The timing seems perfect for Disney diehards, as vaccines are becoming more readily available and people are starting to feel more comfortable traveling.
But many Disney fans want to know if it's safe to hop on a plane and ride theme-park rides once you're vaccinated. According to two infectious disease experts who spoke with Insider, the answer is yes.
However, you still might want to wait to plan your trip, especially if you've never visited before, or if visitors in your travel group aren't likely to get a vaccine by the time of your trip.
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Health experts said fully vaccinated adults can take Disney trips with 'little to no worry'
The effectiveness of these vaccines, as infectious disease experts told Insider, makes it safe for people who've gotten them to travel and visit locations like Disney theme parks.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, told Insider that he feels it's "fine to go to a Disney theme park with little to no worry" once you're fully vaccinated.
"The more that vaccinated people go to the theme parks, the safer the theme parks become," he said. "This is the reason why people should get vaccinated - so they can get back to their lives."
Fully vaccinated adults may want to visit theme parks with children who are still too young to receive the vaccine, and those adults should weigh the risks and benefits of taking the trip themselves, Adalja said.
Adalja said that for all parents and children visiting theme parks, it's important to continue prioritizing social distancing and mask-wearing because they "have a considerable impact" on a family's safety.
Fully vaccinated adults at Disney parks should keep taking safety precautions as well
Dr. Abraar Karan, an internal medicine and global health physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, told Insider that "the risk of becoming infected and having a severe outcome is exceptionally low" after being fully vaccinated.
Still, he pointed out that while vaccines reduce the chance of infection and leave you with less-severe or even no symptoms, the vaccines currently available "don't eliminate" COVID-19 altogether.
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"This matters because it means you can carry and still spread the virus to others - and that's a problem if those other people are not vaccinated," Karan said. "For those who aren't vaccinated, the risk is still there."
That's why, according to Karan, you should continue to take steps - like wearing masks in large public crowds and indoor spaces - that ensure the safety of those around you.
According to the latest data from the CDC, one shot of a vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna provides pretty good protection, but it's not perfect. The US is still registering tens of thousands of cases per day across the country, Karan added.
That should be a serious consideration for people who aren't vaccinated or have only received one dose. "And when you go to a place like Disney, you'll be running into many people from all over. You should be careful to avoid crowds until you're fully vaccinated," Karan said.
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Disney World also continues to require masks for fully vaccinated visitors
Masks can be removed only while swimming, or eating and drinking in a stationary spot. Bandanas, neck gaiters, and other less protective face coverings are prohibited.
Other recently added safety measures include mandatory ticket reservations, required temperature checks, social distancing in the form of place markers and physical barriers, and reduced contact at hotels, gift shops, and dining locations.
Still, you might want to save your Disney trip for another time
Some attractions, shows, and other forms of entertainment - like fireworks, parades, and the ability to hug characters - are currently unavailable at Disney World to reduce crowds.
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AJ Wolfe, the founder of the Disney Food Blog, previously told Insider that visiting Disney World during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that there was "a lot missing from the general experience you would normally have."
Disneyland has yet to open, but it's possible that the California theme park could also have limited offerings, similar to its Florida counterpart.
"Are you going for your very first trip ever, or your only trip ever?" Wolfe said. "Are you bringing the whole family and spending 16 mortgage payments? Now is probably not the time to go if that's the case. You're not going to get the full experience - you're just not. I don't think there's any way to sugarcoat that."
It may be tempting to purchase Disney tickets as soon as you're vaccinated, and that might be a good idea for some fans. But until the parks are back to the full magic they're capable of, it's probably worth the wait.
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Do you have a story you'd like to share about visiting a Disney theme park or working at one? We would love to hear from you. Reach us at akrause@insider.com.
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