Though there are likely many reasons why attendance so far has been soft at theme parks in Orlando, it looks like the situation is getting to a point where theme parks are having to take action and make cuts to continue staying open. Already Universal Orlando Resort has been cutting costs everywhere , slashing hours and closing down attractions like Fast and the Furious: Supercharged, Kang & Kodos Twirl n Hurl, Poseidon’s Fury, Storm Force Accelatron and more.
And though there seems to be a fairly steady stream of guests visiting Universal Orlando Resort over the past few weeks, revenue has not rebounded as much as the resort has probably wanted, and as a result it looks like two more high profile closures are coming next week.
Two hotels set to shut down indefinitely next week
Image: Universal Orlando Resort
Next week, on August 21, Universal Orlando Resort hotels Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and Universal’s Aventura Hotel will both close indefinitely.
Guests with reservations at these two locations are being contacted now and those who booked with Loews Sapphire Falls Resort are being given the option to push back their dates or receive a free upgrade to a Premier Hotel of their choice.
Image: Universal Orlando Resort
Guests with reservations at Universal’s Aventura Hotel can also choose to either push back their travel dates or transfer to Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and a get an additional $50 dining credit.
Universal said anyone who made reservations through a third-party should contact the third-party.
These are not the only closed hotels
Though these are the latest closures at Universal Orlando Resort, unfortunately they aren’t the only hotels that haven’t been welcoming guests recently, as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Dockside Inn and Suites also remain closed at this time.
Sadly, after next week’s closure, only Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Surfside Inn and Suites remain open. And while we’re not expecting these resorts to close in the near future, with bookings undoubtedly way down for the fall due to the cancellation of Halloween Horror Nights, we could see some downsizing at these remaining hotels later this year as well.
Unfortunately, there is no way to know when things will improve, not only for Universal Orlando Resort but for the larger theme park industry, including Disney, SeaWorld, Cedar Fair and more, which all find themselves making cuts where they can to stay alive in the current challenging climate.
As always, while this situation is evolving, all travelers should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
Theme Park Tourist COVID-19 Complete Coverage: Walt Disney World Adds On-Site COVID Testing, Live Shows to Return Soon I The 23 Major Theme Park Projects Now Officially Cancelled, Delayed or Slimmed Down (August 12, 2020) I Walt Disney World Annual Passholders Face Low Availability as Parks Remain Empty I SeaWorld San Antonio and Aquatica Park are Extending Days Due To Demand I Survey Reveals Guests Don’t Really Want to Go to Theme Parks in 2020, Masks Continue to Be Divisive I Disney Slashes Park Hours for Fall
