Summer is looking up! With theme parks in Florida looking to safely re-open, it seems that folks will soon be able to enjoy the best of the Sunshine state them parks with Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, Lego Land and SeaWorld Orlando with plans in place to reopen.
Due to the pandemic that has affected almost every country on the globe, Universal Orlando and other major theme parks have been closed since mid-March. The reopening of the parks will be phased, with carefully managed plans and guidelines from the CDC, health officials, Ron DeSantis, and Jerry Demings, the governor of Florida and the mayor of Orange County, where the park and resort grounds are, respectively. There are new practices in place and more that will be implemented to ensure the health and safety of both team members, employees, and guests.
When Will Universal Orlando Theme Park reopen?
Universal Parks & Resorts announced that plans to reopen the parks are set for June 5. The phased reopening includes Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay and follows these new practices:
- Training team members on new procedures on June 1 and 2.
- Monitored guest attendance, including limited guest openings on June 3 and 4, leading up to the official public reopening on June 5.
- New guidelines based on CDC recommendations that cover the safety and hygiene procedures of each guest to promote health while on the premises such as required face masks, observing social distance rules, and temperature checks. If temperatures are above 100.4°, entry onto the park grounds will not be permitted.
- Upon arrival, guests can also expect staggered parking, restricted show and dinner seating, as well as restricted attraction access with less overall capacity.
Guests who plan on visiting any of the Universal Orlando properties should evaluate any risks that doing so may pose. Any guest that believes their health may be at risk should reconsider visiting the property as Universal cannot guarantee non-exposure to the virus while on the premises.
In addition to the new guidelines and practices that the park is implementing, new procedures for cleanliness and sanitation are also being added. The frequency in between cleanings has been increased and disinfection of frequent touch points has also been increased. Any point of touch that can be eliminated has been and cashless transactions have also been introduced. Not all areas of the park have been reopened to the public yet if it not yet deemed safe for those areas according to CDC guidelines.
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When will the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and other Disney Orland theme parks reopen?
If you’re looking for family fun at Disney World, their phased reopening begins on July 11 with the Magic & Animal Kingdom, followed by Hollywood Studios and Epcot on July 15th. Reservations are required to be made in advance, as there will be limits on how many guests will be allowed into the parks.
Prior to letting guests in, employees will first be allowed in for practicing the new protocols and procedures that are now in place:
- Limited contact enhancements to reduce contact between employees and guests.
- Temperature screenings for employees and guests.
- Limiting park capacity to allow for physical distancing at food and drink locations, and retail locations. Physical barriers will also in place where required. Reductions on attractions will also be enforced.
- Face coverings will be required for guests and employees as part of enhanced protective measures. Increased sanitation will be encouraged with hand washing stations positioned throughout the park.
Guests who plan on visiting any of the Walt Disney World properties should evaluate any risks that doing so may pose. By visiting, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, as the risk exists at any public space with people present.
There will be a new team – the ‘social distance squad’ – to help enforce the new procedures for guests by helping with education, communication and engagement, along with new signage that will be posted throughout the park.
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When will SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Tampa reopen?
Similar to Disney, there will also be a new team in place to respond to coronavirus guidelines at SeaWorld Orlando. During the time that these parks have been closed, there have been animal care experts that have been looking after the animals. SeaWorld has also submitted claims to be approved by the task force of city and health officials. Their main attraction, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove have plans to reopen on June 11. Under the same parent umbrella company, Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay will also be following the same protocols as SeaWorld.
The following procedures are now in place:
- Face coverings for all guests ages 2 and above are required.
- Signage will be throughout the park and on the ground to facilitate physical distancing.
- Enhanced cleaning and sanitation, especially for high contact areas.
- Temperature screenings in case for all employees and guests.
Busch Gardens has yet to announce an opening date, but it is expected to be in late June or early July. There is a lot of anticipation for thrill seekers to test out the new Iron Gwazi rollercoaster, North America’s tallest hybrid, and the world’s fastest & steepest hybrid coaster.
Annual pass holders for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens & Aquatica will have passes extended for the length of time the parks were closed to the public, as well as additional perks.
When is LegoLand Florida reopening?
Legoland Florida has also announced plans to reopen, and will be doing so on June 1. Guests who wish to visit must pre-purchased, as there are no ticket sales at the front gates. The park will also be opening at limited capacity to encourage social distancing. Here are more of the new procedures in place at the park:
- Masks are encouraged for everyone’s safety, but exceptions are made for children under 2, people who have trouble breathing, and anyone who is unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
- Entry restrictions:
- Guests with an elevated temperature (100.4° or higher) will not be permitted entry into the park.
- International travel within the last 14 days.
- Been on a cruise ship within the last 14 days.
- Been in a location with high cases of COVID-19, in close contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19, or having been tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Staggered parking and social distancing will be enforced by employees, including keeping distances in lines and on attractions throughout the park.
- Not all areas of the park will be open to guests upon reopening, for safety.
- Increased sanitation and disinfectant, especially in areas of frequent contact.
As guidelines for the safety of guests and employees are placed by health and city officials, more and more locations will be reopening their doors. Consider planning your Florida theme park getaway with Atlas Cruises & Tours!
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