Universal Orlando Set to Begin Phased Reopening on June 5
From new protocols to park hours, here’s an overview of the most pertinent information for the phased reopening of Universal Orlando Resort that begins June 5, 2020.
The health and safety of our guests and team members remain our top priority – and we need everyone’s help to adhere to CDC’s guidelines.
As a reminder, here’s what we’re doing:
HOURS OF OPERATION (subject to change)
Universal Studios Florida:
The health and safety of our guests and team members remain our top priority – and we need everyone’s help to adhere to CDC’s guidelines.
As a reminder, here’s what we’re doing:
- All team members will undergo temperature checks and wear face coverings
- All team members will participate in training on our new procedures
- Increasing our already-aggressive cleaning and disinfection procedures, and frequently cleaning all high-touch surfaces
- Limiting capacity and following social distancing guidelines throughout all attractions, restaurants and shops throughout the destination
- Everyone will be required to wear a face covering during their visit. If a guest doesn’t have a face covering, we’ll have them available for purchase.
- We encourage guests to follow CDC guidelines and conduct temperature checks prior to arrival. We will also implement temperature checks for each guest prior to their arrival to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk. If a guest has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater, they will not be able to enter.
- Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay will open* to the public beginning June 5 with limited attendance
- Universal CityWalk will continue its limited operation with additional venues* and extended hours
HOURS OF OPERATION (subject to change)
Universal Studios Florida:
- 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- We strongly encourage all guests to download and utilize the Official Universal Orlando Resort App for their visit. With the app, they’ll be able to make cashless transactions, order food and beverage from select dining venues, utilize Virtual Line for select attractions, and more.
- We will convert all menus to single-use in our dining venues.
- Mobile Food & Drink Ordering will be available for select venues in the parks and Universal CityWalk as we work to make contactless options available for guests. Mobile Food & Drink Ordering and available venues can be accessed through the Official Universal Orlando Resort App.
- Select rides and attractions will utilize Virtual Line – which allows guests to select a time to experience an attraction via the Official Universal Orlando Resort App so they’re minimizing the time they’re actually waiting in Guests can access Virtual Line while onsite at the theme parks and can view available attractions through the app.
- Guests will be required to use hand sanitizer before boarding ride vehicles. For any 3-D attraction, Universal Orlando team members will individually hand out 3-D glasses instead of guests having to pick them up themselves.
- There will be staggered spacing on ride vehicles and in queue lines to help place distance between groups. Please note that this may cause wait times to be longer than usual.
As Disney Springs begins reopening on May 20th, please be aware of the new policies and procedures:
- Parking and Entrances: During this initial phase, Guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime Garages. All surface lots will be closed. We will also reduce the number of entrances for Disney Springs to four locations: Orange and Lime Garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge and ride share location.
- Appropriate Face Coverings: All Guests 3 years of age and older, along with Cast Members and third-party operating-participant employees, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs. This is an important part of protecting both our Guests and our cast. Please be sure you have an ample amount of face coverings for yourself and your party before you arrive, as you’ll need to wear them over your nose and mouth at all times (except when sitting at a dining table).
- Temperature Screenings: Once you arrive at Disney Springs, you and your party will be required to undergo temperature screenings. Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance; those who again measure 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party. I encourage you to check temperatures of yourself and your party prior to leaving home, as an extra layer of precaution.
- Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: To maintain appropriate physical distancing throughout Disney Springs during this initial phase, we will limit the number of Guests visiting the property, as well as within each location. In addition, ground markings will help promote proper distancing when queuing is necessary. We will also add physical barriers in select places where it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing.
- Cleanliness: We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. We will also have hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available, and encourage you to use these frequently.
- Cashless Transactions: We’re recommending you use cashless payment options whenever possible during your visit to Disney Springs, including debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards, etc. You can also opt for contactless payment options or use cash to purchase a Disney gift card at the Welcome Center and select merchandise locations.
Plans Unveiled for the Phased Reopening of Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, Resort Hotels and Disney Stores
News direct from Disney on Wednesday 5/27/2020:
"Pending Orange County and state approval, our Walt Disney World Resort proposal plans for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to begin a phased reopening to the general public on July 11, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15. In preparing to reopen during this unusual time, we have to manage our theme parks in a very different way from what we’ve known before. As we begin to reach out to our Cast Members and call them back to work, they will be focused on operating our parks in a responsible way that continues to give our Guests opportunities to create magical Disney memories.
This phased reopening will demonstrate a deliberate approach, with limits on attendance and controlled Guest density that aligns with guidance on physical distancing. That means certain experiences we know draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date. In addition, “high-touch” experiences such as makeover opportunities, playgrounds and character meet and greets will remain temporarily unavailable, but characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our Guests.
Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited as we welcome Guests back to the magic, we will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all Guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on Guests with existing tickets and reservations. (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations.) Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; we’ll be reaching out to these Guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new ticket sales and hotel reservations after that period of time. Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon."
"Pending Orange County and state approval, our Walt Disney World Resort proposal plans for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to begin a phased reopening to the general public on July 11, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15. In preparing to reopen during this unusual time, we have to manage our theme parks in a very different way from what we’ve known before. As we begin to reach out to our Cast Members and call them back to work, they will be focused on operating our parks in a responsible way that continues to give our Guests opportunities to create magical Disney memories.
This phased reopening will demonstrate a deliberate approach, with limits on attendance and controlled Guest density that aligns with guidance on physical distancing. That means certain experiences we know draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date. In addition, “high-touch” experiences such as makeover opportunities, playgrounds and character meet and greets will remain temporarily unavailable, but characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our Guests.
Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited as we welcome Guests back to the magic, we will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all Guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on Guests with existing tickets and reservations. (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations.) Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; we’ll be reaching out to these Guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new ticket sales and hotel reservations after that period of time. Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon."
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A graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge, Jan Scott is your expert for all things Disney! Having been awarded Disney's premier title of "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner," Jan has escorted groups as large as 96 people to Walt Disney World. So whether you're planning a family vacation, school group trip, Disney Cruise, Aulani (Hawaii) or Adventures By Disney, contact Jan.
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Jan has also completed the Universal Orlando Specialist program, so she welcomes the chance to introduce you to their parks and resorts, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
SPECIALIST
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