Universal Orlando has announced it is reopening some of its hotels to guests on June 2 after they were closed to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In a statement sent on Friday, officials said the hotels will be carefully managed in phases, and will reopen with a range of safe practices and hygiene procedures.
Six resorts including 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 will be reopening.
Plans to reopen Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites will be announced at a later date, the company said.
Guests will also be able to visit the theme parks before the formal reopening takes place on June 5.
The news comes as Florida officials signed off on a phased reopening of Walt Disney World – about nine miles away – starting on July 11.
Universal Studios Orlando will be reopening six of its hotels to guests on June 2 with the park opening to the public on June 5. Pictured: Guests wearing face masks pose for selfies at the Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, May 14
Hand sanitizer stations will be available in public areas and elevator landings and high-touch areas such as door handles will be frequently cleaned. Pictured: Guests at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley at the Universal Orlando Resort, June 2014
Florida officials approved Walt Disney World’s phased reopening starting with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11. Pictured: Guests leave the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World before the park closed, March 15
Social distancing and face coverings will be required for both guests and employees in public areas at Universal resorts.
Additionally, team members and vendors will be required to have their temperatures taken before coming to work.
Guests will be asked to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and anyone with a fever of 100.4F or higher after three checks will not be allowed to enter.
Hand sanitizer stations will be available public areas and elevator landings and high-touch areas, including telephones, remote controls, door handles, light switches, elevators, and table tops will be frequently cleaned.
Universal says, if possible, guest rooms will be left vacant for 24 to 48 hours after a guest leaves so it can throughly cleaned before checking in a new guest.
Additionally, those staying in Universal’s hotels will be able to visit the theme parks on June 3 and 4, before they open to the public on June 5.
SeaWorld plans to reopen on June 11 and Walt Disney World announced it will begin reopening in phases, starting with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11.
The successful reopening of Disney parks in Shanghai is a signal event for the company and the rest of the world as governments and companies strategize how to move out of lockdown while the coronavirus is still a threat.
Disney World is currently not selling new theme park tickets or allowing new reservations to enforce social distancing measures.
When the parks reopen, guests and employees will be required to wear masks and undergo temperature checks.
The resort will suspend parades, fireworks displays and other activities that create crowds such as meeting-and-greeting characters
Walt Disney World will suspend parades, fireworks displays and other activities that create crowds such as meeting-and-greeting characters. Pictured: Fireworks in the Magic Kingdom before the park closed, March 15
At both parks, guests will be required to wear face masks and have their temperatures taken before entering. Pictured: A security employee checks the body temperature of a guest before allowing her to enter at the Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, May 14
Disney will encourage contactless payment systems and expand its existing mobile order systems in restaurants, it said on Wednesday.
However, all existing dining reservations, including Disney dining plans in vacation packages, have been canceled, according to Slashfilm.
It plans to restrict the number of guests, who will be required to reserve their park passes ahead of time.
In Florida, there are currently more than 54,000 confirmed cases of the virus and more than 2,400 deaths.
Meanwhile, California theme parks – such as Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland – were told that it can reopen in Phase III of the state’s four-stage plan.
However, there are no hard dates for when they can welcome guest back..
