Though all eyes are on Universal Orlando Resort, who has confirmed that they will begin opening up their theme parks to annual passholders only on June 3 and 4th, and then finally, to the general public on June 5, 2020, several smaller theme parks in Florida have announced that they will also be reopening in the near future, including the following:
1. LEGOLAND Florida – June 1, 2020
LEGOLAND Florida has gotten approval from the state of Florida to once again begin welcoming guests on June 1, 2020. There will be some restrictions in place, including a 50% capacity limit (around 6000 guests) along with temperature checks that would turn away visitors who read 100.4 degrees or higher.
Interestingly, though other theme parks are requiring masks for all visitors, LEGOLAND has said that they are strongly encouraging, but not requiring visitors to wear masks when they reopen.
2. Gatorland Orlando – Open Now
Gatorland is having its grand re-opening today, May 23, 2020, after making several changes to the park to promote social distancing. Markers have been added to all queue lines at shows, rides, food venues and retail shops, and all food venues, shops, shows and rides will also have reduced capacity.
Like LEGOLAND, masks will be encouraged for guests who visit the park but will not be required. Additional hand washing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout the park as well.
3. Fun Spot Orlando – Open Now
Fun Spot Orlando reopened on May 22, 2020 at 2:00 PM, just a few minutes after it announced it was able to begin welcoming guests. The park has said that social distancing of nine feet will be enforced in the lines for the rides, signs will be set up to remind guests to use hand sanitizing stations, and the park will only open at 50% capacity. Masks will be required for employees, but not for guests. Though the Orlando location is now open the Fun Spot Kissimmee location, remains closed for now with no reopening date yet revealed.
4. Icon Park – Open Now
Icon Park, which includes a number of attractions, including SeaLife Orlando, Madame Tussaud’s, The Wheel, and the Orlando Starflyer, has now completely reopened after a “phase 1” soft reopening last week. Capacity is reduced in all of these locations, and masks are encouraged but not required for visitors. In addition, guests riding The Wheel will not have their parties combined with others inside capsules, and the Orlando Starflyer will be keeping parties separated on the ground while they wait for the attraction. Sanitization will also be increased at all attractions.
Of course, the biggest question mark in central Florida is Walt Disney World, which has stayed silent even as other attractions and parks reopen. However, hopefully we’ll hear something from Disney parks soon.
As always, while this situation is evolving, all theme park fans should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
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