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Universal Studios Orlando reopens to passholders

Universal Studios Orlando Reopens

Universal Studios Orlando reopens to Annual Passholders today. We were lucky enough to get a time to come in and enjoy the parks after being closed since March!

Other than a line at the temperature check, crowds have been rather light at the theme park.

They have special areas where you can remove your face mask and take a little breather.

They are even selling PRIDE and Universal Studios Face Masks for guests without one.

Susan is off to Islands of Adventure first so she can visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with little to no wait!

There was hardly anyone around for Triwizard Spirit Rally!

It looks like many Annual Passholders have the same idea as Hogsmeade is quite crowded right now.

Stay tuned for the New Baby Velociraptor Introduced at Universal Studios Orlando’s Raptor Encounter!

Here is a live look at Universal Studios Orlando from the sky!

LIVE LOOK | Universal Orlando reopens to passholders

LIVE LOOK | Universal Orlando reopens to passholders. https://bit.ly/2AFlq1h

Posted by News 6 WKMG / ClickOrlando on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Even Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis was on hand to speak about the reopening from Universal Studios Orlando!

WATCH LIVE: Press conference in Orlando

Posted by Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Stay tuned to more Universal Studios Orlando coverage here on Chip and Co!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, New Baby Velociraptor, Raptor Encounter, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Orlando Reopens

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We’re LIVE at the Reopening of Universal Orlando’s Theme Parks

Yesterday, we showed you a sneak peek at a semi-reopened Universal Studios.

Universal Studios Resort

Well, today Universal has officially reopened to Annual Passholders and we’re reporting LIVE to see how some of the new health and safety regulations will work in a theme park!

Be sure to keep checking back as we will be updating this post throughout the day!

We previously shared our experience when it comes to parking at temperature checks when we visited CityWalk a few weeks ago.

If you have more questions about parking or temperature checks at Universal — click here!! 

Temperature Check

Since we were hotel guests, our temperatures were checked at the hotel and we were given a wristband.

Temp check wristband

Once you have this wristband, you don’t have to get checked again throughout the day (at hotels, CityWalk, and parks). The color of the wristband changes daily.

Read more about our reopened Universal hotel experience here! 

Entering the Park

Today is an Annual Passholder preview but those Annual Passholders who chose to stay at a Universal hotel were allowed into the park an hour before everyone else (8AM).

Universal

Since hotel guests were allowed early access, prior to entering the park, team members ensure those entering were in fact hotel guests by checking for room keys. From here, we were directed to head to the normal park entry.

Wristband Check

They did not scan our finger when entering the park. We simply scanned our tickets and went inside!

Entering Universal

Virtual Lines

Universal is using a virtual line feature on more attractions in order to assist with social distancing.

Universal Virtual Line

At this time, the virtual line system is only available for select attractions although a team member did say that they would be adding more lines soon.

Virtual Line

You make your reservation and ride on the same day and do note that you need to be on property to select a virtual line time!

Virtual Line

According to a team member, attractions without virtual lines will operate with a normal standby line. If the attraction does offer a virtual line, it will not have a standby line.

After we scanned our virtual line code on Escape From Gringotts, you still go into a line. On the ground are markers, so that guests will remain 6 ft apart. Honestly, though, these seemed much further apart than 6 ft.

Gringotts Markers

Remember to keep following along as we report LIVE from Universal today!

Are you planning to visit Universal soon? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. WE’RE LIVE at the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
  2. BREAKING NEWS! Universal Orlando to Open New Theme Park: Universal’s Epic Universe
  3. Universal Studios to Close Resort Hotels and CityWalk Locations Temporarily

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, Reopened Universal, universal news, Universal Studios, We’re Live

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Universal Studios Hollywood Is Asking L.A. County to Permit the Reopening of Theme Parks

With theme parks beginning to reopen in Florida, California doesn’t seem to be in the same boat just yet.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Orlando is opening later this week but the same cannot be said for Universal Studios Hollywood. The west coast theme park has yet to receive government approval of reopening, but executives are hoping that it can be sooner rather than later.

According to Variety, Universal Studios president and chief operating officer Karen Irwin spoke with the L.A. County Board of Supervisors in the hopes that they will allow theme park workers to return to work in order to prepare for reopening between mid-June and July 1st.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Irwin explained that theme parks offer a controlled environment. Not only does much of the experience take place outside but employees can regulate the flow of guests and health measures in a way that can’t be done in parks, beaches, and gardens.

Also, Irwin pointed out that reopening the county theme parks would be of benefit to the citizens. With international travel potentially taking more than a year to ramp up, county residents could use the theme parks as a local option.

Universal Studios

A reopening date has not been confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood or for Disneyland Resort. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as things change.

Click here to learn more about the reopening of Universal Orlando.

When do you think Universal Studios Hollywood will reopen? Tell us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Universal Will Furlough Part-Time Hourly Employees Beginning in May
  2. BREAKING NEWS: Universal Orlando Is Officially Opening June 5th
  3. Universal Studios Hollywood Might Be Looking To Reopen in July

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, L.A. County, Universal, Universal reopening, Universal Studios, universal studios hollywood

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Universal Studios Hollywood Might Be Looking To Reopen in July

Disney World and Disneyland have been closed since March, but attractions over on the east coast have been slowly opening up to guests again.

Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle

Universal Orlando plans to open its theme parks this week and Disney World will follow next month. Earlier today, we learned that Disneyland Resort is now only accepting reservations beginning July 15th. But according to recent reports, Universal Studios Hollywood is already considering opening the theme parks in July.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, one of the unions representing Universal employees shared with its members that Universal Hollywood is “hopeful” that the whole theme park will reopen in July.

Universal Studios

The message from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees also stated that CityWalk could open “‘on a limited basis’ as soon as June 8th.”

VooDoo Doughnut CityWalk

Their county was recently cleared to reopen in-person dining and retail, but Universal has not released an official statement on their reopening timeline for CityWalk or the theme parks. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more!

When Disneyland reopens, will it be similar to how Disney World is planning to reopen? You can read more about their plans here!

When would you be ready to visit a California theme park? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. We’re LIVE from the Reopening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk
  2. SeaWorld Orlando Tested Their Mako Coaster With Masked Riders Today!
  3. Universal Will Furlough Part-Time Hourly Employees Beginning in May

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, News, CityWalk, dining, Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, reopen, reopening, shopping, Universal, Universal Studios, universal studios hollywood

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Universal Orlando Resort Announces Reopening of Select Hotels Beginning June 2nd

Universal Orlando Resort Phased Reopening

Beginning June 2, 2020, select Universal Orlando Resort hotels will reopen to guests. The reopening of the hotels will be carefully managed and phased, and includes a wide range of new and enhanced best-practice health, safety and hygiene procedures.

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.  Guests staying in these hotels will be able to visit the theme parks on June 3 and 4, prior to the public reopening on June 5.

Plans for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites will be announced at a later time. Guests who have booked reservations at these two hotels through Universal Orlando or Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations will be contacted to modify their reservation if it has been affected.

Universal Orlando’s resort hotels, co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, have enhanced their standards and protocols throughout their operations. These enhancements currently include:

  • Guests, team members and vendors are required to wear face coverings in public areas
  • Team members and vendors will be required to have temperature checks upon arrival.  Those with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed to work.
  • Guests will be asked to self-screen for COVID symptoms and comply with quarantine orders prior to arrival
  • Guest will have temperature checks upon arrival and anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will require medical clearance in order to enter the hotel
  • Hand sanitizer stations in public areas and elevator landings
  • Enhanced cleaning of guest rooms, meeting rooms and public areas with an EPA-approved cleaner and disinfectant
  • Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas such as telephones, remote controls, door handles, light switches, elevators, and table tops, among others
  • Food & Beverage outlet capacities limited based on latest recommendations and guidelines
  • Social distancing signs and reminders of social distancing requirements in high-traffic areas
  • Several contactless experiences for guests, including hotel texting-services, express checkout and contactless room deliveries

To book a stay at a Universal Orlando hotel, please visit here.

Universal CityWalk is now open with select venues and with new health, safety and hygiene procedures in place. Universal Orlando’s three theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay – will reopen to the public beginning June 5.

For information on CDC guidelines, click here. For more information about Universal Orlando’s policies during this time, visit Universal’s website. Due to the evolving nature of this situation, details are subject to change without notice.

All Universal guests are urged to follow CDC guidelines and self-assess for potential symptoms of COVID, including cough, temperature, and difficulty breathing, prior to their arrival.  Guests should also evaluate their own risk before they visit – and it is not recommended that individuals at high-risk with serious underlying medical conditions visit the destination. People who show no symptoms can still spread COVID-19 if they are infected. Any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and Universal cannot guarantee guests will not be exposed during their visit.

In addition, guests should be aware of and comply with government guidelines regarding travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Universal Orlando Resort Phased Reopening, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Hotels