10 Questions You May Have About the Free COVID-19 Testing at Walt Disney World
Did you know there is a free COVID-19 testing site right at Walt Disney World? There is! Free! I went a few days ago to try it out, and wanted to share my experience. The Florida Division of Emergency Management actually runs the site, but it’s located on Disney property. I’m sure Disney recognizes the difficulties there are with interstate travel to some states and many countries, and they want to help as much as possible. Some states will allow travelers to opt out of (or lessen) their mandatory quarantine period if they have a negative COVID test prior to entrance. Some travelers will also want to be tested for their own peace of mind.
Here are some answers to questions you may have!
1. Where is the testing site located? – It’s in a backstage area, not too far from Animal Kingdom. You can’t take Disney transportation to get there, you’ll have to drive or be dropped off. The actual address is 3010 Maingate Lane, Kissimmee, Florida 34747. When you get close, you will see several signs directing you.
2. When Is the testing site open? – The site is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily. It’s for walk-ups only, and you cannot make an appointment beforehand.
3. Who can use it? – Anyone! You do not have to be a Florida resident or cast member; the testing is open for anyone who would like to use it. You do not need to be symptomatic, or give a reason that you want the test.
4. What information will you be asked to provide? – You will be asked to register via the website using your personal device, while in line, before reaching the front of the line. You can also register online before arrival at https://www.patientportalfl.com. The registration process will ask for basic information like name, date of birth, phone number, email, and home address. You will also be asked some demographic information, plus insurance information, but you can decline to answer those if you want. Once registered, you will receive a bar code which they will scan before the test.
5. What type of test is it? – By default, you will be given a rapid test. If, however, you have a reason to need a PCR test, they will give it to you. They may ask for proof that it is necessary. I needed a PCR test, and I was asked if I had proof, but I didn’t actually have to show it. They gave me both the rapid and PCR test.
6. What is the process like while you wait to take the test? – When you arrive, you will park and join what is probably a very long line. The line is marked with several ropes and cones set up in the parking lot. There are several signs posted with registration directions along the way. Fun fact – You can actually see Expedition Everest from the line!
7. How long will you wait in line to take the test? – I was in line for about 2 ½ hours. It’s not quick! The day I was there, there were 12 switchbacks in the single line, with about 15 people (or small groups) able to fit in each portion of the line. So, on average, it took about 12.5 minutes to advance through each switchback in the line. There were then multiple windows at the front of the line, and four windows were open and staffed when I was there. Your test(s) will occur at the window, and the test itself takes about 5-10 minutes. Hopefully you will be able to calculate about how long your wait will be with that information.
8. Did it feel safe? – It did. The line is outside, everyone was spaced out, and masks were mandatory. Despite the number of people in line, and the wrapping of the line, I never felt like I was closer than 6 feet to anyone. I only saw one person with the mask below their nose. Not long after I noticed him, someone came out from one of the trailers with a bullhorn and made an announcement along the lines of – “Many people in this line are here because they think they have COVID, and some of them are correct! Please keep your mask on your mouth AND nose.”
9. What is the actual test like? – It’s a self-administered nasal swab (both for the rapid test and the PCR test). You will approach one window of a trailer when called, and they will scan your bar code and confirm your identity. After that is confirmed, you will approach a second window where they will give you instructions on how to use the swab (you insert about one inch of the swab into both nostrils, and scrape the sides for about 5 seconds), hand it to you, and close the window. When you are done, they take the swab, and you are done!
10. How long did the results take? – The rapid test results were as advertised, and I had a text message and email exactly 20 minutes later with my results. The paper with the information on the PCR test said it could take five days to get these results through a secure website, but when I checked for results about 36 hours later, they were there.
That was my experience! I hope it helps! Do you have any questions about it?
Tammy Whiting is the owner of Storybook Destinations. Did you know Storybook Destinations offers a complimentary subscription to TouringPlans with qualified Disney and Universal bookings? Click here for a no-obligation quote on your next vacation!
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Thanks for sharing that! Which date did you do the test? At what time did you get there?
I did it on Tuesday, January the 5th! And I arrived around 12:30. The line was about the same length the entire time I was there.
When you say anyone can use it, does that include people who are not US citizens?
As far as I know, yes. And I was never asked for citizenship proof.
Hi, do you know if it is free for non Florida residents?
Hi Sue! It is! It’s free for everyone.
Hi there – is this information still accurate? This is so well explained – thank you!
Hi Suzanne! The testing site closed a little while ago. I’m sorry about that!
Hi! Thanks for the info, I just wanted to know if the rapid test was the antigen test??
I plan to take both in case the result for the pcr test doesn’t come on time.
The rapid test is the antigen test! The PCR is not. 🙂
Just came here to share my experience. Did the test on January 13rd. Got there 9am. It took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I asked them both tests, the rapid one(antigen) and PCR. Got the results of the rapid test about 10 minutes later by SMS and the result of PCR came out about 32 hours later. I strongly recommend this site for doing the tests.
Great! Thank you, Danielle!
Is the testing still available and how did you get there while staying in park and get back to your hotel after wards
Hi Liza! It is. I would recommend a Lyft or Uber if you don’t have a rental car!
Fantasic! Thanks for the feedback, Danielle.
Went this morning March 5 we were there by 8:45 we were done by 8:53 I had the results before I got out of my car at animal Kingdom at 9:15. This was a friday and Animal Kingdom crowds or to some of the other parks or four. Overall really great experience and this thread really helped me feel confident about what I was doing thank y’all
So glad it helped, Kathleen!
Just went today. Got there at 8:55 am and was done at 10am. Had results texted to me by 10:15 am. Overall very easy. I highly recommend logging in to the FL patient portal and creating an account before you arrive. If not you have to make your account before they allow you to get in the line.
Thanks for the update, Kasey! 🙂
Went there on 1/15. Waited an hour and 10 minutes. Needed it to not quarantine upon return to NY.
Everyone was spaced out nicely. Took an uber there. Easy. Going to FL again end of Feb and thought I had this scoped out for my party.. based upon what I am ready I guess I will check online before departing. Thank you !
You were there a few days after me! 🙂
How do you get there from a Disney resort if you have kids that need car seats and no car? What’s the best tome to get there? What if we go right before close will they turn you away?
We took an uber.
Maybe go separately and each of you stay with the kids while the other goes?
I believe they close at 3 but if you are on the line by then they will still test you but close the line then.
I heard that going early before they open is the quickest. We got on line at 1250 and there were about 100 people in front of me on the single line. The family line was much longer
I would suggest the earlier the better.
Best of luck!
Any chance anyone knows who, the test provider is? I live in Hawaii where a negative PCR test required prior to returning home. But they only accept results from certain providers. Planning to go to WDW in April. And I’m hoping all the COVID stuff will simmer down by then.
Thank you!!!
Hello. My test results say CDR/Maguire. Hope this helps! Note they only will give a rapid unless you ask for a PCR test. Good luck!
We are going in 2 weeks. We’re renting a car so the 5 of us can get to a testing site before returning to NY. I’m wondering if the rapid test is sufficient or do we need the PCR test? Our trip is Sun-Thurs and Tues is our non-park day, so that’s the day we’ll go for the test. To the lady who posted earlier about returning to NY, which one did you get?
Hey there. We got a rapid before returning to NY and one 4 days after return. I was told you could request a PCR test from there as well. Results take a few days. DOH did text me a couple of times asking if I tested and followed the guidelines, which I did, so I confirmed. I believe they only had my info from the form I had to fill out at the airport. Not sure what happens if you drive. I was glad to get tested, so we had piece of mind. Hope this is helpful.
Thanks! I also called the dep of health here to ask if it mattered which test.. they said rapid or pcr… so that’s good. What a hassle but worth to go and enjoy some sun!
HI,
Thank you so much for the information.
What is the website to register ahead ?
Here it is, Maggie! 🙂 https://www.patientportalfl.com/s/
I just went today (Feb 5) at 11 am. There was no wait and I was done in 5 minutes and had the result 20 mins later. It’s very helpful to fill out the paperwork ahead of time using the QR code in the post. There’s also a “single rider” line which makes it quicker.
No wait at 11? That’s great! And yes, the single rider line is a great addition.
Another option is to make an appt at the Orange County Convention Center- I was trying to figure out if that was a better bet given waits above are 5 min to 2 1/2 hours. Probably depends on crowds at Disney (we would be Friday March 5). Any idea?
https://www.occc.net/coronavirus
It’s fairly hard to predict, I agree. Low crowds at Disney should help! But there are a decent amount of locals that use it as well.
We just came from the COVId site. Arrived about 11:45am on Monday, February 9. From arriving in the parking lot until we were done with the test was about 45 minutes. Resulted texted you us before we could get back to our room!
By the time we were leaving, the line had grown by about 50%, so maybe about an hour and fifteen minute wait for those folks.
It was very orderly, efficient and was spaced out and felt very safe. Bring an umbrella on a very hot and bright day – there’s not a bit of shade!
Thanks for the update, Kate!
We are traveling to Pop Century resort soon. Any idea of approximate cost of Uber to get to testing site? I assume this is the best option with no car? Thanks
I don’t think it’d be $15 from Pop. If you wanted to, you could catch the bus to Disney Springs and walk it – it’s not terrible.
Thanks Len
What does the test result say? Does it say who provided the test? Does it give a date and time of test? My son needs specific info for his job. Does the text and email provide the same info? Thanks.
The PCR version does give the provider information, with the date and time of the test. The text is a message to log in and see the results. There’s also a link to a pdf to print!
The rapid test also gives a pdf when you log in to see the results.
We went Feb 16th (family of 5). If the line was going to be super long, we would have made “same day appointments” at the convention center. Good news was that the line wasn’t bad at all! We got to our place in line at 11:50am and we’re getting back in the car at 12:50pm. The line slowed to a crawl for 15 min as less windows were open, but then they had 4 open and we moved right along. PRE-REGISTER!! I had the kids under me and my husband has his own account. After you register, it gives you the option to add kids. We waited till in the car at Disney Springs till we had the results. All Neg! Phew. Lol. We felt very safe at Disney.
Thanks, Jenny! Sounds like the lines have been much better lately!
Just want to thank everyone who has been adding to this thread. This is such valuable information and not easy to come by in any other place I have been looking. Our 35th anniversary trip delayed one year is coming up March 1st and this has been so helpful!
Has anyone gotten there for when they first opened? Trying to plan Covid testing for my family so we can have it for travel back to New York. I think we have to get it on our Magic Kingdom day so I’m wondering if I get there around 7:45 if I will be able to be at Magic Kingdom for when they open at 9. Anyone have any input? Thanks!
Hey! i know i didn’t have insurance and marked that field off but i wanted to make sure they won’t end up billing me later on? or will i never be charged for this?
They will not! It is free. They take insurance information, if you have it, just in case your insurance company will cover it and help with their operating costs. But they will not charge you personally.
We went in 2/19/21, got there just before 9 am and we were done by 10:15. They let you swab your own nose. The results were back in about 15 minutes
So, we are going to Disney the first week in April from NY. Someone mentioned you could walk from downtown Disney. How long did it take to walk and which site are you walking to?
Or where should you go to so the car sharing isn’t too costly
Hello. Not this site for sure. It is closer to Animal Kingdom. I am here now. Got covid tested yesterday at 9 am. In and out in 20 minutes. Easy. Ubered there and back. Good luck!
Hi Carol!
The CentraCare Lake Buena Vista is about 1.1 miles from Disney Springs: https://centracare.adventhealth.com/urgent-care/lake-buena-vista. It’s maybe 2 miles from the far, far edge of Disney Springs by Cirque du Soleil.
I’ve used this one a couple of times. I’d encourage you to make a reservation early in the morning – they tend to run behind schedule the later in the day you go. Friendly staff.
Was the test at CentraCare free, or only the site near Animal Kingdom? I see you have to provide insurance information when you register.
Is centra care a self swab or the deep painful swab
Thank you everyone for posting here. I am hoping this will be my solution to providing a test as we will be enjoying Disney with kids for a week and then my wife and I will be traveling to Jamaica for a few days where they just changed the Covid test from 10 days down to three before you fly out. I think this can work for us.. Thank you
Good luck! Enjoy Jamaica! 🙂
We are Canadian and need a PCR test. I understand the antigen test is free but what is the cost of the PCR? How long until you receive your results? Thank You for doing this!
Both free! PCR results came in about 36 hours later.
Is there a minimum age requirement on who can get tested? The pre-registration site says “(b) the parent or legal guardian of the patient and confirm that the patient is at least 16 years of age”. We will have 4 kids that need to be tested to return to NYS under the age of 9.
It should be ages 2 and up. There were very small children being tested when I was there!
OK so I am coming from New York in about a week and will be returning home on the 24th. The governor just announced that as of April 1 the travel ban for domestic travel will be lifted. Do you think I really need to do this and put my family through testing while on vacation when a week after I come back the ban is lifted?? Just curious what everyone thought?
Same boat here – we get home to NY on the 25th. I’m debating whether to test there since we don’t have much time at the parks or just say screw it and keep kids home until the 4/1
Agreed! Just wondering if we will still be stopped at JFK for fill out the form..
Hi, I read it’s close by disney property, however I won’t be visiting any of the disney parks this year, we’re there for universal parks. Will that be a problem? Is it only disney visitors?
It is not just for Disney visitors! 🙂
We are from Canada and just had our tests done on Monday March 22 around 10 am. Had to do a rapid antigen test for Florida state purposes and also a pcr test to get back into Canada. No line when we arrived. Extremely helpful staff. 2 separate swabs were needed. You self swab. Does not hurt-maybe a little uncomfortable. Took about 5 minutes. Rapid test results back in 20 minutes to online portal and by test. Pcr tests back about 37 hours later (about 11 pm Tuesday March 23) to another website you must check online, text sent much later. All done for free. If you are driving back to Canada, consider doing tests later in day because pcr tests are sent to Texas only once late in the day so maximize 72 hours results requirement for border. Good luck and thanks for this testing location and this blog!
Wonderful! So glad it worked well for you!
Another Canadian Girl.
Thank you for leaving this information! We leave Florida to drive to Ontario April 27, 2021. Hoping to have tests done around noon hour.
Thank you again for this insightful information. Also to Tammy for setting up site.
Elizabeth
I’m glad it helps, Elizabeth!
Is this place still doing testing? Nothing comes up on their website when I select Orange County. Thank you.
See this link for sites- the maingate one closed yesterday.
Here the county information I got that from and it has other links- you might do better with CVS or Walgreens and they have links to them on this page as well- although I didn’t check through those.
Our state (NY) no longer requires testing after travel, so I’ve lost touch with locations
http://www.ocfl.net/EmergencySafety/Coronavirus/Testing.aspx#.YKFwbmZKjOQ
Are they still testing? I will be traveling July 14-18 and will need a pcr test before going back.
They are not, Tiffany! They closed recently.
Hi are they still testing??? I need a test to get back to my country
They are not, Andres!
Any update of whether they’ve resumed testing for PCR test required for travel? Traveling at the end of January 2022.