Universal moves closer to reopening in June. Other theme parks haven’t announced opening.
Universal Orlando intends to be up and running on June 5.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings approved the resort’s reopening phased strategy on Friday, clearing the way for Gov. Ron DeSantis to make it official. DeSantis, who Universal said supports their proposal, still needs to formally sign off for it to become the first of Orlando’s three major theme parks to reopen.
Universal’s tiered reopening will occur over several days in early June. Their plan also included opening dates and safety guidelines for rides and attractions.
“We want to invite guests back to our theme parks in a cautious and thoughtful way,” Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive officer for Universal Parks & Resorts, said in Friday’s press release.
“Doing this the right way will take all of us — and we need everyone’s help,” he continued. “Guests should follow our guidelines and continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and health officials”
John Sprouls, the theme park’s chief administrative officer, told the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force that Universal wants to open between June 1-5. People will be let in similar to the staggered boarding arrangements on flights.
Sprouls says the tiered entrance plan is to slowly test Universal’s safety system before a full reopening.
On June 1-2, only team members and employees would be allowed into the parks. On June 3-4, invited guests, like annual pass members, would be admitted. On June 5, the parks would open to the general public.
Sprouls also introduced Universal’s new safety procedures:
Transportation, Parking, Valet:
▪ Guest temperature checks at parking or main entrances
▪ Masks are required for all guests; free disposable masks will be given to guests if they do not have one
▪ Valet parking will be closed
▪ Staggered parking will be implemented
Rides, Attractions:
▪ Interactive areas closed
▪ Virtual lines at popular attractions
▪ Single rider lines will be eliminated
▪ Riders will be spaced out and parties will be kept together
▪ No parades will run; individual floats will be displayed
Dining, Merchandise:
▪ Face coverings for sale
▪ Single-use menus
▪ No buffets or self-serve options
▪ Mobile food ordering at almost every location
▪ Contactless payments accepted
Universal first closed in mid-March, two months ago, furloughing part-time workers and cutting employee pay. Disney and SeaWorld also closed their parks and furloughed workers.
Universal has already started a phased reopening. On May 14, select CityWalk stores and restaurants opened on limited hours and menus with new safety guidelines for workers and customers.
Workers and guests must wear face coverings, submit to a temperature check, social distance, pay attention to floor markings and wash hands frequently. According to Universal’s proposed plan, these safety guidelines will stay in place.
The Walt Disney Co. and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment will be presenting similar reopening proposals to the economic recovery board at a later date.
As of Thursday, the Florida Department of Health reported 1,726 coronavirus cases and 38 deaths in Orange County, where the theme parks are located.
Disney and SeaWorld have also made steps toward reopening. Disney partially reopened Disney Springs on Wednesday. Only about 44 shops and restaurants out of the 168 at Disney Springs reopened.
Disney Springs also put in place similar safety guidelines to Universal’s CityWalk. Guests are temperature-screened before entering, there is limited parking and reduced entrances, and face coverings are required. Barriers and queues for social distancing have been put up.
While SeaWorld Entertainment hasn’t opened any of its parks, SeaWorld was testing some of its fastest coasters, Mako and Kraken, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Not only was the park testing the rides, but also had employees onboard with a variety of face masks.
SeaWorld said the tests were part of “necessary preparations to reopen and operate our parks as soon as safely possible....”
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 3:39 PM.
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