After returning from my family vacation to Florida, there is one thing I can tell you: this Southern state is one, big, massive contradiction. In many parts of the state, things feel like COVID-19 is on its way out the door, people celebrating under a purple haze of food, fun, and complete denial there was ever a virus among us. All parks and beaches are open at 100% capacity. The state has lifted all capacity restriction, so COVID safety protocols seem to have disappeared.

Ah--but not so fast. The theme parks are open, but not so easy to access and enjoy. I have never been harassed about my behavior and mask wearing like I was at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. You can’t take a sip of your latte without having someone tell you to pull over to the sidewalk and take that sip. And yet, the contradictions continue here as well. The lines are long--but with no social distancing in place. It seems off kilter to be able to stand in line for an hour with people crawling all over you but then you can’t walk and drink your beverage. Some lines for food take over an hour. Disney Emporium and other shops and the restaurants are slammed. The line to get Disney souvenirs was so long I threw in the towel and joined my family and decided to try later. But as soon as you got out of line, the mask police were all over you.

One thing stayed consistent, however: prices. If you come hungry or forget to pack your family a meal, get ready to pull out your hundred-dollar bill. And everything available for purchase is fried, greasy, and ice cold. Where’s the famous Florida fruit?

Though the park shoved us into long lines for food and fun with no social distancing protocols, Disney did eliminate fireworks, character meet & greets, magical parades and hands on events like the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Public health officials and Disney World’s unions say there have been no coronavirus outbreaks among workers or guest; however, when asked how many employees have contracted the corona virus since the re-opening, Disney declined to respond.

After leaving the Magic Kingdom my family and I decided to go out for dinner. I made a reservation on Open Table for the best Mexican food in Orlando located near Buena Lake. As we approached the parking lot, I realized we were now in Disney Springs, Florida’s take on California’s Downtown Disney. Once we got out of the car, the shakedown started all over again with security. Mask protocols were strictly enforced, but there were no capacity limits or social distancing in place. Plenty of sanitizer and masks available, but the lines and crowds were out of control. And as a side note, the food a Fonterra Mexican was salty, expensive and way over-rated.

Overall, the week in Orlando was fun and relaxing. It didn’t look a thing like the news is reporting with spring break violence and crowded beaches. That behavior was in Miami and other Florida hot spots. Orlando was very busy with most restaurants sold out and shopping centers at full capacity. The Marriott hotel my family and I stayed in was at 100% capacity with pools and bars slammed. However, when boarding the Merry-Yacht to cross the lake, it was one family at a time, and lines to leave the pool were out of control so I didn’t see the difference between standing in line or boarding the boat.

Individual counties are allowed to implement their own restrictions and it is up to the restaurants’ discretion in each county how they implement mask mandates. My daughter and her family went to Melbourne to visit family, and there weren’t any mask mandates enforced. They could walk freely outside and enter public places without having to wear a mask, and even staff employees were mask-free. Orlando, on the other hand, was jam packed, but masks are strictly enforced, even when walking around outside.

One thing I can tell you is that mask mandates and social distancing meant nothing to my grandson, Eli, who had the best time ever. He was waving at everyone and got to glide through the vacation mask free since he is under two. He enjoyed everything and explored new and exciting adventures around every corner. Mickey Mouse ears in place sunglasses on and his huge Mickey Mouse balloon attached to his stroller, he took off to board his very first ride. Autotopia, Peter Pan, Teacups and many more filled his day with fun and adventure. He ate his first Hushpuppy and even tried some deep-fried fish and chips. He got to get in a few swim lessons with his OMA and enjoyed his surroundings. It is good to be a baby! He will never remember these crazy COVID times, and thank goodness for that blessing. I am looking forward to the days when we can all glide through life as peacefully and joyously as Eli, safe from this virus.