Credit: Disney (background image) / PNGItem (plane)
Today, on the first full day of US President Joe Biden in office, new travel restrictions for international travelers have been put in place.
Credit: Disney
Related: COVID tests now available at Orlando Airport
The Executive Order for the Promotion of Safety COVID-19 in Domestic and International Travel includes a series of new policies, including the mandatory COVID-19 test before air travel for international travelers entering the United States and the self-quarantine requirements accordingly. with the current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines – currently 10 days.
It reads, in part:
…[travelers entering the United States from foreign countries should abide by] CDC recommended periods of self-quarantine or self-isolation after a flight from a foreign country to the United States, as it deems appropriate and consistent with applicable law. The plan should identify the agencies’ tools and mechanisms to assist travelers in complying with this policy.
Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Related: Disney imposes face mask policy, prevents guests from entering the Pop Century
Today’s Executive Order also requires that the appropriate masks:
… be used in accordance with CDC guidelines at or at:
(i) airports;
(ii) commercial aircraft;
(iii) trains;
(iv) public maritime vessels, including ferries;
(v) intercity bus services; and
(vi) all forms of public transportation as defined in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code.
In short, according to these new United States travel regulations that concern international travelers, negative COVID-19 tests must be obtained before boarding an aircraft bound for the USA, masks must be worn on all planes and others important modes of public transport, and self-quarantine is required when arriving at the destination – for tourists at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, Orlando, Florida, probably via Orlando International Airport (MCO).
What does all this mean for visitors to Walt Disney World?
The implication of all this is that it will now be more challenging for international visitors to visit the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
All images: Disney credit
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At the moment, Disney World is still operating at limited capacity with a number of its own pandemic restrictions, including mandatory facial coverage for Visitors over two years old, application of social distance and Disney Park Pass reservation requirements.
Although a modified version of the Disney Park Hopper ticket returned on January 1, 2021, the Disney Park Pass system has already been extended until 2022. This is something that every traveler – both national and international – needs to be aware of before visiting Walt Disney World Resort now.
In addition, Disney recently announced that its popular Magical Express express bus service will not be available after January 1, 2022. This was another blow for international travelers who like to visit Walt Disney World for its advantages on site, which appear to be slowly decreasing in the midst of the pandemic.
It is not yet known how long this new United States Executive Order will be valid or for how long The Walt Disney Company theme park restrictions will be in place.
Stay tuned to Inside the Magic for the latest information for international visitors to Disney Parks.
If you are thinking of planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation from anywhere on Earth, contact the Academy’s travel experts to help you with all the magical details of your next trip.
