you are ready to travel, let your Road To Relaxation Travel know.   Universal Orlando would be a good place to start!

Picture
0 Comments

Walt Disney World Announces Re-Opening What's in the Details?

5/28/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

Yesterday we listened in to Walt Disney World's presentation for their proposed re-opening that was given to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force.  This might be the most excited we have been in months!  After the presentation was given, the Task Force voted to have the plan proceed to the Orange County Mayor and ultimately on to the Governor of Florida for final approval.  Once final approval is received, they are proposing to open beginning on July 11th.  Now, let's dive into the details as we know there are a lot of excited people that have been anxiously awaiting this news, including your favorite Travel Professionals!

The plan presented to Task Force focuses on a phased approach to park opening by first opening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th, followed by Hollywood Studios and Epcot on July 15th.  There are a lot of other notable items in the proposal  including:
  • Touchless temperature checks at all Main Entrances to the Theme Parks
  • Required face coverings while on property for all guests over 2 years of age
  • Hand Washing and Sanitizing Stations at appropriate locations throughout the parks
  • Plexiglass at points of sale in retail and F&B where distancing can't be maintained
  • Reduced capacity of theme parks, restaurants, retail attractions, buses, monorails, and other transportation that enables appropriate physical distancing
  • Temporarily suspends parades, fireworks, and other events that creates crowds
  • Temporarily suspends character meet and greets
  • Contactless payments with Magic Bands, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
  • Further enable mobile ordering
  • Suspension of high touch interactions
​
The biggest item that was announced was in order to aid in the reduction of capacity at the Theme Parks, they will be implementing a Theme Park Reservation System.  I’m sure you have questions and what we can tell you now is there will be more to come on how this system will work.  Your Travel Professional will be on top of the changes so that they can help navigate these new waters.

There are items coming out daily on changes that will affect how you experience Walt Disney World in the future.  Our recommendation is to take it all in stride and as your trusted advisor, your Travel Professional will be there the entire way. 
​
If you have ever been on the fence about utilizing our services, we can say now more than ever this, no cost to you, service will be priceless!  Some people are so excited to head to Disney even with all the restrictions (that would be us!), however this might not be the best time for a Walt Disney World vacation for all of our clients.   We understand that completely and are still able to help you with many other destinations.  We are excited that Walt Disney World is coming back online and look forward to helping you in the future wherever you may decide to travel! 

Source:  Walt Disney World Theme Parks Re-Opening,  5/27/2020

0 Comments

Universal Orlando Proposed Re-opening Let's Talk Details

5/21/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Today we sat in on the live broadcast of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, and were able to listen to the presentation given by Universal Orlando on their proposed reopening of their theme parks.  The Task Force approved the measures presented and it now goes to the Governor of Florida for his approval.  If approved, then Universal Orlando can begin implementing their plan. 

The plan that was presented by Universal Orlando to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force builds off the successful opening of City Walk to begin the transition for the parks. Currently the proposal is to open the parks to the general public on June 5th.  In the period from June 1st to June 4th they have trial runs that will occur to test the measures that have been implemented.  We obtained a copy of the "COVID-19 RE-OPENING PLAN, Phase 2" and have noted a few highlights below:
  • Staggered parking will be implemented
  • Valet parking will be suspended
  • Guest temperature checks at parking or main entrance (forehead non-contact) 
  • Guests found with 100.4 degree temperature or more will be requested to see a doctor and not visit the theme park that day 
  • All guests will be required to wear masks
  • Capacity will be reduced in the park and at attractions to ensure safe social distancing
  • Close interactive play areas
  • Increased utilization of the Mobile App
  • Hand out 3D glass individually
  • Reduce or eliminate water/mist elements
  • Implement Virtual Line at highly attended attractions  
  • Eliminate Single Rider Line
  • Eliminate post show meet & greets; performer remain stage for pictures  
  • No parades to run; individual float interactions to have performers remain on floats  
  • Menus to be converted to single use  
  • No buffet or self serve options in restaurants
  • Utilize Mobile Food Ordering to enable direct to table seating and food delivery 
  • Contactless payments offered with Apple Pay and Google Wallet and mobile wallet in APP  
  • Team Members will perform a self-temperature checks at home and upon arrival to work; TMs with 100.4 degree temperature or more/flu-like symptoms will be sent home  

We are extremely excited that the first step has been taken.  Our Travel Professionals are well versed in all things Universal Orlando and are here to help you plan your next big adventure!

Source:  COVID-19 RE-OPENING PLAN, Phase 2, 5/21/2020

0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All
    Allergies
    Batuu
    Caribbean
    Castaway Cay
    Coco Cay
    Cruising
    Dining
    Disney Cruise
    Disney Dream
    Disney Fantasy
    Disneyland
    Disney Magic
    Disney Wonder
    Galaxy's Edge
    Minnie Van
    New York
    Perfect Day
    Rideshare
    Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
    San Diego
    Special Diets
    Star Wars
    Storm Troopers
    Walt Disney World

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Disney artwork, logos, attraction descriptions and properties: ©Disney~Disney Cruise Line®-Ship Registry:The Bahamas                      Managed by Voyager Websites