As we know, the theme parks have been closed since mid-March due to covid-19. While the smaller attractions have been opening, the major parks have not.

Universal Orlando Resort has been approved to open on June 5 to guests. SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World put in their proposals this morning. I see no reason why they won’t be approved.

The parks are all on the same page with safety precautions. Expect to have your temperature taken. You will be required to wear a mask. Social distancing will be observed. Cast/Team Members will be providing direction and ensuring social distancing, you will need to follow instructions without harassing them. Remember they are trying to keep everyone safe and deserve your respect. Cashless transactions are recommended, so don’t forget to bring your card. Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will increase.

SeaWorld parks are looking to open on June 11. For Aquatica, they have stated that they will not be grouping parties of unfamiliar guests, will be limiting capacity in pools and rivers, and spacing chairs. In the park, parades and meet and greets will be limited or removed. As with all area parks, expect to stand apart in queues, and have spaced seating on rides.

Walt Disney World is going about this two parks at a time. They are going for July 11 with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, July 15 for Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The parades, fireworks, and other activities that create a crowd are suspended. Character meet and greets and makeover experiences are going to be unavailable.

Disney will be revealing details about a reservation system for guests to enter the park. This is what Disney says about it: “Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited as we welcome guests back to the magic, we will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations). Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; we’ll be reaching out to these guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new ticket sales and hotel reservations after that period of time. Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon.”

Disney also states that their Disney Vacation Club resorts will be opening, with the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground beginning to open on June 22. The Vero Beach, FL and Hilton Head Island, SC DVC resorts will open June 15.

Disney Springs has seen the opening of third party retailers and dining locations. Today the World of Disney store opened as well. In the coming weeks, they will open select Disney Stores in the United States, Japan, and Europe.

As I previously said, the Universal Orlando parks will be open to guests on June 5. Universal City Walk in Orlando is open from 4-10 PM daily. Currently valet parking is not available, but self-parking is complimentary. Only select venues are open. This warning is posted on their website, “Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.”

When the parks open, they will limit and reduce park attendance and attraction ridership. They will have Virtual Line available for select attractions. They are using staggered parking in the garage to help create distance between travel groups.

Expect to see a lot of new signage at the parks about safety and distancing. There will be many changes to how you previously went about your day. Remember that everyone is experiencing these changes and it’s new to us all. Please be kind to fellow guests and especially to those who are working to keep you safe. If you can’t do that, stay home.