Universal Orlando reopening: A look at passholders’ first day back at the parks

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Guests returned to Universal Studios Orlando on Wednesday for the first time in two months.

To mark the occasion, Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a news conference at CityWalk at noon.

READ: Universal Orlando Resort reopening: Hotels reopen to guests, passholders plan for Wednesday return

Guests who checked into select Universal Orlando Resort hotels as well as passholders, were the first members of the public allowed into the theme parks since the COVID-19 shutdown.

Park officials said guests, team members and vendors are required to wear face coverings in public areas. And guests, team members and vendors will be required to have temperature checks upon arrival.

Official said employees with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed to work, and guests with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed entry.

READ: Reservations, temperature checks & virtual lines: What theme park visits could look like after reopening

A banner on Universal Orlando’s website states, “Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.”

Joe and KC Collier drove all the way from Michigan to attend the park’s first day of reopening while gladly wearing their masks and keeping their distance.

They said during their visit the park seemed very well prepared.

Central Florida residents Jessica Restrepo and Jacob Gomez also visited the parks on Wednesday. They said they were glad to see that people were beginning to travel back to the area and get the local tourism economy back to work.

Watch DeSantis’ news conference below:

Video: Universal Orlando Resort reopening: Hotels reopen to guests, passholders plan for Wednesday return For the first time in nearly two months, guests are checking in to Universal Orlando Resort hotels on Tuesday. On Wednesday, those guests as well as passholders, will be the first members of the public allowed into the theme parks since the COVID-19 shutdown.

© 2020 Cox Media Group