Universal is Open!

Universal Orlando opened to onsite guests and Annual Passholders (with reservations) on June 3rd & June 4th!  We headed down to Florida on the 3rd to check into Hard Rock Hotel and see what was happening here at Universal! We arrived at Hard Rock Hotel and were immediately impressed with all the safety measures Universal is taking to keep their guests safe.   Here are some of things they are doing:

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• They take your temperature as you enter the hotel or the park for the first time each day.  They give you a colored wrist band so that others can see that your temperature has been screened.
• Team Members are wearing masks and guests must wear face cover in all public areas.  You are allowed to remove your face covering to eat and drink.  Each park also has a place where you can take a break from mask wearing.

• There are social distancing markers and reminders everywhere.
• Most lines have been moved to virtual.
• You are given hand sanitizer before boarding any ride.
• 3D Glasses are handed out individually.
• You are loaded in a social distancing manner at all attractions by party size.
• Most Quick Service locations have mobile ordering available.
• You wait to be seated at a table at most Quick Service locations to accommodate social distancing.
• Hotel rooms are not being serviced while guests are checked in to the resort.  They are cleaning after guests leave and trying to leave rooms empty for at least 24 hours.
• There are signs recommending that only one party at a time ride in each elevator.  
• Team Members are constantly sanitizing high touch areas.​

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​Our experience has been absolutely amazing.  Team Members are friendly and cheerful as usual.   Everyone has been really helpful and polite even when they have to remind us to wear our masks or to social distance.   There has been very little inconvenience in all of the changes.

We do have the Unlimited Express due to staying at one of the Premier Onsite Hotels.  I feel like this is even more important than during previous visits.   Many attractions only have the option for a Virtual Line or an Express Pass.  Having the Express Pass keeps us from having to be on our Universal App throughout the day trying to get an Express Pass.   

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure does now have a virtual line.   This is a nice change from when the parks were open previously.   It still does not have an Express Pass.

There has been lots of concern about wearing face coverings in the parks.  Honestly, it is hot at times.   And some of my masks were itchy at times.  However most of the time, it is simply not a big deal.   We saw many children wearing masks throughout the parks and we did not witness one meltdown.  We met one mother and daughter who had a different mask themed for each land in the parks.  There were so many creative masks including three versions sold by Universal.  Personally I took two face coverings each day.  I took a neck gaiter and a mask.  I really liked wearing the neck gaiter on the attractions as I didn't have any concerns about it flying off.  However every once in awhile I wanted to switch out to a mask just to have a different fabric on my face.   

Lockers are in use for many rides and the lines there with the social distancing and sanitizing can get long.  That was probably the largest hiccup I saw at Universal.  As always, we recommend doing Universal without a bag, if at all possible, to best utilize your time.

Overall, we are extremely impressed with how Universal is protecting their guests.   We are enjoying our visit and haven't found much hassle in the new procedures at all.   If you are ready to travel, let your Road To Relaxation Travel know.   Universal Orlando would be a good place to start!

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