RAVEL SAFETY VOW AS ORLANDO’S BIG ATTRACTIONS OPEN AT LAST What a thrill! Parks ready to ride again
IT’S time to fasten your seat belts as Orlando and many of its fun-filled attractions officially reopen.
The home of world-famous theme parks, thrill experiences and entertainment centres, plus luxury hotels and themed restaurants, is mostly back up and running.
All sites have got new official procedures to keep visitors safe, and there are additional measures from some of the travel industry’s most trusted brands.
Coronavirus restrictions mean UK travellers cannot yet visit the USA, although holidays are expected to resume in late summer.
George Aguel, head of Visit Orlando, said: “Our theme parks, attractions, restaurants, hotels and shopping centres have worked tirelessly for months to create comprehensive reopening plans, with even more safety measures, to welcome visitors back.
“Orlando takes safety seriously, and many of our attractions and parks do this in a manner that is not only thorough, but also fun, such as social-distancing reminders from Stormtroopers at Disney Springs, or a giant Skunk Ape character who roams around Gatorland.”
The much-loved theme parks have begun welcoming back visitors, starting with Universal Orlando, which includes popular Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay.
At Universal CityWalk, currently open with limited operation, maskwearing stilt-walkers greet guests at the entrance. Selected Universal hotels have also opened their doors to overnight guests.
At Walt Disney World, which is also now open, special socialdistancing squads politely remind visitors to keep apart at their parks including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney Springs is currently open with a variety of shopping and dining locations. Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World reopened to members and guests on Monday, as did Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
LEGOLAND Florida is open and operating at 50% capacity. Other big attractions now open with reduced capacity and enhanced safety measures include Gatorland, ICON Park Orlando, The Wheel, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Orlando Starflyer, Orlando Science Center and WonderWorks Orlando. A variety of hotels and resorts are also open at locations near Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and International Drive.
Restaurants are hosting diners in outdoor seating or indoors at a 50% capacity, with health guidelines in place. Reservations are encouraged.
Meanwhile, shopping malls and outlets, several with “open-air” concepts – including Orlando International Premium Outlets, Orlando Vineland International Premium Outlets and Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores – have reopened, as well as The Mall at Millenia and The Florida Mall. More at visitorlando.com.