Florida theme parks are reopening and Universal Orlando Resort was one of the first to reopen on June 5. Things are really beginning to heat up. Here is everything we know about Universal Orlando reopening.
Universal City Walk Opened on May 14. That set the clock for the rest of the resort, not to mention Disney and other local attractions. Everyone in the business has been working with Florida’s economic recovery task force. They’ve pushed forward plans to reopen the theme parks in the Orlando area. Disney Springs followed, and Legoland opened on Monday to a small crowd. Few were wearing face masks in the 90-degree weather. However, with Universal Orlando having reopened the parks on Friday, things are really beginning to heat up. Here is everything we know about Universal Orlando Resort reopening procedures.
Related Article: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort in Orlando
Universal Orlando Resort Reopened on June 5
On June 5th, Universal Orlando Resort reopened all three of its parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. Select hotels reopened on June 2. That makes Universal the second Orlando area theme park to welcome back guests. LEGOLAND Florida hosted under 6,000 guests for its relaunch, but Universal is a much bigger fish. Universal still has not disclosed the limit they are putting on the number of guests in the parks, but it will be a much greater turnout than LEGOLAND. With Disney out of the picture for over a month, the Universal Orlando reopening will max out any crowd limits they enforce. Wednesday, June 3, Universal opened to pass holders and invited guests for a test run.
Related Article: Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando
Mandatory Safety Measures
Universal followed the same safety guidelines as the other theme parks. They’re checking temperatures at parking garages and requiring face masks to be worn. Social Distancing practices will also be encouraged and enforced as well as sanitary measures such as frequent hand washing. There will be more signage around the resort to communicate safety and inspire cooperation from guests to help keep the parks as clean and safe as possible. Although Universal doesn’t require face masks while eating, the dining areas have been reconfigured to support social distancing. That means that anything you do following the Universal Orlando reopening is going to take patience even with the limited number of guests in the park.
Related Article: How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit to Universal Orlando Theme Parks
Universal is enhancing its already aggressive cleanliness standards and offering cashless transactions and “no-touch” policies wherever possible. select rides will offer virtual queues to guests to aid in social distancing practices.
Volcano Bay
Universal has also recently reopened, Volcano Bay. This is a huge surprise and it won’t be a move duplicated by the mouse. As of yet, Disney has not released any information about opening either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Water parks are a different beast when it comes to how crowds commingle and interact.
Related Article: Where to Eat at Universal CityWalk
Too Soon?
Even as places begin to tentatively reopen all over the country, Universal and the neighboring theme parks are pushing to bring in revenue again as fast as possible. The practices and procedures are almost unilateral across all parks and businesses, who worked with the same task force and agencies to get greenlit for their comeback. I will be curious to see if park guests follow the new rules or if additional safety measures will have to be taken. One has to wonder if it’s a good idea to start attracting travelers from all around the country, even for small crowds, and sending them back home again. My family really enjoys visiting Universal Orlando and other Florida theme parks. I look forward to making our way back to the parks soon.