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McDaniel Family
Disney Vacation
Susan Marquez
The unforeseen and unfortunate Covid-19
pandemic caused many to hunker down and
go into a self-imposed quarantine for several
months in 2020. Travel all but stopped while
planned vacations were canceled. As the
pandemic progressed, measures were established
and proven to provide for the safety of
people as they ventured back into the world.
Face masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing
became the norm.
For the McDaniel family of Brandon, it was
uncertain if their much-anticipated trip to
Disney World would happen in 2020. “We
made plans to go for Thanksgiving,” says Jay
McDaniel. “It was our sixth trip to Disney.”
Jay and his wife, Carly, have been taking their
children to Disney World since they were just
out of strollers.
The McDaniels love the “happiest place on
Earth.” Disney has always been their go-to
vacation destination. “We’ve gone other places
as well, but we usually plan a Disney trip about
every couple of years.” When the Florida theme
park re-opened last fall, the McDaniels decided
it would be safe to go.
“It was great,” says Jay. “We usually go in the
off-season anyway because it is not as crowded.
Our travel agent had gone a couple of weeks
before us and she told us that with the park’s
reduced occupancy, it was great.”
The family traveled to Orlando by car and
arrived the Friday before Thanksgiving, staying
through Wednesday. “We stayed on-site at the
Pop Century,” Jay says. He explained that the
Disney resorts are moderate, deluxe or value.
“We’ve always stayed in a moderate resort, but
our travel agent convinced us to try the Pop
Century, which is considered a value resort.
It has a new skyliner attached to the hotel that
takes guests directly to the park. We found it
to be a great property, and a really nice resort.”
Jay was impressed with the safety precautions
taken at the park. “Everyone had their
temperature taken upon entering the park.
Masks were required at all times unless guests
were eating, drinking, or sitting, and there
were hand-sanitizing stations everywhere.”
The social distancing aspect worked in their
favor as well. “It made the lines look a lot
longer, but they really moved much quicker.”
Some of the features they typically enjoy
were absent this trip. “There were not many
live shows, which we enjoy, but we’ve seen
them all, so that was fine. And there weren’t
as many character visits, but that’s not as
important to my kids anymore.” Jay says his
children, Avery (16) and Jake (14) are at the
age that what they most want to do is ride and
eat, which is what the family did during most
of their trip.
The McDaniels were joined on the trip by
Jay’s brother, his wife, and their nine-year-old
son as well as his parents. “It was nice to spend
time with them, and to feel ‘normal’ again.”
Hometown RANKIN • 59