Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Other

Universal’s Jurassic Park ‘Velocicoaster’ Construction Update

Universal’s Jurassic Park ‘Velocicoaster’ Construction Update

We recently attended a Passholder preview at the Universal Orlando Resort for their theme park reopening and got to see major updates on the new rollercoaster being built. The theme parks have been closed since March and only recently has construction been able to resume. This newest attraction is located inside Islands of Adventure and inside the Jurassic Park land and meets up to Hogsmeade.

Universal’s Jurassic Park ‘Velocicoaster’ Construction Update

This new ‘Velocicoaster’ is going to be huge and said to be heavily velociraptor themed. This is from both Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises. The name isn’t official but fans and rumors have dubbed it the ‘Velocicoaster’. There’s even an updated Raptor Encounter with a brand new baby raptor.

This new rollercoaster at Universal Orlando is going to be high thrills. It’s located on the water much like their ‘Hulk’ themed coaster. There is no opening date announced yet but we will be sure to update you as soon as we get more information.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park rollercoaster, Universal Orlando, Universal Studios, Velocicoaster

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Other

NEWS! Universal Orlando Annual Passholders Can Register For a Reopening Preview TODAY

Universal Orlando will officially be opening to the public on June 5th. Buuut, if you’re an Annual Passholder, you’ll get to go back home to Hogwarts early!

Universal

After Universal Orlando announced its extensive health and safety protocols, it also stated that they would be opening the parks to team members and Annual Passholders prior to June 5th.

Universal Orlando posted this message on Facebook today officially welcoming back Passholders to a reopening preview! They will be sending out emails will information regarding how they can be some of the first people to reenter the parks.

©Universal Studios

Starting today, Passholders will be able to register for early-access to Universal Orlando! Reservations are open to Premier Passholders starting at 12PM ET, followed by Preferred Passholders at 1PM ET and Power and Seasonal Passholders at 2PM ET! Space will be extremely limited and reservations will be first-come, first-serve.

Islands of Adventure Gate

We will keep you updated on what Universal Orlando will look like when the parks start to re-open in just a week!

Take a look at ALL the details on Universal Orlando’s re-opening here!

What is your favorite Universal Orlando attraction? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, News, Disney, disney news, Islands of Adventure, universal news, Universal Orlando, Universal Orlando Passholders, universal orlando reopening, Universal Studios Florida, Volcano Bay

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Other

What to Know Before You Visit Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios

With Universal Studios Florida reopening in just a couple of weeks, guests are sure to have questions. Universal will be implementing specific procedures and practices that are in line with CDC guidelines for the safety and health of team members and guests.

The procedures will cover three areas: screening, spacing, and sanitization. Here’s what you’ll want to know before you visit the theme parks:

  • Guests and team members are required to wear face coverings
  • Guests will be required to wear face coverings on attractions. The only exception will be for attractions that include significant amounts of water as part of the experience, as well as Volcano Bay’s slides and pools.
  • Guests and team members are required to undergo temperature checks. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be able to enter Universal CityWalk or the theme parks
  • There will be staggered parking within the parking garage to help create distance between travel groups
  • Universal Studios Florida will be limiting and reducing daily park attendance and attraction ridership in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay
  • A reservation is not required to visit the theme parks but there may be times when the parks reach capacity and additional guests will not be admitted
  • The majority of the attractions and experiences within the parks are scheduled to open. Select experiences will not be available during this phase, and some queue experiences may be slightly altered as the new procedures are implemented.
  • Prior to boarding a ride vehicle, Universal Orlando team members will provide guests with the hand sanitizer that is required
  • Virtual Line will be available for select attractions. Virtual Line allows guests to select a time to experience an attraction via the Official Universal Orlando Resort app so they’re minimizing the time they’re actually waiting in the queue line. Guests can make Virtual Line selections while they’re onsite at the parks on the day of their visit.

The following information is specific to Universal’s Volcano Bay:

  • Capacity on each attraction will be limited – including rivers and pools
  • For multi-person raft rides, only one travel party will be allowed to ride in a single raft. Please note that Volcano Bay’s standard height and weight requirements will be applicable.
  • Lounge chairs will be placed in a fashion that allows travel parties to sit together, while also maintaining at least six feet of distance between other guests.
  • Face coverings are recommended when guests cannot socially distance. They will not be permitted on slides and in pools.
  • All TapuTapu wearables will be cleaned and sanitized prior to guest use.
  • Team members who have “wet” roles, such as lifeguards, will wear a balaclava when they cannot socially distance. These will not be worn on slides or in pools for safety reasons. Face coverings are required for team members in “dry” roles.

The CDC advises that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Guests should evaluate their risk in determining whether to visit. Universal Orlando cannot guarantee that guests will not be exposed to COVID-19 during their visit.

Will you be visiting the Universal Orlando Resort soon?

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Parks & Resorts, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Volcano Bay

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Other

Universal Orlando Is Reopening June 5th and We’ve Got ALL the Details!

Universal Orlando is reopening its theme parks to the public on June 5th. 

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is set to become one of the first major theme park resorts to reopen in the United States. Though they have set a precedent with the reopening of Universal CityWalk last week, the company is still working out many of the details about how their reopening will look on June 5th. Here’s what we know so far.

Going to the Theme Parks

According to the reopening plan that Universal submitted to the Florida government, the theme parks will implement a soft opening with limited guests on June 1st before moving to a public and official reopening on June 5th.

Universal

Unlike Shanghai Disneyland, guests will not be required to make a reservation to visit the theme parks. Still, the parks will be operating at limited capacity so Universal does note that the parks may reach capacity and additional guests will not be admitted.

The majority of attractions and experiences are set to be available when the park opens. Some experiences will not be available and some may be altered. More specific information will be released soon and we will be sure to update.

Islands of Adventure Gate

The rest of the Universal Resort health, safety, and hygiene measures will apply (below). We will keep an eye out for more specific information on the theme park operations.

Going to Volcano Bay

Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay, will be opening as well. To implement physical distancing, the water park will follow the same guidelines as the rest of the resorts plus a few more specific ones. Capacity will be limited on each attraction (rivers and pools included), one party will be allowed per raft for raft rides, and lounge chairs will be arranged so that parties may sit together with six feet between other guests.

©Universal

Guests will be required to wear face masks during their time in Volcano Bay however they will not be permitted on the water slides or in the pools. Team members will be wearing face coverings as long as it is not required that they get in the water. Those who may need to enter the water (lifeguards, etc.) will wear balaclavas when not specifically on a slide or in a pool.

Health Measures

The general health measures at Universal are as follows:

  • Guests and team members are required to wear face coverings.
  • Guests and team members are required to undergo temperature checks. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be able to enter Universal CityWalk or the theme parks.
  • Parking will be staggered within the parking garage to help create distance between travel groups.
  • Park and attraction capacity will be limited and reduced in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
  • There will be increased cleaning and disinfection of food locations, ride vehicles, and other frequent touchpoints.
  • Physical distancing will be encouraged at all locations through the parks.
  • Virtual Line will be available for select attractions.
  • Cashless payments and “no-touch” policies will be available where possible.

CityWalk Reopening

With the exception of water rides, guests will be required to wear their face coverings while on the attractions. Hand sanitizer will also be required prior to boarding a ride vehicle and Universal team members will provide guests with sanitizer.

Soft Opening

As we mentioned, Universal Orlando will be opening with a limited number of guests on June 1st to get ready for the public reopening a few days later.

Universal CityWalk

At this time, Universal is still working through the details as to who those limited guests may be.

Passholder Update

Universal Orlando Annual and Seasonal Passholders received an email today announcing the reopening with a “Welcome Home.” Special Passholder experiences will apparently be announced soon.

Universal Email Screenshot

As a reminder, Universal is automatically extending all affected Annual and Seasonal passes by the number of days that the parks were closed.

Hotel Information

As for the hotels, Universal is still working out the details. Guests with reservations will be contacted as soon as plans are made available.

Universal Studios Aventura Hotel Heart Message

For now, guests can modify or cancel bookings held for the closure period with no fee. During the period, cancelation fees are waived for hotel reservations canceled more than 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Events

Universal has canceled all scheduled events including Grad Bash 2020 and Gradventure 2020.

On the subject of Halloween Horror Nights and the 2020 Holidays celebration, more details will be released at a later time. We will update you with any more events information.

We will update this post as more details are released about the opening of Universal Orlando Resort. 

Do you have questions about the Universal Orlando reopening? Put them in the comments below. 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, health and safety measures, Islands of Adventure, phased reopening, Universal Hotels, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando, Universal Orlando Passholders, universal orlando reopening, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal reopening, Universal Studios, universal studios reopening, Universal Volcano Bay, Volcano Bay

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks Other

Universal Orlando Begins Reopening Process June 1st

universal orlando

This week Universal Orlando Resort submitted plans to begin reopening in phases starting on June 1st.

June 1st and 2nd the resort will open to team members to test the new safety protocols. June 3rd and 4th will be open to invited guests and annual passholders. And finally, on June 5th Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay will welcome guests back.

“We want to invite guests back to our theme parks in a cautious and thoughtful way,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts. “We have put new health and safety procedures in place for both our team members and guests. And we have worked hard to make sure our guests can enjoy their time with family and friends. Doing this the right way will take all of us — and we need everyone’s help. Guests should follow our guidelines and continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and health officials.”

With the reopening, several new safety measures will be in place, including:

  • Temperature checks at every entrance, as well as for every employee.
  • Masks will be mandatory for all guests and employees. Those without a mask will be offered one for free. Stores will also sell face coverings.
  • Staggered parking
  • Managed and reduced daily park attendance
  • Managed and reduced attraction ridership, show attendance and restaurant seating. Some areas and events may remain closed for now.
  • Increased cleaning and disinfection of food locations, ride vehicles, restrooms and other frequent “touch points” that go beyond Universal’s already aggressive cleaning procedures
  • Social distancing practices at all locations through the parks, within attractions and queues and at restaurants
  • Use of virtual lines at select attractions
  • Cashless payments and “no touch” policies where possible

Universal’s hotels are an important part of the guest experience. Reopening plans are being finalized and will be shared as soon as they are available.

You can see all of Universal’s safety guidelines here.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Parks & Resorts, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando, Universal Reopening, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Volcano Bay