Face coverings are now optional for fully vaccinated guests
Since February 12, wearing masks in Universal Orlando is no longer mandatory. According to the information published on the company’s official website, fully vaccinated visitors don’t have to wear face coverings, outdoors or indoors.
Universal Orlando Resort policy updates also mention that guests who haven’t been vaccinated will be encouraged to wear facemasks while indoors —including shops, restaurants, and hotel public areas.
Before visiting, all guests should confirm that they are not sick or have any flu-like symptoms —including cough, fever, chills, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, and difficulty to breath; that they have not been in contact with an acquaintance with COVID or suspicious of it, and that they are not under self-quarantine orders.
Universal Orlando also recommends visitors to read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website to stay up to date with current measures and follow their recommendations.
The new rules for Universal Orlando respond to local updates, Florida’s State department’s recent report confirms that positivity cases dropped to 18%. This update also follows the lead of theUS states that recently removed mandatory masks restrictions.
Visitors Must Comply with Basic Rules
Masks for vaccinated visitors are not mandatory at Universal Orlando, but other rules remain important. According to the press release, visitors are still encouraged to:
- Frequently wash their hands.
- Avoid contact with people who feel sick.
- Follow team members’ instructions.
- Use hand sanitizers.
- Masks for unvaccinated visitors.
- Maintaining social distancing.
In open spaces, guests—vaccinated or unvaccinated— are not required to wear face coverings. As coronavirus cases continue to decline, and more themed parks are also removing these strict restrictions.
Visitors should also bear in mind that rules change depending on the state and the specific park. For example, Universal Hollywood in California must comply with the state regulations and has different restrictions to Universal Orlando.
Universal Orlando Surviving the Pandemic
In 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood closed, suspended ticket sales, paused monthly payments for tickets, and extended the duration of the tickets previously purchased
Three months later after the closure, Universal Orlando Resort gradually reopened with new safety measures, rules, reduced capacity, and optimized sanitation procedures. The City Walk was the first area guests were allowed to visit during the pandemic.
Regardless of the difficulties, the new Jurassic World themed Velocicoaster, officially opened in June 2021, and has been a great success. And the new Epic Universe—a promising theme park project that will occupy 750-acres of land, has reactivated its building operations and Universal recently announced that it is expected to open by 2025.
Universal Orlando, a Renewed Experience
Despite the negative impact the pandemic had on themed parks, Universal Orlando has been implementing different marketing strategies and safety measures to guarantee the best possible experience.
Large investments in technologies have been made, and now visitors have better-performing apps with up-to-date information about the parks and details about the attractions.
The Universal Orlando Resort App now includes the Virtual Line experience, where once guests enter the park, they can reserve a spot through the app for their group and avoid the long lines.
The lines at the restaurants can also be avoided with a new feature for selected restaurants: now users can order in advance through the app.
Among other social distancing strategies, more contactless payments are now available throughout the park, guests can now also pay using Universal’s app.
Universal Orlando keeps making investments and improving their service to get more customers, not only by maintaining the main attractions, but also by including new features and activities to arouse curiosity and create new experiences.
At the moment, travelers can also experience Universal’s Mardi Gras—until April 24— and enjoy the parade. This year, the party includes great live concerts, delicious food, and the New Orleans experience in Orlando.
