Universal Orlando is Reopening - What Should You Expect?

As our Florida theme parks begin to reopen, operating procedures have been scrutinized, adjusted and fine tuned to meet the health and safety concerns of protecting staff and visitors alike. Much of what a visitor is used to has remained, but guidelines and additional procedures have been added to comply with CDC recommendations. This, of course, changes our theme park normal. Universal Orlando Resort will be the first major theme park to open their gates. Let's take a look at what guests can expect in regards to new safety and health guidelines, social distancing and touchless transactions.

​Changes begin right at the beginning, in the parking garages.  In order to create distance between travel groups, parking is being staggered. This is an easy way to social distance groups which also naturally staggers the arrival to the first checkpoint which is temperature check and instructions to put on your face covering, if you haven't already done so.

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Signage is clear and present!

At the entrance to each park and CityWalk, spieling team members bring a little levity to brighten the mood and remind guests of the required face coverings while visiting, social distancing guidelines within the parks and attractions, hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer. By the time guests have reached the entrance plaza of either park, they are fully aware of  the new expectations and guidelines. 

In case you might have missed it, a face covering is REQUIRED! Not going to sugar-coat this one - it's annoying, it adds nothing to any fashion statement one might be trying to make, there is a whole new biosphere going on between the nose and chin (think rain forest), it adds a new level of discomfort with the summer heat and humidity and darn it, how many times will you go to take a sip from your water bottle only to have your attempt thwarted. For now, this is what is needed to have the parks open.  Embrace it, work with it, figure out what is best for you and your family and enjoy.  

The Official Universal Orlando Resort App is your new best friend.  Take time, before arriving, to download and set-up your account, including your payment information. And when I say, before arriving, I mean prior to leaving your home or hotel.  This will alleviate putting yourself in a stressful situation of having to quickly get it downloaded and operational when you want to secure a spot in a virtual line or place a food order. Universal Orlando Resort is moving toward touchless transactions, as much as possible, so it's important to have the app ready to go!

Tickets to the parks may be purchased through the app and scanned, from your phone, for a touchless entrance process. Isn't technology awesome? 

What about character greetings, you ask? They are still happening, but have a different approach, so to speak.

When it comes to meeting a favorite character, changes have been made to comply with social distancing guidelines.

Guests will interact with their favorite character from a healthy distance.

Characters are positioned on a raised platform, which is cordon off by at least 6 feet from guests.  This allows for interaction and an awesome photo op, but at a safe distance.

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Need to Know Essentials

Staggered car parking.

Temperature check.

​Face covering is required, except when 
​eating and drinking.
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Social distancing throughout the parks.

At select locations, guests will be required to use
hand sanitizer prior to boarding ride vehicles. 
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Capacity will be limited throughout all attractions, restaurants and shops.

You will utilize the Official Universal Orlando Resort App
 for mobile food and drink ordering,
purchasing park tickets for touchless entry,
and setting up TapTu Pay for Volcano Bay.

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