Talk to me about covid-safety at Universal

[EmJ]

I was originally a poster on this board and had planned an ENTIRE Universal vacation before my husband and son begged to go to Star Wars Galaxy Edge instead. So, I shelved my Universal plans for when the boy was older, and planned an entire Disneyland trip. Which got cancelled and rescheduled and cancelled and rescheduled and cancelled and rescheduled until I cannot take it any more and have given up on the state of California entirely.

I want to return to Universal Orlando next June, because dang it I need to get on a rollercoaster and pretend the world is normal for five days, but DH is worried about covid and the recent Florida orders (or non-orders) regarding safety compliance. I understand that June is a million covid-years away, but for those who have been since it reopened, how was it? Did you feel like the safety measures were adequate and adequately enforced? Help me convince DH.

Also, I apologize if there is a better thread for this post and hope that it will be moved if so. I'm still finding my way around after my absence.

 

[macraven]

Well I am staying onsite at UO now and can say staff are enforcing measures for social distancing and masks worn.

Parks and the onsite hotels are doing a great job now of the new procedures be followed.

When you have your trip next June, you’ll have it easy to follow the set up

It’s harder for us that started coming when the parks opened back up as the rules seemed so foreign to us.

If new policies need to go into effect, it will be for keeping all safe and secure in the parks and hotels here.

UO has stayed on top of this situation.
Signs everywhere of park policies.
Park grounds well marked for the guests of where to stand for rides, shows, etc

I only had to be told once to stay at the markers that were 6 ft apart when I was in a ride line today.

Any questions, let me know.

 

[EmJ]

Well I am staying onsite at UO now and can say staff are enforcing measures for social distancing and masks worn.

Parks and the onsite hotels are doing a great job now of the new procedures be followed.

When you have your trip next June, you’ll have it easy to follow the set up

It’s harder for us that started coming when the parks opened back up as the rules seemed so foreign to us.

If new policies need to go into effect, it will be for keeping all safe and secure in the parks and hotels here.

UO has stayed on top of this situation.
Signs everywhere of park policies.
Park grounds well marked for the guests of where to stand for rides, shows, etc

I only had to be told once to stay at the markers that were 6 ft apart when I was in a ride line today.

Any questions, let me know.

Thank you! I hope you are having a great time

 

[macraven]

At RP hotel, it is one group in the elevator at the hotel.

Even though I am here as a single guest, when the elevator stops at different floors due to peeps needing to use it, they do not enter when the doors open when they see it is already occupied.

They have to wait for the next elevator that is empty.

It’s another measure of guest safety at the hotel.

Parks and hotels are doing everything to keep all safe and virus free.

 

[macraven]

Take a look at the UO trip report forum for more info on procedures UO has implemented for the parks and hotels

Robo 56 has a trip report called “You are never to old to be a kid at universal”
It is a good read.

 

[EmJ]

Take a look at the UO trip report forum for more info on procedures UO has implemented for the parks and hotels

Robo 56 has a trip report called “You are never to old to be a kid at universal”
It is a good read.

Thanks I will definitely do that!

 

[cxr]

I was originally a poster on this board and had planned an ENTIRE Universal vacation before my husband and son begged to go to Star Wars Galaxy Edge instead. So, I shelved my Universal plans for when the boy was older, and planned an entire Disneyland trip. Which got cancelled and rescheduled and cancelled and rescheduled and cancelled and rescheduled until I cannot take it any more and have given up on the state of California entirely.

I want to return to Universal Orlando next June, because dang it I need to get on a rollercoaster and pretend the world is normal for five days, but DH is worried about covid and the recent Florida orders (or non-orders) regarding safety compliance. I understand that June is a million covid-years away, but for those who have been since it reopened, how was it? Did you feel like the safety measures were adequate and adequately enforced? Help me convince DH.

Also, I apologize if there is a better thread for this post and hope that it will be moved if so. I'm still finding my way around after my absence.

Although i cant help with the Covid tips..

im confused why you cant do both. Disneyworld has galaxy edge and has been opened for months

 

[EmJ]

Although i cant help with the Covid tips..

im confused why you cant do both. Disneyworld has galaxy edge and has been opened for months

I asked DH whether he would rather do WDW for SWGE or Universal for Diagonal Alley (it didn’t exist when we were there last). He said Universal. We are “arrive and stay” vacationers, who prefer to fly in, shuttle to our destination, and then stay put until it’s time to go home. WDW also seems like a huge pain in the patooty to try and figure out, and just isn’t appealing to me at all right now. I’m already very tired, haha. I would do it for them if they really wanted to, but DH and I are huge Harry Potter fans and the boy just finished the first book. He’s also almost 48 inches tall and so should be able to ride everything at Universal that we would be interested in, including everything in Harry Potter, whereas that wasn’t case back in 2019 when this whole saga began, lol.

ETA: I’m actually incredibly excited about returning to Universal and I hope it happens. We’ve had the rug pulled out so many times I’m kind of scared to even think that it could work out. We’re aiming for the second week of June, even though we know it will be hot. But our son will be out of school then and we can quarantine for two weeks at home after returning, if needed. I just really hope things are a lot better by next June. They have to be, right?!

 

[Monykalyn]

but DH and I are huge Harry Potter fans and the boy just finished the first book. He’s also almost 48 inches tall and so should be able to ride everything at Universal that we would be interested in, including everything in Harry Potter, whereas that wasn’t case back in 2019 when this whole saga began, lol.

A Universal only vacation sounds absolutely perfect for you then! You will NOT believe how incredibly detailed Diagon Alley is!
I went shortly after parks opened first 2 weeks of June, again in August and will be back over Thanksgiving week.
I am not freaked out by people walking close to me so I never felt uncomfortable, but if your comfort level is such that having people less than 6 feet away causes anxiety-well I'd wait 2 years for things to get back to more normal. With that said-Universal does a great job on making sure mask compliance is followed, cleaning, distancing in lines etc. They reportedly have started filling the rides to more capacity - which I personally feel is FINE-like a virus particle can literally hang motionless waiting to strike while your ride vehicle zips by at 35 mph! They do a great job spacing in the shows too.
If you can-stay at one of the premiere hotels so you get the unlimited express pass-well worth it!!
Happy planning!

 

[EmJ]

A Universal only vacation sounds absolutely perfect for you then! You will NOT believe how incredibly detailed Diagon Alley is!
I went shortly after parks opened first 2 weeks of June, again in August and will be back over Thanksgiving week.
I am not freaked out by people walking close to me so I never felt uncomfortable, but if your comfort level is such that having people less than 6 feet away causes anxiety-well I'd wait 2 years for things to get back to more normal. With that said-Universal does a great job on making sure mask compliance is followed, cleaning, distancing in lines etc. They reportedly have started filling the rides to more capacity - which I personally feel is FINE-like a virus particle can literally hang motionless waiting to strike while your ride vehicle zips by at 35 mph! They do a great job spacing in the shows too.
If you can-stay at one of the premiere hotels so you get the unlimited express pass-well worth it!!
Happy planning!

Thanks! We’ve always wanted to stay at Cabana Bay just because the theming appeals to us, but previously I was looking at RPR or Hard Rock for the express pass benefits. But I wasn’t sure whether they were even still offering it, or if it would be worth it with the lower capacity (though I know lower capacity =/= lower waits). We might also be able to do a split-stay and concentrate the Express Pass rides on the days we stayed at a premier resort. But I am willing to splurge on this trip!

 

[cxr]

I asked DH whether he would rather do WDW for SWGE or Universal for Diagonal Alley (it didn’t exist when we were there last). He said Universal. We are “arrive and stay” vacationers, who prefer to fly in, shuttle to our destination, and then stay put until it’s time to go home. WDW also seems like a huge pain in the patooty to try and figure out, and just isn’t appealing to me at all right now. I’m already very tired, haha. I would do it for them if they really wanted to, but DH and I are huge Harry Potter fans and the boy just finished the first book. He’s also almost 48 inches tall and so should be able to ride everything at Universal that we would be interested in, including everything in Harry Potter, whereas that wasn’t case back in 2019 when this whole saga began, lol.

ETA: I’m actually incredibly excited about returning to Universal and I hope it happens. We’ve had the rug pulled out so many times I’m kind of scared to even think that it could work out. We’re aiming for the second week of June, even though we know it will be hot. But our son will be out of school then and we can quarantine for two weeks at home after returning, if needed. I just really hope things are a lot better by next June. They have to be, right?!

YAAAAS you will love it then ... my DD was soo little when we took her and had also just read the books. When we turned the corner for Diagon Alley she just stood there with her mouth open for like 3 min.

 

[Cottoncandylove]

YAAAAS you will love it then ... my DD was soo little when we took her and had also just read the books. When we turned the corner for Diagon Alley she just stood there with her mouth open for like 3 min.

Lol, My DD almost cried. She just stopped and eyes everywhere. It is truly magical.

 

[Robo56]

Universal is doing a wonderful job of implementing safety measures at the Resorts and in the parks.

I’am here now and I’am extremely impressed at the lengths they have gone to to make sure everyone is safe.

 

[EmJ]

So would everyone say that Express Pass is still worth it then?

I know this probably sounds crazy, but we really want to stay at Cabana Bay. The retro 60s thing is so us, and our kid would love the two pools. On the other hand, I see a LOT of benefits to Express Pass; not just shorter waits, but shorter amounts of time standing stationary near other people. I'm thinking 3 nights at Cabana Bay and 3 nights at RPR or Hard Rock.

 

[EmJ]

Lol, My DD almost cried. She just stopped and eyes everywhere. It is truly magical.

I cried the first time Hogwarts Castle came into view and I was in my 30s, lol.

And it's not just HP. My kid will be 6 1/2 at the time of travel. Spiderman and Transformers are his jam, and he LOVES all roller coasters. He hasn't met a roller coaster yet he didn't neeeeeed to be on, height requirements permitting. (Funny story; when he was 4, he wanted to ride the Legoland Technic Coaster, which was a pretty thrilling ride for a child that age. I told him I didn't think he was tall enough but we could check. As he ran up to the height marker, he squealed, "Oooh, I hope my hair is fluffy today!" And it was. Barely )

 

[macraven]

So would everyone say that Express Pass is still worth it then?

I know this probably sounds crazy, but we really want to stay at Cabana Bay. The retro 60s thing is so us, and our kid would love the two pools. On the other hand, I see a LOT of benefits to Express Pass; not just shorter waits, but shorter amounts of time standing stationary near other people. I'm thinking 3 nights at Cabana tv Bay and 3 nights at RPR or Hard Rock.

I read your trip would be in June and asked it EP worth it for your trip

If your trip will include the last ten days of June, most likely you will have line waits but not lengthy waits

Last time I went and took my sons in first week of June lines were not packed or lengthy waits
Long wait time can occur mid summer as in end of june and Fourth of July period

Near the end of June I assume line waits will increases as more are becoming confident the crisis is easing up

 

[EmJ]

I read your trip would be in June and asked it EP worth it for your trip

If your trip will include the last ten days of June, most likely you will have line waits but not lengthy waits

Last time I went and took my sons in first week of June lines were not packed or lengthy waits
Long wait time can occur mid summer as in end of june and Fourth of July period

Near the end of June I assume line waits will increases as more are becoming confident the crisis is easing up

Thanks! I'm looking at the second full week of June, so June 6-12. It's probably too early to be asking these questions anyway, I'm just excited.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Thanks! I'm looking at the second full week of June, so June 6-12. It's probably too early to be asking these questions anyway, I'm just excited.

That is the week that we normally go to Orlando theme parks, and we have never really needed EP at Universal that week. We always stay offsite, and we are always able to ride everything we want with very reasonable wait times. Often, we can ride Mummy & Transformers as walk ons first thing because everyone is rushing off to the HP stuff. We can do a lot the first hour, and by the time we meander over to HP, the wait times have gone down from the opening rush. We also hit the HP stuff on arrival evening during regular hours, the wait times are usually lower and we can ride whatever we want. That is pre-Hagrids - I expect that wait time to stay high.

You might even get lucky and that be a damp week. One year during that week, there was a lot of rain; not heavy, just more often than usual. The parks were empty and we had 15 min waits for almost everything. There was only one day of heavy downpours in Orlando, and we happened to be at Legoland that day, and missed it.

 

[stlrod]

We were at Universal last weekend and just finished up the rest of the week at DIsney. Although our first impression at Universal was not a good one (there was absolutely no attempt made for social distancing in the express line outside at Gringott's), the remainder of the trip made me very comfortable. In fact, I think Universal is doing a better job than DIsney. The forced hand sanitizing by a personal attendant both before and after every ride at Universal made me feel much safer than the difficult to find hand sanitizers available at Disney which seemed to be empty 50% of the time.

 

[Tormania]

You are wanting to plan a Trip June 2021 and you are curious what sort of COVID safety issues will be in place 8 MONTHS from now? What we're we doing 8 months ago? The world will look so different in 8 months it is impossible to gauge what will be in place then. We'll be at USO for Thanksgiving and based on what I have read things should be perfectly fine from a "safety" standpoint. By June, who knows what will still be in place or no longer needed. I know what I want to have happen but that matters not as I don't get to make the decisions, lol!