Before the sun even began it's journey up to the sky, I was already out of bed and had a packed bag with penalty of snacks and hand sanitizer on deck. With wand in hand and mask on my face, I was ready to drive my own Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios.
Universal Orlando Resort sent an email out May 29 for select pass-holders to pick a reservation time for the day they selected to go, either the June 3 or 4.
Due the limited capacity, guests must have a reservation to enter the park, on a first come first served basses. All pass-holders must present annual pass photo I.D and park reservation ticket for entry for the event.
On these early June days, Universal Orlando opened their gates to preregistered pass-holders and I was lucky enough to a snag a ticket to this pass-holder only event Wednesday.
Before the entering:
When first arriving to Universal Orlando, only self parking was open to the public, valet parking was not yet available. The team members who worked in the parking garage parked the cars every other row to ensure safe practicing of social distancing.
Once out of the vehicle, masks had to be worn at all times. This included once quests where in City Walk or in the parks.
Before moving on to security and bag check, a temperature check was now required.
Any guests with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be admitted. Floor markings were everywhere where a would line from.
After the 'ok' to go from the temperature checkpoint I raced my way down to the beautiful, bright-blue, spinning globe that told me I have prevailed and finally made it Universal Studios.
Once inside the park:
Social distancing was strongly enforced throughout the park. Floor marking where placed, informing guests where their group had to stand and when to continue moving forward.
While shopping the different merchandise stores, team members stood outside the storefronts with counters, counting the number of people inside the store. The team members would give guests the "okay" if you could enter the shops, or, if the shop had meet capacity.
During the check-out process, cashless payment is heavily suggested, however cash payments are still available. The Universal app also allows you to add credit cards for mobile food ordering and online shopping.
Team members were all throughout the park to ensure guests were staying safe and healthy. If guests were seen without their face-masks on, team members would kindly ask for them to be put on.
If guests did not have a mask, merchandise stores had them available for purchase in different colors and themes.
Food and dining:
Most restaurants while inside the park were not open, however small food carts located around the park were open to quests for them to pickup some snacks.
If guests wanted to have a sit-down meal, they would be required to mobile order. Team members would then seat guests every other table to ensure social distancing.
While eating lunch was I allowed to be mask free for a little until I finished my meal at The Three Broomsticks.
The process to get my meal did take about 20 minutes. I would much rather order the meal, picked it up, and then found my own place to sit. However, I understand with the reopening, changes had to be made.
Rides:
All the rides at Universal where open to everyone who wanted to ride, including water rides. Though, there were new rules and regulations were made for the parks rides and attractions.
In the queues for the all the rides, floor markings were still present and heavily enforced. The team members directed people were go while in the line.
Before boarding ride vehicles guests were required to use hand sanitizer. Seating on ride vehicles was every other row to ensure social distancing.
Masks were required on the rides, exception for water rides to make sure they did not get wet.
The rides with 3-D effects that required 3-D glasses were handed out by team members who wore gloves and sanitized the glasses before and after the ride.
Rides that required lockers were open and available to be used, the lockers were being wiped down with disinfectant after being cleared and used. The team members who handled the lockers made sure no more than 10 people occupied the locker rental space at a time.
Leaving the park:
Getting back to the car was fast and efficient. I wore my mask the whole way back, and did not take it off until I was finally in the car.
Team members were seen wiping and cleaning down the handrails of the moving walkway on the way back to the parking garage.
On June 5, Universal Orlando reopened their gates to all guests. The parks will have limited capacity and shorter hours.
