Traveling during Covid 19

 Last month I tool my first international trip in over eighteen months. This was the first time I had crossed the Atlantic since Covid began.

Even though I am vaccinated Morocco, as many other countries, require a negative Covid test before they allow you on the plane. Some countries require the best to be done 72 hours before you arrive others seven days. This is a fluid situation and just one of the many reasons to use a Travel Agent. 

For Morocco, their 72 hours meant 72 hours before I landed, not from the time my flight departed. I did my test Friday morning at 10am and had my results by 7pm that evening. Some airlines are requiring you to print your results and others will accept a screen shot on your phone. I printed two copies of mine as I thought that was better than handing my phone to other people. They checked my results at the airport in the USA and then at least three times once I arrived in Casablanca.

Whilst checking in at JFK airport with Royal Air Marco I was surprised at the number of people without Covid tests. Fortunately, most airports do offer testing but you pay a much higher price. My test was free through my insurance rather than the $150 at the airport.

Masks are required throughout the airport and whilst on the plane. The only time you can remove them is when you are actively eating or drinking. Most people are very good at obeying this, although on my return I did notice several people with their masks under their chin.

I took disposable masks with me so that after the flight I could just throw them away rather than try to wash them. I also made sure I had an extra mask, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. I was given an individually wrapped wipe on each of the flights by the airline but I was glad I brought my own.

Even though they say the planes are cleaned and disinfected after every flight I don't feel like they did a great job. I wiped down the armrest, TV and tray as soon as I got to my seat. On my return flight, I found trash in my tray so I knew it haven't been thoroughly cleaned before take off.

Returning to the USA requires another Covid test within three days of your return. This can be arranged in just about any country but you do have to pay for it. For me, The Four Seasons in Marrakesh, where I was staying, arranged for me to take my test at the hotel. The test was done in the morning before we left for the day and the results were delivered to my room that evening. The cost of the test was $80 which I paid directly to the hotel.

Even though traveling during Covid requires some extra steps and some extra money it is a great time to travel. The world is slowly opening up but it will take time. For me, the best part was traeling and seeing the sights without crowds. When we visited the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca we were the only people there. Normally this area is full with tourists.

Now is the perfect time to travel so you are "Far from the Maddening Crowds"

Universal Studios Orlando Florida

            After a quarter-century spent living in the shadow of the behemoth that is Walt Disney World, Universal Studios: Orlando has begun to emerge as a respectable theme park. While the razzle and dazzle-Hollywood theme had managed to give Universal a theme of its own; the establishment of Harry Potter World and the continued success of the Marvel line of products allows Universal to exist as a viable alternative to Walt Disney’s Goliath.

          

  The resorts surrounding Universal Studios are top notch. Every resort and hotel is filled with class and professionalism, and is designed to make life as easy as possible for park-goers. For every hotel, there are accommodations that allow for easy transport from the hotel to the park and back. Shuttles and faeries are both available, and run on a regular schedule to each resort. Some resorts also offer guests special deals on Fast Passes, which are an incredible commodity in the park. Fast passes turn an hour wait into a fifteen minute wait, allowing guests the time to see everything there is to see and doing everything they want to do.

(Image Credit: Ian Dagnall / Alamy)

            Disney is going to maintain a stranglehold on all children from birth to the age of ten, but Universal Studios found its niche just above that. The addition of Harry Potter World is an immense appeal to any fan of the series, especially those who fit J.K. Rowling’s intended demographic of children aged 11-15. Universal Studios put a lot of effort into the Wizarding World, and even those who aren’t super-fans will find something to grab their attention. Each of the rides are engaging, and fans of the series are rewarded with references to the series, but strangers to the series will still be entertained by the exhilarating twists and turns of each ride. The lines for the rides in the Wizarding World can often be a bit much, occasionally extending to around an hour. For fans, this wait is worth it. For those who have just a casual knowledge, an hour wait isn’t worth it. However, for those who can handle the line, they’ll be treated to a variety of references, and quite a bit of interesting architecture. One of the largest sections of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the incredible selection of shops. These shops are densely packed into the park, and almost always have lines out the door, filled with little wizards and witches waiting to get their own wands and robes. For those kids, the wait is worth every second, and the price is worth every penny. It’s an incredible sight to see hundreds of children cloaked in robes and casting spells. There are even certain spots in the park where the spells cause a reaction. For example, if you wave you wand at a fountain, it’ll emit a stream of water. The look of awe on a child’s face after they cast a spell is incredible. All in all, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a bucket list trip for any fan of the series, and an enjoyable for anyone else tagging along. Lifelong fans will likely be inclined to pick up a couple of souvenirs, but the prices and lines may prove to be a bit steep for some park-goers.

   

            While the Wizarding World of Harry Potter signifies a large investment and change for the park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure haven’t seen much change recently, because it hasn’t needed any change. All the beloved Marvel characters and rides are still there, with multiple roller coasters and thrill rides dotting the island. On the inside, everyone is still a kid. There’s an incredibly simple reason why Marvel movies make a billion dollars. People love superheroes. Universal’s Islands of Adventure allows people young and old to indulge themselves. Kids and parents can let loose and watch Spider-Man save the day, they can wave to the Fantastic Four on the street, and get blasted out of the Hulk’s roller coaster.

           

  With Universal’s Islands of Adventure combined with the classic Hollywood charm of Universal Studios, the park becomes an incredibly surreal treat. After waving to Marilyn Monroe on the street and passing rides based on Minions, Shrek, and Transformers, guests can board a train and be transported to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

            If there’s a certain older attraction that particularly appeals to your family, you may want to plan a trip sooner rather than later. Recently, Universal announced a partnership with Nintendo to bring Nintendo licensed characters and themed rides to the Orlando park. With more rides and characters on the way, Universal is showing its ambition and initiative, but this may come at the cost of some older rides.

            For now, Universal Studios: Orlando still has the lovely charm of old rides like ET. For anyone who went to Universal Studios as a child and rode the ET Ride; do it again. The ride won’t be long, and you won’t regret it. Besides, who knows how much longer it’ll be there?

Review written by Liam Griffin