Orlando thrill parks are go
Fasten your seat belts – Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, luxury hotels and themed restaurants are mostly back up and running.
And they’ve found a way to make social distancing entertaining, while updating procedures to keep visitors safe from Covid-19.
Orlando tourism chief George Aguel said: “Consumers know and historically trust how 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 Gatorland.”
He added: “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 to Orlando.”
The city’s fun parks have begun welcoming visitors in reduced numbers, starting with Universal Orlando, which includes Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay.
At Universal CityWalk, currently open with limited operation, mask-wearing stilt-walkers greet guests at the entrance. Selected Universal hotels have opened their doors to overnight guests too.
At Walt Disney World, which is also now open, special social-distancing squads kindly remind visitors to keep apart at their parks, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney Springs is now open, with a variety of shopping and dining locations. Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World reopened too on June 22, along with Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. LEGOLAND Florida is open and operating at 50 per
RIDE & TESTED Giant enforcer at Gatorland and distanced riders at LEGOLAND cent capacity. Other big attractions now open for guests, 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, resorts and vacation homes are also now open, with locations near Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, as well as the International Drive corridor. Restaurants are hosting diners in outdoor seating or indoors at a 50 per cent capacity. 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. visitorlando.com ■■■Coronavirus restrictions mean UK travellers are not currently able to visit the US – holidays are expected to resume in late summer.