food IS a theme park
It seems like each time we visit the theme parks, they’re introducing something new — or bringing back something from the past!
Universal Orlando Resort
Lately, the big news from Universal Orlando has been the modified Halloween Horror Nights experiences being offered this Halloween season! However, as the parks continue moving forward with the next level of reopening, Universal has also made several operational changes in the parks.
Disney World might be the spot for Pumpkin Spice and Fall decorations, but Universal Orlando is home to ALL the fears you can think up during Halloween time.
The Simpsons
Although Halloween Horror Nights has been canceled this year, Universal has still been bringing terrifying treats and merchandise into the parks at the Tribute Store and beyond!
Although we’ve been spending our time in Disney World to give you a full look at what’s happening in the parks, there has been SO MUCH going on over at Universal Orlando!
Universal Orlando Resort
While Halloween Horror Nights has been canceled, the Tribute Store has been decked out in a whole new Beetlejuice room and lots of spooky treats. But, the Florida theme parks are having to keep up with the times by making modifications regularly.
According to an earnings call, Disney World’s attendance has been lower than expected. With that being said, the parks will be shortening their park hours from September to November.
Spaceship Earth
But, Disney World isn’t the only theme park that reopened in Orlando recently, Universal Orlando has reopened as well. And they have also been operating with similar safety measures to keep guests and Cast Members safe. However, since the Universal parks reopened in June, they’ve seen some differences in their attendance growth compared to Disney World.
Florida has recently been a hot spot for the novel Coronavirus that’s been spreading globally since the beginning of the year, with cases and positivity rates soaring in early July, just as Walt Disney World opened the gates to its theme parks for the first time in four months.
Cast Members welcoming guests back to Magic Kingdom
Following this spike, public officials ordered various mandates to stop the spread, including closing bars and requiring masks in public spaces. And now we’re starting to see a bit of hope in the recent numbers.
Universal Orlando reopened a little over a week ago to greet all sorts of guests, show off its new Virtual Queue system, and introduce U-Rest locations (even if there were some bumps in the road throughout the day).
The Simpsons
Prior to reopening to the general public, Universal Orlando offered Annual Passholder previews. And now, Universal is doing something else for APs eager to hang out at the parks again.
A few days ago we reported LIVE from the Universal Orlando’s Annual Passholder preview.
Universal
Today, the park has officially reopened to the general public and we’re back to see how crowds look and to see if Universal has implemented new procedures and worked out a few of the kinks we saw at the Annual Passholder preview.
Universal Orlando is now OPEN for a special Annual Passholder preview, (and we’re ready to drink all the Butterbeer we can get our hands on)!
Butterbeer
While we’ve been taking you to some of Universal’s newly reopened hotels, as well as showing you how the new virtual lines works, we’ve received a lot of questions from you guys about what it’s like to wear face coverings while riding attractions!
We’re reporting LIVE from the Annual Passholder preview in Universal Studios today to see how a theme park operates with all of the new health and safety features that have been put into place.
Universal
While we were here, we learned that Universal has debuted URest Areas (similar to the “relaxation zones” Disney World mentioned in their reopening proposal).
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!
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