User guide to Disney Springs, CityWalk
Bevil: Here’s what you need to know before you hit these districts.
Central Florida is getting its first taste of the reopened Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk, the shopping and entertainment districts for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Each complex was shuttered for multiple weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and each represents the initial steps of the companies’ efforts to lure customers back.
They’re also trial runs for the eventual reopenings of six of the region’s major theme parks.
Visitors have adjustments ahead. There are similarities in new procedures at Disney Springs and CityWalk. Both have requirements for face coverings, temperature screenings and capacity limits. But they are different animals in several ways.
Since their reopenings, we have made two visits to each location, checking out the grounds on beautiful Florida days followed by trips that coincided with afternoon thunderstorms. Expect to see obvious cleaning efforts by employees and visual reminders about social distances and foot-traffic flow.
How it works and what’s actually open remains fluid. Although there’s more to do at each place than there was on their reopening days, still less than half of the usual businesses are operating. Here’s what you need to know before you go to Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs — for now.
Disney Springs
Getting there: Parking is permitted only in the Orange and Lime garages. On both of our trips to Orange, the usual drive-right-in from the interstate advantage was negated by a detour that forced traffic onto Buena Vista Drive, then a drive past Lime, a U-turn and back to an entrance to the ground floor of Orange. After exiting vehicles, all visitors are routed to touch-free temperature screenings and hand sanitizing stations before leaving the garages. Folks that hit 100.4 and higher are not allowed to enter. Face coverings need to be in place by this point. There are no baggage screenings at Disney Springs. Parking is free.
Hours of operation are currently 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
■ Getting around: All common areas of Disney Springs are available to the public, including stretches where little is open and the waterfront area that runs from behind House of Blues to the Aerophile Characters in Flight balloon. Large stickers on the ground demonstrate proper social distancing spacing heading into stores, restaurants and even bathrooms. Some indicate where to stand; some indicate where not to stand. Most businesses have doors designated as entrance and exit, which reduces face-to-face contact. There are also arrow stickers on the ground in certain areas that assist with the flow of traffic outside.
■ Eating: It’s a mixed bag with some of Disney Springs’ largest restaurants serving alongside small kiosks. Mobile ordering has been encouraged, and menus are frequently available online or via a QR code. In many cases, Disney’s operating partners are determining when their restaurants and staffs are ready to go. Sitting at a restaurant table is an approved time to remove face masks, but while moving about eateries,
masked must be used.
■ Shopping: Capacity is limited within individual shops as well as the complex overall. Signs and procedures vary. Unopened places sport a standardized Disney-level nice sign: “Sorry, we’re closed.”
■ The vibe: Early business has consisted of a lot of window shopping as customers discover what’s available. It hasn’t been the usual level of crowded, but there can be bottlenecks, particularly in the Town Center neighborhood. It feels like visitors were anxious for a change of scenery and to get their Disney mojo back. Live entertainment is at a standstill, although a recent addition is appearances by “Star Wars” stormtroopers on the rooftops, monitoring shoppers from a distance.
Tables are arranged in a socially distant-approved way. There is more outdoor seating, and in some cases, as-yet-unopened businesses have places where people can sit and rest.
■ The signature experiences: One week after Disney Springs reopened, the giant World of Disney store became available. Folks flocked there, and a “virtual line” system is used to keep the place from being mobbed. Visitors are assigned a time to come back to the store, which features Disneydriven merchandise and souvenirs. On day one, the wait times were as much as six hours.
■ Pro tips: A late lunch/ early dinner is a less populated option. Also, there’s more elbow room on the West Side section, where nothing beyond Sosa Cigar Co. currently is open.
Universal CityWalk
Getting there: Parking has been free in Universal’s large parking structure, but that is subject to change, according to Universal Orlando’s website. The temperature screening takes place before leaving the parking area. Come in under 100.4 degrees and you progress to the regular security check in the big hub, where employees assist with distancing reminders.
Hours of operation have been 4 p.m.-10 p.m. daily. They are expected to shift to 8 a.m.-10 p.m. as the parks reopen.
■ Getting around: Visitors have access to all the common areas of CityWalk, including the far side of the lagoon, which makes for a convenient lap for walkers.
Visitors can peer into the front gates of strikingly empty Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks. Folks can venture into the upper level, although the nightclubs are not open, and the movie theater is also closed. In many places, Universal has put down round stickers every 6 feet to create queues with the CDC-endorsed spacing.
■ Eating: CityWalk seems to have started with its small- and medium-sized eateries, although Bubba Gump’s and Toothsome are open, along with outdoor seating at Margaritaville.
■ Shopping: There’s less retail at CityWalk, and that’s been exaggerated by recent permanent closures, including the Fossil store that had operated there for many years. CityWalk’s Universal Studios Store is open, along with the retail part of Hart & Huntington Tattoo and some kiosks.
■ The vibe: It’s a strolling crowd, with a concentration of hand-holding couples with matching face coverings.
■ The signature experiences: From the sight of all the pink boxes being carried, Orlando quarantine people have been jonesing for Voodoo Doughnut. The Hollywood Drive-In miniature golf course is also open.
■ Pro tips: Restrooms at CityWalk are tucked away discretely. New sandwichboard signs can lead the way to the facilities, which have entrances near Cold Stone Creamery, NBC Sports Grill & Brew and Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. There are also standalone restrooms outside Islands of Adventure, near the will-call kiosk. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theme park news? Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/themepark-rangers-podcast.