Florida’s theme parks have been closed for months, and during this time they have been putting health and safety procedures into place, so that the parks are safe for guests, but many are wondering how we will be able to maintain a safe social distance from others at a theme park, which usually has tens of thousands of daily visitors?

The attractions in the area have been slowly reopening and the main parks have announced dates of when they can welcome back guests:

• Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay: 5th June 2020
• SeaWorld Orlando: 11th June 2020
• Discovery Cove: 11th June 2020
• Busch Gardens: 11th June 2020
• Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom: 11th July 2020
• Disney’s Epcot and Hollywood Studios: 15th July 2020

It can be exciting to hear that our favourite parks are reopening, but we know that many of our customers are also worried about what to expect when they arrive at the parks.

Guests can hopefully feel a bit calmer knowing that each of the parks are following guidelines from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). There are enhanced sanitation procedures in place and additional measures for social distancing and screening too.

The park’s have been very busy making changes and adapting the way they work to continue to provide the best experience for everyone, however there is a lot that guests will need to do as well. No matter what park you visit, there will be stringent new health, safety and hygiene procedures in place, including temperature checks, wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing. All guests will need to follow these new guidelines that each of the parks has published.

Many of the parks will also have a phased reopening with limited capacity to begin with, so it’s best to keep an eye on their opening times over the next few months.

It is important to also note, that due to the evolving nature of this situation, these details may change without notice. We will do our best to update our customers with the most up to date information during this time.

For the latest information why not follow Debbie’s Villas on Facebook? We publish hints and tips daily so you will always be aware of any changes to these procedures.

What to Expect at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando reopened to the public on 5th June, with Universal CityWalk opening prior to this. They have opened in stages with additional health and safety procedures in place.

They have asked all guests and team members to comply with the following:

• Everyone is required to wear a face covering during their visit. These are available for purchase at Universal if you don’t have one. At Volcano Bay face coverings will not be permitted on slides and in pools. Children under the age of two are not required to wear face coverings.
• Prepare for temperature checks upon arrival. Guests with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be admitted. Temperatures will be taken in a screening area inside the parking structure, prior to the security checkpoint.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds
• Practice social distancing and keep at least 6 feet (2 metres) between your travel party and others.
• There are floor markings around the resort, to aid with social distancing. When present, guests should stand on the floor markings until the group in front of you moves forward.
• Avoid contact with people who appear sick.
• Use hand sanitiser when required. At select locations including prior to boarding ride vehicles, guests will be required to use hand sanitiser.

For the safety of their team members and everyone that visits the parks, Universal have put some additional safety measures in place:

• During the reopening, the Universal parks will limit capacity, to ensure social distancing.
• Parking will also be staggered to maintain distance.
• They have increased cleaning and disinfection procedures throughout the resort, and are frequently cleaning all high-touch surfaces such as tables and chairs.
• Hand sanitiser locations are available throughout Universal, and individual bottles are also available for purchase.
• All team members are undergoing temperature checks and are required to wear face coverings.
• All team members have had extensive training on the new procedures.
• Cashless payments are available at all areas and guests can use mobile ordering at select locations too. Some restaurants will have pick-up stations located outside, so you don’t even have to go inside to pick up your food.
• Dining reservations are not currently available.
• Guests can download the Universal App to get a Virtual Line return time for select attractions. Single Rider lines will also temporarily close, and there will be spacing between parties on rides.
• Parades will currently not take place and there will be no post-show meet and greets. 
• Locker capacity will be limited throughout the parks. To expedite your visit and minimise waits, Universal encourage you to bring items that will fit in pockets or small bags.

To keep all guests informed, health and safety information is displayed on signs throughout the parks.

What to Expect at the SeaWorld Parks

The SeaWorld Parks (including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Discovery Cove) have announced that they will be following all CDC guidelines when they reopen on 11th June and have been working with local health officials to make the parks clean and safe for everyone.

Park Reservations

To limit capacity within the parks, all visits during this time will require online reservations for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica. Reservations can be made through their websites, up until the end of 2020. Guests who already have tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes can make a reservation through this system.

All guests and employees are required to adhere to the following at the SeaWorld parks:

• Everyone that enters the parks, including employees must undergo and pass a temperature screening using the CDC temperature recommendation of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. For those who do not pass the temperature screening, they will be escorted to a second location for a retest. If their temperature is confirmed, they will be denied entry and the park will gladly re-accommodate for an alternate date. 
• Employees and guests aged 2 and older must wear face coverings while in the parks. Guests are not required to wear them while eating and drinking, or in designated relaxation areas of the parks. Guests are encouraged to bring their own face coverings and they will also be available for purchase at the parks.
• Face coverings must be worn at Aquatica and Discovery Cove, but will not be required whilst in the water.
• Allow more time when planning your visit, as the arrival process will require more time than usual.
• Signage and markings will be displayed around the SeaWorld parks to promote social distancing.
• Hand sanitisation stations can be found throughout the parks for all guests to use.
• Contactless payments are encouraged.
• If you are feeling sick or have a fever, please stay home.

Other additional changes that have been put in place at the parks include:

• Cleaning and sanitation of all key areas of the parks will significantly be increased.
• The parks have said that any employees who are feeling sick are required to stay home, including self-isolation and symptom-free periods before returning to work.
• All employees will have COVID-19 specific training to cover all new enhanced park operating procedures. 
• At restaurants seating will be arranged to accommodate physical distancing. Sanitisation will be increased in these areas, condiment and topping stations will be closed, utensils will be pre-packaged, and guests with refillable products will be provided single-use alternatives. Single-use paper menus will also be used and additional grab-and-go and pre-packaged food offerings will be added.
• In all open animal viewing spaces, the parks have added markings to queues to indicate required distancing. Certain components of animal meet-and-greets, such as those involving guest interactions and photo opportunities will be modified or removed.
• Queue lines for all rides will have markings for physical distancing and modified seating will be implemented to maintain social distancing. Hand sanitiser will be available at the entrance and exit of all attractions, along with the frequent sanitisation of the rides.
• Depending on the ability to ensure social distancing for guests and employees, certain components of parades and meet-and-greets, such as those involving guest interactions, character interactions and photo opportunities will be modified or removed.

To keep all guests informed, health and safety information is displayed on signs throughout the parks.

What to Expect at Walt Disney World

The Disney Parks have announced a reopening date of mid July - Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are set to open on 11th July, followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on 15th July. Their phased reopening has already begun, with Disney Springs now open for guests in a limited capacity, with restaurants and stores operating in a slightly different way.

Park Reservations

Like many other parks in the area, Disney will be reopening with limited capacity. Park attendance will be managed through a park reservation system, whereby all guests will have to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. This can be booked through My Disney Experience under 'Disney Park Pass System'

If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit. At this time, guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable. Park reservations are currently available to book until 26th September 2021.

Walt Disney World are asking all cast members and guests to comply with the following:

• Face coverings are mandatory for parkgoers aged two and up. These will also be available to purchase at the parks. Face coverings are expected to be worn at all times, except for dining and swimming.
• Upon arrival at all of the parks, guests will undergo a temperature screening. Anyone displaying a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either. You will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance.
• There are some temporary adjustments in place to enforce social distancing such as signage, ground markings and physical barriers. This is to help guests navigate common areas, whilst practising social distancing.
• Hand sanitiser and hand-washing locations will be available around the parks for guests to use. This is already in place at Disney Springs.
• It is recommended that all guests use cashless payment options whenever possible. A mobile order service in the My Disney Experience App is available to use at participating locations.

Additional restrictions and safety measures have been put in place at the parks for everyone’s safety, including:

• FastPass has been temporarily suspended, as Disney plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity at the attractions. Disney will share future updates on this service at a later date.
• Limited parking is in place at Disney Springs and will likely be the same for the main parks.
• Disney have increased cleaning and sanitisation in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.
• Dining reservations and Disney Dining Plans will be cancelled due to capacity reductions. However Disney have announced that they will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen, and this is likely to be with a 60-day window rather than the previous 180-day window, allowing guests to make their plans closer to their visit.
• While at a table-service restaurant, you can scan a code to access the digital menu.
• Some experiences that draw large group gatherings - such as parades and nighttime spectaculars - will return at a later date.
• “High-touch” experiences such as makeover opportunities, playground and Character Meet-and-Greets will remain temporarily unavailable, but characters will still be around the parks to entertain and delight you during your visit.
• Cast members are being given additional training on the new procedures. They are also required to complete a health screening and temperature check at home, prior to coming to work.
• ESPN Wide World of Sports and miniature golf locations at Disney World will remain closed until further notice.

To keep all guests informed, health and safety information is displayed on signs throughout the parks.

We hope this gives you an understanding of how the parks are adapting to this ever-changing situation. Some details may evolve as the parks start introducing guests back, so it’s best to keep an eye on their websites and apps for the most up to date information. Health and safety procedures are differing slightly from park to park as well.

Although it may seem different right now, each of the parks and attractions in Florida are doing their upmost to still make the experience as magical as possible for all guests. We can’t say how long these measures will be around for, but we will use our blog to keep everyone updated on how the park’s will be running over the next few months.

Image credits:

• Universal photos x 2: Universal Orlando
• Hand sanitiser at Disney World: Attractions Magazine