Universal Orlando: Theme parks in Florida are opening their doors again
Great news for Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse – Orlando theme parks are opening their gates again. Universal Orlando had already announced that it is opening its parks from June 5 and yesterday said select hotels would reopen on Tuesday.
And Walt Disney World also announced yesterday that Magic Kingdom will open on July 11, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15.
Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and waterpark Volcano Bay – which closed on March 16 amid the Covid-19 crisis – are bringing in extra health, safety and hygiene measures to protect both staff and visitors. They will include wearing masks, temperature checks (those with temperatures of 100.4 or more will not be allowed in), spacing for social distancing, screening and sanitisation.
Daily attendance will be managed so there will be less people allowed on rides and in restaurants. Boss Tom Williams said: “We want to invite guests back to our theme parks in a cautious and thoughtful way. We have put new health and safety procedures in place for both our team members and guests. And we have worked hard to make sure our guests can enjoy their time with family and friends. Doing this the right way will take all of us – and we need everyone’s help. Guests should follow our guidelines and continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and health officials.”
The phased reopening of the hotels will include Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, 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. Universal CityWalk is already open.
For details of Disney parks’ health and safety measures see https://www.disneyworld.eu/experience-updates/
