Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gave theme parks operators the go-ahead to submit their reopening plans to both the Governor as well as their local government officials (county and city mayors, etc.), and should identify the date that they believe that they can resume safe operations. However, it looks like theme park operators will be getting some help planning their reopening this week from the federal government.
Vice President Mike Pence to discuss reopening theme parks this week with Disney and Universal representatives
It was announced that Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Orlando this week to meet with Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss Florida’s phased economic reopening and participate in a roundtable with hospitality and tourism industry leaders (including representatives from Disney, Universal, and more) to discuss their plans for reopening.
Though we still don’t have an opening date for theme parks in Florida, this is yet another important milestone for theme parks in Florida looking to reopen in the near future. From big theme parks and resorts like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort to smaller parks like Busch Gardens Tampa, SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida, the Vice President’s visit should help get things moving in a more concrete way in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and though it will not be a public meeting, we expect to hear some news about how this meeting went later this week.
And while we originally were thinking this summer could be one without theme parks in Florida, The Vice President might put some pressure on the theme parks to open as early as possible in an effort to get Florida’s economy going again and provide a symbol of hope as America reopens.
We already know a little bit about what theme parks will look like when they do open
Last week Walt Disney World Resort reached an agreement with several Cast Member unions about new safety rules that will ensure the health of workers at Disney’s theme parks. Among these new rules will be the requirement for all visitors to wear masks when visiting the Disney theme parks, as well as go through a temperature screening before they are allowed to enter. The same requirements will apply to Universal Team Members, who will also be required to wear masks and have their temperature taken every day when they report for work.
Of course, the real question that remains is how Disney will handle things like limited park capacity, visitors from outside Florida, and protocols for how shows and rides can operate in a way that can keep both Cast Members as well as guests as safe as possible in the near future.
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.
Theme Park Tourist COVID-19 Complete Coverage: Disney Springs Announces Mask and Temperature Requirements, Plus Phase 2 Opening May 27 I Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and More Get OK for Reopening With Stipulations I Universal’s Epic Universe Delayed Indefinitely I A Summer Without US Disney Parks is Looking More and More Likely I Universal CityWalk Opening This Week With Limited Hours, Required Masks, and Temperature Checks I The 13 Major Theme Park Project Now Officially Cancelled, Delayed or Slimmed Down (May 12, 2020) I 4 Interesting Things Happening Now Inside Shanghai Disneyland I Disney Pushes Back Reservation Dates and Cancels Dining Deal
