For travelers, the emergence from the Coronavirus Pandemic from Orlando International Airport began with mandatory face masks, badges for ticket agents, fewer airlines, fewer travel destinations, and half the usual number of passengers at the airport. In accordance with CDC guidelines, Orlando theme parks have improved hygiene practices and implemented refined screening and social distance measures.
The Theme Parks pre-show audience hall and other areas where guests gather in large groups are likely to be excluded for now. Some parks have also halted parades, indoor shows, & other attractions that require a higher concentration of guests.
Capacity and Physical distance measures
At Orlando’s amusement park, non-contact hand sanitizing stations are located at the entrances and exits of all tourist attractions, as well as high-traffic areas. Park officials are looking for ways to quickly and efficiently disinfect vehicles between groups of guests.
Disney parks are also looking for ways to minimize queues, such as: virtual queues for multiple attractions, the expansion of the existing mobile ordering feature for restaurants, cleaning and disinfection.
Prevention and screening support
Universal Orlando conducted a recent survey of annual cardholders and were asked to rate their comfort level based on temperature testing and contact tracking using cell phone GPS data to determine possible exposure. Temperature checks are available at entrances of amusement parks. Public surfaces are removed more frequently and multiple surfaces are treated with antibacterial and antiviral chemicals. Some airlines have tried using certain chemicals, which can last for several weeks, while Orlando hotels and amusement parks have also researched best sanitizing methods.
Employee training
Cast members at Disney theme parks in the United States will receive new training focused on health and safety. However, Disneyland’s official reopening training had not yet taken place.
Are Downtown Disney and Disney Springs open?
Disney Springs was partially reopened on May 20, 2020. The Walt Disney World Resort announced its plans for a gradual reopening and have reopened most of the stores at Disney Springs such as the World of Disney. However, guests are encouraged to arrive an hour early to ensure a parking spot due to the fluctuating limited capacity.
Are Walt Disney World and Disneyland open?
Magic Kingdom & Disney’s Animal Kingdom reopened on July 11, Epcot and Disney Studios in Hollywood followed on July 15. There’s no opening date yet for the Hurricane Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Park at Walt Disney World. Pending government approval, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will reopen in Anaheim, California on July 17 in time for the 65th anniversary.
Are Universal Orlando and Universal Studios open?
Yes! Universal Studios and Universal Orlando theme park reopened on June 5 with a series of changes, including:
- Floor markers indicating a proper distance of six feet
- Improvement of the “virtual line experience” to reduce the number of people queuing in physical proximity.
- Limited capacity
- Mandatory temperature checks for all visitors and team members.
- Transfer of parking lots in the park structure to promote social distance.
- Disinfection stations that guests must use before entering the vehicle.
- Support for cashless payments like Apple Pay and Google Wallet
Universal Orlando does not require advance reservations like Disney, but Florida theme parks have warned that guests may be denied entry if the theme park’s limited capacity has reached.
At the time of this publication, an opening date for Universal Studios in California has not been announced.
What does the closing mean for annual passholders?
Each park complex treats annual tickets differently. Disney has introduced two options for those who make monthly AP payments: suspend payments while the park is closing and expire the pass, or defer payment until the park reopens and receive a valid pass for the same period in which the park is closed. Pass holders who have paid in full can renew their passes for the same number of days that the park is closed. Universal Studios does the same for those who have a membership card or annual subscription.
We hope you enjoyed this article. If you did please feel free to check out more information on Orlando hotels and theme parks.
