Universal Orlando Resort CEO John Sprouls has outlined several ideas for how the theme park could reopen safely.
During conference calls with the reopen Florida task force created by Governor Ron DeSantis, Sprouls suggested how attractions could begin to reopen.
(Updates: 28/05/20 What should we expect when Orlando theme parks reopen?  26/05/20: Universal Orlando Resort confirms reopening and unveils health and safety measures 29/0420: The Recovery Task Force’s online meeting this week discussed guidelines for reopening safely.)
Ensuring visitors feel safe
Click Orlando reports that Sprouls has no set date for reopening Universal as there are several factors to consider. He did say that “We hope it’s sooner rather than later obviously.”
However, Universal is “thinking a lot about how and when to reopen” according to Sprouls. There are “multiple teams working on a number of different scenarios.”
Sprouls stressed that “the paramount issue will be feeling safe in our park. If they [guests] don’t feel safe, they won’t attend.”
Several plans to reopen
Universal is considering several options to ensure its visitors feel safe when it reopens. These include using social distancing measures on rides and queue lines and limiting the number of visitors in the parks.
Virtual line technology is currently already used at Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay, and this technology could be expanded to the theme parks. Other technology could be introduced to make some things touchless, and therefore more sanitary.
Sprouls also mentioned that seating on rides could be staggered. Cleaning and disinfecting measures are likely to be increased throughout the park.
Checking visitors and staff members
Furthermore, Universal is considering checking the temperatures of visitors before they enter. As well as making staff wear masks, they will also “screen every team member we have who comes in contact with guests every single day” according to Sprouls.
Universal is currently looking at how businesses like Walmart and Publix have implemented safety measures, and how their staff and guests are handling these measures.
Many of the procedures outlined by Sprouls are similar to the questions sent to Universal pass holders in a recent survey.
Universal have also patented new in-ride sanitation technology.
