Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gave theme parks operators the go-ahead to submit their reopening plans to both the Governor as well as their local government officials (county and city mayors, etc.), and should identify the date that they believe that they can resume safe operations. However, it looks like theme park operators will be getting some help planning their reopening this week from the federal government. 

Vice President Mike Pence to discuss reopening theme parks this week with Disney and Universal representatives

It was announced that Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Orlando this week to  meet with Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss Florida’s phased economic reopening and participate in a roundtable with hospitality and tourism industry leaders (including representatives from Disney, Universal, and more) to discuss their plans for reopening.

Though we still don't have an opening date for theme parks in Florida, this is yet another important milestone for theme parks in Florida looking to reopen in the near future. From big theme parks and resorts like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort to smaller parks like Busch Gardens Tampa, SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida, the Vice President's visit should help get things moving in a more concrete way in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and though it will not be a public meeting, we expect to hear some news about how this meeting went later this week.

And while we originally were thinking this summer could be one without theme parks in Florida, The Vice President might put some pressure on the theme parks to open as early as possible in an effort to get Florida's economy going again and provide a symbol of hope as America reopens.