COVID-19 disrupted and affected many of our routine activities. Travel is one of the utmost concerns that we have as a nation. How can we return to normal and keep our families safe?

Vacation timeshare owners have an advantage that most travelers do not: a condo-style home away from home. Families can live just as they would at their own home, including continuing to practice social distancing. Orlando timeshare owners also have the warm Florida climate of sun and heat, which reduces the spread of the virus.

Combining smart practices with the numerous benefits owners’ resorts provide means families can enjoy their vacation with peace of mind. Find out more about how resorts are better lodging options since COVID-19 and the safest places for families to visit.

Safe Practices to Avoid Getting Sick

Vacation Village Resorts properties are family-focused. Families can prepare delicious home-cooked meals in their in-suite kitchen and avoid the risk of dining out. Families who prefer delivery or pick-up meals from great local restaurants can store and reheat leftovers conveniently.

Resort swimming pools, hot tubs, and other recreational water amenities are appropriately treated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that COVID-19 does not spread in water maintained with chlorine. The chemicals kill most germs within minutes.

Owners can have fun and continue their social distancing practices while on their vacations. At The Berkley, Orlando, for example, owners and guests can enjoy the private movie theater, outdoor social area and billiards room. Families can enjoy the cinematic experience and social gatherings without the large crowds!

Likewise, Vacation Village at Parkway has an Activities center, children’s playground and nature trails! Kids are entertained all day without ever leaving the resort grounds.

Tips for traveling after COVID-19:

·       Wash hands frequently with warm water and soap

·       Wear a facemask while keeping a 6-foot distance from others

·       Avoid sharing enclosed spaces, such as in elevators

·       Cover sneezes and coughs

·       Keep hands away from eyes, noses, and mouths, particularly in public.

·       Have sanitizer on hand.

Great Places to Visit 

Outdoor spaces like parks and lakes are perfect for families that want more space and fewer crowds. 

Lake Eola – 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801

You might be surprised to find out that there is a lake in downtown Orlando. Lake Eola is home to giant swans, a fountain that lights up in different colors, and several other features for visitors to enjoy.

Bring a blanket and picnic lunch to enjoy a family meal lakeside. Or, wipe down one of the picnic tables available. With gorgeous flowerbeds and several types of indigenous birds, you love spending time at Lake Eola, taking photos of memories you’ll never forget!

Lake Eola is an excellent spot to visit for everyone. It has separate age-appropriate playgrounds so younger and older children can play without running into each other. Take a walk around the lake on the paved sidewalk that wraps around it.

The park also has an amphitheater and hosts free music concerts, festivals, and vendors. With conveniently located restrooms, it’s a new way to spend the day.

Blue Spring State Park – 2100 W French Avenue Orange City FL 32763

Blue Spring State Park is a dedicated manatee refuge, but you can do so much more than spotting the “gentle sea cow”. You and your family can go swimming, fishing, and hiking. The park also rents inflatable tubes, canoes, and kayaks at its concessionaire. If you have a scuba diving license, then you can go scuba diving too.

Feeling adventurous? The park has up-close manatee encounter tours! You can also book a two-hour boat cruise and explore the St. Johns River.

Blue Spring State Park is a beautiful wonderland with stunningly clear water and towering trees. Your family will reconnect with nature in a well-maintained state park.

Harry P. Leu Gardens – 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Take a walk through the 14 beautiful gardens of the Leu Family. The preserve has a wonderfully diverse collection of flora that radiates a delicious aroma that you’re sure not to forget!

Blooms change throughout the year, and the staff at the Garden House Welcome Center are happy to tell you about the current season. The Harry P. Leu Gardens is a great place to learn about nature since it also runs classes and camps and has horticulture handouts.

The Garden House Welcome Center also has permanent and rotating art exhibits. Make sure to pack a lunch since the gardens do not have a café, restaurant, or other dining option.

Facts and Florida’s Response to COVID-19

The foremost way the coronavirus spreads is through contact with other people, according to the CDC. Cleaning surfaces typically – with soap and water – decreases the risk of exposure, and antibacterial products sanitize.

Additionally, warm temperatures and sunlight exposure reduce the virus’s survival time on surfaces. Orlando’s typical climate is sunny and warm, making it a toxic environment for the coronavirus.

The CDC stated that the virus does not spread through drinking water or recreational water areas, such as swimming pools, because it is properly treated. Local municipal water systems filter, manage, and disinfect. Owners should treat recreational water features with chlorine and bromine as usual.

Florida and Coronavirus

The first COVID-19 case declared in Florida was on February 29, 2020. State officials took the necessary steps to inform residents, especially those in the high-risk categories, and recommend canceling oversea trips.

Within a month, Florida officially declares a state of emergency. To address residents’ questions, the state set up a COVID-19 hotline and email address.

The state started closing non-essential businesses such as many famous tourist attractions, like Orlando’s popular theme parks as well as public beaches and the stores there.  Some businesses remain operational under special conditions, such as allowing restaurants only pick-up and delivery services. Governor DeSantis ordered a stay-at-home emergency order statewide on April 1, 2020 to reduce the number of coronavirus cases.  

By May, Florida businesses began to reopen as part of a multi-phase process. The first phase allowed stores and dining establishments to operate but with a limited number of customers at a single time, so patrons could keep a distance from one another. The state also opened some non-essential businesses.

The second phase increases the capacity limit for businesses and groups to 50 people. It also reopens bars, gyms, and schools, although officials encourage sanitation efforts to continue.