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News: Universal Orlando Debuts URest Areas Where Guests Can Remove Masks

We’re reporting LIVE from the Annual Passholder preview in Universal Studios today to see how a theme park operates with all of the new health and safety features that have been put into place.

Universal

While we were here, we learned that Universal has debuted URest Areas (similar to the “relaxation zones” Disney World mentioned in their reopening proposal).

These areas are where guests can rest while social distancing without masks. Currently, two URest locations can be found in each park.

U-Rest Sign

In Universal Studios, these stations can be found at Central Park Lagoon and at Fear Factor. In Island of Adventure, URest Areas have been set up at Port of Entry Landing and Voyage of Sinbad.

Voyage of Sinbad

While the seating inside these venues aren’t equipped with social distancing markers, signs posted around the URest Areas inform guests they are required to perform social distancing when removing their face coverings.

U-Rest Sign

We’ll continue to provide you with more updates regarding Universal Studios’ new health and safety measures, but for now, check out our stay last night at one of Universal’s newly reopened hotels!

To learn how the new virtual queue system works at Universal Studios theme parks, click here!

Are you planning a trip to Universal? Let us know in the comments below.

Related posts:

  1. We’re LIVE at the Reopening of Universal Orlando’s Theme Parks
  2. BREAKING NEWS! Universal Orlando to Open New Theme Park: Universal’s Epic Universe
  3. Universal Studios to Close Resort Hotels and CityWalk Locations Temporarily

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, relaxation zones, remove face covering, remove mask, Rest Zones, universal news, Universal Studios, URest, URest locations

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Disney Parks Other

Here’s How Virtual Lines Work at the Reopened Universal Orlando Theme Parks

We’re LIVE from the Passholder preview at Universal Orlando Resort!

Universal Orlando Resort

We’re taking you with us as we tour all the sights and thrills Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. So far things have looked a little different than we remember — with temperature checks, masks, and other safety protocols in place — but now we’re checking out the RIDES!

We stayed at Universal’s Aventura Hotel last night (which you can read more about here!) and got into the parks bright and early this morning!

Aventura Hotel

And all through the night, we have been super curious to see how Universal Studios would be implementing its new virtual queue system. Let’s go check it out!

Read about the changes Universal Studios has implemented at its resort hotels here!

How Universal Studio’s New Virtual Line Experience Works

Before you head off to the parks, Universal Studios advises guests to download their free app — this is how you’ll reserve your spot in their new “Virtual Line Experience.” The app can be used anywhere inside Universal Studios’ theme parks or CityWalk to reserve your spot in line for any attraction — regardless of which theme park you’re currently standing in!

At this time, not every Universal attraction offers a virtual line. Those that do not have this feature yet still have a standard standby line with distancing markers throughout the queue.

Universal queue

You can only make reservations for the same day as your visit and you can book ride times for up to 10 people in your group (however, we’ve noticed some attractions are only allowing guests to reserve up to 8 spots — we’ll look more into this).

We had two people in our party, and technically since accounts aren’t linked (like they are with My Disney Experience and FastPass+ in Disney World), we were both able to make separate virtual reservations for groups of two. So, it was almost like snagging two virtual line reservations at once.

Flight of the Hippogriff

To Make Your Reservation:

  1. Select “Virtual Line Experience” from the app’s main menu.
  2. Tap on the “Virtual Line Venues” tab to see a list of available attractions.
  3. Select the attraction you want to ride and tap “Virtual Line Pass – Reserve.”
  4. Set how many guests are in your group.
  5. Pick your return time.
  6. Tap “Reserve Virtual Line Pass” to complete your reservation.

Virtual Line

Once you’ve successfully booked your spot in line, you’ll receive a QR code — after that, you’re free to roam the parks until it’s time to head to the attraction!

When we arrived for our reservation, we showed the Univeral employee our phones. They didn’t scan them, but instead checked to make sure it was our time to ride and then let us through! Note: This may vary depending on the day and the attraction.

Virtual Line

After you’ve used your reservation, you can make another one!

Gringotts Bank

Although the app seemed to be having a few issues today, the overall concept seemed to be working! Guests can still experience their favorite attractions and enjoy the parks without having to worry about “bumping” into others while standing in line.

Social distancing markers have also been placed in loading areas so even in places where smaller crowds tend to gather, guests can space themselves out accordingly!

Gringotts Markers

While we don’t know how Disney World will operate its attractions upon reopening quite yet, we know they’ll also be utilizing a new virtual queue system to minimize crowds (which is why they have suspended FastPass+ as this time). Whether it will be similar to Universal Studios Virtual Line system or not, time will tell!

Find out more about the virtual queue system World of Disney in Disney Springs has implemented on busy days here!

Do you have questions about using Universal’s virtual queue? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. Sneak Peek: Our First Look at a Reopened Theme Park! Step Inside Universal Studios Resort With Us!
  2. The CDC Just Released New “Decision Tools” for Businesses and Schools to Reopen
  3. SeaWorld Orlando Tested Their Mako Coaster With Masked Riders Today!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, Special Stuff, disney springs, Disney World, reopen, reopening, Universal, Universal Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, universal reopen, Universal reopening, universal theme park, virtual line, virtual queue

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Disney Movies Disney News Other

Universal Studios Orlando reopens to passholders

Universal Studios Orlando Reopens

Universal Studios Orlando reopens to Annual Passholders today. We were lucky enough to get a time to come in and enjoy the parks after being closed since March!

Other than a line at the temperature check, crowds have been rather light at the theme park.

They have special areas where you can remove your face mask and take a little breather.

They are even selling PRIDE and Universal Studios Face Masks for guests without one.

Susan is off to Islands of Adventure first so she can visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with little to no wait!

There was hardly anyone around for Triwizard Spirit Rally!

It looks like many Annual Passholders have the same idea as Hogsmeade is quite crowded right now.

Stay tuned for the New Baby Velociraptor Introduced at Universal Studios Orlando’s Raptor Encounter!

Here is a live look at Universal Studios Orlando from the sky!

LIVE LOOK | Universal Orlando reopens to passholders

LIVE LOOK | Universal Orlando reopens to passholders. https://bit.ly/2AFlq1h

Posted by News 6 WKMG / ClickOrlando on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Even Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis was on hand to speak about the reopening from Universal Studios Orlando!

WATCH LIVE: Press conference in Orlando

Posted by Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Stay tuned to more Universal Studios Orlando coverage here on Chip and Co!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, New Baby Velociraptor, Raptor Encounter, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Orlando Reopens

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Margaritaville Resort Orlando Has Now Officially Reopened

Margaritaville Resort Orlando

We are excited to share that Margaritaville Resort Orlando, The Margaritaville Cottages and The Promenade, the destination’s retail, dining, and entertainment district have reopened. The resort’s team is eager to welcome guests back to the property and help them get away from it all with sun and sand, with the utmost emphasis placed on the safety of its guests.

As the resort reopens, guests can save on their upcoming stay with various new promotions including the “Stay In Paradise Package.” When booking an overnight stay, use the code PARADISE and receive a $50 daily resort credit, breakfast for two each day (additional breakfasts available at 50% off), two drink coupons, and kids eat free. For additional packages and ways to save, visit here.

This summer is slated to be an exciting time at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, with a variety of destination-wide experiences including:

  • Sunset Live! will be returning to The Promenade at Sunset Walk every Friday and Saturday from 6 – 10 p.m. on the Promenade Plaza Stage.
  • On Saturdays starting June 13, Classic Car Cruise-In will return to The Promenade and will begin at 5:30 p.m.
  • Starting June 14, The Promenade  Monthly Car and Truck Show will return from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and will resume the second Sunday of each month.
  • Sunset Walk Orlando will host the Independence Day Weekend Blowout Celebration – July 3-5 with a series of events across the entire destination.

For more information on these upcoming events, visit margaritavilleresortorlando.com  and sunsetwalk.com.

As the resort reopens for business, there have been adjustments made to policies and operations in order to meet the needs of guests, owners, and visitors during this time. For full details on the resort’s safety, sanitation and social distancing procedures, visit the resort’s website.

Margaritaville’s Island H2O Live! Water Park reopened to guests last month on Saturday, May 23rd.

So now is your chance to soak up some sun & fun at Margaritaville Resort Orlando!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Disney World, margaritaville, Margaritaville’s Island H2O Live! Water Park, orlando, reopening

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Disney Parks Other

We’re LIVE at the Reopening of Universal Orlando’s Theme Parks

Yesterday, we showed you a sneak peek at a semi-reopened Universal Studios.

Universal Studios Resort

Well, today Universal has officially reopened to Annual Passholders and we’re reporting LIVE to see how some of the new health and safety regulations will work in a theme park!

Be sure to keep checking back as we will be updating this post throughout the day!

We previously shared our experience when it comes to parking at temperature checks when we visited CityWalk a few weeks ago.

If you have more questions about parking or temperature checks at Universal — click here!! 

Temperature Check

Since we were hotel guests, our temperatures were checked at the hotel and we were given a wristband.

Temp check wristband

Once you have this wristband, you don’t have to get checked again throughout the day (at hotels, CityWalk, and parks). The color of the wristband changes daily.

Read more about our reopened Universal hotel experience here! 

Entering the Park

Today is an Annual Passholder preview but those Annual Passholders who chose to stay at a Universal hotel were allowed into the park an hour before everyone else (8AM).

Universal

Since hotel guests were allowed early access, prior to entering the park, team members ensure those entering were in fact hotel guests by checking for room keys. From here, we were directed to head to the normal park entry.

Wristband Check

They did not scan our finger when entering the park. We simply scanned our tickets and went inside!

Entering Universal

Virtual Lines

Universal is using a virtual line feature on more attractions in order to assist with social distancing.

Universal Virtual Line

At this time, the virtual line system is only available for select attractions although a team member did say that they would be adding more lines soon.

Virtual Line

You make your reservation and ride on the same day and do note that you need to be on property to select a virtual line time!

Virtual Line

According to a team member, attractions without virtual lines will operate with a normal standby line. If the attraction does offer a virtual line, it will not have a standby line.

After we scanned our virtual line code on Escape From Gringotts, you still go into a line. On the ground are markers, so that guests will remain 6 ft apart. Honestly, though, these seemed much further apart than 6 ft.

Gringotts Markers

Remember to keep following along as we report LIVE from Universal today!

Are you planning to visit Universal soon? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. WE’RE LIVE at the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
  2. BREAKING NEWS! Universal Orlando to Open New Theme Park: Universal’s Epic Universe
  3. Universal Studios to Close Resort Hotels and CityWalk Locations Temporarily

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, Reopened Universal, universal news, Universal Studios, We’re Live