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

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 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.

Park officials said guests staying at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal's Aventura Hotel and Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites will be able to visit the theme parks on Wednesday and Thursday, prior to the public reopening on Friday.

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

“Coronavirus

Passholders who registered for entry will also be allowed entry to the park starting Wednesday.

Joe and KC Collier are driving more than 1,100 miles from Michigan to attend Universal's passholder preview on Wednesday.

They said there’s excited to get into the parks after they’ve been closed for two months.

When they get there they’re expecting virtual queues to help with social distancing.

Shelley Caran with On the Go In MCO said visitors will be limited to two ride times per Universal account.

"It's going to be a whole different ways of visiting the parks,” she said.

Caran said to charge your phone because you’ll need it for the virtual queues and cashless pay options.

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

READ: Universal passholders hit issues while trying to snag early look at park’s reopening

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.

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.”

Click here for more information on what to expect when you arrive.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

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