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All theme parks in Florida and California, including Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World and Disneyland which are all, for the moment, closed indefinitely. However, as individual states and regions ease social distancing regulations, many have been asking when these theme parks may reopen, and under what conditions we might once again be able to visit these world-renowned destinations. And now, thanks to local governments in both Florida and California, we now have some idea what that will look like.

Theme parks in Central Florida

Image: Disney

Earlier this week Orange County's Economic Recovery Task Force released some recommendations and mandates that they are considering for industries when each are allowed to re-open, including both small and large theme parks. First of all, the earliest date being considered for a partial reopening is May 11th, but  Mayor Jerry Demmings has cautioned that this is likely a best case scenario and still too early for practical reasons. 

According to the recommendations and guidelines (which you can check out here), there will be two phases for theme park reopening. Phase one will cap attendance at 50 percent capacity, and phase two will up the attendance level to 75 percent capacity. These attendance restrictions apply to both "major" theme parks like Walt Disney World and "minor" theme parks like Gatorland and Fun Spot. 

Image: Disney

In addition to the attendance caps, the following mandates will be in effect for theme parks that operate while social distancing is still being recommended:

  • All employees must wear face masks
  • Touchless hand sanitizer stations must be placed at the park entrance as well as every attraction entry and exit
  • All employees must have a temperature check prior to their shift and any above 100.4 degrees will be sent home
  • All railing and surfaces must be wiped down regularly.

All of these are "must do" for all theme parks, and though not required, it is being recommended that theme parks encourage physical distance between guests by using tape to mark off 6-foot spaces in attraction queues so guests can stay away from one another. 

Though these are preliminary ideas from the local government about theme park reopenings are not set in stone, they do give us an idea about what is currently under consideration in Florida. And while things are looking promising in the Sunshine State, over in California things aren't looking especially promising...

 
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Comments

I won't feel comfortable going to Disney again until they do away with the fingerprint scanners, Replace them with photos like SeaWorld does- no touch

In reply to by Gary Mohler (not verified)

Really? That's where you draw the line is with the fingerprint scanners? So you'll go and touch everything else you have to touch all throughout the park with no worries at all, but that little tiny area where you have to put the little tiny area of your finger, that's what gets you? I swear this is such a freaking joke at this point with some of you people. Oh and btw... you have never been required to use the scanners... you can request to go touchless and they'll take a picture of you and verify it every time you enter. Not as fast, but it is 100% possible to be done and always has been.

So this is going out of control now, what about the hotel industry we got laid off without pay and $1200 stimulus check didn't help at all, as we have to pay utility bills, rent and other stuff like groceries we have to go back to work as these people make us stay at home since they don't have to worry about anything because they have money or they're working from home. Us we have to work physically and be at out work place, more people are going out now let us go back to work ASAP!!!!

So 6 ft. distance in queue lines to get on a ride that, many times, have close confines? I understand distancing, but most rides are high capacity people feeders. So the end kinda defeats the purpose.

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