Limited capacity, masks required – wondering what changes you can expect to encounter at Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando when they finally re-open their gates? We’ve got the potential answers you’re looking for! Here are the re-opening guidelines for Disney World and Universal Studios that were announced by the Economic Recovery Task Force.
The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force held a virtual meeting today (4/28/2020) to present the expected re-opening guidelines for Orange County – home to Disney World, Universal Orlando and Gatorland.
First, Mayor Demings stated that due to the potential of supply issues, a June re-opening is more realistic than the parks re-opening in May. And both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando are still aiming for a June 1st, 2020 re-opening.
So, what changes can we expect at Disney World and Universal?
Gatorland, FunSpot and other small theme parks
Guidelines for small theme parks:
- Tape markings of six feet apart in ride/attraction queues
- Staff to regularly wipe down surfaces at random
- Phase 1 & 2 – staff 65 and older are encouraged to stay home
Mandates for Gatorland, FunSpot (small theme parks):
- All employees are required to wear face masks
- Touchless hand sanitizer at each ticketing entry and turnstiles
- Touchless hand sanitizer at each ride/attraction entry and exit
- Temperature checks for all employees prior to their shift
- All employees with flu-like symptoms are advised to stay home
- Wipe down all railings and surfaces regularly
- Phase 1 – 50% capacity
- Phase 2 – 75% capacity
Changes for Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando (large theme parks)
Guidelines for large theme parks:
- Tape markings of six feet apart in ride/attraction queues
- Staff to regularly wipe down surfaces at random
- Phase 1 & 2 – staff 65 and older are encouraged to stay home
Mandates for Disney World and Universal Studios
- All employees are required to wear face masks
- Touchless hand sanitizer at each ticketing entry and turnstiles
- Touchless hand sanitizer at each ride/attraction entry and exit
- Temperature checks for all employees prior to their shift
- All employees with flu-like symptoms are advised to stay home
- Wipe down all railings and surfaces regularly
- Phase 1 – 50% capacity
- Phase 2 – 75% capacity
Hotels – Including Disney World Resort Hotels & Universal Hotels
Hotel guidelines:
- Phase 1 – Housekeeping services to be limited and allow for minimal guest and employee exposure
- Phase 1 – Promote, if available, mobile check-in
- Phase 1 – Housekeeping services only clean upon request and when guests depart
- Phase 1 – All employees to work from home, if not playing a critical role in serving guests
- Phase 1 – Only deliver room service to guests door
- Phase 1 – Promote self parking
- Promote social distancing for guests and staff
- Touchless hand sanitizer recommended at entry
- Increase cleaning services/ additional sanitation services through cleaning companies
- Phase 1 & 2 – Employees 64+ are encouraged to stay home
Mandates for hotels:
- All employees are required to wear face masks
- Hand sanitizer at entry to be in plain sight
- All employees with flu-like symptoms are advised to stay home
- Front desk staff to sanitize themselves on a regular basis
- Consistent cleaning of all guest areas
- Front desk to utilize sneeze shields
- Remove all service items from guest rooms including glass cups, coffee mugs, etc
- Minibars are not to be stocked
- Do not offer self serve food services
- Space pool furniture according to social distancing guidelines
- Pool gates and pool furniture to be sanitized regularly
- Door handles, elevator buttons and railings to be sanitized regularly
- Remove all coffee makers from rooms
- Remove all guest collateral items, except those that are single use
- Sanitize room keys before and after each use
- Sanitize bell carts after each use
- Phase 1 & 2 – No conferences
- Encourage social distancing for all guests and staff
Restaurants – Including those in Disney Parks, Disney Springs, Universal parks and CityWalk
Guidelines for Restaurants:
- Paper/disposable menus
- Encourage take-out/online orders
- Touchless hand sanitizer at entry
- Phase 1 & 2 – employees 65+ are encouraged to stay home
Restaurant Mandates:
- Hand sanitizer at every table
- Hand sanitizer at entry is to be in plain sight
- All employees are required to wear face masks
- Temperature checks for all staff prior to starting their shifts
- All employees with flu-like symptoms are advised to stay home
- Doors to be wiped down regularly
- All staff behind counters must wear gloves, expect bartenders
- Bartenders are to sanitize their hands after making each drink order
- Seated tables to be six feet apart
- Phase 1 – Restaurant and bar capacity limited to 50%
- Phase 2 – Restaurant and bar capacity limited to 75%
These are just the preliminary guidelines and mandates proposed by Orange County. The state’s Re-opening Task Force can add additional guidelines and/or mandates and of course, each theme park will decide if they want to implement more changes to park operations.
Universal CEO, John Sprouls, has already said they are looking at putting in virtual queues where they can and moving inside queues outside. He also mention seating on rides could be staggered, taking the temperatures of park visitors upon entry and recommending that visitors wear masks in the park.
This is a developing story, so please stay tuned for updates on guidelines for Disney World and Universal re-opening as they are released.
If you would like to watch the whole Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting it is available below.
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