Latest COVID-19 Information on Florida and the Theme Parks

On this page you will find all the latest information on Florida’s theme park responses to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, how it impacts on visitors to Florida and to the parks, specific theme park guest requirements, closures and suspensions and a timeline of how the virus has impacted Florida and the theme parks.

The global COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic in early 2020 has had an enormous impact across the world and in Florida, particularly on the tourist industry with many international flights being cancelled and hotels and restaurants closing for a period of time.

Read more about Florida tourism statistics for 2021.

Whilst foreign visitors who had come from several countries were banned from entering the United States, visitors from certain designated high risk areas in the United States itself, namely the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York) were required to self quarantine on arrival into Florida for 14 days or the length of their stay if less than 14 days. This order was rescinded on August 6, 2020.

As the number of cases increased in some states such as Florida, other states started imposing reciprocal quarantine orders. Visitors from states where the positive test rate was greater than 10% were being forced to quarantine which could mean quarantining on returning home.

Non US travellers who had visited the following countries in the last 14 days were banned from entering the United States:

• China
• Iran
• Europe’s Schengen Area
• United Kingdom
• Republic of Ireland
• Brazil
• South Africa (added January 25, effective January 30)

On January 18, 2021 outgoing president Donald Trump rescinded the travel ban on Europe’s Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Brazil with effect from January 26 but president elect Joe Biden’s office immediately said he would re-introduce the ban and on January 25 he did just that and added South Africa to the list.

All sea borders and the land borders with Canada and Mexico were also closed to foreigners.

The only exceptions were returning US citizens and certain individuals who were regarded as “essential travellers”.

With the discovery of a more contagious variant of the virus being discovered in the UK, on December 28, 2020 a new order came into effect; all passengers from the UK must have a negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. This was preceded by several airlines already requiring this documentary proof of non-infection.

Only a handful of US airports are allowed to accept international flights and the only airport in Florida on the list is Miami International Airport (MIA).

The ban was only lifted in November 2021.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s Theme Parks

As it became apparent how contagious the virus was, all of Florida’s theme parks, state parks and beaches were closed.

On April 1, 2020 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order and on May 1, 2020 the Re-Open Florida Task Force released a proposed four phase plan (0 through 3) for opening up Florida again.

As the more and more people have been vaccinated and infection rates started to fall, some of these procedures have been eased.

Initial hours of opening were reduced and this was further restricted following the issuing of curfews as a result of street protests around the world after the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 whilst being restrained by a police officer in Minneapolis.

Some upcoming seasonal theme park events were also cancelled (more details below).

All parks are recommending you purchase your tickets in advance to avoid having to visit the ticket windows and some are actually only allowing guests who have made a reservation for a specific day (and in some cases time).

It is also worthwhile downloading the parks own mobile apps as many have been updated to reflect the latest information in terms of park hours, location of hand sanitisers and closures.

All staff were temperature checked on arrival and had to wear face coverings (over the nose and mouth) though not all parks were insisting that guests wore face coverings. Coverings were not needed when eating or drinking for obvious reasons!

Some parks were selling masks and others were providing complimentary disposable masks but you should not rely on masks being available and it is a good idea to always bring at least one spare in case you lose one or it gets wet.

Children under the age of two are not required to wear a mask as per CDC recommendations.

Guest should always check the latest recommendations on face coverings as the parks are gradually refining their policies on face masks. For example Universal has banned masks with exhalation filters as they only stop droplets entering the mask and do not stop them exiting the mask.

Note that most parks have issued a waiver stating that guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

In May 2021, the temperature checks were gradually withdrawn from all parks and social distancing guidelines reduced from 6 ft to 3 ft. Parks also began to relax the mandatory face mask rules and now in most cases you only have to wear a mask whilst in ride queues or on indoor rides.

One upside is that if you were able to get into the parks then they generally they were quieter than normal whilst capacity was limited. That is no longer the case as capacity limits are being withdrawn.

The autumn (fall) is naturally a quieter time in the theme parks and most parks reduced their operating hours after Labor Day weekend. In 2020, Disney announced that from September 8, Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios would close an hour earlier whilst Epcot closed two hours earlier and Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened an hour later and closed an hour earlier.

Over at Universal Studios, Volcano Bay closed on November 2 but re-opened in March 2021. This was the first time the water park had closed since it opened in 2017. Disney also closed both of its water parks until 2021.

On September 25, 2020 DeSantis announced that the state could move to Phase 3 of the re-opening but there was not much change at the theme parks in the short term though capacity was increased slightly.

Florida Theme Park Arrival Checks

Most parks have adopted staggered car parking, leaving spaces between parked cars and social distancing when approaching the turnstiles.

Nearly all the parks were using non-invasive temperature checks and if anyone in a party was found to have a high temperature (typically more than 100.4° Fahrenheit, 38° Celsius) then the whole party was not allowed admission. Temperature checks have now been phased out.

Naturally anyone who has tested positive or been in contact with someone suspected of having the virus in the last 14 days or is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing will not be admitted and must self quarantine.

The complete list of typical symptoms that may be checked for in health checks on arrival includes:

• temperature at or more than 100.4° Fahrenheit, 38° Celsius
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fevers or chills
• fatigue
• muscle pain or body aches
• headache
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• recent loss of taste or smell

Basically anyone who exhibits typical cold/flu symptoms.

People who have come from a high risk area, travelled internationally or been on a cruise in the last 14 days will typically not be admitted either.

Guest Experience In The Florida Theme Parks

The three biggest changes are social distancing, face covering and reduced capacity.

Not all rides, shows and attractions have opened and most are operating at a reduced capacity to comply with social distancing requirements. Original guidance was to keep at least 6 feet (2 metres) between yourselves and other guests apart from members of your own party but this now been reduced to 3 feet (1 metre).

In most cases, single rider lines have been stopped to ease social distancing requirements and typically gaps are being left between rows on ride vehicles and roller coasters though in some instances that is no longer the case.

Parks have introduced ground markings to assist with social distancing especially at park entrances and in attraction lines and shops, implemented single direction flow especially in narrow areas and installed plexiglass screens in high traffic areas.

Social distancing is now enforced on character meet-and-greet interactions (when still operating) and most shows including nighttime fireworks and lasers and daytime parades have been cancelled as it is impossible to realistically manage social distancing with large crowds.

Park restaurants have been adapted to comply with social distancing with extra space between tables both inside and outside. Some restaurants remain closed and others have reduced the number of items on their menus.

To help reduce the number of touch points restaurants are typically using single-use paper menus and disposable pre-wrapped cutlery. Condiment stations are being shut and instead pre-wrapped condiments provided with the meal.

Hand sanitisers are being installed, particularly at entrances and exits of attractions and rides and extra sanitising is being performed on rides.

In most parks, face covering is mandatory but several parks have introduced “rest” areas with seating where subject to social distancing you can remove your masks.

Cash has pretty much been banned and the use of contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay is encouraged where possible. Most will still accept debit or credit cards.

In the resort hotels contactless servicing for checkout and room deliveries are used wherever possible.

Summary of Florida Theme Park COVID-19 Opening Guest Requirements

Nearly all theme parks initially introduced non-invasive temperature checks and were limiting capacity. Most parks made face coverings mandatory for anyone aged 2 and older.

Many parks introduced advanced ticket reservations for a specific date to ease capacity limits. Where no ticket reservations are required then admission is strictly on a first come, first served basis and admission will be refused if the park reaches capacity.

The following table shows a list of Florida attractions in “date opening” sequence with information on whether face covering were mandatory, whether temperature checks were performed on arrival and whether reservations were required. This is presented for historical interest only.

Clicking on the theme park names will take you to further details about the park’s new operating regime.

Notes on Summary Table of Florida Theme Park COVID-19 Opening Guest Requirements

• TBA — To be advised
• ♦ — Walt Disney World has banned bandanas and neck gaiters, all masks must be secured with ties or ear loops
• Water parks and theme parks with water rides do not require face coverings/masks when guests are actually in the water or on a water ride

Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and Volcano Bay all closed until 2021.

It is hoped a lot of these changes will be temporary but it is too early to tell and will depend upon a number of factors.

Further detailed information about specific Florida Theme Parks

Below you will find more detailed COVID-19 related information on Florida’s major theme parks.

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney has re-opened Disney Springs and their four theme parks but initially did not confirmed how they will manage the re-opening of the two water parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. In September they confirmed that one of the water parks would re-open on March 7, 2021 and later confirmed it would be Blizzard Beach.

Disney is taking the opportunity to make some significant changes to the park experience and announced some dramatic changes across the resort to cope with COVID-19 as well as other changes not directly related to COVID-19 including:

• temperature checks on arrival
• face coverings mandatory on all aged 2 and over except when on water rides. Bandanas and neck gaiters are not deemed acceptable and all masks must be secured with ties or ear loops
• cancellation of all existing FastPass+ reservations and the FastPass+ service itself to make more room in the lines to cope with social distancing
• suspension of single rider lines
• a new theme park pass reservation system as in future all guests will have to book park visits for specific dates, no just turning up on the day
• to start with there were no new ticket sales or hotel reservations until Disney cleared the backlog of existing customers whose outstanding tickets and reservations were cancelled
• suspension of all Extra Magic Hours
• suspension of most dining experiences and dessert parties
• suspension of tours
• suspension of guest experiences like Savi’s Workshop (re-opened on September 20 with reduced capactity)
• closure of interactive play areas
• suspension of character meet-and-greets though characters will still be seen in the park including new cavalcades
• suspension of the Disney Dining Plan
• cancellation of all existing dining reservations and new dining reservations will only be accepted up to 60 days in advance instead of 180 days
• suspension of all nighttime firework and laser shows including Fanstasmic! and Rivers of Light
• cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for 2020 at Magic Kingdom and Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon
• a cut down version of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to be called A Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival with elements from the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival that was cut short when the parks closed
• a reduction in Disney transport services including the monorail but Disney’s Magical Express will continue to operate to/from Orlando International Airport but with restrictions (see below)
• staggered opening and closing hours which will help with the planned reduction in transportation services

From June 30, 2020 guests who had previously had their dining reservations cancelled (up to and including September 2, 2020) were allowed to rebook up to 60 days in advance. Also a limited number of experiences have been re-introduced including the Droid Depot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney followed Universal’s lead and introduced relaxation zones where guests can remove the face masks whilst maintaining social distancing.

They have also mandated that guests cannot remove their masks to eat and drink while walking through the park; i.e. guests are not allowed to walk and eat or drink at the same time and must social distance when stopping to eat or drink

Annual pass holders need to make park reservations like all other guests but they are limited to only three reservations on a rolling basis (plus any resort reservations), there is no guaranteed entry and blockout dates will still apply where appropriate.

As a result of fewer out-of-state guests, Disney has gradually increased the availability of reservations to annual passholders.

Surprisingly, Disney having suspended the FastPass+ system and are not introducing new virtual lines on any of their attractions which means nearly every attraction is now standby only with no single lines.. However they have modified the virtual line on Rise of the Resistance which will make it easier to get a boarding group.

New technology features are being introduced into the My Disney Experience app to replicate the functionality of Magic Bands. As part of this transition, Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests will no longer received complimentary Magic Bands, from January 1, 2021. However guests will still be able to buy Magic Bands at a discounted price or continue to use their Key to the World card.

Disney has also announced that the special UK “length of stay” 7, 14 and 21 day tickets for 2021 will only be valid up to September 26, 2021 at this time.

Disney’s Magical Express is still operating to/from Orlando International Airport but guests now need to collect their own bags from the baggage claim area and take them to the bus and on departure they will need to take their bags from their rooms to the bus.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs started a phased reopened to guests on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 with some Disney properties like the World of Disney, Marketplace Co-Op and D-Luxe Burger opening a week later on Wednesday, May 27. Guest experiences like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique remain closed.

To start with all surface parking was suspended and there was only self parking at the Orange and Lime multi-storey car parking garages. Some surface parking has now been re-opened.

To help police social distancing Stormtroopers have been deployed at Disney Springs to help “enforce” guest compliance.

Magic Kingdom & Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Magic Kingdom re-opened on Saturday, July 11, 2020 along with Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Several attractions including Stitch’s Great Escape at Magic Kingdom and Primeval Whirl and Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom are permanently closed.

To help with coping with wearing a face covering all day Disney set up two Relaxation Locations in each park where guests could sit and relax and masks could be removed subject to capacity and complying with social distancing rules. The two locations in Magic Kingdom closed in May 2021.

In Magic Kingdom they are located at:

• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café in Frontierland
• Big Top Souvenirs in Fantasyland

In Disney’s Animal Kingdom they are at:

• opposite the Caravan Stage Theatre in Asia
• near Tiffins Restaurant in Discovery Island

Epcot & Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Epcot re-opened on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 along with Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Character experiences are taking place at the Garden Grille in Living with the Land at Epcot but there is no interaction with guests.

Disney has changed the virtual queue arrangements for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Now boarding groups are allocated at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. through the My Disney Experience app. A notification through the app gives you a one hour boarding slot.

In Epcot the relaxation locations are at:

• between Test Track and Mission Space in Future World East
• near the Norway Pavilion in World Showcase

In Disney’s Hollywood Studios they closed in May 2021:

• The Market Merchants in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• the far corner of Animation Courtyard

Disney Theme Park Parades

At Magic Kingdom, the big parades have been replaced by impromptu trolley cavalcades where a group of Disney characters travel up Main Street or around the park on a trolley.

Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, characters can be seen on themed boats sailing on the Discovery River whilst at Disney’s Hollywood Studios themed convertibles have been re-introduced.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

The “MLS is Back Tournament” featuring all 26 Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs has been scheduled for July 8 to August 11 but it will a televised-only event and played without spectators.

Disney Resort Hotels

The first resort hotels to re-open were the Disney Vacation Club Resorts and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, all of which re-opened on Monday, June 22, 2020. The list is as follows:

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

After this other hotels opened on a rolling schedule as follows:

• July 10 — Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• July 15 — Shades of Green
• July 29 — Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin
• August 24 — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• September 21 — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• October 4 — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (delayed from August 12)
• October 14 — Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• November 1 — Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (delayed from August 12)
• March 22, 2021 — All-Star Movies Resort
• May 30 — Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• June 6 — Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• July 2 — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• July — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Still no dates on Disney’s All Star Music Resort, Disney’s All Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House (hotel rooms), Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

The new hotels, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is set to open in 2021 and the Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge is set to open in 2022.

To start with, Disney only accepted resort dining reservations from hotel guests.

Like the theme parks there are also a number of changes at the Disney Resort hotels including:

• a confirmed room reservation is required to enter the hotel
• day guests must have a confirmed dining reservation
• face coverings will be mandatory in all public areas of the hotels except when swimming or seated for dining
• a hotel reservation does not guarantee park admission, a specific date ticket reservation is also required
• Club-level service, shipping services, dry-cleaning and valet laundry services are also suspended for the time being
• suspension of the Minnie Van service
• suspension of valet parking

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal CityWalk started a phased re-opening on Thursday, May 15, 2020 followed by all three parks; Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay on Friday, June 5.

Throughout Universal Orlando Resort they are recommending going cashless though cash will still be accepted.

Universal are limiting capacity to around 35% and are allowing park hopping.

Universal Orlando Resort has announced a number of changes across the resort to cope with COVID-19 including:

• temperature checks on arrival
• face coverings mandatory on all aged 2 and over except on water rides
• suspension of single rider lines
• suspension of all nighttime firework and laser shows and theatre attractions
• suspension of valet parking
• virtual queuing for most attractions with no standby line access but some attractions may switch back to standby only when numbers are low
• more mobile food ordering
• closure of interactive play areas
• mandatory use of hand sanitiser before boarding rides
• suspension of character meet-and-greet but characters will still be available for photos either behind barriers or on stage
• cancellation of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights though they subsequently opened two houses during normal park hours

Unlike Disney, Universal is still selling Express passes, park-to-park tickets and is not insisting on online reservations in advance, it is strictly first come first served.

Universal has also paused work on their next park, Epic Universe and have closed six attractions (the first two from when the parks re-opened and the others from August 9, 2020):

• A Day in the Park with Barney
• Fear Factor
• Fast & Furious: Supercharged
• TKang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• Poseidon’s Fury
• Storm Force Accelatron

Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk is gradually re-opening but a couple of attractions remain temporarily closed for the time being including the Blue Man Group shows and CityWalk Cinemark movie theatre. In January 2021 Universal announced that the Blue Man Group show would not re-open.

Capacity is strictly controlled when entering shops and mobile food ordering is encouraged.

CityWalk is only open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily but parking is free.

Universal Studios Florida & Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Like Disney, Universal has set up two U.Rest Areas in each park where guests can sit and relax and masks can be removed subject to capacity and complying with social distancing rules.

In Universal Studios Florida they are located at:

• the Central Park Lagoon area and
• near Fear Factor

In Islands of Adventure they are at:

• the Port of Entry Landing and
• inside the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show building

Universal’s Volcano Bay

Masks are still recommended but not on the rides and they will not combine parties on the rides.

Volcano Bay already operate virtual queues on all their rides.

Volcano Bay is usually open seven days a week but from September 8, 2020 they closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volcano Bay closed completely on November 2 but re-opened in March 2021. This is the first time the water park has closed since it opened in 2017. Disney also closed both of its water parks until 2021.

Universal Resort Hotels

Most resort hotels re-opened on Saturday, June 2, 2020 but two subsequently closed again. The list is as follows:

• Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (closed again on August 21)
• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Universal’s Aventura Hotel (closed again on August 21)
• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel re-opened on December 1 and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites re-opened on December 15.

Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort remain closed.

Like the theme parks there are also a number of changes at the Universal Resort hotels including:

• temperature checks on arrival
• face coverings will be mandatory in all public areas of the hotels except when swimming or seated for dining
• reduced capacity at food and beverage outlets

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

All five SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment theme parks and water parks in Florida; namely SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Aquatica Orlando, Discovery Cove and Adventure Island re-opened on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at about one third capacity.

To start with all the parks remained closed for two or three weekdays each week; i.e. only opening five or four days a week, to help staff manage additional cleaning and sanitising.

Weekday closures were as follows:

• SeaWorld — closed Tuesdays and Thursdays (also open Thursdays from August 6, 2020 through August 27, open seven days a week from August 30 until October 3)
• Busch Gardens — closed Mondays and Wednesdays (also open Mondays from August 24 until September 7)
• Aquatica — closed Mondays and Wednesdays (open seven days a week from July 2 until October 28)
• Adventure Island — closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (also open Monday and Wednesday from August 2 until September 5 then only open Friday through Sunday for the rest of the season ending October 18)
• Discovery Cove — Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

All SeaWorld parks are now open every day

Throughout the parks they are recommending going cashless though cash will still be accepted.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• temperature checks on arrival
• face coverings mandatory on all aged 2 and over except on water rides, whilst eating or drinking or when in the designated “Face Covering Relaxation Zones”
• reduced operating schedule; i.e. no longer open seven days a week
• suspension of single rider lines
• advanced online reservations are required for all guests including passes
• closure of some interactive play areas
• some suspension of character meet-and-greet, photo opportunities and parades

SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Face coverings are mandatory on all aged 2 and over except on water rides, whilst eating or drinking or when in the designated relaxation areas.

At both parks some tours have been cancelled as social distancing is not possible and others modified. Some will be restricted to single parties. All raft rides are limited to one party.

To help with coping with wearing a face covering all day SeaWorld has set up Face Covering Relaxation Zones in each park where guests can sit and relax and masks can be removed subject to capacity and complying with social distancing rules.

In SeaWorld Orlando they are located at:

• Wild Arctic
• near the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium
• near Shark Encounter on the lakeside

In Busch Gardens Tampa Bay they are located at:

• the Bird Gardens
  • by the hand washing station outside of Gwazi Pavilion
  • near the Coke Canopy
  • near the flamingos
• outside of the Zambia Smokehouse
• near the log flume
• in Jungala near Tree Top Trails
• in the courtyard between Cheetah Hunt and Egypt

Aquatica Orlando, Discovery Cove & Adventure Island

At all the water parks face coverings are mandatory on all aged 2 and over except on water rides, when in the water or whilst eating or drinking.

All raft rides are limited to one party and play areas will be closed if they cannot meet social distancing protocols.

At Discovery Cove some animal interactions may be modified or suspended.

LEGOLAND Florida

Both LEGOLAND Florida theme park and the LEGOLAND Water Park re-opened on Monday, June 1, 2020 and was one of the few parks where face coverings were only recommended, not mandatory. On the same day the new Legoland Pirate Island Hotel also opened.

From July 14, face masks were made mandatory when inside indoor areas and attractions for guests aged 8 and up.

Reservations are recommended as capacity will be limited to 50%.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• temperature checks on arrival
• face coverings recommended on all aged 3 and over and disposable masks are freely available. Masks should not be used on water rides or when wet
• guests will be refused entry if they have been on a cruise or have travelled internationally in the last 14 days
• park is strictly cashless; credit/debit cards only
• suspension of character meet-and-greet experiences
• some live shows may be cancelled

A good idea is that young guests can be height checked at the front gate and then given a colour coded wristband to indicate their height group. This saves having to get height checked at individual rides.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSC) re-opened on Thursday, May 28, 2020.

Unlike many parks KSC requires guests to purchase a dated and timed ticket to stagger visitor numbers through the entry lines. At present the ticket includes the cost of parking and offers a second visit to be redeemed between January 1, 2021 and December 25, 2021.

The bus tours and dine with an astronaut experiences are suspended until July 31, 2020.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• temperature checks on arrival
• face coverings mandatory on all aged 2 and over except whilst eating or drinking
• advanced online reservations with a specified date and time are required for all guests including passes
• suspension of all theatre shows
• cashless contactless transactions only

Gatorland

Gatorland was one of the first of the Florida theme parks to re-open on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• temperature screening guests who exhibit symptoms
• face covering recommended for all guests

Initially the Jumparoo Show and Gator Gully Splashpark/Playground remained closed but the Gator Gully Splashpark has now opened subject to capacity and social distance guidelines.

Gatorland has also introduced their very own “Social Distancing Skunk Ape” to help ensure people keep the hands clean and keep the recommended distance apart.

ICON Park

Madame Tussauds and Sealife Aquarium re-opened on May 15, 2020 and The Wheel on June 3.

To start with ICON Park was open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily but The Wheel was only operating from 1 p.m. to 9 pm. from Wednesday to Sunday each week. Now The Wheel is open every day from 1 p.m.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• maintain a social distance of 10 feet (3 metres) instead of the usual 6 feet (2 metres)
• face covering recommended for all guests

On The Wheel each party is receiving a complimentary upgrade to a private capsule, regardless of ticket type with a maximum of 10 people per capsule.

Island H2O Live! Water Park

The Island H2O Live! Water Park at Sunset Walk, near Margaritaville re-opened on May 23, 2020.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• health checks on arrival
• face coverings recommended but should not be used on water rides or when wet
• guests will be refused entry if they have been on a cruise or have travelled internationally in the last 14 days
• cashless payments recommended

Fun Spot Orlando & Fun Spot Kissimmee

Fun Spot Orlando & Fun Spot Kissimmee were the first parks to re-open on May 22, 2020.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• health checks on arrival
• face coverings recommended in Orlando park and mandatory in Kissimmee park (different counties)
• 9 feet (3 metres) social distancing in ride lines, 6 feet (2 metres) otherwise

CoCo Key Resort and Water Park

CoCo Key Resort and Water Park re-opened on May 18, 2020.

Changes to cope with COVID-19 include:

• face coverings recommended but should not be used on water rides or when wet

The Holy Land Experience

The Holy Land Experience closed on March 15, 2020 and it is unclear when it will re-open. They had planned to stop all theatrical productions on April 19, 2020 and return to their “bible museum” roots but this was brought forward when the pandemic struck.

There are reports that The Holy Land Experience site might be sold.

Florida COVID-19 Impact Timeline 2020

All re-openings must comply with local County face covering and social distancing requirements.