Universal Orlando Resort has announced that they will open up their theme parks to Team Members only tomorrow, on June 1, 2020 to test new procedures, and will then begin opening up the theme parks to annual passholders only on June 3 and 4th, and then finally, to the general public on June 5, 2020. This is obviously going to be a big week for Universal, and all eyes will be on the resort as the first major theme park in the country to reopen. But how are they going to manage guests, capacity, and restrictions. Here’s everything we know so far:
1. Hotel guests will have priority when it comes to capacity limits
Though we know that there will be overall park capacity limits in place at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal has confirmed that they will be accounting for hotel guests when setting theme park capacity limits and visitors staying on property will not be turned away if the park closes to new guests due to capacity.
Hotels that will be open this week will include Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites. Reopening dates for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites will be announced at a later time.
2. There will not be a reservation system
Though Walt Disney World will be using a reservation-based system to manage capacity, Universal will be limiting attendance throughout the day, and making capacity decisions on the fly, saying that there may be times when the parks reach capacity and additional guests will not be admitted.
3. Masks will need to be worn at all times, even on rides
Universal has said that all guests visiting the theme parks will need masks, (including all children over 2 years old). Guests who do not bring a mask will be directed to purchase them. Masks will need to be worn at all times in the park, except when dining. And this includes while riding rides in the parks, with the exception of water rides and those at Volcano Bay. So no matter whether you are flying with Hagrid or experiencing the rage of The Hulk, you’ll have to do so with a mask on.
4. Parties will be separated from other parties in lines and on rides
Universal has said that it will encourage the use of virtual queues, but when those are either full or not available, regular queues will be used. In these cases parties will be kept together but separated from others using special floor markings that show guests where they can stand. No single rider lines will be available for any attraction. Parties will also be separated from others in ride vehicles, where empty seats will be used to create distance between guests.
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.
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