Traveling to Orlando Theme Parks During COVID

​I have just returned from a trip to Orlando.  I visited Universal Orlando for two days and Disney World for four days.   I will be doing a trip report for each but I wanted to sum up my experiences and thoughts on the safety procedures in place for each location.
 
Resort Experience
               Universal – Cabana Bay

• Temperature check daily.  You are given a colored wrist band that changes daily.  Once you are checked once, you don’t need to get checked again for the day, including at Citywalk and the theme parks
• No housekeeping at all during your stay.  There are extra trash can liners in the room.  You can tie up your garbage and place in it in the hall.   If you need anything, you can use the “chat to the front desk” feature and they will deliver it and leave it outside your door.   I found that this worked great.   I was looking for extra blankets at 9:30 pm and had them within five minutes.
• Food court and Starbucks were a typical experience.
• Masks are required in all public areas, except for in the pool area.
• Typical check in experience at the front desk.
• Shuttle buses have separate zones with plexiglass dividers.  The driver will assign you a zone.  This limits the capacity of the buses but there were always empty ones right behind.  I never waited more than five minutes for a bus.

 
Disney – Caribbean Beach

• Housekeeping comes into your room every other day.   They clean the bathroom, leave fresh towels and empty the trash.  They do not change the bedding or make the bed.
• The food court was a mobile order location.   You could eat inside at tables that were social distant, outside at tables or back at your room (which is what I did)
• Masks are required in all public areas, except for in the pool area.
• Online check in is encouraged.   You receive a text when your room is ready and you go directly to your room.   You do not visit the front desk.
• The buses are separated into zones with dividers.  You are assigned a bus.  I did not have any issues waiting for a bus at the resort or going back to the resort from the parks.  For the Skyliner, each Skyliner is allowed only one party.

 
Park Experiences
               Universal

• No park reservations are required.  On my first day there it was a Sunday and the park had closed to capacity before my arrival.  By the time I got to the parks in the afternoon, it had reopened.   There was some confusion about Universal resort guests being able to get in even if the park is at capacity.   Some information said yes while other information said resort guests would have priority to enter once more guests were allowed.
• Temperature checks are done at entry, if you did not do it at your resort.
• A ticket scan with a fingerprint was required for entry.  A team member was wiping down the fingerprint scanner between guests.
• A team member was at the boarding area of every ride manually squirting hand sanitizer into each guest’s hands.  This was not optional.   There were hand sanitizer stations at the exit of each ride and all around the park.
• At shows, guests were directed to stand in certain areas in the pre-show sections.   When it was time to enter, team members escorted guests in lines and seated everyone.  Every other row was blocked off as well as 3 seats between parties.   At the end of the show, a team member would release each row one and a time to reduce crowding at the exit.
• All lines had social distancing markers. 
• Express Pass is in effect for guests at certain resorts or guests that purchase it as an add on.
• Where lockers are required, capacity was limited in the area and controlled by a team member.  Fingerprint scans were still required and I did not see a team member cleaning the screens between guests.
• There were characters out for selfies at a distance and one parade float with characters would come through.
• Masks are required at all times, except for eating and drinking.
• “U Rest” zones were available in the parks.  Seating was distanced and you can remove your mask at the seats even if you were not eating or drinking.

 
Disney Parks

• Park reservations are required in advance.  There is no park hopping so you reserve one park for each day of your trip.
• Temperature checks are required at the entry to the park.
• The fingerprint scan was eliminated at the park entry.   You only scan your magic band.
• Hand sanitizer stations are set up at the entry and exit to every ride / show.  They were not monitored.  I did see most guests use them, but not all.
• At shows, guests were directed to stand in social distant areas for the pre-show.  When the show was loaded, guests were directed to choose a row that was open and to not sit in seats that were marked off.   Cast members did monitor the theater to ensure everyone was seated correctly.  At the end of the show, guests were advised to maintain social distance when exiting (which really didn’t happen).
• All lines had social distancing markers.
• Fastpass is not in effect currently.   Personally, I found this to be a big plus.   All of the stand by lines were constantly moving because the ride constantly loaded from one line.
• Character cavalcades would appear at random times.  Some individual characters were also around in distant areas as well.
• Masks are required at all times, except for eating and drinking.  You must be stationary while eating and drinking as well.
• “Relaxation stations” are available for a mask break throughout the parks.
• Cast members often wore masks and shields.  Universal only wore masks.  I completely understand the safety element for the cast members.  I would just mention that it did make it a little challenging to hear them at times, particularly in noisy ride areas.

 
Overall Impressions and Thoughts

• Masks can be a challenge in the Florida heat.   I brought with me a variety of different kinds and I was glad that I did.  Masks that often wear in New York felt too hot in Florida.   Once I found which one worked for me, I was good to go.  Also, if you are not used to wearing a mask all day long, you may want to practice extending your wearing time before you go.
• I was impressed with the behavior of other guests.  Everyone followed the guidelines for the most part.  I saw a few people (I would say 5 or less per day) that had their mask under their nose.   I had no issues with guests following the social distance markers in lines.
• I was comfortable in both Universal and Disney parks, but I do think Universal did it a bit better.  They were more vigilant about hand sanitizer when boarding rides and they were more organized with show seating and dismissal. 
• If you would be uncomfortable if any other guest is closer than six feet to you, this would not be a good time to visit.   It just happens at times.  Even though the park capacity is low and there are markings in place, sometimes people will bottle neck in some areas while walking around.
• I enjoyed the absence of pushing and shoving that often happens when guests are entering a show or other attraction.
• I also enjoyed never having to stand on a crowded bus.
• Pay attention to your hydration.  I usually sip on a water bottle all day.   I had to make sure that I took breaks to sit down and drink.

 
 
Overall, I had a great time in both parks.  It felt more relaxing and the low wait times were a big plus.   I think so much of visiting right now has to do with your mindset.   If you want to bemoan attractions or experiences that are not currently operating or complain that you must wear a mask all day, you can easily make yourself miserable.    I had some great cast member interactions and saw some cast members make some little magical moments for families.   I enjoyed everything that I got to experience, especially two rides that were new to me.   The magic and fun are there.  You just have go in with the right expectations and frame of mind.