Pack your wands and face masks: Universal Orlando will reopen on June 5
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
After more than two months, the gates to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — and the rest of the Universal Orlando Resort – are officially reopening on June 5.
On Thursday, May 21, Universal Orlando received unanimous approval for its reopening proposal from the voting members on the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. All that was needed was approval from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed off on Universal’s plans to reopen on Friday, May 22, making Universal the first Orlando theme park to welcome back guests after unprecedented closures.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel news, reviews and tips!
The Universal Orlando website now says, “We’re getting ready to re-open!” with a list of the new safety guidelines and a warning of the “inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19” in public spaces.
Just like the Universal City Walk shopping and dining area that partially reopened last week, guests who wish to enter the Universal Orlando theme parks will be required to wear face masks and pass temperature screenings. Guests will need to have a temperature below 100.4 degrees to enter and will be provided with a disposable face mask, if necessary.
Related: When will Disney World reopen?
Universal Orlando told the committee it plans to manage capacity and ramp up slowly, though the company says that it’s still working through the details of this on its FAQ page.
The park proposes to not only limit capacity for the park, but also within each restaurant, attraction and show. As an example of some changes that will be made, the single rider lines will be eliminated, as only party groups will be placed on rides together. Virtual queuing, which was already in use at some Universal Orlando rides and Universal’s Volcano Bay waterpark, will be expanded.
Related: How to use points to visit Universal Orlando
Social distancing will be used to manage parkgoers in lines — probably similar to what we’ve seen at the recently reopened Disneyland Shanghai.
In the parking lot, expect to see staggered parking, so you aren’t loading or unloading too close to others.
While cash will still be accepted at the theme park, there will be an emphasis on mobile ordering and payments whenever possible. At Universal’s restaurants, all menus will be single-use.
Universal’s interactive play areas will remain closed due to the challenges involved in distancing children in a play structure. Water features on rides and mists will also remain shut down in case water increases the virus transmission rate.
Universal Orlando hotels, including the Aventura Resort and Loews Royal Pacific Resort, are currently accepting reservations for stays from June 4 and onward.
Related: Choosing the best Universal Orlando hotel for your trip
Bottom line
Universal Orlando can officially proclaim an early June reopening, but things will most definitely look different than we remember.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.