It has been exciting times for Universal fans with the reopening of the Universal Orlando Resort last week. We have learned interesting things about how the first week has gone and we have hope that any issues they have faced will be ironed out quickly in order to make the experience for those wishing to go, as safe and as enjoyable as possible at a time when COVID-19 is still present.
Around the web, there have been mixed views from those who have taken the plunge and decided to visit this week. It was fascinating reading our writers account of her first experience back at the parks on an Annual Passholder Preview day.
There can’t be anyone who isn’t aware of the mandatory mask wearing measure, which has been so widely discussed and argued over in the last few weeks, as well as temperature testing and a range of other health and safety protocols that have had to be put into place to adhere to government guidelines.
Although there has been such controversy regarding the mandatory mask wearing measure that is in place at Universal Orlando as well as at Walt Disney World, when it reopens on July 11, it must come as welcome news to many of those that disagree with it that we find that Universal has put in place a few, U-Rest areas, which allow you to relax with the rest of your party while social distancing with guests from other households without wearing your mask. It has been rumored that more of these U-Rest areas are likely to be added to the parks in the near future.
So this week since Universal Orlando Resort has reopened there have been some reports of low capacity and therefore fairly short standby lines. Virtual queuing has been implemented on a number of rides including:
- Fast & Furious – Supercharged
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Skull Island – Reign of Kong
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Despicable Me – Minion Mayhem
Although there have been a few hitches reported at times when using the virtual queueing system. There also still appears to be some problems with the popular ride, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, but as I have already said hopefully these will be fixed quickly. The implementation of several U-Rest areas for guests to relax in without wearing masks has hopefully been a welcome addition which wasn’t originally divulged when the mandatory mask wearing measure was first announced. There has also been a lot of positive comments from numerous visitors who stated that temperature testing was done efficiently and quickly, team members appeared to know what they were doing and things overall ran smoothly.
I don’t know about you, but back in March when the lock down first began, I questioned whether any theme park would be able to open at all in 2020 and here we now are with Universal Orlando Resort open, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay following today (June 11) with Walt Disney World reopening in a month. Devising comprehensive reopening plans which adhere to government health and safety guidelines and actually bringing them to fruition has surely been an incredibly difficult task. So…
Poll 21 – Do YOU Think Universal Orlando Resort’s Reopening Has Been A Success?
Here it is, Poll number 21, do you think Universal Orlando Resort’s Reopening has been a success? I am expecting, from what I have read so far, that for the majority they will vote ‘yes’ but it will be very interesting to see what the results are for this one and to read the comments outlining readers views.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Florida is being closely watched as lock down rules have slowly been lifted. For many I am sure that they may feel Universal perhaps shouldn’t have opened as early as they have. For others they have welcomed the news that Universal Orlando Resort made the decision to reopen when they did. These are all personal choices to each individual and we love reading all your comments. Everyone has a right to their opinion and we ask for respect to be shown to others when replying to comments.
So here it is, Do you think Universal Orlando Resort’s Reopening Has been a success? Here are your simple choices:
- Yes
- No
- Changes need to be made
I have included the third option because I thought it would be very interesting to hear what (if any) changes you think Universal should make to improve their current strategy.
To vote, CLICK HERE and don’t forget to share this with your friends and family. You can leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. I will update you on the results in my next poll which will be coming soon!
Poll 20 Results – Coronavirus Poll – Walt Disney World Is Reopening July 11, Are You Planning To Go To The Parks?
It was back on May 30, just after the official announcement from Disney that Walt Disney World would reopen on July 11 with a number of new safety measures and restrictions, that I asked the question, are you planning to go back to the parks when they reopen?
Disappointingly, this hasn’t had as many votes so far, as the original poll, but these were your options:
- Yes – 41%
- No – 46%
- Not until a vaccine – 13%
Although there are clearly a large amount of fans who can’t wait to get to Walt Disney World when it opens on July 11, 59% of fans are choosing to take a rain check for now, either because of the measures in place or because they feel it’s not value for money or it won’t be Disney so why bother? 13% of voters are waiting for a vaccine has been found and distributed before they head back to the parks. It is a personal choice and it will be very interesting to see how Walt Disney World’s reopening goes in July.
I can’t help thinking that after the news this week clarifying several new policies, including “No Guarantee” of Theme Park admittance with hotel stay and Park Hopping suspended indefinitely as Walt Disney World ticket sales prepare to come back online, that there may be more of a swing to guests choosing not to visit the parks when they reopen. It will be interesting to see if these results will change any further before our next poll? To have your say and to vote, CLICK HERE and don’t forget to share this with your friends and family. I will update you on the final results to this poll, in my next article which will be coming soon.
With SeaWorld and Busch Gardens reopening today (June 11), there is another big week ahead in discovering what life in theme parks will be like in a time when the world is trying to protect everyone from COVID-19. I think a lot of guests will be hoping that mandatory mask wearing will be the first measure to be relaxed as soon as it possibly can be but as of right now we have no way of telling when that will be. In the meantime guests visiting Universal Orlando Resort have got the use of the U-Rest areas which I am sure they will be thankful of.
Check out our News Page and Facebook Page daily to keep up to date with all the latest announcements from Universal Orlando Resort as well as Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and all other theme parks across the US, UK and around the World.
We understand that our readers are missing the parks and we know the news is swamped with COVID-19 updates and information so we have been trying to continue to publish interesting and relevant features for you to read during this time. If you fancy a chilled few minutes, here is a list of our most recent features:
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I Was One of the First People Back at Universal Orlando Resort. Here’s What I Learned…
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The Post COVID-19 Changes at Disney Parks Might Not Be All Bad
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Missing Disney Parks? To Take on Disney Withdrawals with STYLE
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How Many of These 12 Areas Axed from Disney Parks Did You See?
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Imagine Being Quarantined Inside ONE Disney Parks Land… Which Would You Choose? Here Are Our Picks…
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The Real Pizza Rat: How Chuck E. Cheese Revolutionized Video Gaming and Created Family Entertainment
- Remember Any of These 8 Video Games That Brought Disney Parks to YOU/ You Might Be Surprised…
- 8 Things That 2000’s Kids LOVED at Walt Disney World
- Search for GIANT Hidden Mickeys in This Google Maps Scavenger Hunt from Home!
- 9 Things Every 90’s Kid LOVED at Walt Disney World
To see all of our latest features visit our Features Page.